Trevor Downing is ready to become the leader of the offensive line at Iowa State. The All Big 12 standout at guard made the move to center when Colin Newell was injured leading up to a Cheez-It Bowl loss to Clemson and admits it was an adjustment.

The Creston native is ISU’s most experienced offensive lineman and says that has helped with the transition.

Despite the loss of thee starters on the offensive line Downing feels that unit has a lot of potential.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell on moving Downing to center.

Campbell says a key for Downing at center is his intelligence.

The Cyclones open the season September third at home against Southeast Missouri.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defensive end Will McDonald IV has been recognized as an Associated Press Preseason All-American.

McDonald, a redshirt senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is one of the nation’s premier pass rushers. He has accumulated 29.0 career sacks, which is an ISU record. McDonald was a Football Writers Association of America All-American last season and is a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection. He’s forced nine fumbles and has 34.5 tackles for a loss in his career.

The Cyclones open the season Saturday, Sept. 3 against Southeast Missouri at MidAmerican Energy Field at Jack Trice Stadium. Football season tickets are on sale now for as low as $249 of $35 per game. Single-game tickets and three-game mini packs are also on sale now.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior linebacker Jack Campbell and senior defensive back Riley Moss have been named to the first team on The Associated Press Preseason All-America team.  The announcement was made Monday by The Associated Press.

Campbell (6-5, 246 pounds) was a second-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) and Phil Steele in 2021. In addition, he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors and was second in the Big Ten with 143 tackles – the fifth-most ever in a single season at Iowa. He earned Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors following a career best performance with 18 tackles in Iowa’s 24-14 win over Colorado State. A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Campbell was the recipient of Iowa’s Roy Carver Most Valuable Player (Defense) award last season and served as a permanent team captain.

Moss (6-1, 193 pounds) was a first-team All-America selection by Sporting News a season ago and was voted the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Defensive Back of the Year. Additionally, Moss was a first-team All-Big Ten selection by both league coaches and media. The Ankeny, Iowa, native was a recipient of Iowa’s Team Hustle Award and is second all-time at Iowa in career interception return yards (239). Moss is one of three players in program history with three interception return touchdowns.

A veteran Iowa football team enters the season unranked and much of the reason is an anemic offense that ranked 13th in the Big Ten in total offense last year. Quarterback Spencer Petras threw for nearly 19 hundred yards last season and completed just over 57 percent of his passes.

Petras says the Hawkeyes hope to improve in all phases on offense.

Petras hopes the offense can make strides heading into the opener.

The Iowa offense averaged just under 24 points per game in 2021. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz.

Ferentz says the run and pass games need to be better.

The Hawkeyes open September third at home against South Dakota State

Thursday, August 18th

Lewis Central 35, Underwood 20

Friday, August 19th

Sioux City West 46, CB Thomas Jefferson 20
Panorama 39, Perry 21
Ballard 29, Winterset 7
Sioux City East 50, Glenwood 33
Murray 62, Twin Cedars 6

Saturday, August 20th

Winfield-Mt. Union 68, Audubon 36 (@ Martensdale St. Marys)
-Winfield Mt. Union struck first but the Wheelers scored 24 points in the second quarter to take a 24-22 lead at halftime. The Wolves outscored Audubon 16-0 in the third quarter to take control of the game. Iowa commit Cam Buffington ran for 273 yards and five touchdowns and added an interception return TD and a kickoff return for a score. Aaron Olsen ran fro 76 yards and went 5 for 10 passing with 56 yards and 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Gavin Larsen led the Wheelers defense with 15 tackles.

WACO 42, Southeast Warren 20 (@ Martensdale St. Marys)

The versatility of junior Jestin Jacobs adds another dimension to a veteran Iowa linebacking group. The Ohio native was in on 53 tackles last season and also showed the ability to cover receivers. He broke up three passes and also had an interception.

Jacobs credits the Iowa coaches for developing his ability to cover receivers.

Jacobs says a veteran Iowa defense is confident heading into the season.

The Hawkeyes open at home on September third against South Dakota State.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Sheriff’s Office is reminding persons interested in hunting during the upcoming seasons, that hunter safety classes are being offered in Cass County next month (September). There are limited number of classes. Anyone born after January 1, 1972 needs to be certified in order to purchase a license. 11 years and older may attend hunter safety. Youth under the age of 16 can get a license without hunter education but must be hunting with a licensed adult.

If you have any questions regarding hunter safety, please go to the Iowa department of natural resources’ (DNR) website.

Drake football coach Todd Stepsis is confident the 2021 season was an aberration. After three straight second place finishes in the Pioneer Football League the Bulldogs cratered to a 2-9 record last year. It was the worst record since 1983 for a program that had been a model of consistency.

Stepsis says last season gave him a chance to step back and evaluate the program.

Improvement on offense and special teams is a must. The Bulldogs averaged less than 13 points per game last season and only connected on three field goals the entire season.

The run game averaged only 104 yards per game last season but senior tight end Matt Hartlieb says they have made strides in preseason camp.

Continuity at quarterback will help. Because of injury and illness the Bulldogs started five different quarterbacks last season.

That’s senior receiver Colin Howard. The Bulldogs have a daunting task in their opener as they visit defending FCS champion and top ranked North Dakota State on September third.

The Northern Iowa volleyball team is motivated for a bounce back season. The Panthers were 12-19 a year ago and missed the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for the first time under long time coach Bobbi Peterson.

Peterson says the key will be helping her team reach its potential.

Bobbi Peterson

The Panthers were picked to finish sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference preseason poll.

UNI opens the season on August 26th at the Arizona State tournament.