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Sioux City Bandits announce move to new league

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Sioux City Bandits are joining a new indoor football league. Bandits Owner Don Belsen announced they will play the 2024 season as a member of the National Arena League.

The Bandits had been part of the Champions Indoor Football League, but Belsen says this will be a good move for the franchise.

The Bandits rival, the Omaha Beef is also moving to the N-A-L. The league currently has seven teams with five on the east coast and two in Texas.

Iowa State’s Matt Campbell on the competition at quarterback

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says it will take the entire month of August to determine who the starting quarterback will be in the season opener against Northern Iowa. After starting all 12 games last season Hunter Dekkers is not in fall camp after being charged in a gambling investigation. Redshirt freshman Rocco Becht, junior college transfer Tanner Hughes and true freshman J.J. Kohl are competing for the job.

Campbell says the two keys are leadership and protecting the football.

Campbell would not rule out playing multiple quarterbacks in the opener and it is something he has done at Iowa State and his previous stop at Toledo.

ISU to Wrap Exhibition Play at Minnesota

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State soccer program will wrap up preseason play on Thursday, August 10, as it travels to Saint Paul to face off with Minnesota in both schools’ final exhibition before the regular season. Thursday night’s contest is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.

This marks the second straight season that Iowa State and Minnesota will meet up for an exhibition match to end the preseason. Last year, Iowa State and Minnesota tied with a 1-1 final.

This will be Iowa State’s final tune-up before the regular season which begins on August 17. The Cyclones head to Minnesota after defeating UNI in an exhibition, 2-1, on Monday evening in Cedar Falls.

The Matchup: Iowa State at Minnesota

Where: Elizabeth Lyle Robbie Stadium // Saint Paul, Minnesota

When: August 10 – 6 p.m.

What To Watch For 

  • With it being an exhibition, expect the Cyclones to throw multiple different players and lineups out.
  • The Cyclones will look to implement 11 newcomers into the fray this season, as five freshmen and six transfers will look to find their place in the rotation.
  • Iowa State is looking to settle the most competitive preseason battle in exhibition play, as four goalkeepers are vying to replace program legend Jordan Silkowitz who went on be drafted into the NWSL this past winter.
  • ISU lost 50% of its scoring production in the offseason, so finding offensive production will be another key in preseason action. The Cyclones received goals from both Sophia Thomas and Hannah Shaw in Monday night’s exhibition.
  • ISU has just one returning player who started all 17 games last season in Mira Emma and only four players (Emma, Lauren Hernandez, Hanna Reid, Sophia Thomas) competed in every outing.
  • Besides the new player faces on the sidelines, ISU fans may also notice a new pair of coaches as Kathleen Duwve (assistant/goalkeepers coach) and Olivia Seddon (soccer development coordinator) joined the team over the summer.

On Deck
Following the final exhibition match, Iowa State will turn its attention to the regular season and prepare for Arizona. The Cyclones and Wildcats are set to square off on August 17 at 6 p.m. on Big 12 Now on ESPN+. 

Inaugural “B1G Day” Celebrates Beginning of 2023 Big Ten Season; NBC Sports, Peacock Kick Off on Sept. 2

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

STAMFORD, Conn. – NBCUniversal celebrates the inaugural “B1G Day” Thursday, Aug. 10, with integrations across NBC Sports, NBC News, NBC Entertainment and Universal Parks, engaging with fans through interactive social posts, and giveaways. NBC Sports, which kicks off its Big Ten football coverage on NBC and Peacock on Sept. 2, joins the Big Ten Conference and its media partners in looking ahead to the kickoff of the 2023 college football season.

NBCUniversal “B1G Day” activations and engagements include:

  • Big Ten promotion across NBC Sports’ properties such as the NFL, MLB Sunday Leadoff, and GOLF Channel.

 

  • Big Ten integrations across the NBCUniversal portfolio including:
    • A B1G Day themed TODAY Show segment featuring school mascots
    • Set takeovers across ACCESS Hollywood shows
    • An NBC Sports Grill & Brew takeover at Universal Parks Orlando and Hollywood

 

  • NBCUniversal campuses across the U.S. and globally will celebrate “Big Ten Day” with themed tailgate and experiences

 

  • Big Ten schools will generate excitement with their students, alumni, and fans nationwide across their social and digital platforms.

 

  • Fans can celebrate the upcoming college football season on “Big Ten Day” by breaking out Big Ten school colors and using #BigTenDay across social media platforms.

 

  • Fans will also have the chance to win B1G with NBC Sports’ “Big Ten Day” giveaway:

 

    • To enter for a chance to win, fans can wear their favorite jersey and share photos of their school pride with the hashtags, ‘#BigTenDay #BigTenDayGiveaway’
    • Prizes include a trip to a 2024 B1G Saturday Night game, coffee deliveries to kickstart B1G Day, branded bucket hats, custom tailgate coolers, and flat screen TVs, so fans will be well-equipped for the start of the Big Ten college football season on NBC and Peacock on Saturday, Sept. 2

 

NBC Sports’ Big Ten Football package features Big Ten Saturday Night on NBC and Peacock – marking the first time ever that Big Ten Football will have a dedicated weekly primetime game on a national broadcast network. – and nine exclusive games on Peacock.

Riverside Football is Prepared for 2023

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Riverside Bulldog football team struggled in 2022. The Bulldogs managed to nab two wins, one against Sidney and the other at home facing Missouri Valley. However, the two wins felt small compared to an overall record of (2-7). Head Coach Darrell Frain acknowledges that even with how competitive the Bulldogs were last season, a losing record is a hard pill to swallow.

So now the offseason has been dedicated to conditioning and the weight room. Coach Frain wants his players to be in shape and ready for moments when being conditioned really matters.

This summer Coach Frain has seen quite a few of his players dedicated to doing the little things that coaches like to see. The starters returning this year do show a strong promise for the fall. Players like Senior, Grady Jeppesen who learned tremendously under center last year. He had a completion percentage of 54%, nearly threw for 1300 yards, and notched 11 touchdown throws on the year. He’ll be accompanied by Senior, Kyler Rieken who rushed for 179 yards and 3 scores.

The talent coming back will be a big help for Coach Frain and the Bulldogs. Especially considering the tough schedule they face this year.

Riverside starts its season August 25th, on the road against the West Monona Spartans.

 

Click below for full interview:

 

Play

Ronan Kleu and Callum Macfie Named GCAA All-America Scholars

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Two University of Iowa men’s golfers were named GCAA All-America Scholars on Wednesday morning.

Ronan Kleu and Callum Macfie met qualifying standards that included earning a Division I stroke average below 76.0, participation in at least 50% of team competitive rounds and maintaining a minimum cumulative career grade-point average of 3.2. Honorees also had to demonstrate high moral character.

The duo previously earned Spring Academic All-Big Ten recognition, alongside teammate Felipe Pedraza.

Kleu was a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winner this season, in which he ranked second for Iowa in stroke average (73.5) and top-25 performances (5) for the second consecutive year. The native of Zollikerberg, Switzerland, is fresh off a runner-up finish at the British Amateur on June 24.

Macfie logged 23 competitive rounds for the Hawkeyes, 21 of which counted toward team scoring. He solidified his spot in the lineup this spring, competing for the Hawkeyes in all six spring tournaments. Macfie’s seven rounds at or below par tied Kleu for second-best on the team, and his 74.7 stroke average ranked fourth for Iowa this season.

Kaleb Johnson Named Doak Walker Candidate

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson has been named a preseason candidate for the 2023 Doak Walker Award, which is presented to the nation’s top college running back by the PwC SMU Athletic Forum.

 

In its 33rd year, the award is named after SMU’s three-time All-America running back Doak Walker.

 

Johnson (6-foot, 222 pounds) earned freshman All-America honors after rushing for an Iowa freshman record 779 yards with six touchdowns in 2022. The Hamilton, Ohio, native rushed for 200 yards in a win at Purdue last November, the second highest single-game total by an Iowa rookie and 18th best in program history. Johnson also averaged 25 yards on 13 returns during his true freshman campaign.

 

Former Hawkeye Shonn Greene won the award in 2008, while Albert Young was a semifinalist in 2005.

Johnson and the Hawkeyes open their season against Sept. 2 against Utah State. The sold-out game is set for an 11 a.m. (CT) kickoff.

 

HAWKEYES ON 2023 WATCH LISTS 

  • Erick All – John Mackey Award (TE)
  • Cooper DeJean – Bronko Nagurski Trophy (D-POY) // Paul Hornung Award (Versatility)
  • Kaleb Johnson – Doak Walker Award (RB)
  • Logan Jones – Rimington Trophy (C)
  • Luke Lachey – John Mackey Award (TE)
  • Cade McNamara – Maxwell Award (POY)
  • Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award (PK)
  • Tory Taylor – Ray Guy Award (P)

Iowa’s Logan Jones on preparations for new season

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

Iowa’s offensive line hopes to show improvement this season and begins over the ball. Council Bluffs native Logan Jones moved from defensive line to center prior to last season and at times struggled with snaps. He has spent the offseason working with new quarterback Cade McNamara.

Jones has developed a good relationship with McNamara.

The Hawkeyes open on September second at home against Utah State.

Iowa men open European trip with a victory

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

The Iowa men’s basketball team heads to Spain for the next leg of a European trip. The Hawkeyes open the trip with a 123-77 win over the Paris All-Stars on Tuesday. Payton Sandfort and Valparaiso transfer Benn Krikke both had 22 points to lead the way.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says there are a couple of areas that need work.

McCaffery says he continues to be impressed by the Hawkeye freshmen.

Iowa plays the Valencia All-Stars on Friday.

Clark Named Finalist for AAU Sullivan Award

Sports

August 9th, 2023 by Asa Lucas

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa women’s basketball junior Caitlin Clark has been named a finalist on Wednesday for the 93rd AAU James E. Sullivan Award.  

 

Clark was the recipient of the 2023 Big Ten Female Athlete of the Year Award, Honda Cup and was named Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year by The Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA). She also won the 2023 Naismith, Wooden and Wade trophies along with the Associated Press and USBWA Ann Drysdale Player of the Year honors. 

 

She is a two-time winner of the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard Award and is the first-ever three-time winner of the Dawn Staley Award. She also won the Honda Sport Award for Basketball in April.  

 

Clark led her team to its first-ever NCAA Championship game and helped post the Hawkeyes’ most wins in a single season. During the NCAA Tournament, she posted the first 40-point triple-double in NCAA Tournament history (men’s or women’s) and broke the NCAA single-tournament records for most 3-point FG made (24) and most points scored (191). This past season, she was the only player in the country with 1,000 points, 240 rebounds, 310 assists and 45 steals.  

 

Overall, Clark became the first player in Division I women’s basketball history to record more than 1,000 points and 300 assists in the same season and was fastest Division I player (men’s or women’s) to reach 1,500 career points over the last 20 seasons. 

 

Off the court, she is a two-time first-team Academic All-American and was named the 2023 CSC Academic All-America of the Year.  

 

In addition to athletic excellence, the AAU Sullivan Award aims to recognize the qualities of leadership, citizenship, character and sportsmanship on and off the field.  

 

The one-week voting period to determine the six finalists opens to the public today at bit.ly/93rdSullivanFinalists. The public can vote once a day for their choice, up until the voting closes. 

 

“We’re excited to have such a diverse group of athletes and sports represented this year,” said Jo Mirza, AAU President. “Each of our semi-finalists deserves to move on to the next round and we’re proud to include them in the AAU Sullivan Award’s storied history.”  

 

This year’s winner will be announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at the historic New York Athletic Club (NYAC) – the birthplace of the AAU.  

 

The winner of the 93rd AAU Sullivan Award will join a renowned list of recipients. Other prior winners include former UI wrestler Spencer Lee in 2019, Michael Phelps (swimming), Michelle Kwan (figure skating), Carl Lewis (track & field), Shawn Johnson (gymnastics), Peyton Manning (football) and Breanna Stewart (basketball).  

 

 

ABOUT THE AAU:  

The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) is one of the largest, non-profit, volunteer sports organizations in the country. As a multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports programs. Founded in 1888 to establish standards and uniformity in sports, the AAU philosophy of “Sports For All, Forever” is now shared by more than 720,000 members and 150,000 volunteers across 45 sports programs and 55 U.S. districts. For more information, visit aausports.org.