Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz says while the head coach has changed at Penn State the talent level has not. The Hawkeyes get ready to host a Nittany Lion team led by interim coach Terry Smith. He was elevated on Sunday after James Franklin was fired in the midst of a three game losing streak.

Ferentz says the firing of James Franklin is the latest example of college football becoming the NFL.

Ferentz says with experienced coordinators on both sides of the ball he does not expect a lot of changes from Penn State.

Ferentz expects to face a motivated Penn State team.

The Hawkeyes will face an unfamiliar quarter in Penn State redshirt freshmen Ethan Grunkemeyer.

Iowa players says they are focused on themselves and not the changes at Penn State. Instead of facing a Nittany Lion team that began the season ranked in the top five the Hawkeyes host a team that has lost three in a row and will be led by interim coach Terry Smith. Hawkeye linebacker Jayden Montgomery.

Iowa center Logan Jones.

Jones on the progress of the offense, which had 210 yards of rushing in a 37-0 win at Wisconsin.

Junior defensive end Brian Allen says their approach does not change, even though the Penn State offense will now be led by redshirt freshman Ethan Grunkemeyer.

Iowa women’s basketball coach Jan Jensen is preaching patience as she gets ready for her second season at the helm. A talented recruiting class will be a key for a team that lost three of its top four scorers from a squad that made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

As she said in the previous cut nine of the 14 players on the roster are either freshmen or sophomores.

Jensen says the Hawkeyes have the potential to be a versatile team but it will take time to develop depth.

The Hawkeyes open the season at home on November third against Southern.

Penn State interim coach Terry Smith is focused on effort as the Nittany Lions prepare for Saturday night’s game at Iowa. Smith was named interim coach after James Franklin was fired on the heels of a three game losing skid.

Smith says the Nittany Lions need to regain their toughness and that begins at the line of scrimmage.

With Drew Allar done for the season due to injury Penn State will turn to freshman quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer.

Penn State’s preseason hopes of contending for a national championship may have vanished but Smith is focused on what can be accomplished.

The Atlantic Trojans earned a hard-fought 3-1 win over the Exira-EHK Spartans Monday night. After dropping the first set, the Trojans roared back to win the next three sets. Despite capturing three sets in a row, it was, for the most part, a back-and-forth affair. Throughout the sets, there were numerous lead changes and even a large comeback. However, Atlantic’s ability to spread the ball around made the difference.

Set one started as a back-and-forth affair. Neither team seemed able to grab the momentum, as the largest lead on both sides halfway through the set was two. However, with Brooklyn Snider at the service line, the Spartans were able to grab the momentum. Led by Jaelynn Petersen, Taryn Petersen, and Zoey Rasmussen, the Spartans built a cushion, leading by as much as eight. Although the Trojans attempted to mount a comeback, the Spartans were able to hold them off, taking set one 25-19.

Early on in set two, it looked as if the momentum had carried over. The Spartans got off to a 4-0 run, but from there on out, the Trojans controlled much of the rest of set two. Clarie Schroeder was excellent from the service line all night, but was a part of a Trojan run that changed the tide. Throughout the night, Atlantic never relied on one singular person. The front row combinations of Zoey Kirchoff, Adler Bruce, and Brynn Lamp all contributed. Freshman Reese Harlan also played in big role in offense, bringing the right amount of power as the Trojans took set two 25-15.

Set three was much like set one. Both teams went back and forth, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. Although Atlantic started well, for a solid portion of set three, it was Exira-EHK that seemed to be on the front foot. However, the Trojans rallied late to escape with a 25-20 win and a 2-1 lead. While they escaped set three, set four was arguably one of their best sets of the night. They jumped out to their largest lead of the night leading 18-8. However, the scappy Spartans didn’t go out without a fight. Extra-EHK went on a 12-1 run to take a lead, but it was short-lived as the Trojans rebounded to take the set 25-22 and the match 3-1 for their seventeenth win of the season. Head coach Alyssa Boltz praised her team’s ability to work together as a unit.

Despite blowing a lead late in set four, the message was simple.

The Trojans have just one game remaining on the regular season schedule at home against St. Albert. Heading into the postseason, Boltz says continuing to instill belief in their ability is at the forefront of preparation.

While the Trojans return home for a home match against St. Albert, the 10-11 Spartans will begin their preparations for the Rolling Valley Conference tournament, which begins on Saturday.

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE MEET

WESTERN IOWA CONFERENCE MEET

Non-Conference 

Atlantic – 3 vs Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton – 1

Corner Conference Tournament 

Fremont-Mills – 3 vs Griswold – 0

Stanton – 3 vs Bedford – 2

East Mills – 3 vs Essex – 2

Sidney -3 vs Hamburg – 2

Western Iowa Conference Tournament 

Audubon – 3 vs AHSTW – 0

Underwood – 3 vs Logan-Magnolia – 0 

Riverside – 3 vs Audubon – 0 

Treynor – 3 vs Tri-Center – 0

Missouri Valley – 3 vs  IKM-Manning – 1

Pride of Iowa Conference Tournament 

Martensdale-St. Marys – 3 vs Lenox – 1

Mount Ayr – 3 vs East Union – 0

Southeast Warren – 3 vs Nodaway Valley – 0

Southwest Valley – 3 vs Central Decatur  0

West Central Activities Conference Tournament 

First Round: Ogden – 2 vs Madrid – 0

First Round:West Central Valley – 2 vs Interstate – 0

First Round: Earlham – 2 vs Panorama – 0

Quarterfinal: Des Moines Christian – 2 vs  Pleasantville – 1 

Quarterfinal: Van Meter – 2 vs West Central Valley – 0 

Quarterfinal: Woodward-Granger – 2 vs  Earlham – 0  

Quarterfinal: ACGC – 2 vs  Ogden – 0

Consolation: Panorama – 2 vs  Interstate 35 – 0

Consolation: Madrid – 2 vs Panorama – 0 

Consolation: Madrid – 2 vs Interstate 35 – 0