Iowa

Why Luke Fickell stuck with Hunter Simmons at QB in Wisconsin Badgers’ 37-0 loss to Iowa

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2 hours ago

October 12, 2025

Press Room

Why Luke Fickell stuck with Hunter Simmons at QB in Wisconsin Badgers’ 37-0 loss to Iowa

Luke Fickell acknowledges Badgers should have considered going in the ‘other direction’ at QB

Wisconsin quarterback Hunter Simmons struggled in the 37-0 loss to Iowa, completing 8 of 21 passes with three turnovers.
Coach Luke Fickell stuck with Simmons for the entire game instead of switching to backup quarterback Danny O’Neil.
Fickell later acknowledged that he should have considered going in the ‘other direction’ at the quarterback position.

MADISON — One starting quarterback in this year’s Heartland Trophy game seemed to be fully enjoying “Jump Around.”

Iowa’s Mark Gronowski could be seen exuberantly jumping during the Camp Randall Stadium tradition as his team had a 30-0 lead over its rival.

Wisconsin’s Hunter Simmons, however, had much less motive to jump around as the Southern Illinois transfer struggled throughout the game. Simmons went 8-of-21 — about 38% — for 82 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. He had a third turnover on a backward pass that was recovered by Iowa and officially counted as a fumble.

For as much as Simmons struggled, though, Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell continued to lean on the Southern Illinois transfer at quarterback rather than giving San Diego State transfer Danny O’Neil an opportunity in the 37-0 loss to the Hawkeyes.

“We were reeling on both sides,” Fickell said. “So it wasn’t something I went in at halftime and said, ‘What’s the opportunity, what’s the chances here?’” Where we were at and what we needed to be able to do — we still felt like there were some things there, and he gave us the best chance.”

More: UW schedule | Box score

All three turnovers were in the first 16 minutes of game action. At that point in the game, Simmons was 2-of-7 for 23 yards. From that point forward, Simmons went 6-of-14 for 59 yards.

“I’m not saying after the first three picks in the first quarter that he didn’t maybe settle down a little bit, but we were just never able to find anything down the field, to create any energy or momentum or establish any drive,” Fickell said.

O’Neil, in comparison, has completed 70.6% of his passes this season with five touchdown passes and five interceptions. He was benched in favor of Simmons ahead of UW’s 24-10 loss to Michigan and saw only three snaps (without any passing attempts) against the Wolverines.

“You’re probably right,” Fickell said in response to the Journal Sentinel’s question about not switching to Danny O’Neil at quarterback during the Iowa game. “It’s something that we got to take a good, hard look at. And no disrespect to Hunter, but probably was an opportunity or some situation where we should have went the other direction.”

Regardless of whether it’s Simmons, O’Neil or the currently-injured Billy Edwards Jr. at quarterback, Wisconsin’s next few games will likely not be any easier. No. 1 Ohio State visits Wisconsin on Oct. 18, and No. 2 Oregon hosts the Badgers on Oct. 25 before UW’s second bye week.

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Iowa

Colorado vs. Iowa State: Watch today’s college football game with free livestream

Published

14 hours ago

October 11, 2025

Press Room

Colorado vs. Iowa State: Watch today’s college football game with free livestream

The Colorado Buffaloes play against the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones in a college football game today. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Buffaloes enter this matchup with a 2-4 record, and they have lost back-to-back games. In their most recent game, the Buffaloes lost 35-21 against TCU.

In order to bounce back this afternoon, the Buffaloes will need a great performance from their star wide receiver Omarion Miller. He leads the team with 17 receptions for 289 yards and three touchdowns, which highlights his offensive prowess.

The Cyclones enter this matchup with a 5-1 record, and they are coming off a 38-30 loss against Cincinnati.

In order to win today’s game, the Cyclones will need to rely on their quarterback Rocco Becht. He has thrown for nine touchdowns and more than 1,400 yards this season, which highlights his arm talent.

Fans can watch this college football game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

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Iowa

Photos: Bettendorf vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson Iowa High School Football

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1 day ago

October 11, 2025

Press Room

Photos: Bettendorf vs. Cedar Rapids Jefferson Iowa High School Football – 10/10/25 | The Gazette

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Iowa

Iowa dentist, charged with incompetence, surrenders license

Published

2 days ago

October 10, 2025

Press Room

Iowa dentist, charged with incompetence, surrenders license

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A central Iowa dentist has agreed to surrender her license after being charged with professional incompetence in the case of a patient who lost six teeth.

The Iowa Dental Board alleges that in January 2022, dentist Marion Jane Blount of Ames, now 74, placed temporary crowns on six teeth of a patient and then failed to replace them within permanent crowns in a timely fashion. As a result, the board alleges, the patient was in pain and eventually required treatment for an infection.

In addition, the board alleges, the patient went to another dentist who had to extract the patient’s six front teeth and then provide the patient with a partial plate, all “as a result of the poor work” that was performed by Blount.

Without admitting any wrongdoing, Blount recently agreed to surrender her license with the understanding that she can seek reinstatement in one year, according to board records.

It’s not the first time Blount has been sanctioned by the board.

In 2007, the board charged Blount with employing or permitting an unregistered person to practice dental assisting, and with failing to maintain adequate infection control protocols. As a result, her license was placed on probation for two years.

In 2013, the board again charged Blount with employing or permitting an unregistered person to practice dental assisting. In that case, the board imposed a $500 civil penalty but took no action restricting her license or practice.

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