University of Iowa men’s and women’s cross country notes for this Saturday’s Badger Classic in Madison, Wisconsin. Competing Big Ten teams include Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Northwestern, Ohio State and Rutgers. The Badger Classic is held at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Cross Country Course, where this year’s 2023 Big Ten Championships will be held (Oct. 27). The men’s 8,000-meter race begins the day at 10:30 a.m. (CT) with the women’s 5,000-meter contest to follow at 11:10.

FOLLOW ALONG: For an inside look at the Iowa cross country program and to access exclusive coverage, “like” The University of Iowa Cross Country and Track & Field Facebook page and follow the Hawkeyes on Twitter (@IowaXC_TF) and Instagram (@iowaxctf). Follow live results on the official social media channels for Iowa Cross Country and at hawkeyesports.com/tracklive.

Northern Iowa coach Mark Farley says the Panthers need to develop a rhythm on offense as they prepare to host 9th ranked Weber State. The offense struggled in a 30-9 loss at Iowa State.

Farley says ISU ‘s defense was a factor in these problems.

Farley says the Panthers need to step up on both sides of the ball.

Weber State opened with a 35-10 win over Central Washington.

Farley expects Weber State to be a contender in the Big Sky Conference.

In the changing landscape of college athletics Iowa State coach Matt Campbell hopes there is still a place for the Cy-Hawk Series. Oklahoma’s move to the SEC is ending its series with Oklahoma State and the recent round of expansion is threatening several others. The Cyclones host Iowa on Saturday in the 70th meeting in the series.

Campbell says there is no way to predict how future changes will affect the series.

Campbell says the series is unique in terms of where it appears on the schedule.

The Cyclones snapped Iowa’s six game win streak in the series with a 10-7 victory, but Campbell says they did not look at it as “getting the monkey off their back”.

Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht took the majority of snaps at quarterback in the win over Northern Iowa but true freshman J.J. Kohl could also get some playing time as well.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the series with Iowa State has been competitive the past 24 years and he does not see that changing. The Hawkeyes have a 13-11 edge in the last 24 games of a series that once saw the Hawkeyes win 15 straight.

Ferentz actually lost his first four games to the Cyclones as the Iowa coach.

Ferentz says there is always a lot of emotion for in-state games.

Iowa’s run game could only manage 88 yards in a win over Utah State and running it against the Cyclones will not be easy.

The last five games in the series have been decided by an average of just over five points.

OWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa field hockey team moved to No. 1 in the Week 1 Penn Monto/National Field Hockey Coaches Association rankings, it was announced Tuesday by the NFHCA.

It is the second time in program history the Hawkeyes have been ranked No. 1 in the NFHCA poll (2021). The team has been ranked in 73 consecutive polls dating back to the 2016 season.

Iowa received 35 first-place votes and 902 points, 36 points ahead of North Carolina (866).

The Hawkeyes are 4-0 to start the 2023 season, with wins over three ranked opponents including then No. 1 North Carolina. Iowa has posted three shutouts and allowed just two goals this season.

The NFHCA (and the NFHCA national poll) was founded in 1997. It is believed to be the Hawkeyes’ second No. 1 ranking since winning the 1986 National Championship. Iowa finished atop the College Field Hockey Coaches Association poll.

The top ranked Hawkeyes return to action Friday, facing Central Michigan at 3 p.m. (CT) at Grant Field for their home opener. Iowa also faces UMass-Lowell on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. in Iowa City.