Tag: Hawkeyes Football

Running back Kaleb Johnson returns to practice for the Iowa Hawkeyes

Lead back Kaleb Johnson has returned to practice for the Iowa Hawkeyes after a few weeks out. His return could be instrumental for Iowa.

The Iowa Hawkeyes got a big boost in the backfield. Lead running back Kaleb Johnson returned to practice after being sidelined for a few weeks due to an ankle injury of sorts. His return was reported by David Eickholt of 247Sports on Twitter as he spoke to fellow running back Leshon Williams.

“He look like Kaleb,” Williams told Eickholt today when discussing Johnson’s return to the field.

It is unknown if Johnson will be able to suit up and go against Purdue this upcoming Saturday, although he may be chomping at the bit after his performance against the Boilermakers last year. As a freshman, Johnson torched Purdue for 200 yards and a touchdown in West Lafayette.

If Johnson can return to form, he will provide the most experience behind Leshon Williams to a backfield that is relatively young. Johnson’s 779 yards and six rushing touchdowns led the Hawkeyes in 2022.

His talents would be welcomed with very open arms as Iowa is averaging just 3.5 yards per carry on the season. He would bolster Iowa’s backfield and be an extremely solid half of a duo paired with Leshon Williams who is averaging 5.7 yards per carry and leads the Hawkeyes with 211 yards on the ground this season.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Cooper DeJean named to Pro Football Focus’ College Football Team of the Week

Cooper DeJean is the lone Big Ten representative on Pro Football Focus’ Week 5 College Football Team of the Week after his performance.

On Saturday night Cooper DeJean took things into his own hands for the Iowa Hawkeyes to will them to a victory. His punt return touchdown put them on top but his defensive play was every bit just as impressive.

This performance has landed Cooper DeJean on Pro Football Focus’ Week 5 College Football Team of the Week as one of the cornerbacks. He is the lone Big Ten player selected to the team this week and is alongside another top cornerback, Kool-Aid McKinstry, a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide who is talked about with DeJean as a top cornerback in the upcoming 2024 NFL draft.

The secondary is rounded out by two other SEC players at safety. Alabama is represented again with Caleb Downs while Jaylin Simpson gets the Auburn Tigers on the board as the other safety.

DeJean reeled in an interception in the end zone on a toe-tap catch, which Iowa turned into seven points the other way. When otherwise targeted, DeJean was nearly impossible to go against. He allowed just 28 yards and a passer rating of 14.9 when targeted.

Cooper DeJean is only continuing to build the legacy he will leave at Iowa. His talent is undeniable, he is electric when he gets the ball into his hands, and he makes teams pay when they test him. With a backup quarterback now thrust into action, DeJean and the rest of the defense just became that much more important the rest of the way.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Iowa Hawkeyes QB Cade McNamara likely to miss the rest of the 2023 season due to leg injury

News has begun coming out and Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara will likely miss the rest of the 2023 season to due a leg injury.

Few things in sports are worse than seeing players who have poured their heart into a team suffering serious injuries. It is the dark side of sports and reared its ugly head for the Iowa Hawkeyes recently.

Iowa’s starting quarterback Cade McNamara left the Hawkeyes’ last game against Michigan State about mid-way through the first quarter with what appeared to be a left leg injury. The injury seemed to be serious as McNamara had to be helped off the field and was seen on crutches on the sideline during the entire second half.

News has begun to come out of Iowa that the injury does appear to be on the more serious side. Reports are that Cade McNamara will likely miss the rest of the 2023 season due to a left leg injury.

McNamara joined Iowa before the season as a transfer from Michigan and brought in loads of hope and excitement with his commitment. Unfortunately, his time with the Hawkeyes has been littered with some injuries. Prior to this, McNamara suffered a quad injury in training camp that caused him to miss time. Kirk Ferentz spoke to this and shares the sentiment felt for McNamara.

“I don’t want to speculate, but it always is concerning, a guy has to get helped off the field. Considering what he’s been through, it’s really tough. You feel bad for any player that gets injured, but in his case, it’s rough,” Ferentz said when asked about the severity of the injury.

Up next for the Hawkeyes is Deacon Hill, a transfer in from Wisconsin who filled in for McNamara when he went down. Hill does have reps from training camp with the first team to rely on and will look to squeeze every bit of juice from that experience.

“It definitely helps. It definitely helps. It’s tough to be the No. 2 quarterback. But yeah, he’s gotten a little bit more work, but also he’s new to our program and he has not played since ’20, I think. So those are the things that you have in the back of your mind that you have to factor in,” said Ferentz when talking about Hill’s previous first-team reps.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

The 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes offense is outpacing the 2022 offense for all the wrong reasons

The 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes offense was expected to outperform the 2022 offense. And they are. Just in all of the very wrong ways.

The 2023 Iowa Hawkeyes offense was supposed to turn things around. Talented, proven transfers joined the unit from all over the country. Players with proven stats and abilities joined. Unfortunately, it appears that talent only gets so far when a scheme is broken entirely.

The 2022 Iowa Hawkeyes offense was historically bad. It was a mockery and a punchline for many jokes and media pundits nationally. Surely Brian Ferentz will have a new scheme and won’t try to run the unsuccessful offense once again. This wasn’t supposed to happen again.

But it is. And it is happening worse. The 2023 offense is outpacing the 2022 offense in all of the wrong categories. They are performing worse. They are taking a step back in nearly every category. The offense doesn’t crack the top-100 in any of the major statistical categories.

Take a look for yourself. This is a deep dive into the inept offensive scheme that the Iowa Hawkeyes have willingly chosen to employ and utilize.

Report Card: Grading out each unit in the Iowa Hawkeyes’ loss to Penn State

The Iowa Hawkeyes fell to 3-1 with a 31-0 loss at the hands of Penn State. How did each unit grade out in Week 4?

Week 4 saw the Iowa Hawkeyes venture into Happy Valley to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in a highly-anticipated matchup. The excitement beyond the opening intro scene and the shots of the “Whiteout” did not last much longer for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa fell to the Nittany Lions 31-0 in a game that was ugly from beginning to end. The Hawkeyes’ offense never had any traction on a wet field, although a dry field likely wouldn’t have yielded much of a different outcome anyhow.

There are many things to look at from this game that didn’t turn out well for the Hawkeyes. Aside from a few early plays of success, this game didn’t break well for the Hawkeyes with unlucky bounces and turnovers, and it quickly turned into a very long evening.

That said, let’s take a look at each unit. Here is a report card for the Hawkeyes in their Week 4 loss that has them sitting at 3-1.

Sam LaPorta makes NFL history in first two career games

Sam LaPorta hasn’t taken long to adjust with the Detroit Lions, making history in his first two career NFL games.

The Iowa Hawkeyes churn out one tight end after another and their most recent one to join the NFL, Sam LaPorta, proves to be no exception. The rookie second-round draft pick of the Detroit Lions is wasting no time putting himself among rare NFL history.

Rookie tight ends don’t always produce right away as it is traditionally regarded as one of the tougher positions to move to in the NFL due to the intense size and speed adjustment they face in defensive ends and linebackers.

LaPorta seems to be adapting just fine. As reported by the Lions’ official public relations, he is the first tight end in NFL history to have five or more receptions in the first two games of their career. The 10 receptions that LaPorta has reeled in are also the second-most ever recorded by any tight end through their first two games in the NFL.

Through the first two games of his NFL career, LaPorta has tallied 10 receptions on 11 targets for 102 yards, continuing his trustworthiness with quarterbacks. He is averaging 10.2 yards per catch and is a walking first down for the Lions.

During his career at Iowa, Sam LaPorta finished with 153 receptions for 1,786 yards and five touchdowns. He left Iowa with his stats among the likes of George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, and Dallas Clark. With his current start to his NFL career, LaPorta looks primed to continue the rich tradition of Iowa tight ends excelling in the NFL.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Hawkeyes Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.

Iowa Hawkeyes drop out of Associated Press top 25 despite Week 1 win

After its 24-14 win over Utah State, Iowa fell out of the Associated Press’ Top 25 poll. Now, the Hawkeyes are receiving the most votes.

The Associated Press released their poll ahead of Week 2 and the Iowa Hawkeyes have dropped out of the top 25. The Hawkeyes are 1-0, but their showing against Utah State did not do enough for voters to keep them ranked as a few previously unranked teams jumped ahead.

Newcomers are highlighted by Colorado, led by Deion Sanders, who took down TCU, who is now unranked, and Duke, who upset Clemson, the new No. 25 team after a free fall in the rankings. Big Ten West foe, Wisconsin, did not see any change in the rankings after the Week 1 win over Buffalo.

The Hawkeyes remain the first team outside of the top 25 as they are the top team receiving votes. With another win against Iowa State, Iowa could find themselves ranked once again if teams ahead falter, but for now, they are on the outside looking in.

The full Associated Press top 25 poll:

Rank Team Record Points Change
1 Georgia 1-0 1569 (58) –
2 Michigan 1-0 1485 (2) –
3 Alabama 1-0 1424 +1
4 Florida State 1-0 1384 +4
5 Ohio State 1-0 1308 -2
6 Southern California 1-0 1255 –
7 Penn State 1-0 1212 –
8 Washington 1-0 1107 +2
9 Tennessee 1-0 975 +3
10 Notre Dame 2-0 967 +3
11 Texas 1-0 935 –
12 Utah 1-0 919 +2
13 Oregon 1-0 823 +2
14 LSU 0-1 706 -9
15 Kansas State 1-0 579 +1
16 Oregon State 1-0 558 +2
17 North Carolina 1-0 551 +4
18 Oklahoma 1-0 426 +2
19 Wisconsin 1-0 407 –
20 Ole Miss 1-0 379 +2
21 Duke 1-0 343 –
22 Colorado 1-0 269 –
23 Texas A&M 1-0 267 –
24 Tulane 1-0 241 –
25 Clemson 0-1 141 -16

Others Receiving Votes

Iowa 73, UCLA 55, Arkansas 28, TCU 27, Kentucky 15, Pittsburgh 8, Mississippi St. 5, Miami 4, NC State 4, Auburn 3, Troy 3, Fresno St. 3, Minnesota 3, Wyoming 3, Iowa St. 2, Texas St. 2, Texas Tech 1, Louisville 1, Washington St. 1, Illinois 1, Houston 1, UCF 1, James Madison 1.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

5 keys for the Iowa Hawkeyes in their Week 1 opener versus Utah State

Week 1 sees Utah State coming into Kinnick Stadium. With a new-look team, here are five keys for the Iowa Hawkeyes in Week 1.

When the Iowa Hawkeyes open the season up against the Utah State Aggies on Saturday, they will be taking the field with a slew of cautious, but optimistic questions surrounding them.

Anything from the offensive coordinator to the quarterback and offensive line has some with a more cautious approach. Alternatively, the defense and special teams once again have people coming into the season optimistic about what those units offer.

Week 1 is telling but not always of the entire story. Teams come in with a reserved approach, especially Iowa, and don’t often show everything in their scheme. Don’t expect that to be any different this year as Iowa is still working through things.

That said, Week 1 is a great barometer to find out a few things that could be key throughout the duration of the season. What the Hawkeyes do in Week 1 could give us some insight to their plan this year. Here are five keys for the Hawkeyes in their opener.

Iowa Hawkeyes’ Noah Shannon suspended one year by NCAA for involvement in sports gambling

Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Noah Shannon has been suspended one year by the NCAA for his involvement in sports betting.

The hammer from the NCAA came down and it did not leave any ambiguity in regards to their thoughts on the athletes involved in sports betting. The Iowa Hawkeyes and defensive tackle Noah Shannon received the news that he would be suspended one year for his involvement in sports betting.

At this time, minimal news and commentary have come from the suspension, although Iowa is appealing the suspension in hopes of a lesser punishment for Shannon.

This situation began raising eyebrows earlier this summer when Shannon voluntarily opted out of Big Ten media days as an Iowa representative. Although he was not present at media days, Shannon had been around the team during training camp and remained involved in team activities.

This suspension, if it holds, will see a loss of quality production for the Hawkeyes’ defensive front. Shannon is slated to be a sixth-year senior and has plenty of experience to bring. During the 2022 season, Shannon had 44 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks. He has started 27 games over the last two seasons.

The Hawkeyes will rely on their depth across the defensive line should Shannon be out for the entire season. Deontae Craig and Joe Evans will suit up at the defensive ends. On the interior, the task now falls on the shoulders of redshirt senior Logan Lee, sophomore Aaron Graves, and redshirt junior Yahya Black.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=17]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Tory Taylor, Cooper DeJean named Associated Press preseason first-team All-Americans

The Associated Press has released their preseason All-Americans. Tory Taylor and Cooper DeJean are preseason first-team All-Americans.

Another day, another poll, and another time Tory Taylor and Cooper DeJean are named preseason first-team All-Americans. The two Iowa Hawkeyes are finding themselves littered among nearly every outlet’s preseason All-American teams as the 2023 college football season is set to get underway.

The Associated Press has released their preseason All-American teams and Tory Taylor and Cooper DeJean are both Associated Press preseason first-team All-Americans. DeJean is listed as the sole defensive back and was not lumped into cornerback or safety. Taylor, obviously, was named as the punter.

DeJean is highly regarded as a future NFL prospect by many and aims to cement his status among the Iowa greats in the secondary. His versatility makes him a one-of-a-kind player for the Hawkeyes.

Tory Taylor is arguably, only to some, the best punter in America. The Aussie has become a true piece of weaponry for the Hawkeyes in the field position battle that they know and love so deeply. His ability to control punts with precision along with a booming leg is uncommon.

Taylor and DeJean are part of 12 Big Ten players picked by the Associated Press as preseason All-Americans. That is the most selections of any conference. Iowa, Michigan, and Penn State all had two selections. Ohio State led the way in the Big Ten with five selections among the teams. Illinois had one selection, Jer’Zhan Newton, on the first team.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=17]

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7