An Iowa defense that ranks sixth nationally by giving up less than 15 points per game faces a big challenge in Wednesday’s ReliaQuest Bowl against 14th ranked Vanderbilt. Led by Heisman Trophy finalist Diego Pavia at quarterback, the Commodores are averaging more than 39 points per game in posting a 10-2 record. Pavia has passed for nearly 32 hundred yards and has also added more than 800 yards of rushing.

That’s Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, who says Pavia is at his best when he scrambles.

Ferentz says the trick for the defense will be getting pressure on Pavia without giving up big plays.

Iowa middle linebacker Jayden Montgomery says Pavia has the ability to dominate a game.

Montgomery says Pavia’s ability to run makes him extra dangerous.

Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa on the challenge Pavia will provide…*

The 23rd ranked Hawkeyes are 8-4.

The 14th ranked Iowa Hawkeye women used a 16-0 first quarter run to take command and beat Penn State 99-76 in Iowa City. Sophomore center Ava Heiden had a career-high 27 while point guard Chit Chat Wright had 12 of her 16 points in the opening quarter.

The Hawkeyes put the game away in the third quarter and led by as many 25 points in the second half as they move to 2-0 in the Big Ten and 11-2 overall.

That’s Iowa coach Jan Jensen.

Iowa return specialist Kaden Wetjen has gone from walk-on to consensus All-American. The native of Williamsburg will play his final game in a Hawkeye uniform on New Year’s Even against 14th ranked Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl. He leads the nation with 965 return yards this season.

Wetjen was hoping to have an impact after transferring from Iowa Western Community College.

Wetjen says it was his second season with the Hawkeyes that served as a breakthrough.

The third ranked Iowa State men close out non-conference play at home on Monday night by hosting Houston Christian. The Cyclones are 12-0 and coach T.J. Otzelberger says this is a good time of year to focus on improvement.

Otzelberger says while happy with the start the Cyclones know the road ahead will get tougher.

Houston Christian is 5-7 and Craig Doty is in his second season leading the Huskies. Doty led Graceland to an NAIA national title in 2018.

The 25th ranked Iowa Hawkeye men close out non-conference action with a Monday afternoon game at home against UMass-Lowell. Iowa coach Ben McCollum says after a short holiday break the Hawkeyes returned to practice on Friday.

Iowa is 10-2. UMass-Lowell enters the game with a record of 5-9.

McCollum was asked if the non-conference schedule has helped his team.

It will be a four o’clock tip off in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

The third ranked Iowa State men returned to the practice floor after the Christmas break. The Cyclones have their final pre-conference tune up on Monday night when they host Houston Christian.

That’s Cyclone coach T.J. Otzelberger, who feels the time off was good for the players.

Otzelberger says while happy with their 12-0 start they know the challenges will get tougher with Big-12 play approaching.

Iowa State junior center Audi Crooks went into the Christmas break as the nation’s leading scorer. Crooks is averaging nearly 29 points per game for a 10th ranked Cyclone team that is 13-0. Crooks is second in the nation in field goal percentage at nearly 72 percent.

That’s ISU coach Bill Fennelly, who says Crooks is a match-up nightmare.

The Cyclones return to action on New Year’s Eve at Houston.

The Southwest Valley Girls Basketball team is 7-2 to begin the 2025-2026 season. The Timberwolves have won four of their last five games and Head Coach Mike Cormack believes the early success has been an all-around team effort.

Southwest Valley hasn’t allowed more than 40 points in each of their seven wins. Cormack gives credit to his assistants for the stifling defense.

On the offensive side of the ball, Senior Hailey Randall leads the way for the Timberwolves averaging 22.5 points a game, ranking second in the Pride of Iowa Conference. Southwest Valley returns to the floor Tuesday, January 6th in a home game against Nodaway Valley.

Sophomore Isaia Howard is providing energy off the bench for a 25th ranked Iowa team that is 10-2. The sophomore is a transfer from Drake and is averaging seven points per game and is second on the team in steals.

That’s Iowa coach Ben McCollum. He says Howard is one of the reasons the Hawkeyes continue to make strides at the defensive end of the court.

Howard tries to bring a disruptive element on defense.

The Hawkeyes return to action on Monday by hosting UMass-Lowell

Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz believes The Hawkeyes’ next starting quarterback is already on campus. Iowa’s last two starters, Mark Gronowski and Cade McNamara, were acquired via the transfer portal. Hank Brown has appeared in three games this season after transferring from Auburn and Jeremy Hecklinski has appeared in two games after starting his career at Wake Forest.

Ferentz does not feel the Hawkeyes will be in the market for a starting quarterback when the portal opens next month.

The 23rd ranked Hawkeyes leave for Tampa on Friday to continue preparations for the ReliaQuest Bowl against 14th ranked Vanderbilt on New Years Eve.