Star Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson announced his decision to declare for the NFL draft on Wednesday morning. In an Instagram post Jackson said, “To the Hawkeye Nation- I have been blessed with the opportunity to play at the University of Iowa in front of the best fans in the world. Coming to Iowa City was the best decision of my life……After discussions with my coaches, family, and a lot of prayer, I have decided to declare for the 2018 NFL draft.”

Jackson finished the season with an FBS-best 8 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns. He was named a consensus All-American after this junior campaign.

Jackson is projected as a likely first-round selection in April’s NFL draft.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs have placed cornerback Phillip Gaines on injured reserve, possibly ending his time in Kansas City, and signed defensive tackle Stefan Charles ahead of their playoff game against Tennessee.

The Chiefs announced the moves Wednesday.

Gaines dislocated his elbow in last weekend’s game against Denver. The former third-round pick’s playing time had already decreased substantially this season. He is not under contract next season and may have played his final game for the Chiefs.

Charles has spent time with the Jaguars, Bills and Lions. He gives the Chiefs some depth with defensive tackles Jarvis Jenkins and Rakeem Nunez-Roches dealing with injuries.

One of the changes in regulations for the paddlefish season this year in western Iowa is the lifting of the restrictions that allows you to keep so-called rough fish that are snagged in the process. Fisheries biologist Ryan Hupfeld says the surveys they took following the paddlefish season singled out one particular fish. “We got a lot of comments saying that people wanted to harvest Asian carp — an invasive species — so we should utilize that resource as well, so we opened up the harvest for them.” Hupfeld says.

Paddlefish feed on plankton at the bottom of the river and are caught by snagging them on a treble hook. Asian carp are caught on the same hooks and now they can be kept. Hupfeld says it should be a positive thing. “Asian carp are having a lot of negative impacts on our fish populations, especially with paddlefish because they are feeding on the same food resource,” Hupfeld says.

He says allowing the taking of the Asian carp in the paddlefish season could help cut their populations. “If we can promote harvest on Asian carp and reduce their numbers and hopefully create a commercial market for them then we can hopefully manage their populations to a certain extent,” Hupfeld says. “Asian carp is actually very good to eat, so I would suggest anglers get out there and harvest some of these fish and try them.”

You have until January 7th to buy a paddlefishing license. The season on the Big Sioux and Missouri River opens February 4th and runs through April 30th. A resident paddlefish license sells for 22 dollars and you must have a valid Iowa fishing license to buy the special license.

(Radio Iowa)

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast w/Jim Field.

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Michigan drained eight three pointers in the opening half and used a 22-4 run to take control in a 75-68 win at Iowa. It snapped a five game losing streak to the Hawkeyes as the Wolverines claimed a rare victory in Iowa City. The Wolverines shot 62 percent in the opening half and for the game were 11 of 25 from three point range. Iowa coach Fran McCaffery says the Hawkeyes dug themselves too big of a hole in the opening half.

Iowa trailed by as many as 18 points in falling to 0-3 in the Big Ten. Sophomore Tyler Cook led Iowa with 29 points and eight rebounds. The Hawkeyes host Ohio State on Thursday night.

(Learfield Sports)

Two teams off to unbeaten starts in Missouri Valley Conference play collide in the Knapp Center when Drake hosts Illinois State, tonight (Wednesday). The Bulldogs are considered a surprise at 2-0 while the Redbirds are the defending Valley champs. Drake coach Niko Medved feels a tough non conference schedule got his team ready for the league race.

(Learfield Sports)

Boys Basketball

Hawkeye Ten Conference

Atlantic 66, Harlan 52
Glenwood 79, Clarinda 23
St. Albert 74, Kuemper Catholic 72

Rolling Valley Conference

Ar-We-Va 73, West Harrison 42
Boyer Valley 58, Exira-EHK 45

Other Scores

Lamoni 86, Orient-Macksburg 13
Ogden 83, Panorama 78
Van Meter 88, AC/GC 33

Girls Basketball

Hawkeye Ten Conference

Harlan 48, Atlantic 29
Glenwood 82, Clarinda 36
Kuemper Catholic, Carroll 75, St. Albert, Council Bluffs 56

Rolling Valley Conference

Ar-We-Va 62, West Harrison 42
Boyer Valley 47, Exira-EHK 46 (Snaps Spartans’ 57-game conference winning streak)

Other Scores

Lamoni 42, Orient-Macksburg 26
Van Meter 59, AC/GC 44

Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Zavier Simpson and Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman each scored 15 points and Michigan beat host Iowa 75-68, extending its winning streak to six games. Charles Matthews scored 14 points and Isaiah Livers had 13 for the Wolverines (13-3, 2-1 Big Ten), who won in Iowa City for the first time since 2011.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith could be playing for his legacy in the playoffs this season. His future in Kansas City is uncertain, even after the best season of his 13-year professional career. But a win over the Titans on Saturday would go a long way toward ensuring he is never forgotten.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs put wide receiver De’Anthony Thomas and running back Akeem Hunt on injured reserve and added wide receiver Marcus Kemp and running back C.J. Spiller to the roster ahead of the playoff game against Tennessee. Thomas and Hunt were hurt against Denver over the weekend. Kemp has been on the practice squad and Spiller has been on and off the roster since the offseason.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Bill Snyder will return next season for his 27th with Kansas State. The 78-year-old coach had been mulling his future since the Wildcats beat UCLA in the Cactus Bowl last week. Snyder ultimately announced in a brief statement that he would return, ending growing speculation in some circles that he might retire for a second time. Snyder informed his family of his intentions before telling his assistants in a brief meeting, a person familiar with the process told The Associated Press.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Keenan Evans scored 15 points, Norense Odiase and Justin Gray had 12 apiece, and No. 18 Texas Tech never trailed in beating No. 10 Kansas 85-73.

ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — Glynn Watson Jr. scored 19 points and Nebraska took control down the stretch to beat Northwestern 70-55. James Palmer Jr. added 18 points, 15 in the second half, Isaac Copeland scored 13, and the Cornhuskers (11-5, 2-1 Big Ten) won their fourth straight.

Quad at Logan-Magnolia

Atlantic 48, OA-BCIG 33
Atlantic 66, Woodbine 15
Logan-Magnolia 46, Atlantic 27
Logan-Magnolia 51, OA-BCIG 30
Logan-Magnolia 63, Woodbine 12
OA-BCIG 43, Woodbine 42

Atlantic 3x winers: Joe Weaver (106), Chase McLaren (132), Tanner Williamson (138), John McConkey (285)

The Atlantic Trojans boys basketball team opened up the second half of the season with a big home win over the Harlan Cyclones 66-52. Atlantic was led by 17 points from Austin Alexander, 15 coming in the first half. Scott Leonard had 16, Jaxson Eden had 11, Chase Mullenix and Logan Reilly both had 9 for the Trojans.

Atlantic jumped out to an early 10-0 lead to start the game and then led by as many as 15 in the first quarter. Harlan rallied back in the second and actually took a two point lead at 27-25 but Austin Alexander grabbed the lead right back for Atlantic with a three on their next possession and the Trojans would lead the rest of the way. Atlantic lead 34-30 at half and then pushed the lead to 10 by the end of the third 50-40. The Trojans then got a couple of big buckets from Logan Reilly to start the fourth quarter and made plays down the stretch to hang on for the win.

Atlantic Head Coach Alan Jenkins was proud of the way multiple guys stepped up in the big moments in the game.

Coach Jenkins was also proud of the composure his team showed after losing the early lead and then regaining it before the end of the first half.

With the win Atlantic improves to 5-4 on the season and will next host Denison-Schleswig on Friday.

Harlan was led in the loss by Logan Klaassen with 15 points all on first half three point makes. Shane Chamberlain finished with 13 on the night. The Cyclones suffer their first loss of the season and are now 6-1. They next travel to St. Albert on Friday night.