Brian Ferentz will not be the offensive coordinator for the Hawkeye football team next year. Ferentz, son of head football coach Kirk Ferentz, is in his seventh season as offensive coordinator. Beth Goetz became Iowa’s interim athletics director in August. Goetz said in a written statement that she had conversions with both men as well as the university’s president and has informed Brian Ferentz this is his last season with the program.

The statement from Goetz made a passing reference to the team’s offensive struggles. Iowa has a six-and-two record, but the Hawkeyes’ offense ranks last nationally.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey freshman Dionne van Aalsum has been named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week after tallying two goals and an assist in Iowa’s upset win over No. 3 Rutgers. It was announced Monday by the conference office.

“Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season. Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.

After conversations with head coach Kirk Ferentz, coach Brian Ferentz and President Wilson, I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program. Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule.

It is not my practice to be involved in assistant coaching decisions and certainly not to make public such a change during a season. Our priority is to put all our student-athletes in the best position to have both short-term and long-term success, on and off the field. Our football team has a group of outstanding young men and talented athletes, who at 6-2, have a lot to play for. As a former athlete, I know every opportunity to put on the jersey is a cherished one.

As Hawkeyes, let’s continue to support all our coaches, staff and student-athletes in their pursuit of a Big Ten Championship and bowl game victory.”

The Northern Iowa football team has climbed to 18th in the latest STATS FCS top 25. The Panthers are 5-3 after a 24-21 win at Illinois State and at 4-1 are tied for second in the Missouri Valley race.

That’s UNI coach Mark Farley. The Panthers host Western Illinois on Saturday and Farley says the Leathernecks are better than their 0-8 record.

Farley says the approach can’t change based on an opponents record.

This will be UNI’s 52 second meeting with Western Illinois in a series that dates back to 1967 and their final game as conference rivals. The Leathernecks are moving to the Ohio Valley Conference.

Farley says because the campuses are so close in proximity he hopes the series can continue.

Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II earned his third-consecutive Big 12 football offensive weekly award. He was joined by teammate Leon Johnson III (co-newcomer), West Virginia’s Beanie Bishop Jr. (defensive and co-newcomer) and Texas’ Xavier Worthy (special teams) as week nine honorees. Gordon is the first player to collect three consecutive awards since K-State’s Morgan Burns earned four straight special teams accolades from Nov. 16-Dec. 7, 2013. Worthy picked up his second career recognition.

Facing the No. 18 rushing defense in the nation, Gordon rushed for 271 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries (10.8 yards per carry) while adding four catches for 21 yards to account for 292 all-purpose yards in Oklahoma State’s 45-13 win over Cincinnati. He is just the second player in program history with back-to-back games of 250+ rushing yards, joining Barry Sanders in 1988. The sophomore also joins Boston College’s Andre Williams (2013) as the only two FBS players over the last 20 seasons with 250 scrimmage yards in three straight games. Gordon’s rushing total marked the most for an FBS player last week and the fourth-most for an FBS player in a game this season. He has the No. 1 and No. 4 rushing games this year, as well as three of the top five scrimmage yard games this year. His past two games mark the most rushing yards for an OSU player in a two-game span (553) since Barry Sanders posted 625 yards against Iowa and Texas Tech in 1988. The performance also made him the only Power Five player with multiple 200+ yard games on the ground this season. Gordon has reached more than 1,000 rushing yards for the season in just eight games, marking the quickest a Cowboy has surpassed the mark since Chuba Hubbard needed just six games in 2019. He has five straight games with more than 100 rushing yards. Gordon and Hubbard are the only Cowboys since 2010 with five straight games of 100+ rushing yards. He has posted 11 total touchdowns in the past four games, including multiple scores in three straight games. Gordon is the FBS leader in rushing yards (1,087) and rushing yards per game (135.9). He also leads the nation in carries of 20 yards (15), 30 yards (12) and 40 yards (6). He is among the top 10 FBS players in rushing yards per carry (No. 2 – 7.71), all-purpose yards per game (No. 3 – 161.0), rushing touchdowns (No. 9 – 10) and total touchdowns (No. 10 – 11).

Bishop recorded two interceptions in WVU’s 41-28 win at UCF to improve his total to four on the season. The returns went for 31 and 20 yards. He has more interceptions this year than the team had all of last season. Bishop became the first Mountaineer since 2021 to record at least two picks in a game (Josh Chandler-Semedo at Kansas). He also added four tackles and a pass breakup. The graduate student leads the league in passes defended (16) and pass breakups (12) and is tied for second in interceptions. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human resource development from Minnesota last May.

Worthy raced 74 yards for the first punt return touchdown of his career in Texas’ 35-6 win over BYU. The TD followed the Cougars’ first possession and was the opening score of the game. It was the first punt return touchdown by the Longhorns since 2018 and the 10th-longest punt return in program history. Worthy also caught four passes during the game to extend his streak of games with a reception to 33-consecutive, the fifth-longest streak in program history. The junior is a physical culture and sports major.

Johnson made his first FBS start on Saturday after spending the last four years at George Fox in NCAA Division III where he earned a degree in mathematics. He hauled in his first FBS reception with three minutes remaining in the first quarter and finished the game with five catches for 149 yards, including a 67-yard gain in the second quarter. Johnson was the first player to surpass 100 receiving yards in his first OSU start since Tay Martin did so against Missouri State on September 4, 2021. Johnson’s receiving total marked the third-most in a Big 12 game this season.

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.

October 2
Offense: Jonathon Brooks, UT, RB, So.
Defense: Caden Jenkins, BU, CB, Fr.
Newcomer: Adonai Mitchell, UT, WR, Jr.
Special Teams: Loic Fouonji, TTU, WR, Sr.

October 9
Offense: Dillon Gabriel, OU, QB, Sr.
Defense: Beau Freyler, ISU, DB, Jr.
Newcomer: Cameron Epps, OSU, CB, Fr.
Special Teams: Trevor Wilson, KU, WR/PR, Jr.

October 16
Offense: Josh Hoover, TCU, QB, Fr. and Ollie Gordon II, OSU, RB, So.
Defense: Kobe Savage, K-State, S, Sr.
Newcomer: Avery Johnson, K-State, QB, Fr.
Special Teams: Chase Contreraz, ISU, K, Sr.

October 23
Offense: Ollie Gordon II, OSU, RB, So.
Defense: Eddie Heckard, BYU, CB, Sr.
Newcomer: Nic Anderson, OU, WR, Fr.
Special Teams: Isaiah Hankins, BU, K, So.

October 30
Offense: Ollie Gordon II, OSU, RB, So.
Defense: Beanie Bishop Jr., WVU, CB, Sr.
Newcomer: Leon Johnson III, OSU, WR, Sr. and Beanie Bishop Jr., WVU, CB, Sr.
Special Teams: Xavier Worthy, UT, WR/PR, Jr.

DES MOINES, Iowa (KCCI)— Lauridsen Skatepark in Des Moines has been recognized by USA Skateboarding as a competition-ready park after passing a rigorous inspection and certification process. USA Skateboarding’s Skatepark Performance and Accreditation Rating for Certification (SPARC) program is centered on a 75-point checklist. This checklist evaluates how a park fosters safety, inclusivity, and a sense of community. It also examines technical and safety requirements necessary for professional and amateur competitions.

There was a ceremony, celebration and meet-and-greet with professional skateboarders Grace Marhoefer and Liam Pace on Sunday morning to commemorate the certification.

“USA Skateboarding’s unity with the Des Moines skateboarding community is in perfect alignment with our goal of creating a gateway to safe and positive spaces in the world of skateboarding throughout the nation. The Lauridsen skatepark certification anchors our shared long-term mission to work with the city of Des Moines to bring world-class skateboarding events and stoke to Iowa. Des Moines created one of the world’s greatest and most recognized skateparks and is the anchor for skateboarding in the Midwest. We are honored to play a part in this incredible example of the community coming together and making their dream a reality,” said CEO of USA Skateboarding, Johnny Schillereff.

Polk County Supervisors Angela Connolly said “This certification will be a literal and figurative sign we are ready to host skaters of all skill levels – from beginners to world-class athletes.”

The park will feature Olympic-qualifying events like the Dew Tour, which has already happened at Lauridsen twice.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake women’s basketball team spread the playing time and scoring throughout the lineup Sunday in rolling past Upper Iowa 87-40 in an exhibition game at the Knapp Center.

Drake’s three preseason All-Missouri Valley Conference selections led the way for the Bulldogs, who outrebounded their Division II opponent 60-33, came up with 15 steals and had assists on 21 of their 34 field goals. 

Graduate Grace Berg topped the scoring with 24 points on 9-for-14 shooting. Junior Katie Dinnebier added 14 points, nine assists and six steals, while junior Anna Miller contributed 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. She made all but one of her seven shots and handed out a couple of assists.

Drake held Upper Iowa to 24 percent shooting and gave up no more than four baskets in any quarter. The Peacocks did lead once, at 3-2 on Amelia Valentino’s 3-pointer, and it was tied at 6-6. But the Bulldogs closed the quarter with 10 straight points to open a 24-11 lead and were control the rest of the way.

After another exhibition game on Wednesday, Nov. 1, against Winona State, Drake opens the regular season at home against St. Thomas on Monday, Nov. 6.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — University of Iowa women’s soccer defeated top-seed Michigan State, 2-1, on Sunday at DeMartin Soccer Complex to advance to the Big Ten Tournament semifinals.

The victory over the 12^th-ranked Spartans is Iowa’s highest-ranked win since defeating No. 4 Penn State in the 2020-21 Big Ten Tournament. Both games were played on the road, with the Hawkeyes going on to win the program’s first conference tournament championship that season.

The Hawkeyes, who entered as the tournament eighth-seed, improve to 10-4-4 overall this season. Iowa avenged a 3-0 loss to Michigan State in the regular season finale. A pair of second half scores lifted Iowa to the comeback victory.

HEAR FROM HEAD COACH DAVE DIIANNI

“We knew this was going to be a difficult challenge for our team, coming back here for the second time in a week, but our ladies embraced it from the beginning. They believed our mentality and performance were not up to the standard that we ask of them each to win any game, let alone against a top team like Michigan State. I’m proud of the conviction and resiliency they have shown this year. We were playing for our season.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES

• Iowa’s most recent Big Ten Tournament victory came on Oct. 31, 2021, in East Lansing; the Hawkeyes have been visitors in each of the last four meetings against Michigan State.
• The Big Ten Tournament appearance is the 14^th in Hawkeye program history.
• McGroarty now matches seventh-year Josie Durr and junior Elle Otto for a team-best 12 points this season; McGroarty has four goals and four assists this year, while Bush has three goals and one assist (7 points) as a true-freshman midfielder. Enneking’s 23 career victories move into a tie for fourth place in the Iowa record book alongside Britta Vogele ’04.
• 90 Tracker: Four Hawkeye position players logged the full 90 minutes against Michigan State, including fifth-year Samantha Cary (13), freshman Millie Greer (13), senior Maggie Johnston (5) and freshman Eva Pattison (4). Five other Hawkeyes have played the entirety of at least one game this season, including senior Rielee Fetty (4), seventh-year Josie Durr, junior Kenzie Roling, sophomore Kellen Fife and freshman Sofia Bush.

UP NEXT

Eighth-seeded Iowa (10-4-4, 4-4-3) faces fourth-seeded Penn State (13-1-4, 6-1-3) in the Big Ten Tournament semifinals on Thursday, Nov. 2. The winner will advance to the championship match on Nov. 5. The semifinals and championship match will be played at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Both games will air live on Big Ten Network.

Former Sioux City Musketeer hockey player Adam Johnson died after an on ice accident while playing in England. Woody Gottburg reports.

The UNI women’s basketball team hosts Wisconsin-La Crosse Monday night in an exhibition contest. Forward Grace Boffeli is the Missouri Valley preseason player of the year. Boffeli, Maya McDermott and Emerson Green are returning starters for the Panthers.

UNI is the preseason Valley favorite and Boffeli says a key this season will be finishing games.

Boffeli averaged better than 16 points and nine rebounds last season and is looking forward to the new season.