4 Hawkeyes Named Midseason All-America

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Four University of Iowa football players were named to midseason All-America teams on Wednesday: senior defensive back Sebastian Castro, junior defensive back Cooper DeJean, senior linebacker Jay Higgins and senior punter Tory Taylor. DeJean, Higgins and Taylor were recognized by multiple outlets.

DeJean was recognized as a first team honoree by the Associated Press, The Athletic and FOX. He was named to ESPN’s first team on Tuesday.

DeJean is fourth on the Hawkeyes with 36 tackles, he has 1.5 tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and two interceptions, including one in the end zone against Michigan State. He has played 309 snaps this season in coverage without giving up a touchdown.

The Odebolt, Iowa, native is leading the Big Ten and ranks 13th nationally with a 13.0 punt return average and he is one of 29 players in the country with a punt return touchdown. DeJean returned a punt 70 yards for a game-deciding score against Michigan State late in the fourth quarter.

Higgins earned first-team accolades by FOX and the Sporting News and second-team laurels by the Associated Press.

Higgins leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally (the most by a Power 5 player) with 12.4 tackles per game. He has two 15+ and five 10+ tackle games this season.

The Indianapolis native has 55 tackles in four Big Ten games, averaging 13.8 tackles per contest. Higgins had 18 tackles at Penn State, tied for the second-most in a game this season and the most by a Hawkeye since Jack Campbell in 2021.

Taylor was recognized as a first team honoree by the Associated Press, CBS, The Athletic and FOX. He was tabbed to ESPN’s first team yesterday.

Taylor, an Australia native, has punted an FBS-best 45 times this season with only one touchback. He ranks first in the conference and fourth in the country in average yards per punt (48.3). Nineteen of his 45 punts have been for 50+ yards, including six of 60+ yards, while 17 have been downed inside the 20, eight inside the 10 and five inside the 5.

Taylor has earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors each of the last two weeks and has been included in Ray’s 8, which recognizes top punting performances nationally, four of the first six weeks of 2023. He was previously named to ESPN’s midseason All-America team.

Castro was recognized as a second team honoree by the Associated Press.

The native of Oak Lawn, Illinois, ranks first on the team in interceptions (3) and pass press break-ups (3), second in tackles for loss (5) and sixth in total tackles (30). Castro’s 30-yard pick-six at in-state rival Iowa State proved to be the winning score. His efforts in the win over the Cyclones earned the senior Big Ten Player of the Week accolades. Castro had an interception and helped force a defensive safety in the fourth quarter to help preserve Iowa’s road win at Wisconsin on Oct. 14.

No. 24 Iowa (6-1, 3-1) will host Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City (2:33 p.m. CT, NBC).

HAWKEYE PLAYERS NAMED MIDSEASON FIRST-TEAM ALL-AMERICA

Cooper DeJean: Associated Press, ESPN, The Athletic, FOX

Jay Higgins: FOX, Sporting News

Tory Taylor: Associated Press, ESPN, Sporting News, CBS, The Athletic, FOX

HAWKEYE PLAYERS NAMED MIDSEASON SECOND-TEAM ALL-AMERICA

Sebastian Castro: Associated Press

Jay Higgins: Associated Press

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State redshirt freshman Avery Gillahan has been named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week for the second time this season, helping lead ISU to a 2-0 week with wins over both Kansas and Kansas State.

Gillahan has been a constant in the net all season, as the Strongsville, Ohio, native took over for program legend Jordan Silkowitz who was drafted into the NWSL this past winter.

Against Kansas, Gillahan recorded her third shutout of the season, as she tied a career-high with eight saves against the Jayhawks. She followed up her clean sheet against KU with a six-save performance against Kansas State on Sunday.

Gillahan played all 180 possible minutes across the two matches, totaling 14 saves. Iowa State’s six wins are the most since 2016 and are the most under head coach Matt Fannon. ISU’s three conference wins are also its most since 2016.

She is just the second Cyclone to earn Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice, joining Hannah Cade back in 2016. Gillahan is one of just seven ISU players to earn the award, joining the likes of Anna Lindgren, Lauren McConnell, Olivia Edwards, Mira Emma, Hannah Cade and Klasey Medelberg.

ISU will be back in action next Monday, October 23, when it wraps up the regular season against the top-ten-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders at home. Next Monday’s match is scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. and will be streamed live on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Big 12 Weekly Award Winners 

Offensive Player of the Week: Lexi Missimo (UT) & Ashleigh Williams (TTU)

Defensive Player of the Week: Mackenzie Aunkst (WVU)

Goalkeeper of the Week: Lynette Hernaez (BYU)

Freshman of the Week: Avery Gillahan

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The Gold team blasted three home runs on its way to a 7-2 victory in Tuesday’s seven-inning opener of the Black & Gold World Series at Duane Banks Field.

Redshirt junior Raider Tello got the Black team on the board in the bottom of the first, driving in senior Michael Seegers with an RBI-double off of sophomore Gold starter Anthony Watts.

Junior outfielder Sam Petersen delivered two home runs for the Gold team – a two-run shot over the center field batter’s eye in the third and a three-run blast to left in the fourth. Sophomore first baseman Blake Guerin got in on the action, lifting a solo home run to left in the fourth.

An error following a base hit by junior Connor Hennings got the Black team back on the scoreboard in the sixth, pulling the squad within five. Freshman Jaixen Frost came to the box with the bases loaded and two outs, but senior Caleb Strack struck him out to end the threat.

The Gold team, which tallied nine total hits, did its damage in the middle innings with the home runs from Petersen and Guerin and an RBI-single from sophomore Gable Mitchell. The Gold team relied on four arms in the win. Watts settled in and threw two and 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, one run and striking out three. Junior Jack Whitlock came on in relief in the third inning and preserved the lead. Strack entered in the fourth and gave way to redshirt junior Zach Voelker, who closed the door to secure the win.

The Black team registered five hits in the loss. Junior Marcus Morgan got the nod on the mound for the Black team, firing three innings, striking out three and giving up two runs. Sophomore Justin Hackett saw action in the fourth, before senior Jack Young entered and pitched into the sixth. Junior Chas Wheatley came on in relief and got out of a jam in the sixth. Freshman Doug Taylor tossed a scoreless seventh inning.

UP NEXT: The Hawkeyes host game two of the Black & Gold World Series on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at Duane Banks Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and admission is free.

BILOXI, Miss. – University of Iowa men’s golf concluded the fall season on Tuesday with the final round of the Fallen Oak Collegiate Invitational. Iowa placed 10^th, finishing 894 (+30) after 54 holes at Fallen Oak Golf Course.  Iowa’s final round score 290 (+2) was its lowest of the tournament.

Junior Ian Meyer was the low finisher for the Hawkeyes at the tournament. Meyer tied for 23^rd at 4-over par (220) after three rounds. Mac McClear was the next low finisher for Iowa. McClear carded a 73 (+1) during the tournament’s final round to jump seven spots to tie for 35^th place. Sophomore Hogan Hansen shot 3-under par on the front nine in the final round of the tournament. Hansen eagled hole 15 and proceeded to birdie two of the next three holes. Hansen finished his final round at even par, the low score for the Hawkeyes in the final round of the tournament.  No. 2 Auburn won the team championship at 21-under par (843). Matthew Foster of SMU was the individual medalist, shooting 208 (-8).

HAWKEYE SCORECARD 

*Competing Individually

HEAR FROM COACH TYLER STITH 

“We were determined today and played much better golf. We turned at 6-under par and had a great chance to catch a few more teams but we didn’t execute. We have to figure that piece out as a team. Having the belief and confidence to close out rounds. I’m very proud of Ian Meyer. He’s been working hard at home and took advantage of his opportunity this week. He showed a lot of grit and made some great par saves down the stretch.”

HAWKEYE NOTABLES 

UP NEXT 

Iowa tees off the spring season on Feb. 11-13 at the Puerto Rico Classic in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa football senior linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson have been named to the midseason watch list for the 2023 Rotary Lombardi Award. The Rotary Lombardi committee made the announcement on Tuesday.

Higgins and Jackson have combined for 146 tackles this season — the highest by a Power 5 tandem in the nation. Higgins leads the Big Ten and ranks second nationally (the most by a Power 5 player) with 12.4 tackles per game. He has two 15+ and five 10+ tackle games this season. Jackson has two 10+ tackle games this season and 22 for his career — the most of any player nationally.

Higgins has 55 tackles in four Big Ten games, averaging 13.8 tackles per contest — 19 more than second-place Nick Jackson. Higgins had 18 tackles at Penn State, tied for the second-most in a game this season and the most by a Hawkeye since Jack Campbell in 2021.

Center Tyler Linderbaum was a finalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award in 2021 and defensive end Adrian Clayborn was a finalist in 2010. Other Hawkeyes who have been semifinalists include Campbell (2022), offensive lineman Brandon Scherff (2014), offensive lineman Robert Gallery (2003), defensive lineman Jared DeVries (1998), offensive lineman Mike Devlin (1992) and defensive lineman Jeff Drost (1986).

No. 24 Iowa (6-1, 3-1) will host Minnesota (3-3, 1-2) on Saturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City (2:30 p.m. CT, NBC).

It was a tough night for The Atlantic Trojans as they fell in three straight sets to the Des Moines Christian Lions. From the first set alone Atlantic saw the talent that players like Hadley Hardersen and Gabby Lombardi contributed to a skilled Lions squad. Both players helped Des Moines Christian reach 9 kills and 4 aces in the first set to take it 25-9.

The next set followed suit with Des Moines Christian quickly scoring points in the second set with 7 blocks and 7 kills winning 25-6. Atlantic’s third and final set on the night had an encouraging moment with Jersey Phippen serving up back to back aces. The strong effort from Phippen would not be enough as the Lions scored 25 to Atlantic’s 8.

Overall Atlantic Head Volleyball Coach Michelle Blake had nothing but respect for the way the Lions played and explained where Atlantic fell short.

The loss hurt, but Coach Blake wanted her players to focus on the future. To look ahead and work hard in not only their athletic lives but personal.

Coach Blake sees a potentially hungry upcoming class and hopes next years group is eager to learn.

Des Moines Christian will go on to play the winner of Van Meter vs Greene County Thursday October 19th at 7pm in their home court.

Drake is the preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley preseason basketball poll. The Bulldogs lost several key players from last years team that won the Valley tournament title and played in the NCAA Tournament but do return reigning conference player of the year Tucker DeVries.

That’s Drake coach Darian DeVries who says the transfer portal makes preseason polls even less reliable

With veterans like Roman Penn, D.J. Wilkins and Garrett Sturtz no longer playing Tucker DeVries is taking on a bigger leadership role.

Northern Iowa has been picked to finish second in the preseason poll. Point guard Bowen Born returns after averaging 18 points per gasme last season and is approaching this as his final year even though he could return for a COVID season.

Born feels the experienced he has gained is a plus.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says tight end Erick All will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury. The Michigan transfer was injured in the first quarter of a win at Wisconsin and has 21 catches, including three for touchdowns.

All is the second All Big Ten caliber tight end to be lost for the season.

After a win at Wisconsin the Hawkeyes face another bruising challenge when they host Minnesota. Iowa has won eight straight in the series but six of those have been by a touchdown or less, including a 13-10 triumph in the Twin Cities last season

The Hawkeyes are 6-1 despite being without their starting quarterback and top three tight ends and will continue to rely on defense and special teams.

The offense continues to struggle but the run game has showed some life and the Hawkeyes rushed for 200 yards against the Badgers.

Ferentz says the Hawkeyes realize they need to find ways to win.

The CAM Cougars have had a great season thus far. The Cougars finished the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record to secure a district championship and secured home field advantage through the playoffs. The Cougars have been able to jump on opponents early just as they did last Friday night when they defeated Staton/Essex 42-6. With bad weather in the area the score was tied 0-0 heading into the second quarter but that is right when the Cougars explosive offense showed up. The Cougars went on to score 28 points in the quarter and the route was on.  Coach Barry Bower was pleased with how his team responded in the second quarter and didn’t get frustrated with the conditions or the results of the first quarter.

Coach Bower couldn’t be happier with his teams regular season but Coach Bower understands playoff football is different and there are no more guarantees.

With the playoffs starting this Friday Night the Cougars will lean on their senior class to help lead the way. With playoff football comes more nerves and pressure felt by the players and Coach Bower said its important for the senior to lead the way as they have been here and done that before as well as this class is realizing their time as Cougar football players is coming to an end.

The CAM Cougars will be hosting the 4-4 Southeast Warren Warhawks. The Warhawks come into the playoffs off back-to-back losses but with a offense that can score with the best of them. Coach Bower knows for his team to advance its going to come down to the little things.

Kickoff Friday night will be at CAM High school at 7:00pm. Please listen to the full interview with Coach Bower below.

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AMES, Iowa – Iowa State redshirt sophomore linebacker Caleb Bacon has been named to the 2023 Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List.

The Lombardi Award is given to a lineman, on either offense or defense, or a linebacker that sets up no further than five yards deep from the line of scrimmage.

Bacon, who hails from Lake Mills, Iowa, is fourth on the team with 29 tackles, while leading the team with 5.5 tackles for a loss. He has notched 2.0 sacks and has five quarterback hurries in his first season as a significant contributor on defense. Bacon also plays a significant role on special teams for the Cyclones.

The Cyclone defensive unit ranks second in the Big 12 Conference in total defense (329.3 yards per game), second in passing defense (198.1) and third in scoring defense (20.0).

In the last two games, ISU has held its Big 12 opponents to 12.0 points per game and 156.0 passing yards per game, while intercepting six passes.