The Griswold Football team is officially practicing as they prepare for a week zero contest against East Mills and Head Coach Seth Lembke says it is a day-by-day mentality.

Griswold graduated over a dozen players from last year’s team, meaning the Tigers will look a bit different compared to the 2024 team.

Silk is entering his senior season and has been behind four-year starting quarterback Bode Wyman his first three years but Lembke says he is suitable for the starting position. Lembke says the Tiger backfield will be fairly inexperienced as well.

Griswold does bring back an experienced offensive and defensive front though says Lembke.

Lembke says with the Tigers playing a week before almost everyone else in Iowa, the preseason schedule has been adjusted slightly.

The Tigers will search for their first winning season since 2016 when toe meets leather Friday, August 22nd.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa volleyball will play two matches inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena during the 2025 season. The Hawkeyes will host USC (Oct. 17) and UCLA (Oct. 19) in their former home. The match against the Trojans begins at 6:00 p.m., while Iowa’s contest against the Bruins is slated for a 1:00 p.m. start.

These are Iowa’s first matches in Carver-Hawkeye Arena since 2021, when the Hawkeyes entertained Michigan and Michigan State on the first weekend of October. The program moved full-time to Xtream Arena in Coralville during the spring season of 2021.

Ticket information for all matches can be found here. The full 2025 schedule is available here.

The Hawkeyes will host their annual Black & Gold Scrimmage at Xtream Arena on Saturday, Aug. 23. Action begins at 5:00 p.m. (CT) and will be free to the public. A kids’ clinic will follow for children 6th grade and under.

Iowa opens the season with three matches at the Rebel Challenge in Las Vegas. The Hawkeyes battle UNLV on Friday, Aug. 29, before contests against Utah Tech and CSU Bakersfield round out the weekend. John Evans will be on the call on the Hawkeye Radio Network with play-by-play coverage of all three matches.

IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 Conference placed four football programs in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25 with Arizona State as its highest ranked team at No. 11. Kansas State (17th), Iowa State (22nd) and Texas Tech (23rd) rounded out the league’s ranked teams with another five schools receiving votes. BYU, Utah and Baylor were the top three teams receiving votes, while TCU and Colorado rounded out the Big 12 representatives in receiving votes.

• Arizona State received its highest preseason ranking from the AP since opening the 1998 season in eighth.

• K-State is ranked in the Preseason AP Top 25 for a third consecutive season for the first time since the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons.

• Iowa State opens the season at No. 22 and has now been ranked in 15 of the last 16 AP polls.

• Texas Tech was voted into the AP Preseason Top 25 for the first time since 2008.

The Conference had five teams ranked in last week’s Coaches Poll, with BYU receiving a top-25 ranking in addition to five other programs receiving votes.

The Big 12 will kick off its 30th season of football with a trio of teams competing in Week 0. No. 22 Iowa State and No. 17 Kansas State will face off in a Conference game in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 23 on ESPN. Kansas will host Fresno State in the first game in newly-renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 23 on FOX.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa football defensive tackle Aaron Graves was named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik Award Watch List for the most outstanding defensive player in the nation on Monday.

In addition to being a Bednarik Award candidate, Graves was previously named to the 2025 Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Lott IMPACT Trophy watch lists last month. Graves was also tabbed a 2025 preseason second team All-American by Phil Steele.

Graves (6-foot-5, 295 pounds) started all 13 games at defensive tackle in 2024, recording 33 tackles, including eight tackles for a loss (six sacks), three forced fumbles, three pass break-ups and two quarterback pressures. His three forced fumbles led the Big Ten. The native of Dayton, Iowa, was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection last season. Off the field, Graves was a second-team Academic All-American.

Presented annually since 1994, the award is named for University of Pennsylvania linebacker Chuck Bednarik. Preseason honorees are determined by the Maxwell Football Club in collaboration with Pro Football Focus (PFF) and Phil Steele Publications.

Semifinalists for the Bednarik Award will be announced Nov. 11, while the three finalists for the Bednarik Award will be unveiled Nov. 25. The winner of the 31st Bednarik Award will be announced on Dec. 11.

The Hawkeyes kickoff the season against UAlbany on Aug. 30, at Kinnick Stadium beginning at 5 p.m. (CT). Tickets are available for purchase for the season opener at hawkeyesports.com/tickets.

HAWKEYES ON 2025 WATCH LISTS
* Rhys Dakin – Ray Guy Award
* Gennings Dunker – Outland Trophy // Wuerffel Award
* Aaron Graves – Nagurski Trophy
* Mark Gronowski – Maxwell Award
* Logan Jones – Outland Trophy // Rimington Award
* Kamari Moulton – Doak Walker Award
* Zach Ortwerth – Mackey Award
* Drew Stevens – Lou Groza Award
* Kaden Wetjen – Jet Award

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State defensive lineman Domonique Orange and cornerback Jontez Williams were named to the 2025 Chuck Bednarik watch list Monday. The Bednarik Award has been presented annually to the most outstanding defensive player in college football since 1995.

Iowa State is one of two Big 12 teams (Texas Tech) with at least two players featured on the watch list. Both Orange and Williams were preseason All-Big 12 selections.

Orange, a two-time honorable mention All-Big 12 selection in his career, finished last season with 24 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss. In the final five games of the season Orange notched 14 tackles, 3.5 of which came behind the line of scrimmage.

Williams, a Second Team All-Big 12 selection a season ago, anchored the defense as a lock down cornerback. He allowed only one touchdown and a 19.6 passer rating in 338 coverage snaps in 2024. Williams is the highest-graded returning corner in the Big 12, per PFF.

The Starke, Florida native led the Cyclones and tied for third in the Big 12 with four interceptions to go along with five pass breakups. All four of his interceptions came in consecutive games which tied for the second-longest streak in school history.

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.

Orange’s Preseason Honors
Preseason All-Big 12
Chuck Bednarik watch list
Outland Trophy watch list

Athlon Fourth-Team All-American

Williams’ Preseason Honors
Preseason All-Big 12

Chuck Bednarik Award watch list

Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list

Jim Thorpe Award watch list

Phil Steele Third-Team All-American

For Iowa State linebacker Caleb Bacon the anticipation is even higher heading into his senior season. The former walk-on from Lake Mills entered the 2024 season as a starter but suffered a knee injury on special teams in a season opening victory over North Dakota and was lost for the season.

Bacon says the injury forced him to be more of a leader away from the field.

Bacon is excited for the upcoming season.

Bacon says there has been a sense of urgency in fall camp. ISU opens August 23rd in Dublin, Ireland, against Kansas State.

Bacon finished second on the team in tackles in 2023.

In record-breaking fashion, Zach Christianson won the Tournament of Champions Sunday afternoon at the Atlantic Golf and Country Club. Finishing at an astounding 15 under-par, Christianson not only broke the tournament record, but also the course record with a 10 under-par round on Saturday. The outcome of the tournament was never in doubt as he entered the final day with a 17-stroke lead. However, this allowed him to play freely and enjoy the day he had been waiting for many years.

Arguably more remarkable than the records was that his tournament started nowhere near a record pace. After his first seven holes, he shot a solid but relatively unremarkable one under par. However, over the next 29 holes, he shot an incredible 16 under par. This included 14 birdies and an eagle. Through the first two rounds, Christianson shot a 121, good for 17 under par, and his 59 in round 2 broke the course record of 60 previously set by Hans Hansson.

He was completely unaware of the tournament record.

Although day three was less impressive by comparison, he didn’t need it to be. Holding a 17-stroke lead the crown was all but in the bag. Finishing off with a birdie on 18 cemented something he had been working for after numerous close calls in previous years. Christianson finished with an impressive 20 birdies and an eagle, a tournament and course record, as well as a weekend he won’t soon forget.

The Southwest Valley football team is anticipating the start of the 2025 season and Head Coach Keegan Longabaugh says the summer work ethic from the team has been fantastic.

After all the conditioning, Longabaugh says the boys are ready to put the helmets and shoulder pads on.

The Timberwolves have won just three games in the last two seasons but are looking to grow with a core playmaking group returning.

Senior Wyatt Mendenhall threw for over 400 yards and ran for over 600 yards a season ago and the coaching staff looks for him to lead by example and vocally.

Longabaugh says this upcoming year for Southwest Valley is a day-by-day mentality.

The Timberwolves lone win a season ago was against Red Oak and will seek to begin 1-0 for a fourth consecutive season Friday, August 29th.

Mark Gronowski hopes to be the quarterback Iowa fans have been waiting for. Gronowski joined the Iowa program after leading South Dakota State to a pair of FCS national titles and was named the national player-of-the-year in 2023. He inherits an Iowa offense that led the Big Ten in rushing in conference play but finished next to last in passing in 2024.

Gronowski says being year number two under offensive coordinator Tim Lester is a plus.

Gronowski missed spring drills after undergoing surgery on his throwing shoulder. He fells like he and the passing game are making progress in fall camp.

Gronowski says he has been enjoying fall camp.

During the last four seasons the Hawkeyes have averaged nine wins and played in the Big Ten championship game twice. That stretch has also featured a string of injuries and subpar play at quarterback and Iowa has never finished higher than 12th in passing offense in the conference.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who says good offensive line play and good quarterback play are two of the keys to success.

Ferentz says Gronowski is making progress after missing spring drills.

Quality quarterback play will be a must for a Hawkeye team that hosts three teams that appeared in the college football playoffs last season and among their road games are trips to USC, Wisconsin and Iowa State. They open at home August 30th against the University of Albany.

Sunday, August 10th @ the Atlantic Golf and Country Club

OPEN DIVISION:

• Zach Christianson 62 – 59 – 71 – 192 (-15)
• Matt Gearheart 71 – 67 – 65 – 203 (-4)
• Jake Olsen 67 – 71 – 66 – 204 (-3)
• Andrew Huseman 72 – 68 – 66 – 206 (-1)
• Avery Fuhs 71 – 68 – 67 – 206  (-1)
• Jared Koch 73 – 67 – 67 – 207 (E)
• Alec Fuhs 70 – 69 – 67 – 68 – 207 (E)
• Chase Jahde 78 – 64 – 66 – 208  (+1)
• Carter Trewet 69 – 70 – 69 – 208 (+1)
• Derek Jacobsen 68 – 72 – 69 – 209 (+2)
• Evan Smith 67 – 75 – 67 – 209 (+2)
• Matt Weresh 74 – 67 – 69 – 210 (+3)
• Hank Weresh 70 – 71 – 69 – 210  (+3)
• Nathan Zimmerman 73 – 70 – 69 – 212  (+5)
• Matt Haley 77 – 70 – 67 – 214 (+7)
• Ben Renaud 71 – 74 – 69 – 214  (+7)
• Jay Soderberg 70 – 71 – 73 – 215 (+7)
• Alex Bireline 78 – 70 – 67 – 215  (+8)
• Jackson Tennis 73 – 72 – 70 – 215  (+8)
• Gianni Chiodo 72 – 71 – 72 – 215 (+8)
• Rob Langfelt 69 – 75 – 72 – 216 (+9)
• Phoenix Shadden 71 – 71 – 74 – 216  (+9)
• Steven Martin 73 – 72 – 72 – 217  (+10)
• Jeff Gude 75 – 71 – 72 – 218 (+11)
• Andrew Martin 75 – 75 – 70 – 220  (+13)
• Troy Finnestad 77 – 70 – 74 – 221  (+14)
• Nathan Koch 71 – 76 – 75 – 222 (+15)
• Zack Dunkin 73 – 75 – 74 – 222 (+15)
• Alex Snyder 77 – 72 – 73 – 222  (+15)
• Joe Schafer 77 – 75 – 70 – 222 (+15)
• Kamron Brownlee 81 – 70 – 72 – 223  (+16)
• Evan Schuler 75 – 74 –  74 – 223 (+16)
• Matt Wynne 70 – 78 – 76 – 224  (+17)
• Jeremy Johnson 75 – 74 – 76 – 224 (+17)
• Mike Davie 75 – 72 – 77 – 224 (+17)
• Hudson McLaren 76 – 77 – 71 – 190 (+17)
• Michael West 74 – 80 – 70 – 224 (+17)
• Carlton Rahn 74 – 73 – 78 – 225 (+18)
• Gage Gross 73 – 79 – 74 – 226 (+19)
• Cyle Renaud 78 – 76 – 72 – 226 (+19)
• Matt Gross 71 – 78 – 79 – 228 (+21)
• James Reynolds 80 – 79 – 69 – 228  (+21)
• Nathan Berg 74 – 78 – 78 – 230  (+23)
• Sam Brosam 77 – 75 – 78 – 230 (+23)
• Seth Hensley 78 – 76 – 77 – 231 (+24)
• Tanner Dunn 78 – 77 – 76 – 231 (+24)
• Brady Wood 74 – 79 – 79 – 232 (+25)
• Tom Leiferman 72 – 83 – 77 – 232 (+25)
• Michael Rawlins 84 – 74 – 74 – 232  (+25)
• Drey Newell 76 – 75 – 83 – 234 (+27)
• Jaxson Armstrong 77 – 76 – 82 – 235 (+28)
• Lucas Mosier 75 – 78 – 83 – 236 (+29)
• Micky Williamson  78 – 81 – 77 – 236 (+29)
• Cole Burmeister 83 – 81 – 73 – 237  (+30)
• McKinley Leonard  79 – 82 – 76 – 237 (+30)
• Cooper McCosh 82 – 77 – 80 – 239 (+32)
• Marcus Lunning 79 – 81 – 81 – 241 (+34)
• Spencer McCosh 90 – 80 – 72 – 242 (+35)
• Brody O’Brien 84 – 79 – 83 – 246 (+39)
• Mitchell McCosh 86 – 80 – 80 – 246 (+39)
• Jacob Schneckloth 78 – 87 – 82 – 247 (+40)
• Nolan Jackson 87 – 83 – 77 – 247 (+40)
• Trevor Schweers 81 – 81 – 86 – 248  (+41)
• Ethan Verwers 84 – 78 – 86 – 248  (+41)
• Jake Oathoudt 89 – 79 – 82 – 250 (+43)
• Mitch Burg 83 – 87 – 85 – 255 (+48)
• Ryan Kirchhoff 93 – 88 – 82 – 262 (+55)
• Cameron Kiner 98 – 89 – 83 – 270 (+63)
• Austin Keil 88 – 97 – 89 – 274  (+67)
• Aaron King WD
• Wyatt Henkenius WD
• Ryan Hawkins WD

SENIOR DIVISION (Complete):

• Eric Boehlert 63 – 73 – 69 – 205 (-2)
• Bill Matzdorff 73 – 67 – 70 – 210  (+3)
• Darby McLaren 76 – 70 – 69 – 215  (+8)
• Chris Nelson 69 – 76 – 71 – 216  (+9)
• Steven Montgomery 71 – 73 – 74 – 218 (+11)
• Shane Burmeister 73 – 75 – 75 – 223  (+16)
• Ryan Clark 77 – 74 – 73 – 224 (+17)
• Barry Smith 77 – 73 – 78 – 228 (+21)
• Darron Baker 74 – 80 – 75 – 229 (+22)
• Chad Buresh 77  – 78 – 76 – 231  (+24)
• Kyle Rock 83 – 77 – 75 – 235 (+28)
• Justin Blake 80 – 77 – 80 – 237 (+30)
• Eric Brown 82 – 78 – 77 – 237  (+30)
• Don Newbury 81 – 73 – 84 – 238 (+31)
• Bob Franke 85 – 82 – 82 – 249  (+42)
• Ron Eads, Jr. 80 – 86 -85 – 251 (+44)

SUPER SENIOR DIVISION (Complete):

• Rick Carter 67 – 71 – 69 – 207 (E)
• Del  Miller 75 – 67 – 70 – 212 (+5)
• Daryl Armstrong  71 – 70 – 72 – 213  (+6)
• George Gartelos 72 – 74 – 68 – 214  (+7)
• Jeffery Morenz  75 – 74 – 68 – 217  (+10)
• Jophn Willmore 73 – 70 – 74 – 217 (+10)
• Bill Corrick 75 – 77 – 75 – 227 (+20)
• Jeff Boehlert 76 – 78 – 74 – 228 (+21)
• Jim Simmelink 78 – 74 – 76 – 228 (+21)
• Mick Allen 77 – 77 – 75 – 229 (+22)
• Jim Mullenix 76 – 79 – 79 – 233  (+26)
• Douglas Richter 78 – 78 – 82 – 238 (+31)
• Arnie Leistad 78 – 80 – 82 – 240  (+33)
• Randy Reindl 83 – 81 – 76 – 240 (+33)
• Rich Ward 83 – 81 – 77 – 241 (+34)
• Richard Pendegraft 80 – 93 –  (+35)
• Paul Huddleson 84 – 83 – 87 – 254 (+47)
• Mick Lee 84 – 84 – 88 – 256 (+49)
• Merlin Bell 80 – 92 – 86 – 258 (+51)
• Ron Pendegraft 75 – 86 – 91 – 264 (+57)