AMES, Iowa (AP) – This fall was always supposed to be when Jerome Tiller took over as Iowa State’s quarterback.  The redshirt junior spent the past two seasons serving as Austen Arnaud’s understudy, soaking up the lessons offered by one of the program’s top quarterbacks.  But Tiller might only have another two weeks to prove he’s ready to be Arnaud’s successor.  The Cyclones have thrown the starting job up for grabs, and Tiller’s just one of three guys fighting for the chance to grab it.  Tiller says improving his accuracy is a focal point in his efforts to beat out Steele Jantz and Jared Barnett for the top spot.

     AMES, Iowa (AP) – Brad Keselowski won’t run in Saturday’s NASCAR Nationwide race in Iowa following a head-on crash into a wall at Road Atlanta on Wednesday.  Penske Racing says Thursday that Parker Kligerman will drive the No. 22 Dodge in Friday’s practice sessions, but Sam Hornish, Jr., will run both qualifying and the ace.  Keselowski crashed during a testing run in Atlanta. He walked from the car and was taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons. Penske says it will evaluate Keselowski’s condition and provide information when it becomes known.  Keselowski won the inaugural Nationwide race at Iowa Speedway in 2009.

     The Big Ten football teams will begin playing nine conference games in 2017 instead of eight.  The conference announced the change Thursday and it came as no surprise. When the league expanded to 12 teams by adding Nebraska this season, Commissioner Jim Delany said a nine-game conference schedule was being strongly considered.  The Big Ten split into two six-team divisions this season and will hold a football championship game for the first time.  The Big Ten has been playing an eight-game conference schedule since 1985.

AMES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa State will host Lehigh in the season opener on Nov. 12 and play Texas in Hilton Coliseum in its Big 12 opener on Jan. 4.  The Cyclones released their 2011-12 schedule on Thursday. It includes seven opponents who reached the NCAA tournament last season.  Iowa State will host both Iowa and Northern Iowa this winter.  The Cyclones will face the Panthers in Ames on Nov. 30 and the Hawkeyes on Dec. 9.  The Cyclones will play 18 Big 12 games next season following the loss of Nebraska and Colorado.  Iowa State will face each league opponent home and away.