WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — With the first full week of the college football season on the horizon, Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa are offering Hawkeye fans a chance to win four tickets and on-field sideline access to the America Needs Farmers (ANF) game on Oct. 18 against Penn State University.

For a chance to win, go to IowaFarmBureau.com/ANFExperience and take a short, multiple-choice quiz to learn how Iowa farmers are providing high-quality food while caring for the environment and their animals. The prize package also includes a Kirk Ferentz autographed football and ANF gear. The contest runs through Oct. 8.

America Needs Farmers was launched by Hawkeye Coach Hayden Fry to show support for farmers during the 1980s Farm Crisis. In this same spirit, the ANF game recognizes the hardworking men and women in agriculture whose work creates a positive impact in Iowa and across the globe.

This year marks a special milestone for the initiative as supporters and fans celebrate the 40th anniversary of ANF. From crayons to cosmetics, agriculture touches our daily lives in many ways beyond what’s top of mind, like food, fuel and fiber. To celebrate 40 years of ANF, Iowa Farm Bureau has partnered with ‘Iowa Nice Guy’ Scott Siepker for a video series revealing 40 surprising ways agriculture touches our daily lives as we approach the 2025 ANF game day.

Micah Hyde Named 2025 ANF Wall of Honor Recipient 
The ANF Wall of Honor salutes past University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer, and former Hawkeye standout and NFL star, Micah Hyde, becomes the 13th member of the prestigious group.

A former All-Big Ten defensive back for the Hawkeyes, Hyde credits his on-field success to a solid work ethic and lessons learned from years working on a family friend’s farm growing up in rural Ohio. Hyde’s dedication and strong work ethic helped fuel his successful 11-year NFL career while earning several awards and recognitions.

“Helping out on the farm bailing hay and doing other chores, I learned firsthand the value of hard work whether that meant getting up early or working late – whatever it took to get the job done,” says Hyde.  “When working with my own kids and those through my foundation, I try to teach those lessons I learned while instilling the value of hard work to the next generation.”

Following his NFL playing days, Hyde continues to make an impact through his Imagine For Youth Foundation, which has raised millions of dollars to support thousands of children and families.

Previous ANF Wall of Honor recipients include Casey Wiegmann (2012), Jared DeVries (2013), Bruce Nelson (2014), Robert Gallery (2015), Dallas Clark (2016), Chad Greenway (2017), Aaron Kampman (2018), Matt Kroul (2019), Marshal Yanda (2021), Tony Moeaki (2022), Bryan Bulaga (2023) and Brandon Myers (2024).

“Farming and football have each evolved since the inception of ANF during the 1980s, but the values and qualities that define ANF are just as important today — commitment, integrity and a work ethic focused on continuous improvement,” says Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president. “We look forward to welcoming fans to the ANF Legends Tent on ANF game day to celebrate the importance of agriculture in our daily lives and recognizing Micah Hyde as the 2025 ANF Wall of Honoree.”

During ANF game day, Iowa Farm Bureau will be present at the ANF Legends Tent at Krause Family Plaza where fans can interact with local farmers, win prizes and get autographs from former Hawkeye greats, including this year’s ANF Wall of Honoree, Micah Hyde. ANF merchandise will also be for sale in ANF Plaza with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Iowa Food Bank Association. For more information, visit AmericaNeedsFarmers.org.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Former University of Iowa unanimous All-American Brandon Scherff will serve as honorary captain when the Hawkeyes host UAlbany in the season openerSaturday on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. Kickoff is set for 5:10 p.m. (CT) and the game will be televised on FS1.

Scherff became the fourth Hawkeye to earn the Outland Trophy as the best offensive lineman in the nation in 2014. He was also the recipient of the 2014 Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year in the Big Ten Conference and was a semifinalist for Rotary Lombardi Award. Scherff was a two-time first-team all-conference selection (2013, 2014).

The Denison, Iowa, native started all 26 games over his final two seasons at left tackle. For his collegiate career, he made 36 career starts, playing both tackle and guard.

Following a distinguished career as a Hawkeye, Scherff was selected by Washington with the fifth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. Scherff was selected to five Pro Bowls and voted NFL All-Pro (2020) during his seven years (2015-21) withthe Commanders. He started at right guard every game during his three-year stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2022-24.  Scherff, who started 104 of 107 games during his 10-year NFL career, announced his retirement earlier this month.

Scherff, who will be inducted into the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend, will accompany the Iowa captains to midfield for Saturday’s pregame coin toss. He will also be with the Hawkeyes in the locker room before and after the game.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey seniors Mia Magnotta, Milly Short, juniors Dionne van Aalsum, Gia Whalen and freshman Jordan Byers have been named to the National Field Hockey Coaches Association Watchlist, it was announced Thursday.

The NFHCA Watchlist represents top collegiate student-athletes who are early contenders for this year’s NFHCA All-Region and All-American teams.

Magnotta played the duration of all 18 games last season and has made 38 consecutive starts for Iowa. She allowed 23 goals, tallied 88 saves and was part of nine Hawkeye shutouts.

The Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania, native ranked in the top-10 in four Big Ten categories: third in saves per game (4.89, 28th nationally), second in save percentage (.793, sixth nationally), sixth in average goals against (1.18, 17th nationally), and fifth in goalie win-loss percentage (.500, 39th nationally).

Short started all 18 games, logging 1,133 minutes, tallying a goal and two assists. She has made 37 consecutive starts for the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s defense ranked fourth in the nation in shutouts (nine) and shutouts per game (.50).

Van Aalsum started 17 games and played a key factor offensively as she led the team with nine goals and 19 points. She had a team-high five game winning goals and played 973 minutes.

Whalen held down the midfield for the Hawkeyes making 17 starts.  The Paoli, Pennsylvania native played in every game logging 981 total minutes and registered two goals.

Byers, a freshman, was a three-time PHSFHCA All-State first team selection and the 2024 PennLive Field Hockey Player of the Year. The Landisburg, Pennsylvania, native is a two-time NFHCA High School Third-Team All-American and was a 2024 Max Field Hockey First Team All-American.

The Audubon Football team is set to begin their 2025 season in a home tilt with the team who ended the Wheelers’ season in 2024 in the Remsen St. Mary’s Hawks. The Wheelers have won their district in back-to-back seasons and have been to the postseason seven straight years. Head Coach Sean Birks says his team is ready to compete in meaningful competition after a long summer and the first few weeks of practice.

Audubon scrimmaged both Bedford and Woodbine last week which Birks believes helped point out some areas of focus to improve heading into the first regular season game.

The Wheelers return Senior Quarterback Carson Wessel after throwing for over 600 yards in 2024. Alongside Wessel, is last year’s junior varsity quarterback in Aiden Kjergaard who also rushed for 208 yards and four touchdowns as well. In the coaching staff’s eyes, the offense is reloading and not so much rebuilding despite losing a one-thousand-yard rusher.

Birks says the injury bug struck the Audubon defense last year and lost current Senior Austin Christensen halfway through 2024. The Wheeler Head Coach believes the defense can be a lot stronger than people think if they remain healthy.

For Audubon it’s not so much a revenge game but a tip of the cap and appreciation for the success of both Audubon and Remsen St. Mary’s programs. Birks says the Wheelers are excited for the test right away.

The Hawks lost a lot in the offseason making it somewhat tricky to scout.

This is a game has the potential to come down to the efficiency of the ground game.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm in Audubon and join KJAN for pregame coverage at 6:30 pm.

The Glenwood Rams come to town Friday night for a week one matchup with the Atlantic Trojans. The Rams come off a 3-6 2024, marking just their second losing season in the last six years. Head Coach Cory Faust said last season was a wakeup call for the program and have been determined to get back to their winning ways.

Glenwood participated in a preseason scrimmage with Abraham Lincoln last week and Faust says it was extremely educational heading into the regular season.

The Rams were bit last year with two major injuries including current Seniors Scott Reed Jr. and Korbin Pelzer. Reed Jr.’s season was cut short due to a torn ACL while Pelzer missed all of 2024. Both individuals were named captains for the 2025 season.

With the returning talent Glenwood has back, Faust is confident his team will be ready to throw the ball as well as anyone.

Glenwood doesn’t plan on sticking with the same quarterback all night.

Focusing on the controllable is key for Glenwood according to Faust.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm in Atlantic and can be seen on KJANTV.

A new era begins at Drake Thursday night when the Bulldogs open at home against Upper Iowa. After a successful run at Grand View, Joe Woodley took over a Drake program that is coming off back-to-back Pioneer Football League championships and two straight trips to the FCS playoffs.

It will be Chase Spellman’s debut at quarterback. The sophomore spent last season at Tennessee State.

Upper Iowa has an experienced team that is coming off its best season since 1997.

Woodley expects a tough challenge.

Upper Iowa coach Jason Hoskins says they agreed to this game a couple of years ago with the hopes of gaining more exposure in the state.

Hoskins says there are a few alumni events in Des Moines leading up to the game.

With a new coaching staff at Drake, Hoskins says the Peacock staff went a different direction in terms of film study for this game.

Hoskins says in-game adjustments will be crucial and modern technology will have a role.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa field hockey seniors Mia Magnotta, Milly Short and junior Dionne van Aalsum have been named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List, it was announced Wednesday. It is the third straight season Magnotta has been a preseason honoree and the second straight year for Short and van Aalsum.

Magnotta played the duration of all 18 games last season and has made 38 consecutive starts for Iowa. She allowed 23 goals, tallied 88 saves and was part of nine Hawkeye shutouts.

The Forty-Fort, Pennsylvania, native ranked in the top-10 in four Big Ten categories: third in saves per game (4.89, 28th nationally), second in save percentage (.793, sixth nationally), sixth in average goals against (1.18, 17th nationally), and fifth in goalie win-loss percentage (.500, 39th nationally).

Short started all 18 games, logging 1,133 minutes, tallying a goal and two assists. She has made 37 consecutive starts for the Hawkeyes. Iowa’s defense ranked fourth in the nation in shutouts (nine) and shutouts per game (.50).

Van Aalsum started 17 of 18 games and played a key factor offensively as she led the team with nine goals and 19 points. She had a team-high five game winning goals and played 973 minutes.

The Hawkeyes, ranked 15th in the Penn Monto/NFHCA preseason poll, open the season hosting the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. Iowa will face No. 20 Wake Forest on Friday and second-ranked North Carolina on Sunday.

Iowa quarterback Mark Gronowski says limiting mistakes is one of his goals for Saturday’s game against Albany. Gronowski will make his Hawkeye debut after leading South Dakota State to a pair of FSC national titles and it begins with clean snaps.

Snap miscues and interceptions were issues during Iowa’s Kid’s Day scrimmage earlier this month.

Gronowski says they are enjoying getting ready to face an opponent.

Iowa State senior corner Jeremiah Cooper says the Cyclones left the victory over Kansas State in Dublin. After a long flight back from Ireland the 22nd ranked Cyclones get ready for Saturday’s home opener against South Dakota.

Cooper feels her has recovered from the time difference.

After starting at safety last season, Cooper was at corner against Kansas State.

Cooper says many of the same skills are needed to play safety.