IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior defensive tackle Aaron Graves is one of five finalists for the Pop Warner College Football Award. The announcement was made Tuesday by Pop Warner Little Scholars, the nation’s preeminent youth football organization.

Other finalists include Tanner Wall (BYU), Jalon Daniels (Kansas), Josh Kattis (Kentucky) and Adam Randall (Clemson).

The Pop Warner Award was established in 2010 and honors a player who has made a positive impact on the field, in the classroom, and in the community, and who serves as a role model to Pop Warner’s young student-athletes.

Graves has been a dominant defensive force and exceptional scholar-athlete, recording 34 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception through 11 games. The team captain graduated with highest distinction in 2024 after completing his bachelor’s degree in exercise science in just two years with a 4.03 GPA, and is on track to complete his master’s degree in sport and recreation management in December.

Graves is a two-time CSC Academic All-District honoree, a 2024 second-team Academic All-American and a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar. He has helped Iowa advance to three bowl games, including the 2022 Music City Bowl victory, and a Big Ten Championship Game appearance in 2023. His volunteer work includes service with Filter of Hope, Safe Haven Animal Shelter, Athletes in Action, Day of Caring and CommUnity Crisis Services & Food Bank.

“We all love watching these young men compete on Saturdays, but what makes them truly special is who they are when the cameras are off,” said Steve Strawbridge, Pop Warner Little Scholars CEO. “Each of these finalists embodies the qualities we hope to inspire in every Pop Warner athlete: commitment to academics, servant leadership, and the drive to make a positive impact in their communities. They represent the very best of college football, not just because of what they accomplish when the stadium lights are on, but because of the integrity, character and compassion they demonstrate away from it.”

The Pop Warner Little Scholars National College Football Award will be announced Dec. 10.

The ACGC Girls Basketball team won their first game of the season Monday night in a 64-35 victory on the road at IKM-Manning. The Chargers led from the very get go and despite being in first half foul trouble, the ACGC showcased their depth with eight different players scoring in the win. The Chargers stifling defensive pressure, ability to get to the free throw line and the traps they forced IKM-Manning into were key aspects in the win. Senior Camdyn Richter’s five first quarter points sparked a 24-9 lead after one. In the second, IKM-Manning forced ACGC into troubling situations, but the Charger resilience kept a double-digit lead at 35-21 into halftime. In the third, it was a defensive battle as ACGC held IKM-Manning to just six third quarter points to go up 41-24 after three. The ACGC reserves played a majority of the fourth quarter and went onto win 64-35.

ACGC came into this season after a tremendous 22-2 year in 2024-2025. The Chargers returned four starters, and it showed early on. The ball movement was lively, and Senior Camdyn Richter led the way with five first quarter points. Richter got into foul trouble early as she picked up two first fouls in the first four minutes. Due to the Richters’ foul trouble, ACGC Head Coach Brad Baudler went to Olivia Mahaffey off the bench pretty quickly. Mahaffey came in and scored eight first half points including two layups on the left block. Becca Littler accounted for two first half three pointers as well.

The second half began as a 35-21 ACGC lead and the Charger defense made life difficult for IKM-Manning. The six points the defense allowed was backed by up five different Chargers scoring in the quarter to give ACGC a 49-21 lead after three. The benches emptied in the fourth as Freshman Jerzee Huss had her first three pointer of her career. ACGC went on to win 64-35. For IKM-Manning, Senior Anna Stangl had 14 points to lead the Wolves.

Head Coach Brad Baudler was thrilled with his team’s performance especially dealing with the foul trouble.

Mahaffey’s impact off the bench was very evident according to Baudler.

The defense stood out especially in the second half.

ACGC continues their season on December 2nd in a home game against West Central Valley while IKM-Manning hosts Tri-Center on the second as well.

Milan Momcilovic scored 23 points as 15th ranked Iowa State edged 14th ranked St. Johns 83-82 at the Players Era Championship in Las Vegas. Momcilovic was five-of-nine from three point range as the Cyclones move to 5-0.

That’s ISU coach T.J. Otzelberger says senior guard Tamin Lipsey is being evaluated for a leg injury after leaving the game in the waning minutes.

The Cyclones play Creighton Tuesday afternoon.

The strength of schedule takes a big jump for the Iowa Hawkeye men as they get ready to play Ole Miss Tuesday night in the Acrisure Classic in Palm Springs, California. The Hawkeye are 5-0.

That’s Iowa coach Ben McCollum. The Hawkeyes will take on either Utah or Grand Canyon on Wednesday night. Iowa entered the week as the nation’s top shooting team and the efficiency will be tested by the Rebels.

Point guard Bennett Stirtz is averaging 18 points and more than six assists per game and his experience should help against Ole Miss and their switching defenses.

McCollum is not concerned about fatigue playing back-to-back days.

Northern Iowa football coach Todd Stepsis says despite the overall record he feels good about the future of the program. The Panthers lost to Youngstown State and finished 3-9 in Stepsis’ first season as head coach.

Stepsis is confident better days are ahead.

One bright spot is the Panthers found their quarterback of the future. Jaxon Dailey started the final four games under center.

Stepsis is in the process of hiring a new strength coach for the program and hopes that helps with durability and team speed.

Nebraska will be in search of a rare win over Iowa when the teams collide in Lincoln on Friday. The Hawkeyes have won nine of the last 10 overall and six straight in Lincoln in a series that has featured some heated moments in recent years.

Rhule on why he has so much respect for Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker.

The Huskers gave up 231 yards of rushing in a 37-10 loss at Penn State and Rhule says the way the Hawkeyes run it is a little bit different.

With a victory the Huskers would finish Rhule’s third season as head coach with a record of 8-4.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen has been named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week following his historic effort in the Hawkeyes’ 20-17 comeback win over Michigan State. The announcement was made Monday by the Big Ten Conference office.

Wetjen finished with 166 combined return yards — his sixth career game with 100+ return yards — and one touchdown against the Spartans. Wetjen’s 147 punt return yards on Saturday moved him past Ramon Ochoa for most career punt return yards (538) in school history. Wetjen’s 17.5 career punt return average (53 returns, 929 yards) is currently No. 1 in Big Ten history.

Wetjen (5-foot-9, 196 pounds) electrified the sold-out Kinnick Stadium crowd with a 62-yard punt return to open the scoring in the first quarter. The return was his fourth of the season (three punt, one kickoff), becoming the first Big Ten player to have at least three punt returns and one kickoff return for a score in the same season. Wetjen’s three punt return touchdowns tie for the second-most in a single season in Big Ten history, joining Michigan’s Gene Derricotte (1947), Iowa’s Tim Dwight (1997) and Nebraska’s De’Mornay Pierson-El (2014).

Saturday’s 62-yard return for a score was Wetjen’s sixth career combined return (four punt, two kickoff) for a touchdown, surpassing Tim Dwight (5) for most in school history. It also marked the third consecutive punt return for a touchdown in Kinnick Stadium against Michigan State: Charlie Jones (2020), Cooper DeJean (2023) and Kaden Wetjen (2025).

Trailing 17-10, Wetjen returned a punt 40 yards to the Michigan State 42-yard line with 2:37 remaining in the fourth quarter. Five plays later, quarterback Mark Gronowski completed a game-tying 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jacob Gill with 1:29 left in the contest.

Wetjen also had a punt return of 45 yards in the first quarter and an 18-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.

This is the third time this season, and fourth time in his career, Wetjen has been honored as Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week.

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) travels to Nebraska (7-4, 4-4) for its regular season finale on Friday. Kickoff is slated for 11:08 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln, Nebraska.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa senior Kaden Wetjen has been named a finalist for the 2025 Jet Award, which honors the most outstanding return specialist in college football. The announcement was made on Monday by the Jet Award Foundation.

The other four finalists are Caullin Lacy (Louisville), Ryan Niblett (Texas), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame) and Vicari Swain (South Carolina).

Wetjen, who was the recipient of the 2024 Jet Award, leads the country in combined return yards (by 231 yards) for a second straight season. He has 894 combined return yards (356 kickoff, 538 punt) through 11 games. Wetjen is No. 1 in the NCAA in punt returns (28.3) and punt return TDs (3) and fourth in kickoff return touchdowns (1). The 28.3 punt return average is currently tops in Big Ten history. The three punt return touchdowns in 2025 tie for third-most in a single season in Big Ten history.

Wetjen, who is a two-time Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week in 2025, is the only player in the nation to have both a kickoff and punt return for a touchdown this season and he was the only player to accomplish the same feat in 2024. He recorded punt returns of 50 (Minnesota), 62 (Michigan State) and 95 (UMass) yards and went untouched on a 100-yard kickoff return at Rutgers. The 95-yard punt return against UMass tied a Big Ten record.

His 538 punt return yards in 2025 are an Iowa record, passing Ramon Ochoa’s 495 in 2003, and are the seventh-most in Big Ten history.

The native of Williamsburg, Iowa, amassed 182 returns yards against UMass on Sept. 13, fourth-most in a single-game in Big Ten history. Wetjen also had a 20-yard rushing touchdown against the Minutemen to become the first Hawkeye to score a rushing, receiving, punt return and kickoff return touchdown in a career.

Wetjen currently has a 17.5 career punt return average (53 returns, 929 yards), tops in Big Ten history, while his 929 career yards are 10th-most in conference history. His six career combined kickoff/punt return scores are an Iowa record, surpassing Tim Dwight after his 62-yard return in Saturday’s comeback win over Michigan State.

The award is named in honor of Heisman Trophy winner and College Football Hall of Famer Johnny “The Jet” Rodgers. The winner of the 2025 Jet Award will be selected by a panel of voters, including media members from the Football Writers Association of America, former recipients of the Jet Award, and two of our founders, Johnny Rodgers and William Reed.

Iowa (7-4, 5-3) returns to action Friday at Nebraska (7-4, 4-4) in the Pioneer Heroes Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:08 a.m. (CT) in Lincoln, Nebraska. The game will be televised on CBS and broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Nebraska and Iowa will meet Friday in Lincoln for the 15th annual Heroes Game, presented by Pioneer Seeds. As part of the rivalry game, citizen heroes were selected from each state, with Ashley De La Cruz-Martin chosen as Nebraska’s Hero and Jayce Koob selected as Iowa’s Hero. Both will be recognized Friday, Nov. 28, at Memorial Stadium.

The Heroes Game was created to honor the rich football traditions of the University of Iowa and the University of Nebraska football programs while also annually honoring community heroes in both states. The 2025 citizen heroes have positively impacted the community and stand as an inspiration to others.

Jayce Koob, a 12-year-old sixth grader from MOC-Floyd Valley Community School District, awoke in the middle of the night to heavy smoke and alarms, but he managed to get out of the burning house.  With no phone and alone, Jayce traveled almost a mile to alert neighbors in rural Sioux county to call for help. The tragedy claimed the lives of three teenagers, but his heroic efforts saved a fourth teen inside the house.

“Jayce Koob exemplifies the very essence of courage and selflessness that we strive to celebrate through the Pioneer Heroes program. His quick thinking and bravery in the face of unimaginable tragedy saved a life and reminds us all of the power of resilience and compassion. We are honored to recognize Jayce as an Iowa Pioneer Hero,” said Beth Goetz, the Henry B. And Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair. “Thank you to Pioneer for shining a light on Jayce’s incredible story and for your continued commitment to honoring true heroes in our communities.”

“Pioneer is incredibly grateful to honor both Ashley and Jayce for their heroic and impactful efforts in our Midwest communities,” said Jeremy Renz, Pioneer Vice President – Sales. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping and honoring farmers throughout the U.S. and we are excited to keep that tradition going by honoring local heroes that live and work in the communities we serve every day. This partnership is one small way we can express our sincere gratitude for those heroes.”

Ashley De La Cruz-Martin, a 16-year-old from Columbus, Nebraska, was on her way into the Pawnee Plunge Water Park in late July, when she witnessed a man collapse in the parking lot. Drawing on her recent CPR training, Ashley immediately recognized the life-threatening situation and began administering CPR until paramedics arrived. Her quick thinking and decisive action saved the gentleman’s life.

“We are proud to recognize the life-saving act by Ashley De La Cruz-Martin and honor her as this year’s Nebraska Pioneer Hero. Ashley’s actions are representative of what this honor entails and make her a true citizen hero,” said Troy Dannen, Nebraska’s Director of Athletics. “The Pioneer Heroes Game reminds us all that life is much bigger than a three-hour football game. We are proud to partner with Pioneer and the University of Iowa each year to continue this great tradition on Thanksgiving weekend.”

Cruz-Martin and Koob will attend the game as special guests of the teams, receive on-field recognition at halftime, and have their names inscribed on the game trophy.

Pioneer, a current partner of both the Nebraska Cornhuskers and Iowa Hawkeyes, is a multi-year title sponsor of the Heroes Game. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Nebraska is overseen by Husker Athletic Partners, a Playfly Sports Property, the university’s athletics multimedia rightsholder. The ongoing relationship between Pioneer and Iowa is overseen by Learfield’s Hawkeye Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based team.

The ACGC Girls Basketball season begins Monday. After coming off a 22-2 season a year ago and a busy summer Head Coach Brad Baudler is excited to begin the season.

The Chargers return four of their five starters from a season ago including Senior Cam Richter who averaged 15 points a game last year. Richter will be a key leader for this year’s team.

Baudler says Richter’s game has really evolved over the summer.

The West Central Conference should be extremely competitive again this year.

ACGC heads to IKM-Manning to begin the season Monday with coverage on both KJAN and KJANTV at 7:20. Tip-off is at 7:30 P.M.