Tag: Hawkeyes Football

Tory Taylor named Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week

Tory Taylor’s display of punting with power and precision has earned him the award of the Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week.

The Iowa Hawkeyes have themselves arguably the best punter in America and his ability to do his job to the highest level is one of the largest reasons that they are winning games. Taylor had a career game in the Hawkeyes’ road win over the Wisconsin Badgers and has been acknowledged accordingly.

Tory Taylor’s great day against the Badgers has earned him the accolade of Big Ten Co-Special Teams Player of the Week. he is sharing the award with Penn State’s Daequan Hardy. The 50.6 yards per punt with six pinned deep kept Wisconsin deep in their own territory the entire game and helped Iowa hold them to six total points.

On the year, Taylor has punted 45 times and is averaging a career-best 48.3 yards per punt. Taylor has dropped 17 of these punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard lines which sets his defense up for great success.

Tory Taylor is fourth in the NCAA in punting average while having the most punt attempts. Taylor has the most total punting yards by nearly 400 yards. More or less, any way you cut it, Tory Taylor is either at the top or right there in nearly every major punting statistic.

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Iowa Hawkeyes ranked No. 23 in newest US LBM Coaches Poll

After moving to 6-1 with a win over the Wisconsin Badgers, the Hawkeyes are ranked once again. Iowa is No. 23 in the US LBM Coaches Poll

The Iowa Hawkeyes have clawed their way back and with a three-game winning streak they find themselves polling once again. The Hawkeyes are now ranked No. 23 in the most recent US LBM Coaches Poll.

Iowa had been flirting with the rankings the last few weeks after rattling off Big Ten wins and has finally cracked the top 25 once again. Their win over the Wisconsin Badgers which was fueled by defense and special teams was enough to propel them into the poll. Along with the US LBM Coaches Poll, Iowa thrust itself back into ESPN’s College Football Power Rankings at No. 25.

Iowa stares down a date with the Minnesota Golden Gophers for yet another Big Ten West showdown. The Hawkeyes control their destiny but there is still plenty of work to do before any assumptions can be made. For now, they find themselves among the top 25 teams in this poll.

Here is a look at the entire US LBM Coaches Poll:

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Georgia 7-0 1,590 (58) –
2 Michigan 7-0 1,516 (4) –
3 Ohio State 6-0 1,429 (2) –
4 Florida State 6-0 1,390 –
5 Washington 6-0 1,325 +1
6 Penn State 6-0 1,302 -3
7 Oklahoma 6-0 1,260 (1) –
8 (tie) Texas 5-1 1,078 +3
8 (tie) Alabama 6-1 1,078 +2
10 North Carolina 6-0 1,038 +2
11 Oregon 5-1 989 -3
12 Ole Miss 5-1 849 +1
13 Oregon State 6-1 809 +1
14 Utah 5-1 704 +2
15 Tennessee 5-1 663 +2
16 USC 6-1 606 -7
17 Duke 5-1 590 +1
18 Notre Dame 6-2 572 +3
19 LSU 5-2 482 +1
20 Missouri 6-1 368 +5
21 Louisville 6-1 309 -6
22 Air Force 6-0 196 +6
23 Iowa 6-1 192 +6
24 Tulane 5-1 112 +11
25 UCLA 4-2 70 -3

Schools Dropped Out

No. 19 Washington State Cougars; No. 23 Kentucky Wildcats; No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks;

Others Receiving Votes

James Madison 67; Clemson 54; Florida 29; Fresno State 21; Washington State 20; Arizona 13; Wyoming 12; Oklahoma State 12; Miami (FL) 12; Maryland 11; Kentucky 9; Liberty 5; Kansas State 5; UNLV 4; Texas A&M 4; West Virginia 3; Memphis 1; Kansas 1;

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A look at the updated SP+ rankings for the Iowa Hawkeyes at the halfway point

At the halfway point of the season, teams are beginning to show what they do well and who they are. Here is a look at ESPN’s SP+ rankings.

With six games down and six to go, teams are giving us a pretty good idea of who they are, what they want to do, what they do well, and what they aren’t so good at. The Iowa Hawkeyes are no exception. In fact, they might be the leader in the clubhouse of not hiding what they want to do.

Iowa wants to play a field position battle won by the defense and special teams. Their rankings in the updated ESPN SP+ rankings (subscription required) are very indicative of that based on where each of their three units are slotted.

Before we take a look at the SP+ rankings at the halfway point, here is a quick reminder of what these rankings are based upon:

What is SP+? In a single sentence, it’s a tempo- and opponent-adjusted measure of college football efficiency. I created the system at Football Outsiders in 2008, and as my experience with both college football and its stats has grown, I have made quite a few tweaks to the system.

SP+ is indeed intended to be predictive and forward-facing. It is not a résumé ranking that gives credit for big wins or particularly brave scheduling — no good predictive system is. It is simply a measure of the most sustainable and predictable aspects of football. If you’re lucky or unimpressive in a win, your rating probably will fall. If you’re strong and unlucky in a loss, it probably will rise. – ESPN.

Kickoff time set for Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

The Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale is set for Oct. 21. Kickoff time for Iowa versus Minnesota has been set.

One of the Iowa Hawkeyes’ three trophy games each year is against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale. The matchup is set for October 21 this year inside Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa has released the kickoff time for this Big Ten West clash and it will be taking place at 2:30 p.m. CT. The television channel or streaming service remains to be determined.

While the Golden Gophers lead this all-time series by a tally of 67-47-2, the recent matchups have been anything but a rivalry. Iowa is currently on a run of winning eight straight games and having complete control of the trophy.

Minnesota’s head coach, P.J. Fleck took over in 2017 and still has yet to knock off Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes during his tenure. Last year was one of his best chances as he had Iowa all knotted up at 10-10 in the fourth quarter until a late interception by Jack Campbell set the Hawkeyes up to kick a game-winning field goal off the right foot of Drew Stevens.

Minnesota sits at 3-3 overall with a 1-2 mark in Big Ten play. While Iowa takes on Wisconsin in a critical game for the Big Ten West race, Minnesota is on a bye week after receiving a 52-10 drubbing at the hands of the Michigan Wolverines.

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5-1 is 5-1: Takeaways as Iowa does what it takes to win against the Purdue Boilermakers

It might not have been pretty, but wins don’t have to be. Takeaways from Iowa’s win over Purdue as the Hawkeyes move to 5-1 on the year.

No one said wins had to be pretty. There are no style points in the Big Ten. A win is a win and the Iowa Hawkeyes just keep finding ways to rack them up. The Hawkeyes toppled the Purdue Boilermakers, 20-14, to move to 5-1 on the season.

The offense sputtered but had some bright spots that provided some signs of confidence. The defense bowed up time and time again to make stops every time it was needed.

This was a game that wasn’t won by any single unit, but rather outstanding individual performances. A few individuals stepped up and carried this team.

Iowa is currently 5-1 with the Big Ten West fully within reach and in their own control. Homecoming saw the Hawkeyes find a way to win as they so often do with a vintage Iowa performance.

Nonetheless, here are the five biggest takeaways from Iowa’s hard-fought win over the Boilermakers that took an entire team effort throughout.

Injury Report: Several Iowa offensive players out for clash with Purdue in final injury report

Iowa football will be down several starters for the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten clash against Purdue. Here is a look at the most recent injure report.

The Iowa Hawkeyes will be without several starters for their midseason clash with Purdue today. Kirk Ferentz’s squad must employ a next-man-up mentality, with multiple names featured on this morning’s injury report.

The biggest casualties take place on the offensive line. Both starting left tackle Mason Richman and left guard Nick DeJong will be out for the upcoming contest. One of the few positive takeaways from the injury report is the status of guard Connor Colby who is completely absent from the list. He will play today.

UPDATE: Mason Richman fully participated in pre-game warmups and will start at left tackle today for the Hawkeyes.

New starting quarterback Deacon Hill will also be down two playmakers on offense. Both tight end Addison Ostrenga and running back Jaziun Patterson are listed as out. While the Hawkeyes get a massive boost at running back with the return of Kaleb Johnson, tight end is starting to become a concern. Starter Luke Lachey is out the rest of the season due to an injury he suffered against Western Michigan. Look for Steven Stillianos and Johnny Pascuzzi to see an increase in playing time.

On defense, the Hawkeyes will be without cornerback Deshaun Lee. A key depth piece, the redshirt freshman provided meaningful snaps early in the season in place of the suspended Jermari Harris. With the lack of cornerback depth, don’t expect any of those Cooper DeJean reps on offense to happen, at least not in this game.

With several starters out, it will be interesting to see what changes and adjustments Kirk Ferentz and co. make for this monumental game against Purdue.

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College Football News shares Iowa-Purdue prediction in a tight Big Ten West battle

Iowa welcomes in Purdue to Kinnick Stadium for a Week 6 kickoff. College Football News shared its prediction for the Big Ten battle.

Week 6 sees the Iowa Hawkeyes welcome in the Purdue Boilermakers for a Big Ten West showdown. The two teams are the last two winners of the West division with Iowa in 2021 and Purdue in 2022.

Iowa enters the contest 4-1 overall and 1-1 in Big Ten play after a late, come-from-behind win against Michigan State. Purdue is coming into Kinnick riding high after a 44-19 dismantling over Illinois that may have the Boilermakers turning the corner on some things.

With the weather dipping down into coolers temperatures, this one is sure to be a classic Big Ten matchup. Iowa has backup quarterback Deacon Hill making his first career start. The Iowa defense is playing confidently after creating four turnovers.

College Football News’ Pete Fiutak dug into this Big Ten battle and provided his thoughts on what is in store. Take a look at how he thinks this game may go along with a prediction.

Iowa Unders: Hawkeyes versus Boilermakers one of CBS Sports Week 6 best bets

The Iowa Hawkeyes are often viewed as a safe bet. This week CBS Sports put their game against Purdue among Week 6’s best bets.

Last week the Iowa Hawkeyes hit the over in their total! Talk about a rarity. It took nearly all four quarters, but it happened. Speaking of that bet happening, it also moved my own best bet to a scorching hot 5-0 on the year. More on that later this week as we try to find another winner.

This week against Purdue may be a different story. The Hawkeyes are starting backup quarterback Deacon Hill with Cade McNamara likely out the rest of the season. They go up against a Purdue defense that is led by very defensive-minded head coach Ryan Walters.

On the contrary, Iowa’s defense found its footing last week and were back to their usual turnover-creating ways. The combination of all of this has the Hawkeyes and Boilermakers among CBS Sports’ best bets weeks for Week 6.

Iowa QB Cade McNamara is likely lost for the season after suffering a leg injury last week against Michigan State. That is a big blow to an offense that struggles to score under the best of circumstances. Purdue’s offense is showing signs of improvement, but the Iowa defense is a tough nut to crack. The only way this game goes over is if the defenses or special teams score, which could happen because each team’s defense and special teams have scored this season. Pick: Under (38.5) – Palm, CBS Sports

Last week’s total was 36.5 and ended with 42 total points, 10 of them coming in the final minutes by virtue of an Iowa punt return touchdown and late field goal. This week is a slightly higher total and although the forecast is calling for pristine football weather in the upper 50s, that may be a tough ask.

Iowa is very likely to rely on their defense and special teams as they did last game against a team that they feel they can outperform in those two areas. Iowa doesn’t need to or even want to try and win pretty. They just want to win and if it is a slugfest, so be it.

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ESPN’s Mel Kiper slots multiple Iowa Hawkeyes high in 2024 NFL draft rankings

The 2023 NFL draft pipeline of Iowa Hawkeyes to the NFL should continue in 2024 draft with more Hawkeyes in Mel Kiper’s draft rankings.

One thing that the Iowa Hawkeyes do extremely well year in and year out is get their players ready for the NFL. They send players each year and every Sunday there is a myriad of former Hawkeyes making big plays and putting out stuff for highlight reels.

Most recently, Jack Campbell, Riley Moss, Lukas Van Ness, and Sam LaPorta were drafted in the 2023 NFL draft. They are making immediate contributions to their teams just as they did at Iowa.

The 2024 NFL draft is still months away but teams are already scouting, ranking players, and creating their big boards of guys they like. ESPN’s Mel Kiper did the same. He released his 2024 NFL draft rankings which include his best prospects at each position.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are present at multiple positions and see another player who could be a future first round draft pick in the upcoming draft. Here is a look at the current Hawkeyes who will be future NFL players.

Kirk Ferentz confirms Cade McNamara will miss remainder of season with a torn ACL

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has confirmed that quarterback Cade McNamara will miss the remainder of the year with a torn ACL.

It did not take long for yesterday’s rumblings to get confirmed. What started out as Cade McNamara likely missing the rest of the season has turned into truth.

Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz has confirmed that quarterback Cade McNamara will miss the remainder of the 2023 season with a torn ACL he suffered in the game against Michigan State.

The injury comes on the heels of a quad injury suffered during training camp and a season-ending injury last year while at Michigan. The injury is one that will sideline McNamara for a while as it is on the lengthier side of recovery once the surgery is complete.

While it is a long road to recovery, McNamara already has his sites set on being healthy for the 2024 season and doing so as a member of the Iowa Hawkeyes. Blake Hornstein of WHBF reported that McNamara has every intention of playing his final year under Kirk Ferentz.

With McNamara sidelined, Deacon Hill is now officially in command of the offense for the rest of the season. Hill did enough to lead Iowa to a win last week. This week’s matchup against Purdue will be his first collegiate start when they kick things off inside Kinnick Stadium.

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