Tag: 2022 Iowa Football

Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kaevon Merriweather named semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

Iowa Hawkeyes’ safety Kaevon Merriweather has been recognized for his leadership, courage, and integrity, both on and off of the field.

There really is something about Iowa City, Kirk Ferentz, and the Iowa Hawkeyes’ program and their ability to turn under-recruited teenagers into nationally recognized men that perform on and off the field.

That is what Hawkeyes’ safety Kaevon Merriweather is receiving this recognition for. He has been named a finalist to the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. 

Per their official site, the award is given out annually to a division one football player that has demonstrated a record of leadership by exhibiting exceptional courage, integrity and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

Kaevon Merriweather, Iowa (Sr. DB) – Merriweather will be a four-year letterman during his career, in which he was forced to medical redshirt in his second season due to injury. Recognized by Iowa media in 2021 with the Duke Slater Golden Gavel Award for his cooperation with local media throughout the season, he has been involved in nearly 80 hours of leadership, community engagement and diversity, equity and inclusion programing within Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS) Hawkeye Life Program. Merriweather is a leader in Student Services Multicultural Focus Group and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programming, and he was a participant in the B1G Life Series: Selma to Montgomery trip this past July, an immersive and educational experience at the center of the civil rights movement. He has played in 42 career games and has started every game at strong safety in 2022. He has been a member of the team Leadership Council as a junior and senior and is currently tied for team lead with three interceptions. Merriweather will graduate in December with a BS degree in Sport and Recreation Management (Business Studies). – Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award

Merriweather is having another exceptional year as a member of the Iowa secondary that has been a staple of consistency and great play. He has tallied 41 tackles, six pass breakups, three interceptions, and one forced fumble so far this season.

Iowa Hawkeyes’ Cooper DeJean named the Rose Bowl Game Big Ten Player of the Week

Where the Hawks may be headed: Week 11 Iowa Hawkeyes bowl projection round up

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Iowa Hawkeyes ascend in CBS Sports’ 1-131 rankings

Having the driver’s seat to the Big Ten West after three straight wins is enough to see the Hawkeyes rise in CBS Sports’ 1-131 rankings.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are a completely different team than they were just four weeks ago after falling to 3-4. Since that moment, they have won three straight games, grabbed control of their destiny in the Big Ten West, and transformed into a team of believers.

That belief, which was once held just within the Iowa program and some of the faithful, is starting to exude externally with their ascensions we are seeing in the rankings.

In CBS Sports’ weekly updated rankings, the Hawkeyes saw a climb. They moved up eight spots from No. 51 to No. 43 with two games to go. Their upcoming opponent, the Minnesota Golden Gophers saw a large jump from CBS as well. The 7-3 Gophers jumped seven spots to No. 31 after beating Northwestern.

After a 24-10 win over the Wisconsin Badgers, Iowa is now 6-4 overall and can win the Big Ten West if they win out and Illinois loses to Michigan. That is not too crazy to see happening but Iowa must first focus on their task at hand. That task is going on the road and beating Minnesota in what looks to be a very cold, snowy, and frigid environment.

With two games to go, the Hawkeyes have guaranteed themselves a bowl berth and will get a 13th game at the very minimum. That is the consolation prize. The Hawkeyes have their sights set on much bigger goals still within their control.

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Iowa Hawkeyes’ Cooper DeJean named the Rose Bowl Game Big Ten Player of the Week

Cooper DeJean’s all around performance for the Iowa Hawkeyes caught the attention of the granddaddy of them all with Rose Bowl recognition.

There was no shortage of Cooper DeJean dominating on Saturday against the Wisconsin Badgers as the Iowa Hawkeyes took home the Heartland Trophy in a 24-10 win. His performance garnered attention from one big, tradition-rich game.

The Rose Bowl announced that Cooper DeJean was their selection as the Week 11 Rose Bowl Game Big Ten Player of the Week.

DeJean’s performance was an all-around boost for the Hawkeyes. His pick-six to get the Hawkeyes on the board, his field position changing punt returns, and his play as a gunner helping down the ball at the one-yard line pinning the Badgers deep all contributed to this recognition.

“Yeah, there’s probably not a position on the perimeter he couldn’t play. You’d have to change your offense if he was your quarterback. But I’m pretty sure he could be a pretty good running back, I know he could be a really good receiver, and you think about the four positions on defense in the back end plus the nickelback, the slot guy, so there’s five right there,” head coach Kirk Ferentz elaborated on DeJean’s broad skillset when asked about his big game.

His play was truly special on Saturday and it is up for discussion that his performance was what won the game for Iowa.

“He’s a special kid and special player, too. You obviously see it out there, he is going to continue to do great things,” linebacker Jack Campbell told media when asked about his fellow defender’s game.

Cooper DeJean’s big day sparks social media, Iowa Hawkeyes’ huge 24-10 win over Wisconsin

Report card: Grading the Iowa Hawkeyes’ big home win over Wisconsin

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Where the Hawks may be headed: Week 11 Iowa Hawkeyes bowl projection round up

The Iowa Hawkeyes are going bowling! What was once an “if” has now become a “when” and “where” for the Hawkeyes’ postseason matchup.

What looked like a bit of a farfetched thought just over three weeks ago has become a reality. The Iowa Hawkeyes are officially going bowling! Following their third straight win in a 24-10 victory over the Wisconsin Badgers, the Hawkeyes hit the bowl eligibility threshold of six wins.

After sitting at 3-4 and some leaving this team for dead, head coach Kirk Ferentz rallied the locker room in a way only he always can. He has the Hawkeyes playing complementary football, having fun, and right back in the thick of things in the Big Ten West.

In fact, while the Hawkeyes are tied among the top in the Big Ten West, they really have the inside track to making it to Indianapolis. All that has to happen is Iowa needs to win their final two while Illinois falls to Michigan on the road this weekend. Straightforward enough.

Regardless of the Big Ten West, the Hawkeyes have guaranteed themselves a postseason game. Let’s check out some of the potential landing spots.

Iowa Stock Index: Hawkeyes’ stock report after win over Wisconsin

Iowa got the job done in a 24-10 win over Wisconsin. Whose stock is rising, whose stock is falling after the win over the Badgers?

The Iowa Hawkeyes essentially have the driver’s seat in the Big Ten West. A sentence more or less unfathomable just a month ago is a very real situation and a reality that is fully upon us.

At 6-4, following a rivalry victory over the Wisconsin Badgers for the Heartland Trophy, the Hawkeyes are tied for first place in the Big Ten West. If they win out against Minnesota and Nebraska, paired with Michigan taking care of Illinois next weekend, the Hawkeyes are returning to Indianapolis.

The three-game win streak they are riding right now has seen efforts from all three units at different times and has Iowa not only tied for first in the Big Ten West, but officially bowl eligible as well.

Quite a few Hawkeyes have had their hands in the mix helping create this winning streak, but there are a few that are seeing their stock rising as we continue down the final stretch of the season.

One honorable mention is whoever played “Jump Around” in Kinnick following the game to really let Wisconsin know who won the rivalry.

Top 5 Big Ten Week 11 games and predictions

The final quarter of the college football season begins this week. A look at the top Big Ten matchups across the conference in Week 11.

Week 11 is upon us and so is the final quarter of the college football season. With 75% of games played, the Big Ten still has yet to figure out anything in regards to who is representing the respective sides of the conference in the championship game.

The Big Ten East is rather straightforward. Ohio State and Michigan are on a crash course to meet at 11-0 with the winner going to Indianapolis. Anything aside from that will be a shocker.

The Big Ten West is rather messy. The Illinois Fighting Illini still control their destiny but their slip up to Michigan State hurt them badly as they still have yet to play Michigan. One more falter and they could lose their grip on the West.

Enter in Iowa, Wisconsin and Purdue. If Iowa or Wisconsin win out and Illinois loses two more, they go to Indianapolis. Illinois is likely losing to Michigan, so if the Fighting Illini simply fall to Purdue this weekend or stumble to Northwestern in the final week of the season, the Hawkeyes or Badgers could backdoor their way into Indianapolis. It is a mess.

Not discussed here are the matchups of Ohio State vs. Indiana matchup and Minnesota vs. Northwestern.

Prediction: Ohio State 45, Indiana 17

Prediction: Minnesota 30, Northwestern 10

Jack Campbell, Seth Benson two of top five highest graded linebackers this season, per PFF

Pro Football Focus has listed Iowa’s Jack Campbell and Seth Benson as two of their top five highest graded linebackers this season.

We know the Iowa Hawkeyes are “Tight End U,” but they are rapidly growing their case to take over the name of “Linebacker U” as well. Their duo of Jack Campbell and Seth Benson manning the middle has been dominant this season.

Campbell and Benson each find themselves named to Pro Football Focus‘ top graded linebackers this season. Iowa is the only school with two of their linebackers finding their way onto the list.

Joining the two is Cincinnati’s Ivan Pace Jr., fellow Big Ten member Ohio State‘s Tommy Eichenberg, and Pittsburgh’s SirVocea Dennis.

On the season, Campbell and Benson are one and two on the Hawkeyes in total tackles. Campbell leads Iowa with 89 tackles while Benson has 71. Each of them has 3.5 tackles for loss, an interception, and four quarterback hurries.

Going into the matchup against run-heavy Wisconsin, the two are going to be challenged with taking on sophomore phenom Braelon Allen in an effort to slow down him in the run game.

Not only do the two contribute greatly on the field, but they are helping develop younger players into future contributors on the team.

“You know, Jack Campbell’s been through some hard times in football, been through some hard times in life, too, so that helps those younger guys,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said when asked about Iowa’s camaraderie.

Iowa kicks off against the Badgers at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday for the Hawkeyes’ “Military Appreciation Blackout Game.” History has typically served Iowa well when the Hawkeyes bust out there American-flag-themed alternates.

Look out, Wisconsin. They’re back this weekend.

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Week 11 Iowa Hawkeyes opponent preview: Breaking down the Wisconsin Badgers’ offense

The Iowa Hawkeyes host Wisconsin in Week 11. Here is an offensive outlook for what the Badgers will try to do and who to watch.

Week 11 for the Iowa Hawkeyes sees a very familiar foe entering Kinnick Stadium this time around. With a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff, the Hawkeyes are welcoming in the Wisconsin Badgers in a Big Ten West matchup.

Each of the teams is currently carrying an overall record of 5-4 and a 3-3 conference record. Just a handful of weeks ago this matchup looked like it could be a doozy for all of the wrong reasons, but it has garnered some more excitement.

With the Illinois Fighting Illini losing to Michigan State last week, the Hawkeyes and Badgers find themselves, somehow, just one game out of first place in the Big Ten West. With the mess that the Big Ten West is, and could continue to become, this matchup has conference implications riding on it.

If either of these teams can win out and the Illini slip up again, then the Hawkeyes or Badgers would have a serious chance to capture the West. It starts this week.

The Hawkeyes’ defense held Purdue to just three points last weekend and will need another stout effort as they look to slow down the Badgers.

Iowa’s Big Ten West path is suddenly alive and well, what it would take for the Hawkeyes

What appeared to be wishful thinking a few weeks ago is now somehow within reach. Here is the Hawkeyes’ path to the Big Ten West title.

In quite the turn of events, the Iowa Hawkeyes find themselves not only on the cusp of becoming bowl eligible, but they are not out of the race for the Big Ten West yet. Actually, this weekend could completely flip things upside down.

After rattling off two wins, Iowa has climbed back to 3-3 in Big Ten play. This has them sitting in second place behind the Illinois Fighting Illini who fell to 4-2 after an upset at the hands of Michigan State. That loss brought the Illini back to the rest of the pack.

This weekend’s games of Iowa hosting Wisconsin and Illinois hosting Purdue are going to go a long way in determining the fate of the Big Ten West and who will take on Michigan or Ohio State.

Here is the path it would take for Iowa to return to Indianapolis, the help that they would need, and what a tie-breaker would look like.

Iowa donning alternate uniforms versus Wisconsin for ‘Military Appreciation Black Out Game’

This Saturday will see Iowa pulling out alternate uniforms during the Hawkeyes’ Military Appreciation Day versus the Wisconsin Badgers.

In honor of Veteran’s Day and recognizing those that have served the United States of America, the Iowa Hawkeyes are giving a nod to each one of those heroes when they take the field this Saturday afternoon for the “Military Appreciation Black Out Game.”

This Saturday will see the Hawkeyes kickoff at 2:30 p.m. CT against the Wisconsin Badgers, but it won’t include the traditional black jerseys and yellow pants. The Hawkeyes have announced they will be pulling out their all-black uniforms.

Not only will the uniforms be all-black, the helmets will get a minor tweak to them as well. While they will still have the famous Tigerhawk logo, it will be an American flag themed Tigerhawk as opposed to the standard yellow logo.

This is not the first time that Iowa has worn these uniforms. Last season, the Hawkeyes pulled out the black pants when they hosted the Minnesota Golden Gophers. That game saw Iowa pull out a 27-22 victory over Minnesota to advance to 8-2 on the way to their Big Ten West title.

Iowa and Wisconsin each enter this contest with matching 5-4 overall records paired with 3-3 Big Ten conference play records as well. The two teams are fighting to become bowl eligible with their sixth win but also hoping to stay alive in the Big Ten West race.

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