College Football: Iowa Finalizing Bowl Prep:
The 15th ranked Iowa Hawkeyes will play No. 22 Kentucky on New Year’s Day in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.
It is the Hawks’ first appearance in the game since the miracle Tate to Holloway game winner in 2005 against LSU.
Ferentz says the Hawkeyes are looking forward to the return trip to Orlando.
“They do a wonderful job hosting the event. So we’re thrilled to be back — then playing against Kentucky, an outstanding SEC program and Mark Stoops has done an unbelievable job with that program for quite some time now.” said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Mark Stoops was the youngest of the three Stoops brothers to play for Iowa.
He has been the head coach at Kentucky since 2013.
Kickoff is set for noon on January 1st.
You can listen on FM 105.5.
College Football: Joe Troche Named New Head Coach at Luther College:
Joe Troche says Decorah is the right fit for his family and Luther is the right fit for him professionally.
Troche was named Luther’s new football coach and takes over a program that has not enjoyed a winning season since 2017 and finished 0-10 this past season.
“This is one of the best school districts in the state and the things we like to do day-to-day we can do that. But also this feels like a sleeping giant. Quality academics and an amazing location — those are the things that really excite me.” Troche explained.
Troche had been an assistant coach at St. Olaf of Minnesota.
The Norse feature two local talents in former Van Buren prep Tayton Bartholomew and Keokuk native Jerry Glenn.
College Wrestling: Iowa State’s Bastida Named Wrestler of the Week:
Iowa State sophomore Yonger Bastida has been voted Big 12 Wrestler of the Week by league coaches after completing his sixth-straight victory and second consecutive win over a top-10 opponent, aiding the No. 13 Cyclones in a 23-13 win over No. 15 Purdue Sunday night.
Ranked No. 18 nationally at 197 pounds, Bastida defeated No. 10 Thomas Penola 6-4.
Bastida is now 7-1 on the year and the victory also gave head coach Kevin Dresser his 200th career win.
College Wrestling: Hawkeye Open Coming to Coralville:
A new wrestling tournament appears set to be coming to Coralville.
Following yesterday’s news of the cancellation of the prestigious Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, an open tournament in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Josh Schamberger, President of Think Iowa City and the Iowa City Area Sports, announced there would be a new tournament, the Hawkeye Open.
The Midlands Championship was cancelled due to spread of COVID-19.
The Hawkeye Open will be held at Coralville’s Xtream Arena and will take place on January 1st and 2nd.
Iowa has already committed to wrestling in the new tournament.