IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa Athletics Department will host “Hawkeye Hoops from Downtown presented by HyVee” on Friday, Oct. 17, at the outdoor basketball court behind Burge Residence Hall.

The hour-long event, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. (CT), will give fans the opportunity to get their first look at the 2025-26 Hawkeye men’s and women’s basketball teams. It is the unofficial tipoff to the upcoming season.

Fans will get an up-close look at the Hawkeyes, which are led by first-year men’s coach Ben McCollum and second-year women’s coach Jan Jensen. The evening will include player introductions, fan and player contests, prizes and music.

“I am looking forward to joining forces with our women’s team in the “Hawkeye Hoops from Downtown” event,” said McCollum. “This will be a great opportunity to build excitement for our programs and for our players to interact with the Hawks Nest, students and our community.  It should be a great on-campus event.”

“We’re so excited to see our fans at the Hawkeye Hoops from Downtown event with our men’s basketball team,” said Jensen. “The best fanbase in the country will get a chance to see our new players and teams for the very first time. We look forward to seeing everyone on Oct. 17.”

The event is free and open to all.  Parking is available in any of the downtown Iowa City parking ramps.  Parking is free for the first hour with each additional hour costing $2.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior defensive lineman Aaron Graves has been named a semifinalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, it was announced Wednesday by the National Football Foundation.  The honor is awarded annually to the nation’s top scholar athlete.

Graves (6-foot-5, 295) has started all four games at defensive tackle for the Hawkeyes this season.  He has 13 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and two hurries and has been voted a team captain in each of the first five games of the season.

The Dayton, Iowa, native earned his bachelor’s degree in exercise science with the highest distinction in May, graduating with an unblemished grade point average. He is currently enrolled in the sport and recreation management master’s program.

Graves was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by both the coaches and media in 2024 after finishing with 33 tackles, six sacks, eight TFL, three forced fumbles, three pass breakups and two hurries.  The three forced fumbles were tops in the Big Ten Conference.  He also was a second team CSC Academic All-American in 2024 and has twice been named a CSC Academic All-District selection.

Leading into the 2025 season, Graves was named to the preseason Lott Trophy, Bronco Nagurski, Chuck Bednarik and Lombardi Award Watch Lists.

Candidates for the Campbell Trophy must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.

The NFF will announce 12-16 finalists on Oct. 22, and each of them will receive an $18,000 postgraduate scholarship as a member of the 2025 NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class Presented by Fidelity Investments. The finalists will travel to the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the 67th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 9.  The Campbell Award winner will receive a $25,000 scholarship.

Former Hawkeye linebacker Jack Campbell was the first Iowa student-athlete to earn the William V. Campbell Trophy in 2022.  Six previous players were named a NFF National Scholar Athlete, including linebacker James Morris (2013), linebacker Mike Klinkenborg (2007), offensive lineman Derek Rose (1998, tight end Mike Flagg (1987), defensive back Bob Elliott (1975) and defensive lineman John Charles Hendricks (1968).

Iowa (3-1, 1-0) returns to action Saturday, hosting No. 11/12 Indiana at 2:35 p.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium.  The game will be streamed on Peacock and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

The Creston Panthers begin district play Friday night with a home matchup against the Atlantic Trojans. The Panthers come into the game 0-4 but Head Coach Brian Morrison says his team is competing at a high level and improving week in and week out.

The Panthers come off a 44-31 loss to a 4-0 Des Moines Christian team. Morrison says despite the loss, there was a lot of good things to take away.

Junior Quarterback Tanner Ray has started every game for Creston throwing one touchdown and six interceptions but has run for over 400 yards on the season, something Morrison utilizes as often as he can.

In the backfield, Senior Running Back Jackson Pettigrew had big shoes to fill after losing Weston Trapp in the offseason, who ran for nearly 1,700 yards in 2024 and 18 touchdowns. The Panther coaching staff has been impressed with his consistency.

Creston has had Atlantic’s number historically as the Panthers have taken 15 of the last 18 meetings. Morrison emphasized his team will have to play as clean as possible to come out on top.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm and you can catch all the action on both KJAN and KJANTV starting at 6:30 pm.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa redshirt sophomore Luke Knepp was named the Big Ten Men’s Cross Country Athlete of the Week, the league announced on Wednesday.

At the Roy Griak Invite in Minneapolis on Sept. 19, Knepp led the men’s team to a 26:06.7 finish in the 8,000 meters. The native of Bettendorf, Iowa, finished 28th overall. As a team, the Hawkeyes placed sixth.

Knepp is Iowa’s first conference athlete of the week in cross country since Nathan Mylenek took home the honor in 2019. It is the second time this season that the Hawkeyes have earned weekly conference recognition. Ella Magallan and Elena Torres won the Big Ten Women’s Freshman and Athlete of the Week awards, respectively, on Sept. 10.

The Hawkeyes return to action on Oct. 3 at the Joe Piane Invite in South Bend, Indiana. Competition begins at 9:30 a.m. (CT).

Iowa sophomore corner Jaylen Watson says the Hawkeye defense will need to do its part to get the Kinnick Stadium crowd into the game. The defense has a massive challenge against 11th ranked Indiana on Saturday. The Hoosier offense is averaging nearly 55 points in a 4-0 start.

Quarterback Fernando Mendoza leads the explosive Hoosier offense.

Watson enjoys getting ready for the challenge.

Junior corner Deshaun Lee says the Hoosiers have a lot of weapons.

Tackling in space will be crucial in this game and senior linebacker Jaxon Rexroth says it is an area that needs to improve.

Eight of Iowa’s 10 sacks have occurred in the last two games. Getting to Mendoza won’t be easy with his quick release.

Iowa State linebacker Kooper Ebel says the 14th ranked Cyclones expect a challenge as they get ready for Saturday night’s game at home against Arizona. The Wildcats enter the game with a record of 3-0.

Ebel says the play of Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita is a concern. He has 712 yards of passing and six touchdowns in three games.

With rivalry wins over Kansas State and Iowa Ebvel says the Cyclones are coming off of their bye week as a confident team.

Ebel is looking forward to a white out game under the lights.

Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski says the Hawkeyes know they face a big challenge on Saturday. The Hawkeyes host an 11th ranked Indiana team that is coming off a 63-10 demolition of Illinois.

Indiana’s explosive offense gets much of the attention but the Hoosier defense has given up less than nine points per game and an averaged of 87 yards of rushing.

Gronowski says he was able to watch the Indiana-Illinois game.

Gronowski says the offense is making progress and that will need to continue this week.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell says the ability to win close games has been a key in their 4-0 start and will continue in the future. The 14th ranked Cyclones return to action Saturday night by hosting unbeaten Arizona.

Campbell says the margin for error is always small.

Kicker Kyle Konrardy is expected to miss Saturday’s game due to injury. He was hurt in ISU’s 24-16 win at Arkansas State.

With Konrardy injured freshman Chase Smith will handle the place kicking duties.

Campbell was asked about the firing of Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy, who was in his 21st season as the Cowboy’s head coach.

Campbell feels the bye week allowed the Cyclones get some needed rest as they get ready for Arizona.