IRVING, Texas – The Big 12 football coaches announced their All-Big 12 teams this morning, and 22 Cyclones received postseason honors for their performance on the field in 2020.

Iowa State had a historic season. The Cyclones claimed first place in the Big 12 regular-season standings and earned a spot in the Big 12 Championship for the first time in school history.

ISU also set school marks for conference wins in a season (8) and highest ranking in any poll (No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings).

Of the 22 Cyclone players, nine of them were All-Big 12 First Team selections, the most in the league and the highest total in school history.

The Cyclones had a slew of individual award winners. Breece Hall was the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year and Mike Rose was the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Matt Campbell was the Chuck Neinas Big 12 Coach of the Year for the third time in the last four years and newcomers Xavier Hutchinson (Offensive Newcomer of the Year) and Isheem Young (Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year) were honored.

Junior Brock Purdy (QB), sophomore Breece Hall (RB), junior Xavier Hutchinson (WR), junior Charlie Kolar (TE), junior Colin Newell (OL), senior JaQuan Bailey (DE), sophomore Will McDonald (DE), junior Mike Rose (LB) and senior Greg Eisworth II (DB) were named All-Big 12 First Team, while senior Chase Allen (TE) and junior Derek Schweiger (OL) were second-teamers.

The following Cyclones made All-Big 12 Honorable Mention: Latrell Bankston (DL), Jake Hummel (LB), Anthony Johnson Jr. (DB), Tayvonn Kyle (DB), Isaiah Lee (DL), Kene Nwangwu (KR), Darrell Simmons (OL), Dylan Soehner (TE), Eyioma Uwazurike (DL) and Rory Walling (ST).

Purdy is the first Cyclone QB to earn first team all-league honors since John Quinn in 1981. The leader of the potent Cyclone offense, Purdy is the winningest QB in school history with 22 victories.

Purdy, who is third in the league in passing touchdowns with 17, has been elite down the stretch for the Cyclones, passing for 903 yards on 70-of-91 passing (76.9%) with 10 touchdowns in the last 14 quarters.

Hall was the biggest offensive threat in the Big 12 and one of the most lethal in the country while becoming the second Cyclone in school history to win the league’s top offensive player award (Troy Davis in 1996).

The Wichita, Kan., native leads the nation in rushing yards (1,357) and 100-yard rushing games (8).

Hall, a Maxwell and Doak Walker Award semifinalist, has rushed for over 90 yards and scored at least one touchdown in all 10 contests, scoring 114 points to rank third on ISU’s single-season list. His 19 touchdowns on the season is third nationally and second in school history.

Hutchinson made an incredible transition from junior college by emerging as one of the top receivers and the best offensive newcomer in the Big 12.

The Jacksonville, Fla., native led the Cyclones in receptions (50) and receiving yards (612), ranking second in the Big 12 in catches per game (5.0) and third in receiving yards per game (61.2).

Hutchinson was also second on the team in touchdown catches with four.

Hutchinson caught a pass in all 10 games, including three games with eight or more snares. He went over the 80-yard mark four times, including a career-high 111 receiving yards vs. Kansas State.

Kolar was a repeat recipient on the first team, joining Ennis Haywood, A.J. Klein, Allen Lazard and Greg Eisworth as the only Cyclones in school history to be an All-Big 12 first-teamer multiple times.

A native of Norman, Okla., Kolar led all Big 12 tight ends in receptions (33), receiving yards (446) and touchdown catches (five), ranking in the top-10 nationally among tight ends in all three categories.

Kolar, a Mackey Award semifinalist, has the most receptions by a tight end in school history (95) and his 15 career touchdown grabs ties for fourth on the Cyclone record lists.

Newell was the leader of ISU’s strong offensive line, a unit that is a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award, given annually to the nation’s best offensive line.

The hometown product of Ames has started all 10 games at center, directing the Cyclone offense to one of their most productive seasons in school history. ISU is on pace to set school records in points per game (34.0) and total offense (441.7).

The Rimington Trophy nominee has paved holes for the nation’s leading rusher (Hall) and aided in protecting All-Big 12 QB Purdy, who has been sacked the fewest in the league (10) to rank ninth nationally.

Bailey wrapped up his phenomenal Cyclone career as ISU’s all-time leader in sacks (25.5) and tackles for loss (44.5). He has 47 starts in his career, tying for the fourth-best total in the history of the program.

A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Bailey led the Cyclones in TFL (13.0), ranking third in the league, and was second in sacks (7.0), the fourth-best total in the Big 12. His 3.5-sack and 4.0-TFL effort vs. TCU tied single-game school marks in both categories and earned him Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week kudos.

McDonald proved to be one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12 in 2020, tying for first in the Big 12 and fifth nationally with 8.5 sacks. His sack total set a new Cyclone season standard.

The Pewaukee, Wis., native, who was second on the team with 11.0 TFL, had a sack in seven of 10 games this season and has 13.5 sacks in the last 14 games dating back to last season.

Rose was the lynchpin of an outstanding Cyclone defense, leading the team in tackles (81), interceptions (4) and QB hurries (4) to become the second Cyclone to receive the league’s best defensive player award (A.J. Klein in 2011).

Rose, who is fourth in the Big 12 in tackles per game (8.1), leads the Big 12, is tied for fifth nationally and is tied for first among FBS linebackers with four interceptions.

The Brecksville, Ohio native has 10.0 TFL on the season and was responsible for securing a pair of victories with interceptions late in the fourth quarter.

Eisworth, the two-time team captain and leader in the Cyclone secondary, is the first Cyclone in school history earn All-Big 12 First Team accolades three times. The last Cyclone to be a three-time first-teamer was punt returner James McMillion (Big Eight) from 1991-93.

Eisworth, who has 31 career starts, has 41 tackles, four PBU and one interception on the season.

The Grand Prairie, Texas native has tallied nearly 200 tackles, has 9.0 TFL and three interceptions in his incredible Cyclone career.

IRVING, Texas – Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell is the most successful coach in the modern era of Iowa State football (1928-present). His school-best 55.7 percent career winning percentage (34-27) affirms this.

Campbell started his rebuilding project for the Cyclone program in 2016, piecing together four-straight winning seasons for the first time in the modern era.

However, it was his efforts during the 2020 campaign that has solidified him as one of the top coaches in the nation, and the Big 12 Conference noted his work this afternoon by naming him its 2020 Chuck Neinas Big 12 Coach of the Year.

It marks the third time in his Cyclone coaching career he’s received the award: 2017 (Big 12 Coach of the Year) and 2018 (Big 12 Co-Coach of the Year).

Campbell has elevated the Cyclone football program to unprecedented heights. His 2020 team became the first team in school history to claim sole possession of first place in the final conference regular-season standings, compiling a school-record eight league wins (8-1) in the rugged Big 12 Conference.

Iowa State will now compete in its first-ever Big 12 Championship Game on Saturday, facing No. 12 Oklahoma to vie for its first conference title since 1912.

There were many firsts in 2020 behind Campbell’s efforts. The Cyclones reached their highest ranking in any poll in school history (No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings) and rattled off five-straight wins over league opponents for just the second time in program history.

Campbell, who became the only coach in school history to defeat Oklahoma and Texas in the same season, relied on a special group of seniors who will leave Ames as the winningest class in school history (31 victories).

The Cyclones played as a ranked team a school-record nine times in 2020 thanks to a balanced effort from the offense and defense. The Cyclones are on pace to set a school record for points per game (34.0) and the defense ranks in the top-three in scoring defense (2^nd– 21.3) for the fourth-straight season.

Campbell continued his success against the nation’s best. The Cyclones defeated two ranked teams (Oklahoma, Texas) to give Campbell eight wins over rated teams since 2017.

Campbell is the only coach in school history with an above-.500 record vs. conference competition, owning a 26-19 record vs. Big 12 teams, just one win shy from the school record in victories over league teams.

The Audubon Wheelers will host the Boyer Valley Bulldogs for a varsity basketball doubleheader tonight and we’ll have coverage on KJAN.

The girls game matches the 1-5 Bulldogs against the 1-4 Wheelers. Aleah Hermensen has averaged 15 points for the Wheelers and Jaci Christensen has dropped in 14 points per outing. Boyer Valley has been led by 15 points per game from Katelyn Nielsen.

The boys game matches a 5-0 Bulldogs team against the 0-5 Wheelers. Gavin Reineke has dropped in 13.4 points per game and Jaiden TenEyck has scored 11.4 per outing for BV. Audubon’s leading scorer is sophomore Carson Bauer at 9.7 points per game and Ethan Klocke has averaged 9 per game.

Catch the action on AM 1220, FM 101.1, and audio online at kjan.com Chris Parks has the call starting at 5:50 p.m. with the girls set to start at 6:00 p.m. with the boys to follow.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State head football coach Matt Campbell has preached the importance of identifying players who will have success transitioning into its established “five-star culture.”

Campbell is certain he found the right fit of players to continue the favorable upward trend of Cyclone football with the announcement of the early signees of the 2021 class today.

“Our program is thrilled to welcome the 2021 recruiting class to Cyclone football,” Campbell said. “This is a group that number one, fits the culture we have created inside of our walls. We truly believe you win with people, and this is a group that embodies the characteristics which have allowed us to find success at Iowa State. In addition to the character of this recruiting class, I couldn’t be more proud of how this group has approached academic success, as they have collectively shown a commitment to reaching their full potential in the classroom.”

Since Campbell took over the reins of the program prior to the 2016 season, Iowa State has dramatically improved its recruiting. The 2021 recruiting class is ranked 45th nationally by Rivals and No. 51 by 247Sports. Iowa State’s composite ranking by 247Sports is 84.79, one of the highest totals in school history.

Big out-of-state pickups in this class are DB Malik Verdon (Hamilton, Ohio) and WR Jaylin Noel (Kansas City, Mo.), who both had a number of “power five” offers. Noel tallied over 1,000 yards receiving on 68 receptions while earning all-state accolades. Verdon, who played quarterback, wide receiver and defensive back, was rated as the 12th-best athlete nationally by Rivals.

Campbell signed five Iowans in this class in OL Jim Bonifas (Dubuque), OL Tyler Maro (Davenport), TE Tyler Moore (Johnston), Joey Petersen (Long Grove) and Dodge Sauser (Grinnell).

Bonifas and Maro were both Des Moines Register Elite Team All-State members and top-75 offensive tackles nationally by 247Sports. Moore is a four-star recruit and the No. 13 tight end nationally according to 247Sports.

“This is an extremely talented group, who will help fill needs across every position group both in the immediate as well as the future,” Campbell added. “Lastly, this is a group that has had great competitive success, on the football field as well as in other sports. As a whole, I am proud of the group we have put together, and truly grateful for their belief in Iowa State football.”

Signed National Letters of Intent

Name                                 Ht.             Wt.      Yr.        Pos.                                          Hometown

Jim Bonifas                        6-5             267     Fr.        OL             Dubuque, Iowa (Senior)

    Des Moines Register Elite Team member and first-team all-state selection in 2020; a top-70 OT nationally by 247Sports/Rivals.

*Howard Brown                 6-2             305     Fr.        DL             Kansas City, Mo. (Lincoln College Prep)

    Considered a top-30 DT nationally by 247Sports; played QB in H.S., accumulating over 7,000 yards of total offense.

Beau Freyler                      6-2             205     Fr.        DB             Colorado Springs, Colo. (Pine Creek)

    Two-time all-state pick; 53rd-best safety nationally by 247Sports; led team to 2019 state title with 73 tackles and three picks.

Jayden Gray                      6-3             235     Fr.        DE             Haslet, Texas (V. R. Eaton)

    Two-time all-district pick and Dallas Morning News top-100 member; posted over 100 tackles in his final two seasons.

*Ben Langston                    6-2             195      So.       DB             The Woodlands, Texas (The Woodlands/Blinn JC)

    No. 1 safety and 33rd-best JC player nationally according to 247Sports; all-conference in 2019 with 52 tackles & four picks.

Tyler Maro                         6-7             260     Fr.        OL                                          Davenport, Iowa (Assumption)

    Top-50 OT nationally and top-10 player in Iowa by Rivals; Des Moines Register Elite Team member in 2020; had 38 offers. 

Carston Marshall               6-3             205     Fr.        LB                                          Wadsworth, Ohio (Wadsworth)

    Two-time All-Suburban League pick; recorded 133 tackles, 16.0 TFL and seven sacks in last two seasons as a prep.

Myles Mendeszoon           6-4             200     Fr.        LB             Chardon, Ohio (Chardon)

    Three-star recruit by 247Sports; a top-60 WDE nationally by 247Sports; had 60 tackles to lead team to state title (12-0).

*Tristan Michaud               6-6             200     Fr.        WR            Quebec City, Quebec (Courvilloise)

    Three-star recruit by 247Sports and Rivals; a top-150 WR nationally by 247Sports.

*Tyler Moore                      6-5             243     Fr.        TE             Des Moines, Iowa (Johnston)

    Four-star recruit by 247Sports; No. 6 player in Iowa and No. 13 tight end nationally by 247Sports; first-team all-state in 2020.

*Jaylin Noel                       5-10           175     Fr.        WR            Kansas City, Mo. (Park Hill)

    No. 8 player in Missouri and 87th-best WR nationally by 247Sports; all-stater in 2020 with 68 catches, 1,005 yards and 10 TDs.

Tyler Onyedim                   6-4             280     Fr.        DT                                          Richmond, Texas (Foster)

    Three-star recruit and ranked as the 74th-best DT nationally by 247Sports; tallied 63 tackles and 21.0 TFL as a senior.

Joey Petersen                   6-4             210     Fr.        DE             Long Grove, Iowa (North Scott)

    First-team all-state selection by the Des Moines Register and IPSWA; led team to state title in 2020 with 47.5 tackles & 13.0 TFL.

Myles Purchase                 5-11           180     Fr.        DB             Denver, Colo. (Cherry Creek)

    Three-time all-state selection; led team to state titles in 2019 & 2020; Colorado Class 5A Player of the Year in 2020.

Aidan Ralph                       6-3             215     Fr.        LB             Chicago, Ill. (De La Salle)

    Named to the All-Chicago Catholic League as a junior, posting 84 tackles and 14.0 TFL; top-120 LB nationally by 247Sports.

*Dodge Sauser                  6-5             280     Fr.        OL             Grinnell, Iowa (Grinnell)

    First-team all-state by the Des Moines Register and IPSWA in 2020; two-time all-district pick; top-20 player in Iowa.

*Deon Silas                       5-8             175     Fr.        RB             Lutz, Fla. (Steinbrenner)

    Set career school records in all-purpose and return yards; recorded 55 touchdowns in his career; three-time all-county selection.

*Malik Verdon                    6-4             205     Fr.        DB             Hamilton, Ohio (Hamilton)

    Rated as the 12th-best athlete nationally and player in Ohio by Rivals; all-city and all-conference selection.

The Iowa Hawkeye football program signed 17 recruits for the class of 2021 on National Signing Day on Wednesday. Here is the list of signees for the Hawkeyes.

Name Pos. Ht. Wt. Yr. Hometown High School Pronunciation
Jeff Bowie DL 6-5 245 Fr. West Branch, Iowa West Branch BO-ee
Brody Brecht WR 6-4 205 Fr. Ankeny, Iowa Ankeny BRECK-t
Arland Bruce IV WR 5-10 195 Fr. Olathe, Kan. Ankeny/Olathe North
Connor Colby OL 6-6 295 Fr. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Kennedy
David Davidkov OL 6-6 295 Fr. Glenview, Ill. New Trier David-cough
Cooper DeJean DB 6-1 205 Fr. Odebolt, Iowa OA-BCIG DEE-jean
Gennings Dunker OL 6-5 290 Fr. Lena, Ill. Lena-Winslow Jennings
Jaden Harrell LB 6-2 230 Fr. Urbandale, Iowa Urbandale (HAIR-uhl)
Keagan Johnson WR 6-1 190 Fr. Bellevue, Neb. Bellevue West
Joey Labas QB 6-4 200 Fr. Brecksville, Ohio Brecksville-Broadview Hts. LAY-bus
Griffin Liddle DL 6-3 275 Fr. Bettendorf, Iowa Bettendorf little
Max Llewellyn DL 6-5 245 Fr. Urbandale, Iowa Urbandale lou-WELL-un
Jeremiah Pittman DL 6-3 265 Fr. Palatine, Ill. St. Viator
Karson Sharar LB 6-2 200 Fr. Iowa Falls, Iowa Iowa Falls-Alden SHIRE
Beau Stephens OL 6-6 300 Fr. Blue Springs, Mo. Blue Springs
Justice Sullivan LB 6-2 225 Fr. Eden Prairie, Minn. Eden Prairie
Zach Twedt LB 6-3 220 Fr. Story City, Iowa Roland-Story tweet

IOWA CITY, Iowa – University of Iowa junior defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon has been named the Big Ten Conference Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year. The announcement was made by the Big Ten Conference on Wednesday.

Special teams honors will be announced Thursday.

Nixon becomes the first ever Hawkeye to earn defensive player of the year and defensive lineman of the year in the Big Ten in the same season. Iowa’s last Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year was Josey Jewell in 2017. Mitch King (2008) was the last Hawkeye to win Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year.

Nixon and senior defensive end Chauncey Golston garnered first-team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches and media.

Senior defensive lineman Zach VanValkenburg (coaches & media) and junior defensive back Jack Koerner (media) were second-team All-Big Ten selections.

Koerner was named third-team All-Big Ten by league coaches, along with senior linebacker Nick Niemann. Niemann was also an honorable mention selection by media.

Four additional Hawkeyes earned honorable mention on defense: sophomore defensive back Dane Belton (coaches & media), junior defensive back Riley Moss (coaches & media), sophomore linebacker Seth Benson (media), and senior Matt Hankins (media).

Iowa’s nine All-Big Ten defensive honorees helped lead a defense that ranked second in the conference in total defense (313.8), third in scoring defense (16.0) and rushing defense (107.6), and fourth in pass defense (206.1).

Nixon, a Kenosha, Wisconsin, native earns his first career postseason honors. Nixon is tied with Golston for the Big Ten lead with 5.5 sacks, and Nixon leads the conference with 13.5 tackles for loss. Nixon is a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award, and a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and Bednarik Award.

Golston, a Detroit, Michigan, native, earns his second career postseason nod after being an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection by league coaches and media last season. Golston’s 8.5 tackles for loss is tied for sixth in the conference with VanValkenburg. Golston is one of 24 semifinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy.

Nixon and Golston led an Iowa defense that ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks (22.0) and tackles for loss (52.0). The two each have 45 tackles and an interception to their name this season.

VanValkenburg, who was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his three-sack performance in Iowa’s win over Minnesota, earns his first career postseason nod. A Zeeland, Michigan, native, VanValkenburg’s 3.5 sacks is third on the team and his 8.5 TFLs are tied for sixth-best in the Big Ten. VanValkenburg shares the national lead with four fumble recoveries.

Koerner, a Des Moines, Iowa, native, earns his first career postseason honor. In his second year starting at free safety, Koerner racked up the third-most tackles (45) on the team, including 13 tackles in Week 1 to tie a career high. Koerner’s three interceptions tie for the fifth most in the conference.

Niemann, a native of Sycamore, Illinois, earns his first career postseason honor. Niemann recorded a team-high 77 tackles – second most in the Big Ten. Niemann racked up a career-high 17 tackles in Iowa’s win at Penn State.

Iowa’s final four honorable mentions – Belton, Moss, Benson, Hankins – all earned their first career postseason recognition from the conference.

Belton, a Tampa, Florida, native, tallied 33 tackles in eight starts. His five pass break-ups tied for the team high this season.

Moss, from Ankeny, Iowa, recorded two interceptions, including an interception returned 54 yards for a touchdown against Michigan State. His 43 tackles ranked sixth on the team.

In seven starts, Benson, a Sioux Falls, South Dakota, native, ranked second on the team with 47 tackles. Benson led the team in tackles in three games this season.

Hankins, a Lewisville, Texas, native tied for the team lead with five pass break ups this season. He recorded 41 tackles and one interception.

Iowa’s game against Michigan on Saturday has been canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Michigan football program. The Hawkeyes will learn their postseason bowl destination on Sunday, Dec. 20.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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(By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer) – The game of the weekend in the Big Ten, and nation, pits No. 3 Iowa against top-ranked Gonzaga of the West Coast Conference. The game is set for Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Iowa and Gonzaga are the top two teams in the Kenpom.com offensive rankings. Iowa’s Luka Garza will go against Drew Timme in a matchup of the nation’s top two big men. The Zags haven’t played since Dec. 2 because of COVID-19 issues.

Iowa center Luka Garza reacts after making a 3-point basket during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Iowa State, Friday, Dec. 11, 2020, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 105-77. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

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

UNDATED (AP) — The game of the weekend in the Big Ten, and nation, pits No. 3 Iowa against top-ranked Gonzaga of the West Coast Conference. The game is set for Saturday in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Iowa and Gonzaga are the top two teams in the Kenpom.com offensive rankings. Iowa’s Luka Garza will go against Drew Timme in a matchup of the nation’s top two big men. The Zags haven’t played since Dec. 2 because of COVID-19 issues.

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — McKinley Wright IV had 17 points and eight assists and Colorado never trailed in its 91-49 win over Omaha. Wright made 6 of 8 from the field, grabbed five rebounds and did not commit a turnover. Freshman Jabari Walker had season highs with 15 points and nine rebounds, Dallas Walton scored 14 points and D’Shawn Schwartz added 11 for Colorado (4-1). The Buffaloes made six of their first seven shots to take a 15-4 lead when Wright hit a 3-pointer less than four minutes into the game and a 14-0 run made it 32-9 with 8:48 left in the first half. La’Mel Robinson led Omaha (2-6) with 11 points.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The full value of Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu isn’t realized until you see him interacting with teammates in the locker room, on the practice field and during pre-game stretching. It’s at that point you notice his upbeat personality, his never-good-enough attitude and his raw desire to be the best at his position, which seems to spread like a contagion to everybody else on the team. That said, he’s fairly good at intercepting passes and sacking the quarterback, too.

UNDATED (AP) — The Buffalo Bills can clinch the AFC East for the first time since 1995 with a win on Saturday or a loss by the Dolphins on Sunday. The Pittsburgh Steelers can wrap up the AFC North with a victory on Monday night or a loss by Cleveland on Sunday night. And the New Orleans can clinch the NFC South with a victory against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs or a Tampa Bay loss at Atlanta.

The 7:20-a.m. Sportscast with Jim Field.

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