After waiting for his turn Iowa linebacker Jaden Harrell hopes to take advantage of his opportunity this season. The fifth year senior from Urbandale is the projected starter at middle linebacker and will follow in the footsteps of Jack Campbell and Jay Higgins.

Harrell is one of three new starting linebackers for the upcoming season.

Harrell says he learned a great deal from playing behind to time All Big Ten linebacker Jay Higgins.

Harrell is one of several new starters on the defense.

While the linebackers are new Parker likes the potential.

The Hawkeyes open August 30th at home against the University of Albany.

In a little more than a week the eyes of the college football world will be on Iowa State when the 22nd ranked Cyclones take on 17th ranked Kansas State in Dublin, Ireland. Both of these Big 12 rivals kick off the season with conference title hopes. ISU coach Matt Campbell.

Campbell calls it a big opportunity for the Cyclones.

The Cyclones have won the last two games in a series that has become a rivalry.

As game week approaches Cyclone quarterback Rocco Becht says the level of anticipation is rising.

Senior defensive lineman Domonique Orange.

Riverside Volleyball returns to the court for another season after reaching the Class 1A State Semifinals a season ago and Head Coach Brooke Flathers says her group’s determination has been remarkable in the offseason.

The Bulldogs graduated three seniors after last year’s season but has been pleasantly surprised the way players have stepped up so early this year.

Despite losing key pieces to the Bulldog offense, Riverside returns three players with at least 100 kills from 2024 as well as their top defender and server.

Senior Madison Kelley led the Bulldogs with 93 blocks while Sophomore Bentley Rone earned First Team All-Conference honors with 73 service aces. Flathers says it’s about boosting her team’s experience as much as possible by putting her Bulldogs out there against anyone.

The anticipation is building as the season opener approaches.

Riverside begins their 2025 campaign in the AHSTW Tournament on Saturday, August 30th.

There has been a lot of winning over the last few years for the ACGC Football team but according to Head Coach Cody Matthewson it’s time to take that next step and get to the UNI Dome in late November. He says it all begins in the summer weight room which has seen wonderful attendance.

Despite the back-to-back 10 win seasons the shortcomings in the postseason have left the Chargers with a sour taste in their mouth.

On the offensive side of the football, ACGC returns majority of the line which is huge in Matthewson’s eyes.

The Chargers return a handful of skill players but also figuring out some of the puzzle pieces as well.

Joe Crawford was nine yards shy of 1,000  rushing yards on the season and put up 279 receiving yards also earning him an All-District Honorable mention award. On the defensive side, the core will be highlighted by two returners that received all-state honors a year ago.

ACGC begins their season Thursday, August 28th in a home contest with Panorama.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa defensive lineman Derreck Robinson passed away on Aug. 13 in San Diego.  He was 43.

Robinson, a native of Minneapolis, enrolled at Iowa in 2000 and played from 2001-04.  During that time, the Hawkeyes posted a 38-12 overall record, won a share of two Big Ten Conference titles and won Alamo, Outback and Capital One bowls.

“We are surprised and saddened to hear about Derreck’s passing,” said Moon Family Head Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. “Derreck had a big, beautiful personality that inspired those around him. As a player, he persevered through ups and downs and was an important leader on our 2004 Championship team. He had a solid career in the NFL and made a great impact on those around him after football in California.

“We were excited to have him back as an honorary captain for our win over Michigan in 2016. His legacy continues to inspire our players today.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Derreck’s family, former teammates, and many friends across the country.”

Robinson completed his Hawkeye career with 76 tackles, 16 tackles for loss and four sacks.  He also forced two fumbles and had two fumble recoveries.

Upon graduation, Robinson was not drafted, but he signed with San Diego in the National Football League as a free agent in 2005.  He also played for Miami and Cleveland before retiring in 2011.

Robinson returned to Iowa City in 2016, serving as the honorary captain for the Hawkeyes’ Big Ten Conference game against No. 2 Michigan.  Iowa won the game, 14-13.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht was named to the Manning Award watch list Thursday, marking yet another preseason nod for the Cyclone signal caller. The Manning Award is given annually to the best quarterback in college football.

Becht was one of seven Big 12 selections on the 27-player watch list.

Becht was among the top arms in the country last season with 3,505 passing yards, which ranked No. 11 nationally. He threw for 25 touchdowns and added 318 yards and eight scores on the ground.

Becht’s on-field play directly translated to the win column as he led Iowa State to its winningest season in program history. The Cyclones won 11 games, made a Big 12 title game appearance and earned a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over No. 15 Miami last season.

The Wesley Chapel, Florida native was at his best when it mattered the most, leading Iowa State on four game-winning drives where ISU took the lead with under 2:00 remaining in the game (at Iowa, UCF, at Utah, vs. Miami). In his career, Becht has led the Cyclones to five wins where ISU trailed in the fourth quarter.

Becht has thrown a touchdown pass in a school-record 18 consecutive games, the nation’s longest active streak entering the 2025 season.

Becht has quarterbacked the Cyclones through one of the most fruitful periods in program history, having helped Iowa State to 18 wins over the last two seasons, the best two-year stretch in ISU history. He is one of two quarterbacks in Iowa State history with multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons (Brock Purdy).

Iowa State opens the 2025 season August 23 in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Season tickets are on sale, here. Single-game tickets and mini-packs are also available now.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defensive lineman Tamatoa McDonough has been named to the watch list for the 2025 Polynesian College Player of the Year Award, presented annually to the most outstanding college football player of Polynesian ancestry.

McDonough, a redshirt senior, transferred to Iowa State after spending four seasons at Yale.

An Asheville, N.C. native, McDonough played in 28 games while at Yale and recorded 49 tackles, 9.5 sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss.

McDonough earned All-Ivy Second Team honors in 2024 after he finished the season with 27 tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks. During the season, he had a stretch where he registered a sack in five consecutive games.

Iowa State opens the 2025 season August 23 in Dublin, Ireland against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. Season tickets are on sale, here. Single-game tickets and mini-packs are also available now.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State has announced the creation of the Alex Ernst Legacy Scholarship, honoring the memory of the football video production specialist who passed away tragically in a car accident in May 2025.

The scholarship will be awarded each year to a junior or senior student that has worked for multiple years within the Iowa State football program.

“We want to always remember everything that Alex brought to our program and recognize a student that contributes greatly to our program, just like Alex did as a student and then a full-time member of our staff,” head coach Matt Campbell said. “Alex was a valued member of our program, someone who did whatever was asked or needed of him. And he did it with a smile on his face every time. He was truly a “glue guy” for us and it is important to us to honor his legacy.”

The first year of the scholarship has been awarded to three students in the equipment room. The recipients of the Alex Ernst Legacy Scholarship for the 2025-26 academic year are:

Danika Dodson – Camanche, Iowa – Event Management – 3^rd year with the program

Evan Miller – Washington, Iowa – Kinesiology and Health – 3^rd year with the program

Kennedy Pelzer – Pleasantville, Iowa – Marketing – 3^rd year with the program

Additionally, Iowa State announced it will wear a helmet decal in the shape of a video camera with Ernst’s initials “AE” during the 2025 season.

About Alex Ernst

Ernst was dedicated to Cyclone Athletics, particularly football where he worked with the program for nearly two decades in the video department, starting as a student and continuing into a full-time role after his graduation. He earned his bachelor’s degree in education in 2010 and his master’s degree in higher education in 2014, both from Iowa State. The Oelwein, Iowa native passed away in May of 2025 in a car accident.