ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced its 2023 football preseason honors on Wednesday ahead of the start of Big Ten Football Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium. A media panel selected the 10-member preseason list, with five representatives each from the East and West Divisions.

The East Division list highlighted by a pair of returning consensus All-Americans in Michigan’s Blake Corum and Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr. Corum and Harrison Jr. were joined on this year’s preseason East Division squad by Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, Wolverine quarterback J.J. McCarthy and Penn State offensive lineman Olumuyiwa Fashanu.

Four different schools placed students on the West Division preseason list, led by two representatives from Minnesota in tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford and defensive back Tyler Nubin. They were joined on the list by Illinois defensive lineman Jer’Zhan Newton, Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean and Wisconsin running back Braelon Allen.

The 2023 Big Ten preseason honors list features two recipients of conference individual awards from a season ago in Corum (Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year) and Harrison Jr.  (Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year).

Corum, Harrison Jr., and Newton were also 2022 first-team All-Big Ten selections, joining second-team selections Allen, DeJean, Fashanu, Nubin and Tagovailoa, as well as third-team honoree McCarthy.

Nine of this year’s Big Ten preseason honorees — Allen, Corum, DeJean, Fashanu, Harrison Jr., Newton, Nubin, Spann-Ford, Tagovailoa — are scheduled to attend Big Ten Media Days this week in Indianapolis.

The full list of Big Ten football preseason honorees is as follows:

EAST

Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State

WEST

Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa

Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota

Tyler Nubin, DB, Minnesota

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

(Radio Iowa) – As many as 60-thousand cyclists are expected on today’s (Wednesday) leg of RAGBRAI from Ames to Des Moines, which would be the largest-ever day on the bike ride — and on one of the hottest days of the year so far. A heat advisory is posted for Iowa’s southern half and western Iowa as forecasters say the heat index may reach 105 degrees. Hans House, an emergency medicine professor at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, says people who are most vulnerable to heat stroke are the very young, the very old, and those on certain medications. “So a lot of elderly are on medications, either for blood pressure or for Parkinson’s or other psychiatric medications,” House says, “and all of these can adversely affect the body’s own heat regulatory mechanisms.”

House says signs of heat stroke include people who are hot, but who aren’t sweating, and are showing signs of an altered mental state like confusion. She says, “Since part of heatstroke is that change in mental status or that confusion, you may not recognize that you’re getting yourself in trouble, especially with the dehydration part.” The experts say to skip strenuous outdoor activities and if you have to be outside, drink plenty of water and take frequent breaks in the shade. That won’t be an option for most RAGBRAI riders as they head for Iowa’s largest city. Many of Des Moines’ main roads are closed to accommodate bike traffic with limited pass-through points for cars.

Des Moines Police Sergeant Paul Parizek says motorists should plan to take detours or to take extra time to get around today. “Our whole city is probably going to be impacted by an increased number of cyclists,” Parizek says, “so we need to make sure we keep our heads on a swivel and share the road and do everything we can to make sure they get where they need to go safely.” Parizek says the most issues may be on East 14th Street which will be completely closed from Euclid to University Avenue.

“That’s a main thoroughfare through our city,” Parizek says. “It’s a state highway and it’s going to be shut down for a long time, beginning up in Ankeny all the way into Des Moines, so that’s where we’re going to see the biggest impact.” Cyclists will take Des Moines’ Walnut Street through downtown, and Fleur Drive to Water Works Park where riders will camp overnight. Parizek says road restrictions will last until 6 o’clock tonight or later. Around 100 Des Moines police officers are working the RAGBRAI route to manage traffic throughout the city.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior defensive back Cooper DeJean has been named to the Big Ten Conference preseason honors list. The announcement was made by the league office on Wednesday.

Ten members were selected by a media panel, with five representatives from the East and West Divisions.

DeJean (6-foot-1, 209 pounds) was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media and second team by the coaches in 2022 after finishing with 75 tackles, five interceptions and eight pass breakups. He set Iowa’s single season record with three pick 6s in 2022. He also averaged a team-best 16.5 yards on 10 punt returns a year ago.

The Odebolt, Iowa, native was voted the 2022 Music City Bowl Most Valuable Player after notching seven tackles (six solo), including one for loss, and notching a 14-yard pick-6 against Kentucky. DeJean was named the Rose Bowl Defensive Player of the Week versus Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2022) after totaling 10 tackles (seven solo), including one for loss, and returning an interception 32 yards for a score. He was the recipient of Iowa’s Reggie Roby Special Teams Award (overall) and Team Hustle Award (defense) last season.

DeJean has also been named to the Athlon Sports and Phil Steele 2023 preseason All-America second teams, as well as earning preseason first-team All-Big Ten accolades by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports and Pro Football Focus.

The Hawkeyes have had 10 players named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List in the last 10 seasons. They include DeJean (2023), linebacker Jack Campbell (2022), center Tyler Linderbaum (2021), defensive end A.J. Epenesa (2019), tight end Noah Fant (2018), linebacker Josey Jewell (2017), quarterback C.J. Beathard (2016), defensive back Desmond King (2016), defensive end Drew Ott (2015) and offensive tackle Brandon Scherff (2014). Campbell, Linderbaum, Epenesa, Fant, Jewell, Beathard, King, and Scherff were selected in the NFL Draft after making the list.

The Hawkeyes open the 2023 season against Utah State on Sept. 2, on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium, at 11 a.m. (CT).

Iowa’s first five home games are sold out. Tickets remain for the Hawkeyes’ final two home games of 2023 (Rutgers on Nov. 11; Illinois on Nov. 18). The UI Ticket Office phone number is 1-800-IA-HAWKS and ticket information is available at hawkeyesports.com/footballtickets.

EAST
Taulia Tagovailoa, QB, Maryland

Blake Corum, RB, Michigan

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

Marvin Harrison, Jr., WR, Ohio State

Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OL, Penn State

WEST
Jer’Zhan Newton, DL, Illinois

Cooper DeJean, DB, Iowa 

Brevyn Spann-Ford, TE, Minnesota

Tyler Nubin, DB, Minnesota

Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin

(Radio Iowa) – As some 50-thousand bicycle riders roll into Des Moines on RAGBRAI starting this (Wednesday) morning, thousands -more- athletes are arriving in Iowa’s largest city for start of the Junior Olympic Games. Catch Des Moines president and C-E-O Greg Edwards says sporting events will be held in venues all around the metro area. The games will draw 14-thousand athletes from across the U-S, including 700 from Iowa, competing in 15 different sports, including track and field, basketball, gymnastics, field hockey and more.

The games, sponsored by the Amateur Athletic Union, will run over the course of 11 days, with an estimated economic impact of 44-million dollars. Edwards says this marks the seventh time the Junior Olympics have been held in Des Moines, and they’ll be back in 2026 and 2030.

Iowa receiver Nico Ragaini says the Hawkeye offense is motivated by last year’s failures. Iowa ranked next to last in total offense and averaged only 17 points during an 8-5 season.

Ragaini says after transferring from Michigan, quarterback Cade McNamara is hungry to prove he can be a difference maker for the offense.

Ragaini says he has not been studying last season to find out what went wrong.

Big Ten Media Days begin Wednesday in Indianapolis. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz will be at the podium Wednesday morning.

The Northern Iowa men’s basketball team is on its way to Brazil for a three game trip. The Panthers return all five starters from a team that finished 14-18 last season.

That’s UNI coach Ben Jacobson who says basketball is only part of the trip.

Jacobson says trips like these are a great way to build team chemistry.

The Panthers return August third

Drake center Darnell Brodie will return next season. The former Seton Hall transfer averaged better than nine points and seven rebounds last season for a Bulldog team that won the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament title. Drake coach Darian DeVries says Brodie’s waiver was approved by the NCAA.

Brodie had 20 points and nine rebounds in an NCAA Tournament loss to Miami and Devries says he has played well as the Bulldogs prepare for a trip to Spain.

Devries says former Bulldog standout Garrett Sturtz is joining the coaching staff. The Newton native began his career as a walk-on and finished as Drake’s career leader in rebounds.

(Anita) — For Head Coach Barry Bower the 2022 football season was about surprising everyone given the low expectations they had.  Key seniors had graduated, and CAM seemed to be written off. The Cougars ended up going 7-2 and made it to the second round of the playoffs, before losing to Lenox 34-14.  Even without a state title, it was still a successful season in Coach Bower’s eyes.

Now with a little over a month away from their first game of the season against Audubon. The Cougars are focusing on developing their physical strength and staying true to the CAM football identity. Being a tough nose team and playing smart.

To build the identity it all starts with the expectations that Coach Bower and his staff have for their players. Not only on the field, but how they present themselves off of it as well. They are representations of their community at all times.

Encouraging the character of his players, Coach Bower instills a culture of love and respect. He emphasizes the respect they need to have for each other. Without that respect and love, they cannot be successful on the field.

The Cougars have some noteworthy offensive starters returning for the 23-24 season. Like Quarterback Chase Spieker who threw for over 1600 yards, had 26 TD’s, 7 INTs, and a completion percentage of 65%. Leading rusher Austin Williams with 150 carries, 850 rushing yards, and 16 TD’s. On the other side of the ball Jack Follmann is a player that stands out from the rest of the defense. Follman led the team in total tackles having 89 and solo tackles with 66.

Regardless of the returning talent and experience of playing in the Dome. Coach Bower is keeping his expectations on one game at a time. His main focus for the season is the Cougars first game.

The Cougars will start their season August 25th, against Audubon on the road.

For the full interview click below.

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Phil Steele’s College Football Preview calls Texas the favorite to win the title in its final season in the Big-12. The Longhorns were 8-5 a year ago and Steele says this will be Steve Sarkisian’s best team in his three years at the helm.

Steele says Oklahoma could be one of the nation’s most improved teams. The Sooners struggled to a 6-7 record in Brent Venables’ first season as coach. Steele says a more veteran defense will help.

Texas may be the favorite but Steele says the Big-12 will again feature balance.

JOHNSTON, Iowa — Pioneer has been helping heroes in the field for generations but usually it’s corn and soybean fields across the Midwest.  

Pioneer is deepening that commitment to support everyday heroes as the new title sponsor of the “Heroes Game” between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers this fall. The 13th annual matchup between the Big Ten Conference rivals will kick off at 11 a.m. (CT) on Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

The 2023 Pioneer Heroes Game will continue the rich tradition of recognizing and celebrating local heroes who exemplify the goal of positively impact their community and inspire others. One citizen-hero from each state and team will be selected then honored at the Pioneer Heroes Game in Lincoln. The winners will receive VIP treatment as special guests, with on-field recognition and their name inscribed on the Heroes Trophy, which goes to the winning team of the annual contest. 

“Pioneer is incredibly honored to be the title sponsor of the annual Iowa and Nebraska Heroes Game,” said Todd Frazier, VP, U.S. Marketing, Corteva Agriscience. “For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping and honoring farmers throughout the U.S. and we are excited to keep that tradition going by honoring local heroes that live and work in the communities we serve every day. This partnership is one small way we can express our sincere gratitude for those heroes.”

Hero nominations will be accepted online through Sunday, Oct. 1., 2023, at hawkeyesports.com/hero and huskers.com. Fans are encouraged to nominate everyday citizens of Iowa and Nebraska who have performed extraordinary acts of heroism.  

 Pioneer, a current partner of both the Iowa Hawkeyes and Nebraska Cornhuskers, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Husker Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder.