Tuesday August 15th Local Sports

TONIGHT:
AM-1300 KGLO — Minnesota Twins vs. Detroit — pre-game 6:00, first pitch 6:40

 

 

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — New Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara wants complete command of the offense, right down to how the Hawkeyes break a huddle.

McNamara has yet to take a snap for the Hawkeyes in a game, but the Michigan transfer is the key to reviving one of the nation’s worst offenses. Iowa won eight games despite being 129th in total offense, 123rd in rushing and 122nd in passing and scoring.

McNamara takes over for three-year starter Spencer Petras, who completed just 55.9% of his passes last season with five touchdowns and five interceptions.

Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, more than anybody, is counting on McNamara to produce. The son of head coach Kirk Ferentz took a pay cut from $900,000 to $850,000 and his two-year rollover was put on hold as part of a contract amendment in February.

If Iowa wins seven games and increases its scoring average to 25 points — points by the defense and special teams included — he’ll be paid a lump sum of $112,500, have his salary raised to $925,000 and go back to having a two-year rolling contract.

McNamara left a scrimmage Saturday with what was described as a soft-tissue injury to his right leg. Kirk Ferentz said he didn’t think the injury was serious.

Iowa was ranked 25th in the pre-season Associated Press football poll that was released on Monday.

 

 

 

AMES — Iowa State hopes improved special teams will help the Cyclones bounce back this season. Those units struggled during a 4-8 season and ISU ranked last in the Big 12 in field goals and kickoff returns. Running backs coach Jordan Langs is also serving as special teams coordinator.

Langs says special teams want to be a positive factor this season.

Langs says mistakes on special teams can be the difference between winning and losing.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell has said the Cyclones need to win in the margins and special teams plays can be the difference.

Campbell says about 17% of plays in a game are special teams and mistakes are magnified.

The Cyclones open at home on September 2nd against Northern Iowa.

 

 

 

 

CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa football team is hoping for a return to the FCS playoffs this season and the return of quarterback Theo Day is a major factor. The Michigan State transfer is entering his third season as a starter and has passed for more than 5400 yards and 42 touchdowns as a Panther.

That’s Panther coach Mark Farley who says Day may be the most talented quarterback he has coached during his tenure.

Farley says Day has taken on even more of a leadership role.

UNI opens on September 2nd at Iowa State.

 

 

 

 

NEW YORK (AP) — A person with knowledge of the deal says the New York Jets agreed to terms on a one-year contract with former Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook on Monday, according to a person with knowledge of the deal. The 28-year-old Cook joins a revamped Jets offense led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers and coordinator Nathaniel Hackett. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team hadn’t announced the agreement. NFL Network and ESPN first reported the deal is worth up to $8.6 million. Cook has run for at least 1,000 yards in each of the past four seasons, but was released by the Vikings on June 8 for salary cap savings.

 

 

 

BARCELONA — The Iowa men’s basketball team closed a foreign trip with a 106-79 win over the Barcelona All-Stars on Monday. Peyton Sandfort led the way with 16 points and 14 rebounds and the Hawkeyes took control by outscoring the All-Stars 28-11 in the third quarter after trailing by four at halftime.

That’s Iowa coach Fran McCaffery who says the defense was better in the second half.

Iowa finished 3-0 on the trip.