Tuesday October 31st Local Sports

IOWA CITY (AP) — After withstanding years of criticism about nepotism and a floundering and unimaginative offense, Iowa brought clarity to Brian Ferentz’s status on Monday as interim athletic director Beth Goetz announced head coach Kirk Ferentz’s son will be out as offensive coordinator after this season.

The Hawkeyes’ offense has never been prolific in Brian Ferentz’s seven seasons, but the unit has been in a free fall for three years.

The team’s 232.2 yards per game this season ranks last in the Football Bowl Subdivision by far and its scoring average of 19.5 points per game is 120th. Since 2021, Iowa has averaged 268 yards per game, last in the FBS, and 20.4 points per game, which ranks 123rd.

“Anyone who loves Iowa football recognizes both the success and challenges that have brought attention to our program this season,” Goetz said in a statement. “Our struggles on offense coupled with the offensive coordinator’s contract make this a unique situation.”

Former athletic director Gary Barta restructured Brian Ferentz’s contract in February, cutting his salary $50,000, to $850,000, and requiring the Hawkeyes to average 25 points per game over a 13-game season in order to secure his return in 2024.

Goetz said the decision to remove Brian Ferentz was made after her conversations with Kirk and Brian Ferentz and school president Barbara J. Wilson.

“I informed Brian that our intention is for him to be with us through the bowl game, but this is his last season with the program,” Goetz said. “Making this known today is in the best interest of the program and its loyal fans; it provides clarity during this pivotal time in the schedule.”

Goetz is Brian Ferentz’s immediate supervisor rather than Kirk Ferentz due to state nepotism laws.

 

 

 

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Kirk Cousins has a torn right Achilles tendon that will end his season, dampening the mood around the Minnesota Vikings after their recent resurgence and putting the front office and coaching staff in a scramble to figure out which quarterback to finish with.

Cousins underwent an MRI exam on Monday that confirmed the team’s initial fear about his first career injury, suffered when he planted his foot in the grass to step forward in the pocket and try to avoid a sack in the fourth quarter at Green Bay. Cousins went down in pain, had to limp off the field without putting weight on his right leg and was resigned to cheering on his teammates from a cart before the dreaded ride inside for further examination.

The Vikings (4-4) beat the Packers 24-10 on Sunday and climbed above the cut for the playoffs after an 0-3 start. Staying there will be far more challenging without Cousins, their ever-ready leader who’s suddenly and stunningly unavailable to play.

Cousins will have surgery on a to-be-determined date. No recovery timetable was announced, but it’s typically at least a six-month process for returning to full strength.

 

 

 

CORALVILLE — St. Ansgar hits the court at the state volleyball tournament later this evening in the Class 1A quarterfinals. The Saints are the 5th seed with a 24-6 record and will face the 4th seed BCLUW, as they come in with a record of 34-10. St. Ansgar and BCLUW are scheduled for an 8 o’clock start at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville.

== 1A quarterfinals tonight
6:00 p.m. – #1 Ankeny Christian (36-3) vs. #8 Newell-Fonda (21-8)
8:00 p.m. – #4 BCLUW (34-10) vs. #5 Saint Ansgar (24-6)
6:25 p.m. – #2 Boyden-Hull (21-11) vs. #7 Council Bluffs St. Albert (23-14)
8:25 p.m. – #3 Holy Trinity Catholic of Fort Madison (31-10) vs. #6 Don Bosco (24-16)

 

== 2A quarterfinals this afternoon
2:00 p.m. – #1 Dike-New Hartford (47-0) vs. #8 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont (26-7)
4:00 p.m. – #4 Denver (34-10) vs. #5 Sumner-Fredericksburg (28-13)
2:25 p.m. – #2 Hinton (30-1) vs. #7 Aplington-Parkersburg (34-8)
4:25 p.m. – #3 Grundy Center (37-7) vs. #6 Carroll Kuemper (34-6)

 

== 3A quarterfinals today
10:00 a.m. – #1 Mount Vernon (33-4) vs. #8 Dubuque Wahlert (18-12)
12:00 p.m. – #4 Davenport Assumption (27-7) vs. #5 Des Moines Christian (37-7)
10:25 p.m. – #2 Cherokee (29-6) vs. #7 Union (38-11)
12:25 p.m. – #3 Western Christian of Hull (29-13) vs. #6 Center Point-Urbana (27-9)

 

== 4A quarterfinal Monday
#1 Clear Creek-Amana 25-25-25. #8 Norwalk 13-14-20
#4 North Scott 19-25-25-25, #5 ADM 25-12-9-13
#2 Indianola 18-26-23-25-15, #7 Marion 25-24-25-22
#6 Lewis Central 25-13-25-22-17, #3 Cedar Rapids Xavier 21-25-19-25-15

 

== 5A quarterfinals Monday
#1 West Des Moines Dowling 22-25-25-25, #8 West Des Moines Valley 25-23-22-20
#4 Pleasant Valley 22-25-25-25 #5 Johnston 25-22-21-20
#2 Ankeny Centennial 25-25-22-14-15 #7 Ankeny 16-12-25-25-12
#3 Waukee Northwest 25-22-25-25 #6 Cedar Falls 12-25-14-22

 

 

 

IOWA CITY — The Iowa Hawkeye men’s basketball team closed the opening half on an 18-3 run and cruised to a 103-76 exhibition win over Quincy University on Monday night, as you heard on AM-1300 KGLO. Ben Krikke was one of seven Hawkeyes in double figures, The Valparaiso transfer finished with 14 points and added seven rebounds.

The Hawkeyes struggled early and trailed by as many as 10 points.

Krikke likes the depth on the team.

Iowa coach Fran McCaffery on the slow start.

McCaffery says Krikke leads a front court that has added depth this season.

The Hawkeyes open at home a week from Tuesday night against North Dakota.

Tipoff next Tuesday is scheduled for 7 o’clock.

 

 

 

ATLANTA (AP) — Dejounte Murray matched his career high with 41 points and the Atlanta Hawks bounced back from a 19-point halftime deficit to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 127-113. Murray took command in the third quarter, getting the Hawks back in the game almost single-handedly. He equaled his 41-point effort against Portland on March 3. Trae Young added 24 points for the Hawks, who followed up a 17-point win at Milwaukee the previous night to get back to .500. Anthony Edwards returned to his hometown to lead the Timberwolves with 31 points. But he was held to 11 points after halftime.

 

 

 

CEDAR FALLS — The Northern Iowa football team has climbed to 18th in the latest STATS FCS Top 25. The Panthers are 5-3 after a 24-21 win at Illinois State and at 4-1 are tied for second in the Missouri Valley race.

That’s UNI coach Mark Farley. The Panthers host Western Illinois on Saturday and Farley says the Leathernecks are better than their 0-8 record.

Farley says the approach can’t change based on an opponent’s record.

This will be UNI’s 52nd second meeting with Western Illinois in a series that dates back to 1967 and their final game as conference rivals. The Leathernecks are moving to the Ohio Valley Conference.

Farley says because the campuses are so close in proximity he hopes the series can continue.

Kickoff on Saturday at the UNI-Dome is scheduled for 1 o’clock.