K-State RB DJ Giddens, Kansas CB Cobee Bryant, Houston RB Parker Jenkins and Iowa State kicker Chase Contreraz picked up Big 12 football awards for Week 4. All are first-time honorees.

Giddens became the first player in school history and the 22nd in Big 12 history to rush for 200 or more yards and four touchdowns in a game in K-State’s 44-31 win over UCF. The business administration major finished with 293 scrimmage yards, third-most in school history and only behind Darren Sproles’ total of 323 yards against Oklahoma in the 2003 Big 12 Championship Game and his 298 yards against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2004. Giddens’ four rushing scores were tied for the third most in a game in school history and tied for the most this season among FBS running backs. His 207 rushing yards were the fifth-most this season by a FBS running back and his 30 rushing attempts were the most by a Wildcat since Alex Barnes rushed 32 times against Texas Tech in 2017.

Bryant returned a fumble for a touchdown and recorded an interception in Kansas’ 38-27 win in the Big 12 opener against BYU. His fumble recovery for a touchdown came on KU’s second defensive play of the game, as he forced BYU to fumble and then picked it up and returned it for a 22-yard touchdown. Bryant, a liberal arts and sciences major, became the first Kansas player since Nov. 6, 2010 (Tyler Patmon vs. Colorado) to have an interception, a fumble recovery and a fumble recovery touchdown in the same game.

Jenkins is the first Cougar in program history to have three rushing touchdowns in his first start as UH finished non-conference play with a 38-7 victory over Sam Houston. Entering the game, SHSU had allowed just three total TDs (at BYU, vs. Air Force). Jenkins’ three rushing touchdowns in a half matched the program record. The kinesiology-sports administration major is the only Power 5 freshman with three rushing touchdowns in a single game this season and one of three Big 12 freshmen on the season with a 100+ yard rushing performance.

Contreraz knocked through both field goal attempts and was 4-for-4 on extra points to finish with 10 points in the Cyclones’ 34-27 win against Oklahoma State. He nailed a 51-yard field goal, his second 50-yarder of the season, to become just the sixth FBS player this season with multiple 50-yard field goals. Contreraz already has his bachelor’s degree and is working on a master’s in family consumer sciences.

Big 12 Players of the Week
September 4
Offense: Emory Jones, UC, QB, Sr.
Defense: Jeremiah Cooper, ISU, DB, So.
Newcomer: Emory Jones, UC, QB, Sr.
Special Teams: Ryan Rehkow, BYU, P, Jr. and Gavin Freeman, OU, WR/PR, So.

September 11
Offense: Quinn Ewers, UT, QB, So.
Defense: Danny Stutsman, OU, LB, Jr.
Newcomer: Adonai Mitchell, UT, WR, Jr.
Special Teams: Colton Boomer, UCF, K, So.

September 18
Offense: Dillon Gabriel, OU, QB, Sr.
Defense: Tyler Batty, BYU, DE, Jr.
Newcomer: Nic Anderson, OU, WR, Fr.
Special Teams: Matthew Golden, UH, KR/WR, So.

September 25
Offense: DJ Giddens, K-State, RB, So.
Defense: Cobee Bryant, KU, CB, Jr.
Newcomer: Parker Jenkins, UH, RB, Fr.
Special Teams: Chase Contreraz, ISU, K, Sr.

The Class 3A and 4A state baseball tournament are moving to Cedar Rapids next season. The move was needed due to renovations beginning at Banks Field in Iowa City at the end of the next college baseball season. Andy Umthun is baseball administrator for the Iowa High School Athletic Association.

He says the 1A and 2A tournaments will remain in Carroll.

Umthun says they hope to announce a new long-term deal for a location a year from now and a single location is a possibility.

Next year’s state tournament is scheduled for July 22 through the 26th.

Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley says a focus during their bye week was a young defense. The Panthers are 1-2 and open the Missouri Valley Football race at home on Saturday against 19th ranked Youngstown State.

The Panthers are coming off a 41-14 win at Idaho State.

Farley says that defense will be tested by a Youngstown State team that is 2-1. The Penguins’ only loss was at Ohio State.

The Youngstown State offense is averaging more than 35 points and just over 433 yards per game.

Farley hopes the home field is an advantage on Saturday.

AMES, Iowa – Chase Contreraz has been named the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week, the league office announced Monday. It is the first Big 12 weekly honor of his career.

Contreraz made field goals from distances of 51 and 46 yards in Iowa State’s 34-27 victory against Oklahoma State, both into a strong southerly wind. He was perfect on the day, going 2-for-2 on field goal attempts and 4-of-4 on extra points.

With makes from 56 and 51 yards, the Missouri Valley, Iowa native is one of eight kickers nationally with multiple 50-plus yard field goals this season. His 56-yarder against UNI remains tied for third-longest field goal nationally this year.

Contreraz is the sixth Cyclone in school history to have multiple 50-plus yard field goals in a season and seventh to do it in their career.

Iowa State is back in action Saturday Sept. 30 at Oklahoma. Kickoff from Norman, Okla. is set for 6 p.m.

2023 ISU Big 12 Weekly Honors
Sept. 4 – Jeremiah Cooper (DPOW)
Sept. 25 – Chase Contreraz (STPOW)

(Clive, Iowa) September 25, 2023 – The Iowa Pork Producers Association is partnering with four Iowa State University football players to promote the pork industry. Through an NIL (name, image, likeness) deal, Cyclones Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, and Caleb Bacon are leading the new “Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon” marketing campaign. The goal is obviously to push Iowans to buy pork products. More specifically, they want you to purchase more ham and bacon.

“After the ‘Hamann Bacon’ photo went viral on social media following the Cyclones’ season opener, we knew we had to jump on this opportunity,” said Trish Cook, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association. “These four young men are not only great football players, they also have strong academic records, and great last names! We couldn’t be more excited to work with them in this fun initiative to publicize Iowa pork.”

October is National Pork Month, aka Porktober, and this promotion will be part of that monthlong celebration. The Iowa Pork Producers Association will run ads on social media featuring the four players surrounded by delicious Iowa pork and strategically using their names to encourage pork consumption. In conjunction with the NIL partnership, the Iowa Pork Producers Association will donate $1,000 of pork to each player’s food pantry of choice. “Iowa pork producers and pig farmers care about their communities, and while this partnership is a fun way to promote our industry, it’s also one way we can give back,” Cook said. “Food insecurity remains an issue for many people and we’re glad to partner with these Cyclone football players to help their local food pantries.”

Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, and Caleb Bacon were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 First Team in 2022. Tommy Hamann was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2022. The Iowa Pork Producers Association is pleased to work with these student-athletes to promote pork and the work of Iowa pig farmers, while aiding local communities. “It’s something unique and it feels good to be able to do something for a good cause,” said Cyclones Defensive Back Myles Purchase, a junior from Denver, CO. “It’s a really crazy way to incorporate all of our names and I think it’s a great way to promote Iowa pork producers too,” said Cyclone Tight End Tyler Moore, a redshirt sophomore from Des Moines.

When the picture of Tommy Hamann and Caleb Bacon together on the field went viral on social media, the players had several friends sharing the photo with them. “I think it’s just hilarious being able to use play-on words on our last names in a super clever way to promote Iowa pork and it’s just an all-around great opportunity to bring us all together,” said Hamann, a redshirt freshman defensive end for the Iowa State Cyclones. Caleb Bacon has heard jokes about his last name for much of his life. “People said I should take advantage of it, and it just came to fruition in that picture. I think it’s just good for our teammates and I’d like to thank the Iowa pork producers for the opportunity.” Bacon is a sophomore linebacker from Lake Mills, Iowa.

Iowa is the number one state in the nation for pork production and nearly 150,000 Iowans are employed by the pork industry.

BOONE, Iowa – Fall meetings of the Iowa High School Athletic Association’s Board of Control and Representative Council were held Thursday and Friday at the IHSAA’s office with several discussion and action items on the agendas.

Both elected groups reviewed updates early in the 2023-24 school year and ahead of fall district meetings and postseason events.

Past editions of Board Briefs are available through News page and via the “Board Briefs” tag. Approved minutes from past Board of Control meetings are available through the Board & Reps page and directly through the Meeting Minutes page.

Baseball: Cedar Rapids to host 4A and 3A in 2024

The Class 4A and Class 3A site for the 2024 IHSAA State Baseball Tournament will be Veterans Memorial Stadium in Cedar Rapids, following approval by the board on Friday. The 5,300-seat home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels was selected through a summer bidding process.

The one-year agreement follows three seasons at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City for the larger school classes. When IHSAA and University of Iowa added a three-year agreement in 2022, potential renovations at Duane Banks Field made the extension year-to-year. Upgrades are scheduled to begin on the UI campus following the NCAA season in 2024.

“We’re excited to be in Cedar Rapids in 2024 with an excellent facility, staff, and community welcoming our schools and student-athletes,” IHSAA assistant director and baseball administrator Andy Umthun said. “We sincerely appreciate this competitive bidding process, which shows the commitment that several Iowa communities and ballparks have to high school baseball in our state.”

Cedar Rapids most recently hosted the summer IHSAA State Baseball Tournament in 1974.

Per the 2022 facility extensions, Carroll will again host Class 2A and Class 1A in 2024. The tournament is scheduled for July 22-26, 2024.

Advisories: AD position added to sport committees

The IHSAA’s eight sport advisory committees will add one designated spot for active member school athletics/activities directors.

Currently, sport advisory committee voters are comprised of five head coaches of that sport – one from each Representative Council district – and they meet once a year to recommend guidance or policy to the IHSAA and board. This change will make six voting members on each sport committee, with members serving a maximum of two three-year terms.

Three joint sport committees, which feature both IHSAA and IGHSAU representation, already feature AD positions.

Sport manuals: Pages updated, postseasons available

The board approved several manuals, used annually and seasonally for IHSAA policy and information to member schools. Manuals have been digitized as possible for each topic and can be found through the IHSAA’s main Manuals page.

On Friday, approved files included:

• Postseason Football
• Postseason Fall Golf
• Officials, 2023-24

Basketball: Grand View Christian to 2A for two seasons

A request by Grand View Christian to play up in classification in basketball was approved by the board for 2023-24 and 2024-25. By enrollment, the defending Class 1A champions were slated to return to 1A this winter.

The request will place the Thunder in Class 2A for at least two seasons, per IHSAA policy.

Following Week 4 contests, the Big Ten Conference Offensive, Defensive, and Special Teams Players of the Week, and the Freshman of the Week were announced this morning. Below are this week’s honorees:

Offensive Player of the Week

Bryce Kirtz, Northwestern

WR – Sr. – Brownsburg, Ind. – Brownsburg

• Picked up 10 receptions for 215 yards, the fourth highest single-game receiving yard total in school history, and two touchdowns, as Northwestern overcame a 21-point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Minnesota 37-34 in overtime
• Registered his touchdown grabs on receptions of 80 and 17 yards, with his 80-yard reception ranking tied for sixth for the longest pass play in school history
• On his second touchdown catch, Kirtz recorded a catch on all three plays of a drive that went three plays for 69 yards
• The three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree earns his first career Offensive Player of the Week award
• Last Northwestern Offensive Player of the Week: Ryan Hilinski (Aug. 28, 2022)

Defensive Player of the Week

Lathan Ransom, Ohio State

S – Sr. – Tuscon, Ariz. – Salpointe Catholic

• Recorded career highs in total tackles (13) and solo tackles (7) to lead the Ohio State defense in its 17-14 victory on the road over No. 9 Notre Dame Saturday
• Included in his total was combining on a fourth-and-one stop early in the third quarter with Ohio State leading 10-0
• Also recorded a quarterback hurry
• Earns the first Defensive Player of the Week accolade of his career
• Last Ohio State Defensive Player of the Week: J.T.  Tuimoloau (Oct. 31, 2022)

Special Teams Player of the Week

Nathanial Vakos, Wisconsin

K – So. – Avon, Ohio – Avon

• Was perfect in Wisconsin’s win over Purdue, converting 3-of-3 extra points and 3-of-3 field goals
• Hit from 38, 22 and 48 to help the Badgers pull away from the Boilermakers
• Becomes the only Big Ten kicker to have a perfect clip while attempting 5+ field goals this season and has made five field goals of 30+ yards on the season
• Garners the first Special Teams Player of the Week honor of his career
• Last Wisconsin Special Teams Player of the Week: Collin Larsh (Oct. 25, 2021)

Freshman of the Week

Darius Taylor, Minnesota

RB – Detroit, Mich. – Walled Lake Western

• Had 216 all-purpose yards at Northwestern as he rushed for 198 yards and had 18 receiving yards
• Carried the ball 31 times for 198 yards and two touchdowns at Northwestern for his third straight game with more than 135 rushing yards
• Leads the Big Ten is rushing yards (532) and attempts (87), while tying for sixth in rushing yards per carry (6.1 yards per carry) and touchdowns (4)
• Earns the third Freshman of the Week honor of his career and his third in as many weeks
• Last Minnesota Freshman of the Week: Darius Taylor (Sept. 18, 2023)

2023 Big Ten Football Players of the Week

Sept. 5

O: Drew Allar, So., QG, PSU

D: Miles Scott, So., DB, ILL

D: Tyler Nubin, Sr., S, MINN

S: Dragan Kesich, Sr., K, MINN

F: Dillon Thieneman, DB, PUR

Sept. 11

O: Noah Kim, Jr., QB, MSU

D: Sebastian Castro, Sr., DB, IOWA

S: Jai Patel, So., K, RU

F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN

Sept. 18

O: Kyle Monangai, Jr., RB, RU

D: Hunter Wohler, Jr., S, WIS

S: Braedan Wisloski, Fr., WR, MD

F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN

Sept. 25

O: Bryce Kirtz, Sr., WR, NU

D: Lathan Ransom, Sr., S, OSU

S: Nathanial Vakos, So., K, WIS

F: Darius Taylor, RB, MINN

Iowa is out of the AP top-25 after getting crushed at Penn State 31-0. The Hawkeye offense was dreadful, managing only 76 yards, 33 plays and turning the ball over four times while the Nittany Lions ran 97 plays and wore down the Iowa defense with three second half touchdowns.

Leading 10-0 at halftime, the Nittany Lions opened the third quarter with a touchdown drive and the rout was on.

Penn State had a 31-minute advantage in time of possession.

The Hawkeyes are 3-1 and return to action Saturday night by hosting Michigan State.

We’ll have Saturday’s game on KJAN beginning with the pre-game at 4:30 pm.

Iowa State got a much needed win to open Big-12 play. T.J. Tampa’s interception sealed the game as the Cyclones held off a late rally by Oklahoma State for a 34-27 win. The Cyclones won despite rushing for only 74 yards.

ISU coach Matt Campbell. Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht was 27 of 38 for 348 yards and three touchdowns.

Campbell says Becht’s confidence is growing.

The Cyclones visit Oklahoma on Saturday.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa women’s soccer tied Minnesota in a scoreless match on Sunday at the Iowa Soccer Complex.

Both teams had scoring opportunities; the Gophers finished with 12 shots and five shots on goal with Iowa close behind at 10 shots and three shots on goal for the contest.

Minnesota outshot Iowa, 6-2, in the first period before Iowa applied pressure in the second half, finishing with an 8-6 edge in shots taken during the final 45 minutes.

Hawkeye goalkeeper Macy Enneking matched a season-best five saves en route to the seventh clean sheet that the Iowa defense has posted this season. Enneking’s 16 career shutouts stand alone at third in the Iowa record book, following Sunday’s match.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“I think [the draw] is an indication of how much parity there is in college soccer, and that starts in the Big Ten. The margin for error is really small and everyone is coached really well. Everyone comes in really well-prepared tactically, and today was no different…

The parity of the game is so close right now that it comes down to a missed assignment or not winning a second ball. That is really what I thought we did a good job of in the second half. We lost a lot of second balls in the first half. I thought we did a much better job in the second half. Really, that game was probably an appropriate score. They had the first half, and we had a bit of an advantage in the second half.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• Seven shutouts for the Hawkeye defense matches last season’s total; Iowa has allowed just three goals through 10 contests (0.30 GAA).
• Enneking’s 16 career shutouts move ahead of Emily Moran ’11 (15 shutouts) for third in program history. Enneking ranks fifth in the Hawkeye record book with 19 career victories (.686 win percentage).
• 90 Tracker: Senior Samantha Cary (8), freshman Millie Greer (7) and senior Rielee Fetty (4) each played the entirety of Sunday’s match. The following Iowa position players have recorded at least one 90-minute effort this season: senior Maggie Johnston (4), juinior Kenzie Roling, sophomore Kellen Fife and freshman Eva Pattison.

UP NEXT

Iowa (6-1-3) faces Purdue (3-7-1, 0-2-1) at Folk Field next Thursday in West Lafayette, Indiana. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. (CT) and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network. The Hawkeyes return home on Oct. 1 to host Rutgers for the annual Pink Game for breast cancer awareness. Kickoff is set for Noon at the Iowa Soccer Complex.