Latest news with #IowaHawkeyes
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kinnick garners respect in USA TODAY Sports Big Ten stadium rankings
Kinnick Stadium is one of the most historic stadiums in all of college football. The home of the Iowa Hawkeyes is named after Heisman Trophy winner and World War II hero Nile Kinnick, whose statue every player and coach passes by on game day. It's a place where The Hawkeye Wave at the end of the first quarter reminds everyone that life is bigger than football. And it's a place where opponents of the Hawkeyes hate to play because Iowa usually plays very well at home. Iowa is 109-60 at home since 2000, good for an almost 65% winning percentage. They've pulled off their fair share of huge wins, beating numerous top-five teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. While it hasn't always been positive, Kinnick Stadium is widely regarded as a great home-field advantage for the Hawkeyes. And USA TODAY Sports agrees with that sentiment with the release of their 2025 Big Ten stadium rankings. Where does Kinnick land USA TODAY Sports' Big Ten stadium rankings? Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports gave Kinnick Stadium some respect. Myerberg put the home of the Hawkeyes at No. 6 on the rankings, just cracking the upper third of the stadiums in the conference. In addition to goosing Iowa's Big Ten chances – the Hawkeyes are 22-6 at home since 2021 – Kinnick is home to the best new tradition in the sport: Since 2017, players and fans turn at the end of the first quarter and wave to the patients at Stead Family Children's Hospital. 'The Hawkeye Wave' is already an indelible part of the college football fabric. - Myerberg, USA TODAY Sports The five stadiums ranked ahead of Kinnick are Ohio Stadium (Ohio State), Beaver Stadium (Penn State), Autzen Stadium (Oregon), Michigan Stadium (Michigan), and Husky Stadium (Washington). Those are some legendary stadiums joining Kinnick at the top of this list, and it just goes to show how impressive the Big Ten conference as a whole is with its stadiums. Iowa fans will return to Kinnick on Aug. 30 for the 2025 season opener against Albany, where the Hawkeyes will look to continue their home dominance. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Zach on X: @zach_hiney This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Kinnick garners respect in USA TODAY Sports Big Ten stadium rankings
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Iowa football edge rusher among Big Ten's best primed for strong 2025 season
It all starts up front in the Big Ten, and for the Iowa Hawkeyes, that means leaning on their stout defensive line. The group is loaded with veteran experience and proven talent, which could very well prove to be the strength of the entire roster in 2025. The collection of Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn, and Ethan Hurkett is a trio that leads the way with experience and a history of wreaking havoc on Big Ten opponents. Ethan Hurkett, the fifth-year edge rusher for Iowa, chose to return to the Hawkeyes and could be a vital piece of the pass rush. His success so far, which is ready to take the next step in 2025, has him as one of Pro Football Focus' top returning Big Ten edge rushers. Another Iowa recruiting special, Ethan Hurkett was a three-star recruit in the class of 2020. The Cedar Rapids native and product of Xavier High School was rated the No. 8 player in Iowa, the No. 36 inside linebacker, and the No. 836 overall recruit in his class, per 247Sports. Iowa moved him to an edge rusher, and the rest is history with his development. In four seasons, Hurkett has appeared in 42 games, tallying 127 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7 This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football edge rusher stamped as one of the best in the Big Ten
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Longshot Hawkeyes: Iowa receives odds to make College Football Playoff
Some may say that the Iowa Hawkeyes are long overdue to make the College Football Playoff. Iowa has been close multiple times, but has never been able to punch their ticket to the elusive postseason playoff. The Hawkeyes have been in the Big Ten Championship game three times since the inception of the College Football Playoff, but unfortunately, come up short each time. With the field entering its second year of 12 teams making the postseason, the chance for Iowa to punch their first ticket is greater than ever before. The Hawkeyes still have plenty of work to do if they want to make the College Football Playoff, but the newest odds courtesy of Circa Sports give the Hawkeyes at least a fighter's chance. Iowa is listed with the ninth-best odds in the Big Ten to make the College Football Playoff at+650. If Iowa wants to make a postseason appearance, the odds tell us that they will have to steal the fourth spot from another team, as three teams, Ohio State, Penn State, and Oregon, all are listed with odds indicating that a College Football Playoff appearance isn't just likely, but expected. Other programs in the Big Ten given better odds to punch their ticket than Iowa are Michigan, USC, Illinois, Nebraska, and Indiana. Washington and Minnesota are the only two teams with listed odds that trail Iowa with worse odds to make the College Football Playoff. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa football hovering near top tier in Big Ten Preseason Media Poll
The Big Ten Preseason Media Poll is live, and the Iowa Hawkeyes are in a rather friendly spot for their projected finishing order in 2025. Iowa sits just outside the top tier of teams in the Big Ten within striking distance of blossoming into a nice surprise this season. Entering 2025, the media have projected the Iowa Hawkeyes to finish No. 7 in the Big Ten. The spot comes just after the usual suspects as the teams before them consist of Penn State, Ohio State, Oregon, Illinois, Michigan, and Indiana, in order. With at least three of those teams likely destined for the College Football Playoff, if previous history tells us anything, the Hawkeyes are in that next group of teams vying to steal a bid. "Kirk Ferentz has been the model of consistency in the Big Ten throughout his time with Iowa. But right now, they're projected to finish just above the middle of the pack. Can it be better? Sure. Mark Gronowski comes in at QB this season after his transfer, so perhaps Iowa's weakness, the passing game, can finally be improved," Nick Kosko of On3 said. Iowa sits one spot in front of their rival, the Nebraska Cornhuskers. The rest of the preseason poll, in order, is rounded out by USC, Washington, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Rutgers, UCLA, Maryland, Northwestern, and Purdue. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions. Follow Riley on X: @rileydonald7
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fever fan hilariously tells Caitlin Clark she has ‘too much aura'
The post Fever fan hilariously tells Caitlin Clark she has 'too much aura' appeared first on ClutchPoints. It is undeniable that Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark has become a must-see attraction everywhere she goes. Amid her second year in the WNBA, her fans continue to grow in numbers—and they come in different shapes, sizes, backgrounds, and beliefs. Luckily for them, Clark has always been gracious with her supporters. Prior to the Fever's game against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday, Clark signed autographs for her fans. A young girl, who couldn't believe that her idol was inches from her, blurted the perfect comment. 'You have too much aura, Caitlin!' shouted the young fan at the back. The 23-year-old Clark could only muster a smile and continued to sign other merchandise. The reigning Rookie of the Year has repeatedly credited her fans for helping her get to where she is now. She has also said she adores young supporters, especially those who travel far to see her play. Clark first blew up during her college days at Iowa, making her a nationwide sensation. The Hawkeyes gained fans from all over the country. Now, they've followed Clark to the WNBA. 'Thank you to the many people who have supported me as I've been able to live my childhood dream. I'm filled with gratitude as I reflect on this past year of my life. See you all in year two,' said the Indiana hotshot in October. To further illustrate her popularity (and her aura), she was the top vote-getter for the upcoming All-Star Game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Sunday. The Fever are hosting the midseason classic for the first time. After a magnificent rookie stint, the Fever guard has been hobbled by injuries this year. She has already missed nine games and remains under a minutes restriction. Clark played all 40 games last season and led Indiana to the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Related: Fever star Caitlin Clark's brother shades WNBA refs after latest injury Related: Fever coach Stephanie White breaks silence on Caitlin Clark's apparent injury
