(DES MOINES) – To highlight today’s Outback Bowl game between the University of Iowa and Mississippi State University, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant have decided to make a friendly wager. Reynolds has pledged to send fully cooked turkey breasts from West Liberty Foods to the Food Bank of Iowa if the Bulldogs prevail. Gov. Bryant has wagered a feast of Simmons Farm Raised Catfish from Yazoo City to Stewpot Community Services in the event of a Hawkeye victory.

Gov. Reynolds said “Iowa and Mississippi have a strong heritage in both producing great football teams and producing the food and fiber to fuel our country and our world. But only one state will rise to the challenge in this bowl game, and I know our Hawkeyes, with an estimated 15,000 fans traveling to Florida to cheer them on, along with a big Hawkeye Wave back in Iowa, will bring home the win in the Outback Bowl. Go Hawks!”

Mississippi Gov. Bryant said “Iowans and Mississippians know the value of a hard day’s work and feeding America. Football and family is in our blood. Both the Bulldogs and Hawkeyes have had a great year on the field, and it’s an honor for them to be the first college football game of 2019. I’m confident Mississippi State will be victorious in the matchup, and bring back the Outback Bowl trophy to the Magnolia State. Hail State.”

(Radio Iowa) — Many Iowans are making resolutions to exercise more in 2019 and an Iowan who recently won the U.S.A. Marathon Championship has some advice for those who plan to make RUNNING part of their health improvement plans. Brogan Austin says it’s important to “keep it fun” and be patient. “I know a lot of people feel like they need to run fast or just get right after it right away, but I think the biggest thing is making sure you enjoy the process,” Austin said. “It’s okay to run slow and just gradually build up your miles. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.”

Austin, a Boone native who now lives in West Des Moines, won the national marathon championship in Sacramento, California on December 2. He finished the 26.2-mile race in 2 hours, 12 minutes 38 seconds. The 27-year-old Austin suggests Iowans who want to take up long distance running set an initial, reasonable goal. For instance, getting above the three-mile mark. “Because that’s when you can really start to zone out, daydream, or as the running community calls it – the runner’s high,” Austin said. “Running is such a great exercise activity and it releases a lot of stress. I think people put too much of an emphasis on making it a workout, but it can be an enjoyable thing too.”

Austin has a new goal for himself – to make the U.S. Olympic team in 2020. “I think that’s a lot more feasible now. I think I have a good shot at that,” Austin said. “In the build-up to that, I’d like to get back on the track this spring – try to run some fast 5K to 10Ks. I’ll probably run another marathon at some point, maybe in October. You know, all with the big picture in mind that I want to try and qualify for the 2020 Olympics in the marathon.”

Up until a month ago, the Drake University graduate’s biggest accomplishments included qualifying for the 2014 NCAA Cross Country Championships and winning the Drake Relays 5-K in 2013. Austin described his win at the U.S.A. Marathon Championship as “a whole other level of euphoria.” In order to make the U.S. Olympic marathon team, Austin would need to finish in the top 3 in the Olympic Trials race scheduled for February 29, 2020 in Atlanta.

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — In his 20 seasons leading the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kirk Ferentz has coached as many games in Tampa as in Ann Arbor, Michigan, or Columbus, Ohio. And he’s back for another one. The Hawkeyes make their sixth Outback Bowl appearance Tuesday when they face No. 18 Mississippi State.

UNDATED (AP) — The No. 18 Mississippi State Bulldogs have a shot at their biggest bowl win in eight years when they face Iowa in the Outback Bowl. The Bulldogs have a chance to finish in the Top 25 for the third time in five years. The Hawkeyes Tuesday are seeking their biggest bowl win since the 2009 season.

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Fourth-ranked Virginia begins pursuit of a second straight Atlantic Coast Conference championship by meeting No. 9 Florida State to headline the week’s AP Top 25 schedule. The schedule includes three matchups of ranked teams in the Big Ten, while top-ranked Duke returns to action after nearly two weeks off in ACC play.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Taylor Cornelius tied a Liberty Bowl record with four touchdown passes and Kolby Peel made a critical fourth-down stop with 1:01 left as Oklahoma State edged No. 24 Missouri 38-33. Missouri faced fourth-and-1 when Peel stopped quarterback Drew Lock on fourth-and-1.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was humbled by the chants of “MVP!” that rang out in Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday. After a record-setting season helped the Chiefs to the AFC West title and No. 1 seed, the MVP just might be in his sights. He’s among a handful of front-runners whose seasons have defied any expectation.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Ty-Shon Alexander scored 18 points and Mitch Ballock added 17, including five of Creighton’s 13 3-pointers, to help the Bluejays beat Providence 79-68 in the Big East opener for both teams. Martin Krampelj had 16 points and nine rebounds and Marcus Zegarowski scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half for Creighton (10-4).

UNDATED (AP) — In case you missed it in NFL Week 17: All the Ravens had to do to make the playoffs was beat the Browns. It’s not as easy as it used to be. It took a late, fourth-down interception for Baltimore to stifle Baker Mayfield’s momentum, secure a 26-24 victory over Cleveland and wrap up the AFC North.