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Sam LaPorta is back with Iowa football. Why that means big things for the Hawkeyes tight ends.

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Sam LaPorta is back with Iowa football. Why that means big things for the Hawkeyes tight ends.


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It did not take very lengthy for Sam LaPorta to decide. The Iowa tight finish, who statistically stacked up in opposition to previous Iowa greats final season, may’ve entered the 2022 NFL Draft as a junior.

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After Iowa’s season ended on Jan. 1, he stated he took time to resolve. However the choice was “fairly straightforward and obvious.” 

A number of months later, one of many high tight finish prospects within the 2023 NFL Draft is making ready for his senior season with the Hawkeyes. 

“I simply needed to make myself completely satisfied,” LaPorta stated. “Most of all, I am completely satisfied to be part of this workforce on this program and get my school paid for. Simply to be part of this workforce and go to an important college, that is why I selected to return again.” 

LaPorta returns to Iowa as their main pass-catcher in every of the final two seasons. His 95 profession receptions ranks fourth all-time in Iowa historical past for tight ends. Behind him is up-and-coming sophomore Luke Lachey. At 6-foot-6 and 248 kilos, he may emerge as a weapon each within the move recreation and as a run blocker this season. 

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On the high, Iowa has two confirmed commodities led by LaPorta however there’s additionally a number of new faces within the room for the 2022 season. The Hawkeyes have a brand new tight ends coach in Abdul Hodge and three new tight ends to start summer time: Steven Stilianos, a graduate switch from Lafayette and a pair of three-star recruits in Addison Ostrenga and Cael Vanderbush. 

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It is nonetheless early on however LaPorta likes the potential.

“I really feel very strongly in regards to the group that we’ve got within the room,” LaPorta stated. “We’re actually excited in regards to the group and the fellows that we’ve got within the room. I believe coach (Abdul) Hodge is a good chief for us. The addition of the brand new guys is absolutely thrilling and I am unable to I am unable to wait to proceed to teach them up as properly.” 

Probably the most prevalent new face is first-year and first-time tight ends coach Abdul Hodge. The previous Iowa linebacker nice completed his first spring with the workforce and continues to be working to construct relationships with gamers within the room. 

Hodge famous through the spring that his expertise with linebackers might help in teaching tight ends as a result of tight ends are virtually all the time matched up in opposition to linebackers in move safety, run blocking and move catching. LaPorta’s already benefited from these classes and says speaking with Hodge helps him attain one other degree. 

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Extra: From linebackers to tight ends, new Iowa soccer assistant coach Abdul Hodge embraces new problem

“I am positively assembly with Coach Hodge an entire lot extra,” LaPorta stated. “Simply him breaking down the sport. For me, it is I really feel actually useful at this level in my profession. I really feel like I’ve an important understanding the offense, now studying how the protection and defensive system tries to cease tight ends and little issues in my recreation or like simply analyzing defenses and stuff like that I really feel prefer it’s an enormous factor for me.” 

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On the sphere, Stilianos is most primed for a job this fall of all newcomers. He twice earned All-Patriot League first workforce honors and offers on the spot depth in case of damage, and even opens the door for three-tight finish units. Along with Hodge, Stilianos’ expertise and perspective helps sharpen LaPorta, Lachey and the freshmen. 

“It is cool to see how he breaks down the sport as an older participant,” LaPorta stated. “He is a man that has had a profitable school profession up until now. To see him break down the sport in his personal manner is one thing that is new to me as a result of he is new to this system and I really feel like I’ve a superb understanding of how all people within the room sees the sport and you realize, the little nuances of their recreation that I acknowledge too.” 

Ostrenga and Vanderbush will possible use this 12 months for improvement. LaPorta’s having fun with the position of mentor for the younger tight ends and is emphasizing one, key message proper now: do not dwell on the errors. 

“I do not know if it is a lot as recommendation as it’s strive to not make the identical errors that I’ve made,” LaPorta stated. “I really feel like they really feel just like the errors stick in your head a bit of bit greater than the recommendation does. So simply recognizing the stuff that I’ve carried out mistaken or I tripped up on prior to now and attempt to assist assist them create a bridge to allow them to overcome that simpler or they’ll keep away from these errors fully.” 

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What impression can Iowa’s tight ends have on the move offense this 12 months? Rather a lot contemplating LaPorta’s manufacturing, the depth behind him and the truth that Iowa is low on scholarship receivers. There’s potential for extra move alternatives for a number of tight ends. 

Extra: Iowa soccer’s Nico Ragaini aiming for large 2022 season due to new can-do angle

And LaPorta’s assured that his his group might be ready for any position that is required. 

“I really feel like we’ve got nice depth within the room in the meanwhile,” LaPorta stated. “In case you ask any tight ends they’re going to say ‘Yeah, put us all on the market’ and that is how I really feel. I really feel like we’ve got nice depth and getting guys on the sphere in numerous units and getting guys to play their finest soccer is what I am trying ahead to most.” 

Kennington Lloyd Smith III covers Iowa Hawkeyes soccer and males’s basketball for the Des Moines Register. You possibly can join with Kennington on Twitter @SkinnyKenny_ or electronic mail him at ksmith@gannett.com.

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Iowa

Group calls for electric rate reform in Iowa

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Group calls for electric rate reform in Iowa


CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Four organizations have formed a an advocacy group calling for reform in the way utility companies set rate increases. The entities that make up the group are Iowa Business Energy Coalition, Iowa Economic Alliance, Iowa Business for Clean Energy, and Large Energy Group. Although the coalition doesn’t have a group name.

The group cited Alliant Energy’s most recent rate increase as a concern for both residents and businesses. Alliant’s increase was approved by the Iowa Utilities Commission back in Sept. In a news release, the group called Alliant a monopoly.

According to the U-S Energy Information Administration, Alliant had the highest electric rates in all of Iowa in 2023. And Iowa’s average rate was higher than 37 other states.

The advocate group said the cost of electricity is making it harder to operate a business in Iowa. It said the larger companies in Cedar Rapids like Quaker Oats and the hospitals already have expensive electric bills every month and the increase has added to that.

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“Some of these larger customers, their bills are a million dollars or more. So when you’re talking about some of the increases they’ve recently seen, a 15% increase, that’s a substantial impact,” Dave Vognsen with Large Energy Group said.

The business group also suggested changing how Iowa utilities can charge customers for future projects. Right now, electric companies can charge customers before they start a new project.

“What the utilities plan for in their resource plans are eventually going to be paid for by customers,” Vognsen said. “So that’s why it’s important to take a look and make sure you know that it’s the least cost based upon the needs of customers,” he said.

Ultimately, the group said it is pushing for legislation changes that would allow the Iowa Utilities Commission to regulate the way utility companies increase their rates, serving as a check of sorts.

“The commission can make sure those decisions are based on the best interests or rate payers and not just in the best interest of the utilities,” Bob Rafferty with Iowa Business for Clean Energy said.

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KCRG reached out to Alliant Energy about the group’s push for reform. It said in a statement:

“We remain committed to cost-effectively meeting customers’ energy supply needs. Investing in a diverse energy mix and modernizing the energy grid delivers a more reliable, sustainable, resilient and secure energy future. The IUC’s decision positions us to accomplish this as we continue planning ahead, acting on behalf of our customers to ensure we’re ready to manage the rapidly changing energy landscape,”



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Naturalized citizens sue Iowa officials for challenging 2,000 voters

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Naturalized citizens sue Iowa officials for challenging 2,000 voters


Naturalized citizens have sued Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate and other election officials after he instructed them to challenge the ballots of over 2,000 voters.

Last week, Pate’s office said that it gave county auditors a list of 2,022 people who told the state’s Department of Transportation that they were not citizens but later registered to vote or voted.

Since those voters may have become naturalized citizens in the time between telling the Transportation Department that they were not citizens and participating in the U.S. election process, Pate’s office told county auditors to challenge their ballots and have them cast a provisional ballot instead.

The voters would have seven days to show proof of citizenship before their ballot is counted.

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Stickers that read “Presidential Election I Voted 2024” are displayed on a table on the first day of Virginia’s in-person early voting at Long Bridge Park Aquatics and Fitness Center on September 20, 2024, in…


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ACLU Challenges Election Officials

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Iowa filed a lawsuit against Pate and five election auditors in federal court late Wednesday on behalf of four voters flagged by Pate as registered voters who might not be citizens and the League of United Latin American Citizens of Iowa (LULAC).

According to the complaint, the four voters are naturalized citizens, one of whom registered last year, a day after he became a citizen.

“Yet he was placed on the Secretary’s covert list and wrongfully subjected to investigation and an election challenge for following the law and exercising his right to vote,” the complaint states.

The lawsuit alleges that Iowa election officials are burdening the right to vote and discriminating against naturalized citizens. Officials are treating this group of voters differently from others in violation of their constitutional right to equal protection, the suit claims.

The suit asks for the Transportation Department list to be revoked and for voters on it to not be challenged on this basis.

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Pate in a ‘Balancing’ Act

Pate told reporters Wednesday, before the lawsuit was filed, that the Transportation Department list is the “only list that we have available to us” without access to federal immigration records.

“We’re balancing this process. We want everyone to be able to vote. That’s why none of them have been taken off the voter rolls,” Pate said.

However, he added, “We do owe an obligation to make sure that they are citizens now.”

Republicans have made non-citizen voting a big issue ahead of the November 5 election. Despite it already being illegal for non-citizens to register to vote or to vote in federal elections, the Republican-led House voted to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act in July, which would require those registering to vote to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship. The bill remains in the House.

While there is no evidence that non-citizen voting is occurring in significant numbers, Iowa and some other states have identified dozens of such cases.

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‘We Will Defend Our Election Integrity’

Before the lawsuit was filed, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice “called the State in an attempt to pressure Iowa into letting noncitizens vote.”

“Every legal vote must count and not be canceled by an illegal vote,” she said. “In Iowa, we will defend our election integrity laws and protect the vote.”

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment to the Associated Press (AP).

The AP also reached out to Pate and Bird on Thursday for comment on the lawsuit.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.

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Iowa men’s basketball: Four bold predictions for Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season

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Iowa men’s basketball: Four bold predictions for Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season


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IOWA CITY — The Iowa men’s basketball regular season is on the verge of getting underway.

After beating Minnesota Duluth, 102-81, in an exhibition, the Hawkeyes’ next contest is more than just a dress rehearsal. That comes Monday with the regular season opener against Texas A&M-Commerce.

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There are not exactly high expectations surrounding this Iowa team. The Hawkeyes were picked to finish 11th out of 18 teams in the Big Ten by a preseason media poll. Internally, though, there is optimism. 

“People are confident,” Payton Sandfort said at Big Ten Media Days. “Anyone that has been around practice this year thinks this team is special. The energy is different. The intensity is different. The attention to detail is different. I think it’s going to be a great year.”

To skeptics, Sandfort’s claim could be viewed as a bold prediction. 

In that spirit, here are some bold takes ahead of the Hawkeyes’ 2024-25 season.

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Iowa basketball’s Josh Dix will make an All-Big Ten team

This wouldn’t be that bold of a prediction if the conference hadn’t just added four new programs. But now with 18 teams, earning a spot on the All-Big Ten first, second, or third teams (more than 15 players can make them in total) becomes even more difficult.

That said, Dix should be considered a dark horse.

The flashes that Dix showed as a freshman became even more prominent as a sophomore. Last season, there was a phenomenal three-game stretch during Big Ten play in which he averaged 21.3 points on 68.4% from the field and 61.5% from deep.

It’s unrealistic to expect Dix to sustain those numbers across an entire season, but it’s one of the many signs pointing to him being capable of becoming a premier player in the league. Dix, a highly efficient scorer on all three levels, also adds value on the defensive end. Now as a junior, Dix is stepping into an even larger role, meaning the opportunity is there for him to put up big numbers.

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He scored 22 points against Minnesota Duluth on 9-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-4 from deep.

“I think the biggest thing he’s done, he’s gotten really aggressive,” Sandfort said of Dix after the contest. “He always had that. He was always showing it in practice but would be just kinda passive when we got into games… Now he has the confidence that he can dominate these teams. I’m excited to see the year he has.”

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Video: Payton Sandfort leads Iowa with 23 points in exhibition win

Payton Sandfort discusses a variety of topics after Iowa’s exhibition win over Minnesota Duluth.

Hawkeyes’ Brock Harding will finish top-5 in the Big Ten in assists per game

Harding’s sensational passing ability, coupled with Iowa’s offensive firepower makes this seem like a real possibility.

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His ability to share the rock was on display as a freshman. Harding’s 2.6 assists per game in limited playing time equates to 9.7 when extrapolated to a per 40-minute average. 

It’s unreasonable to expect him to average 40 minutes per game as a sophomore, but he is primed to get substantially more playing time, meaning last season’s assist numbers are likely to go up. With Dix, Owen Freeman and Sandfort all having the potential to be high-volume scorers, Harding shouldn’t have a shortage of opportunities.

Even in a Minnesota Duluth exhibition that wasn’t his best performance — Harding scored two points on 1-of-7 from the field — he still recorded six assists.

Northwestern’s Boo Buie finished last season fifth in the Big Ten in assists per game with five. Getting in that neighborhood doesn’t seem like a long shot for Harding.

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Pryce Sandfort will be Iowa men’s basketball’s top bench scorer

There are probably four realistic options to be Iowa’s leading bench scorer. It could be either of the transfers, Seydou Traore or Drew Thelwell. Freshman Cooper Koch deserves to be in the conversation, as well.

But Pryce Sandfort might be the one to earn that title.

After an inconsistent freshman season, word from inside the program has been pointedly positive about Pryce Sandfort. At Iowa men’s basketball media day, coach Fran McCaffery remarked that Pryce Sandfort was “shooting the ball at an incredibly high clip on a consistent basis.”

The exhibition against Minnesota Duluth showed how quickly Sandfort can score in bunches. He finished the first half without a point but scored 11 in the second half. He also played the most minutes out of Iowa’s reserves.

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At 6-foot-7, Pryce Sandfort can be a lethal 3-point shooter, but his offensive repertoire isn’t limited to that. With Iowa needing some scoring outside of Payton Sandfort, Freeman and Dix, Pryce Sandfort has the skill set to deliver.

Iowa Hawkeyes will have its best 3-point percentage since the 2020-21 season

The Hawkeyes shot 38.6% as a team in 2020-21. Four players shot 39% or better from deep, including three that shot at least 44%.

Since then, Iowa’s team 3-point percentages are as follows:

  • 2021-22: 36.3%
  • 2022-23: 34%
  • 2023-24: 35.1%

Iowa has a chance to shoot better in 2024-25 than it has in each of the last three seasons.

The Hawkeyes saw the departures of some lower percentage shooters, including Tony Perkins (29.9%) and Patrick McCaffery (31.2%).

Two of the players expected to be among the highest-volume shooters for Iowa this season are more than capable 3-point shooters in Dix and Payton Sandfort. Pryce Sandfort and Cooper Koch are known to be good shooters, as well.

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There are a handful of other X-factors. 

Harding shot 37.5% as a freshman even before adjusting his shooting form this offseason. Thelwell is a career 34.8% 3-point shooter. Freeman didn’t attempt many 3-pointers last season but has worked on expanding his game this offseason and could take more as a sophomore. Ladji Dembele and Traore can contribute from beyond the arc, though they haven’t proven to shoot a high percentage yet.

Follow Tyler Tachman on X @Tyler_T15, contact via email at ttachman@gannett.com





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