Caitlin Clark scored 24 points and McKenna Warnock 19 but it was Monika Czinano who held the spotlight as No. 12 Iowa defeated Purdue 83-68 on Thursday night in Iowa City.

Czinano had 12 points and surpassed the 2,000 point mark for her career, helping the Hawkeyes improve to 11-3 overall and 3-0 in Big Ten Conferenceplay.  Freshman Hannah Stuelke also had 11 points and 10 rebounds for her first career double-double.

One of the country’s worst offenses will have a new quarterback on Saturday when Iowa plays Kentucky in the Music City Bowl. Redshirt freshman Joe Labas will get his first start against the Wildcats. Spencer Petras is out with a shoulder injury and Alex Padilla is in the portal. Senior tight end Sam LaPorta likes the way Labas has progressed in practice.

LaPorta missed the game against Nebraska after having his knee scoped. He has 53 catches and was a finalist for the Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.

Sophomore receiver Diante Vines says Labas will be ready.

Vines says while the playbook may be condensed there will not be a bunch of changes.

Senior corner Riley Moss says the mobility of Labas gives the offense a different wrinkle.

Between opt outs and transfers Moss says senior leadership has been even more important in bowl prep.

Iowa linebacker Jack Campbell wants to end his Hawkeye career with a win. The Cedar Falls native became the first Iowa player to win the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker and says there was no thought of opting out to ready ready for the NFL Draft.

Campbell had 118 tackles and two interceptions during the regular season and wants to wear the Hawkeye jersey one final time.

Both the Hawkeyes and Wildcats are 7-5.

Iowa fell behind 29-8 at the outset and got blitzed at Nebraska 66-50. Kris Murray returned from injury to score 17 points. Filip Rebraca added 16 points and 13 rebounds but they needed help. The rest of the team was five of 42 from the field.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who must find a way to get his struggling team turned around.

Murray says the Hawkeyes don’t have time to dwell on the loss. They visit Penn State on Sunday.

Iowa is 0-2 in the Big Ten and 8-5 overall.

Iowa State senior forward Jaz Kunc has been sidelined with a broken finger suffered in practice. Kunc is averaging eight and a half points and six rebounds per game while shooting 36 percent from three point range. The Cyclones open Big 12 play at home against 12th ranked Baylor on New Years Eve.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger who does not believe it will be a season ending injury.

With Kunc sidelined other players will need to step up.

(Massena, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board (CCCB) will host an “Intro to Ice Fishing” program, on January 14, 2023 at 10-a.m.. The event takes place at the Outdoor Classroom shelter, located at 76977 Tucson Rd, near Massena. The program will focus on ice fishing basics; what is needed to get out on the ice and enjoy the outdoors. We will go over ice safety and the necessary equipment needed to be safe.

Conservation Director Micah Lee says “We will also go over rods, reels, lines, augers, and bait as well as many extras such as shelters, electronics, clothing. CCCB staff will have examples on hand to show you how it works and the best ways to use it.” 

In addition, Lee says there will be “A drawing for those that attend, at the end of the event for a chance to win an ice fishing package to get you out on the ice and fishing. Depending on weather and ice conditions, following the program there will be a chance to go fishing as well. The CCCB will have ice rods, bait, and augers available for those that don’t have them.”

For further information please contact Conservation Director Micah Lee at 712-769-2372.

Pinstripe Bowl:  Minnesota 28, Syracuse 20

• The Gophers offense didn’t do much in the second half, but a 70-yard interception return for a touchdown by Coleman Bryson turned the game around.

Cheez-It Bowl:  #13 Florida State 35, Oklahoma 32

• FSU QB Jordan Travis was 27-38, 418 YDS, 2 TD to lead the Seminoles.

Alamo Bowl:  #12 Washington 27, #20 Texas 20

• Huskies QB Michael Penix was 32-54, 287 YDS, 2 TD in the win.

Iowa quarterback Joe Labas hopes to have access to most of the playbook by the time the Music City Bowl against Kentucky kicks off Saturday. Labas will make his first start when the Hawkeyes play the Wildcats in Nashville.

His mobility may put more quarterback runs into the game plan and Labas believes he will be comfortable with the offense by Saturday.

With former Michigan quarterback Cade McNamara joining the Iowa program the bowl game is a big opportunity for Labas.

Iowa basketball coach Fran McCaffery says Kris Murray and Connor McCaffery will play tonight (Thursday night), when the Hawkeyes visit Nebraska. Murray missed the last four games with a leg injury while Connor missed the loss to Eastern Illinois with a sprained wrist.

With Murray out senior center Filip Rebraca has stepped up for the Hawkeyes by averaging 21 and a half points and nine rebounds the past four games.

Nebraska is 7-6 overall and the Huskers nearly upset top ranked Purdue.

McCaffery hopes an embarrassing loss to Eastern Illinois will serve as a learning experience for his team.

Military Bowl – Duke 30, Central Florida 13

• Duke QB Riley Leonard passes for 173 yds, rushes for 2 TD

Liberty Bowl – Arkansas 55, Kansas 53 (3OT)

• Kansas rallies late with 32 straight points but falls in triple overtime.  Running backs KJ Jefferson (130 yards and 4 TD) and Rashod Dubinion (112 yards and 2 scores) led Arkansas.  Jayhawks QB Jalon Daniels was 37 of 55 for 544 yards and 6 total TD’s.

Holiday Bowl – Oregon 28, North Carolina 27

• Oregon QB Bo Nix was 23 of 30 for 205 yards and 2 touchdowns, including a TD pass to Chase Cota with :19 seconds left for the win.

Texas Bowl – Texas Tech 42, Ole Miss 25

• Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough rushed for 111 yards and accounted for 3 TD’s.