Northern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson likes the direction his team is headed. The Panthers are 5-4 after lopsided wins over Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois and they return to action at home on Friday night against NebNorthern Iowa coach Ben Jacobson likes the direction his team is headed. The Panthers are 5-4 after lopsided wins over Illinois-Chicago and Northern Illinois and they return to action at home on Friday night against Nebraska-Omaha.

Jacobson says the Panthers are building confidence and making better decisions on offense.

Omaha enters the game with a record of 4-7.

The Audubon Wheelers boys basketball team’s season got off to a fast and solid start. Last week, the Wheelers opened the season with a back-to-back and then followed that up with a third game on Friday. After dropping their season opener against Coon Rapids-Bayard last Monday, the Wheelers rebounded on Tuesday with a 56-48 win over Underwood. Although they dropped Friday’s game to a solid Treynor team, the Wheelers rebounded earlier this week with a 59-50 win over Missouri Valley. Head coach Darran Miller said that the rapid start to the season has given him an easy path to seeing what his team needs to work on.

Although there are things to work on, Miller has seen positives in Audubon’s start to the season.

Leading the charge for the Wheelers are a pair of juniors. Brody Shcultes is off to a great start and currently leads the team, averaging 10.7 points per game and hitting 48% of his field goals. He also had an 18-point outing against Underwood last week where he hit 7-of-12 from the field and shot 50% from beyond the arc. Brody Weber is also having a solid averaging 7.7 points per game and put up 13 points last week against Underwood. Miller has been happy with the work they did to put themselves in a position to succeed.

In addition to Schultes and Weber, Miller feels like his team has solid depth. Mason Steckler led the charge with 12 points in the team’s loss to the Crusaders while Aaron Olsen and Carson Wessel have also contributed.

Audubon will continue the 2024-25 campaign on Friday when they host the 3-1 IKM-Manning Wolves. Miller says the Wheelers will need to be ready to go against a talented Wolves team.

Tip-off in Audubon is scheduled for 7:30 pm.

The Griswold Tigers Boys Basketball are looking to excel and improve under new head coach Ryan Lockwood. After finishing with a 5-16 record a year ago, the Tigers are off to a better start this year. Griswold kicked off the season last week by taking two out of their first three games. Although they dropped Tuesday’s game to East Mills, they sit at 2-2 and 1-1 in the conference heading into Friday’s matchup. The Tiger’s schedule is riddled with conference opponents as three of their first five games come against conference foes. Lockwood says that starting against conference opponents like this is a great early test.

Under Lockwood Griswold’s philosophy will focus on teamwork, community, and playing a hard up-tempo style of basketball.

Last week the Tigers did just that. Griswold grabbed a season-opening 68-39 win over Fremont-Mills on Tuesday. Body Wyman had an excellent performance with 24 points and was 3-for-3 from long range. After dropping Thursday’s game to Southwest Valley, the Tigers rebounded with a hard-fought comeback 56-47 win against Heartland Christian. This time it was Peyton Cook’s turn to lead the way. He finished the contest with 18 points while shooting 57.1% from the field. They also allowed less than 50 points in two of their first three games which has been one of Lockwood’s biggest takeaways.

Lockwood has also been impressed with his team’s determination.

Lockwood also has a trio of talented seniors leading the way for him this season. Zane Johnson currently leads the offensive drive for the Tigers averaging 12.3 points per game and had an 18-point night against Fremont-Mills. Wyman and Cook aren’t far behind with Wyman averaging 12 per game and Cook averaging 10. Lockwood has been proud of not only them but the way the seniors as a whole have led the team. He also is happy with the way they have distributed the ball as a team.

Griswold will close out the week with another conference opponent by visiting Essex. Tipoff on Friday is scheduled for 7 pm.

The 21st ranked Iowa Hawkeye women used a late 15-2 run to take control in a 75-69 win over 18th ranked Iowa State in Iowa City. It was a game the Cyclones led by 10 late in the third quarter.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen. The Hawkeyes limited the Cyclones to 13 fourth quarter points.

Jensen went with a smaller lineup in the fourth quarter to try and counter the strength of Audi Crooks.

Audi Crooks led Iowa State with 31 points. The Cyclones shot 52 percent for the game but 21 turnovers proved costly and the Cyclones also missed 10 free throws.

That’s Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly who says the Iowa guards turned up the defensive pressure in the fourth quarter.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Big Ten Conference announced Wednesday dates and league football opponents for the 2025 season.

Iowa will open conference play on the road for the sixth straight season, traveling to Rutgers on Sept. 20. It will mark the second time in three seasons that the Hawkeyes will play their Big Ten opener in Piscataway, New Jersey.

The Hawkeyes will host Indiana in their conference home opener on Sept. 27, marking the second time in four years that Iowa will play the Hoosiers in its Big Ten home opener (2021).

Following a trip to border-rival Wisconsin on Oct. 11, Iowa will play three consecutive home games over a span of four weeks. The Hawkeyes will host Penn State on Oct. 18, Minnesota on Oct. 25 and Oregon on Nov. 8. The Ducks will make their first visit to Kinnick Stadium since 1989. The three straight Big Ten home games have not happened in Iowa City since 1949.

For the second straight year, Iowa will travel to Los Angeles in November for a Big Ten game, this time facing the Trojans of USC on Nov. 15.

Iowa wraps up the regular season against Michigan State in its home finale on Nov. 22 and its annual Black Friday contest against Nebraska on Nov. 29. The Hawkeyes and Spartans will meet for the third straight year (twice in Iowa City).

Select dates are subject to change once the Big Ten and its media partners agree to the Friday night schedule. Game times and broadcast information for the first three games will be announced the last week of May 2025.

Iowa’s nonconference schedule was previously announced with Iowa hosting Albany (Aug. 30) and UMass (Sept. 13) and playing at in-state rival Iowa State (Sept. 6).

Aug. 30: UAlbany
Sept. 6: at Iowa State
Sept. 13: UMass
Sept. 20: at Rutgers
Sept. 27: Indiana
Oct. 4: Idle
Oct. 11: at Wisconsin
Oct. 18: Penn State
Oct. 25: Minnesota
Nov. 1: Idle
Nov. 8: Oregon
Nov. 15: at USC
Nov. 22: Michigan State
Nov. 28 (Fri): at Nebraska

(Radio Iowa Sports) – Iowa State is rewarding football coach Matt Campbell with a contract extension. Campbell has agreed to a new eight year deal that will run through the end of the 2032 season. A three time Big-12 Coach of the Year, Campbell has led the Cyclones to their first 10 win season in program history.

“It has been rewarding to see the amazing impact Coach Campbell, and his staff, have had over the past decade on our University, athletics department, and the young men in our football program,” said ISU Athletic director Jamie Pollard. “Given all the uncertainty currently facing college athletics, it was critical that we moved quickly to solidify the future of our football program. Matt is the perfect fit for Iowa State University and I am thrilled he wants to continue to lead our program. Leadership continuity is essential to any organization’s long-term success. This is a great day for Cyclone fans.”

ISU is 10-3 and ranked 18th after a 46-19 loss to Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship game and will play 13th ranked Miami in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on December 28th.

ISU football coach Matt Campbell. (RI photo)

“My family and I are extremely grateful for the faith and commitment shown to our program by our President, Dr. Wintersteen, and our Athletics Director, Jamie Pollard,” Campbell said. “It is an honor to be associated with a great university and community, and I am thankful to work with great leaders, administrators and student-athletes. I look forward to finishing the 2024 season strong while continuing to grow this program and pursuing excellence in the classroom and on the field.”

The third ranked Iowa State men visit Iowa Thursday night in the 78th meeting in the series. One of the biggest questions is will this game even be close? The winning margin in the last six games has been 14 points or more, including last year when the Cyclones posted their most lopsided win in the series 90-65 in Ames.

That’s Iowa State coach T.J. Otzelberger. Two years ago in Iowa City the Hawkeyes ambushed the Cyclones at the start and led by as many as 29 points en-route to a 75-56 win. Otzelberger says a better start is a must in this game.

Otzelberger says the keys remain the same in every road game.

Iowa State is 7-1 and a number three ranking in the AP Poll is the highest since 1957. Hawkeye coach Fran McCaffery says a strength of the Cyclones is depth.

The Cyclones win with defense and toughness and they have already played two teams ranked in the top five.

McCaffery says the Hawkeyes must prevent the Iowa State guards from dominating the game.

Iowa has won four of the last six games and leads the al-time series 48-29. Tip off is 6-30 in Carver-Hawkeye and the game will be televised by Fox Sports One.

The Iowa Hawkeye men will be looking to post an upset when they host third ranked Iowa State Thursday night in the 78th meeting in the series. The Hawkeyes are 7-2 after an 85-83 loss at 14th ranked Michigan. Senior forward Payton Sandfort.

For a team hoping to return to the NCAA Tournament it is a chance for an early resume building win.

To have a chance the Hawkeyes must handle Iowa State’s toughness and relentless defense.

At Atlantic: 

SWAT 54, Atlantic 6

SWAT 51, Southwest Valley 6

Atlantic 21, Southwest Valley 18

SWAT Winners: Jazz Christensen (2), Nadia South (2), Destiny Fry (2), Addi Glade, Bailey Lillard (2), Lilly Barber (2), Stella Beattie (2), Megan Gerlock (2), Adalynn Erlandson (2), Ellen Gerlock

Atlantic Winners: Haley Armstrong (2), Cadence Kinzie, Lilly Johnson, Leah Thomas

Southwest Valley Winners: Kacy LaMasters (2), Peyton Briggs, Kenzie Maeder

AT GRISWOLD 

Shenandoah 54, CAM 10

Shenandoah 58, Griswold 12

Shenandoah 53, Kuemper Catholic 24

Kuemper Catholic 66, CAM 12

Kuemper Catholic 53, Griswold 18

Griswold 48, CAM 18

Shenandoah Winners — Lukus Major (3), Jacob McGargill (3), Nick Berrier (3), Jayden Dickerson (3), Landon Fuller (2), Steven Perkins (2), Davin Holste (2), Hayden Roush (3), Cole Scamman (3), Tyler Babe (2), Lane Riggins (2)

Kuemper Catholic Winners — Will Atherton (3), Caleb Hoffman (3), Owen Nepple (3), Caden Handlos, Jake Smith (2), Case Kock (2), Austin Heinrichs (2), Mason Vonnahme (2), Sam Rotert (2), Colby Pierce (3), Ried Steger

Griswold Winners — Holden Jensen (2), Nollan Smith, Ethan Baxter (2), Hudson Perkins, Quentyn Ruchti-Wilson, Dane Casey, Wyatt Peterson, RJ Dishong (3), Wyatt Silk

CAM Winners — Reilly Becker (3), Kegan Croghan (2), Landon Calhoun, Parker Wilson

AT ST. ALBERT

Glenwood 57, Harlan 30 

Glenwood 45, St. Albert 24

Glenwood 72, Southwest Iowa 12

Harlan 52, St. Albert 30 

Harlan 65, Southwest Iowa 12 

St. Albert 66, Southwest Iowa 15

Glenwood winners — Brody Black (3), Benn Christensen (3), Connor Wear (3), Jaxon Erickson (2), Nile Lundvall (2), Jacob Aust (3), Mason Koehler (3), Brody Black, Carson Blakely (2), Pauley Simonetti, Drake Buthe (2), Christian Lopez, Mark Reed, Brandt Mower, Landon Lechtenberg, Nile Lundvall

St. Albert winners — Aiden Gaul (2), Bennett Johnsen (2), Sam Raymond (2), Judah York (3), Cohen Hamilton (2), Brody Pellett, Joey Mazzella (2), Ryan McColloch, Andrew Beckman, Myles LeBaugh, Andrew Tamayo, Jayden Beckman, Micah Hutchison

Southwest Iowa winners — Evan Lang (3), Max Mount, Blake Schaaf (3)

Harlan winners — Jaysin Ludwig (2), Spencer Fink (3), Jesse Jens (3), Jamison Clark (2), Chayton Snethen (3), Jaden Stephens, Reese Koch (2), Nick Gubbels (2), Austin Spray (2), Brody McKinley (2), Coy Obrecht, Shane Cooper

AT AUDUBON

Riverside 65, Audubon 15

Riverside 62, Southwest Valley 13

Riverside 65, Treynor 10 

Southwest Valley 40, Treynor 36 

Southwest Valley 42, Audubon 30 

Treynor 45, Audubon 30

Riverside winners — Colton Hering (2), Davis Bramman (3), Drew Anderson (3), Jack Branan (3), Jaxon Gordon (3), Rex Shanno, Jett Rose (3), AC Roller (2), Gaven Hackett, Caden Forristall (3), Jackson Allen (2), Grayson Carrigan (2), Kingston Carrigan (2), Taven Moore, Kellen Oliver

Audubon winners — Leyton Elmquist (2), Lane Elmquist (3), Jack Stanerson (2), Braxton Witt, Kayden Otten, Keaton Reis, Alex Henkle 

Southwest Valley winners — Ben Waddell (2), Degan Farwell (2), Gavin Wetzel, Wyatt Shires (2), Carson Cooper (2), Brody Crozier (2), Brody Sparks, Gavin Wetzel (2), Hayden Buffington, Ian Forsythe, Wyatt Konecne 

Treynor winners — Zack Robbins (3), Austin Moss (3), Maverrick Kalb (3), Cael Walton (2), Rylan Sengmeny, Bradley Kenealy, Noah Jedlicka (2), Lowell Knott (2) 

AT LOGAN-MAGNOLIA

Logan-Magnolia 75, Thomas Jefferson 6

Logan-Magnolia 51, Missouri Valley 24

Logan-Magnolia 71, Woodbine 12

Missouri Valley 53, Thomas Jefferson 21

Missouri Valley 53, Woodbine 24 

Thomas Jefferson 48, Woodbine 33 

Lo-Ma winners — Zach Diggins (2), Crosby Yoder (3), Noah Archibald (2), Max Wingert (2), Kalab Kuhl (3), Wyatt Hawkins (3), Wayden Hawkins (3), Corbin Reisz (3), Macklin Loftus (3), Tyson Jenkins (2), Aaron Cordell (3), Carson Edney (3), Grady Brix (2), Liam Jenkins

TJ winners — Jacob Acosta (2), Dylan Janik (2), Mayson Kramer, Darreck Roche (2), Brycen Liddick (2), Jeremiah Brooks, Coleton Townsend, Jacob Snipes, Kaeleb Myers

Missouri Valley winners — Owen Becerra (3), Luke Schroeder (3), Vinny Zappia (3), Matthew Cliffe (3), Luke Cleaver (2), Owen Gute (2), Colton Beckner (2), Aidan Vergamini (2), Louis Waite (2), James Wendt

Woodbine winners — Tony Kuker (2), Cameron Flaherty (2), Brenner Sullivan (2), Lucas Olson, Jacob Cogdill (2), Lawson Bendgen (2), Justice Garvis

AT UNDERWOOD

Underwood 58, Tri-Center 21

Underwood 60, AHSTW 18 

Tri-Center 35, AHSTW 30 

Underwood winners — Avery Vacek (2), Landon Leaders (2), Ryan Fletcher (2), Dane DeVault, Lucas Bose (2), Coltin Johnson (2), Will Buckholdt (2), Sam Hulsing (2), Hayden Heun (2), Grady Joens (2), Dane Meyerpeter

AHSTW winners — Tucker Osbahr (2), Kayden Baxter (2), Henry Lund (2), Chris Holmes, Roman Scheffler

Tri-Center winners — Tucker Olsen, Christopher Rock (2), Brant Freeberg (2), Noah Goodwin, Titus Humbert, Charlie Morse, Braiden Pace, Athan Chessmore