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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

USC head coach Clay Helton reacts after yet another personal fopul call against the Trojans in the second quarter at the Coliseum on Saturday night, Nov,. 2, 2019. USC will face Iowa in the Holiday Bowl. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

By the Numbers: USC Trojans

Pete Mills, Sports Reporter December 10, 2019

In its matchup with USC in the Holiday Bowl, Iowa will be tested in new and interesting ways. The Trojans rely heavily on its passing game and have outstanding receivers to show for it, but the Hawkeye...

Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs defends QB Nate Stanley during the Iowa football vs. Penn State game in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. The Nittany Lions defeated the Hawkeyes 17-12.

Hawkeyes looking forward to new destination with Holiday Bowl

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 9, 2019

Iowa football hasn’t played a game west of Nebraska in years. The last time it played a game on the West Coast, to be exact, came in the 2016 Rose Bowl against Stanford. That game — a 45-16 loss...

Iowa defensive end AJ Epenesa celebrates after a play during a football game between Iowa and Rutgers at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 7, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Scarlet Knights, 30-0.

Epenesa, Wirfs not focused on NFL ahead of Holiday Bowl

Robert Read, Assistant Sports Editor December 8, 2019

A recent trend in college football is for top-tier players to skip their team’s bowl game in order to prepare for the NFL Draft. Iowa’s Tristan Wirfs and A.J. Epenesa will be exceptions to that...

USC quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) drops back to pass against UCLA during the third quarter at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, in Los Angeles. USC won, 52-35. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Iowa embracing chance to face ‘name-brand’ USC

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 8, 2019

On Dec. 27, it’ll be fashion, movies, and big city lights versus cornfields, cowboys, and a small-town vibe. While those stereotypes may or may not be true across the city or state, the play styles...

Iowa players walk out of the tunnel before a football game between Iowa and Middle Tennessee State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, September 28, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Blue Raiders, 48-3. (Shivansh Ahuja/The Daily Iowan)

Iowa football to face USC in Holiday Bowl

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 8, 2019

After a 9-3 regular season, Iowa finally knows where it will go to try to accomplish a 10-win season: the Holiday Bowl. The Hawkeyes will take on USC in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego on Dec. 27. The...

Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley points out a linebacker during Iowa's game against Ohio State at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. The Hawkeyes defeated the Buckeyes 55 to 24.

Ohio State, Wisconsin due up for rematch in Big Ten title game

Pete Mills, Sports Reporter December 5, 2019

For the third time in the last six years, Ohio State and Wisconsin will face off in the Big Ten Championship game on Saturday in Indianapolis. Ohio State seemingly has had its spot locked up in the...

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz watches his players swarm the field before a football game between Iowa and Middle Tennessee State University on Saturday, September 28, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Blue Raiders 48-3.

Looking back on Iowa football’s 2019 season

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 4, 2019

When Iowa dropped back-to-back games against Michigan and Penn State in October, it seemed as if the sky was falling. That couldn’t have been further from the truth. Despite losing one more game...

Iowa OL Tristan Wirfs defends QB Nate Stanley during the Iowa football vs. Penn State game in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019. The Nittany Lions defeated the Hawkeyes 17-12.

Wirfs named Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 4, 2019

Along with being named a first-team All-Big Ten offensive lineman, Iowa junior Tristan Wirfs took home the title of the Big Ten's Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year, the conference announced...

Iowa kicker Keith Duncan prepares to kick a field goal during the football game against Nebraska at Memorial Stadium on Friday, November 29, 2019. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cornhuskers 27-24. Duncan's kick caused the Hawkeyes to take the lead against Nebraska in the last six seconds of the game.

Duncan, Epenesa highlight Iowa’s Big Ten awards

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 3, 2019

Keith Duncan's list of accolades keeps getting longer. Duncan earned the Big Ten's Bakken-Anderson Kicker of the Year honor and was named a first-team All-Big Ten player on Tuesday. Hawkeye defensive...

Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette carries the ball into the end zone during the game against Nebraska on Friday, November 29, 2019. Smith-Marsette received one pass for a total of twenty-two yards. The Hawkeyes defeated the Corn Huskers 27-24.

Smith-Marsette changes game with special teams

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 2, 2019

Ihmir Smith-Marsette knew it had been a long time coming. Despite taking home the Big Ten’s Return Specialist of the Year honor after the 2018 season, a kick-return touchdown always eluded the Newark,...

Nebraska quarter back Adrian Martinez is tackled by Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa during the game against Nebraska on Friday, November 29, 2019. Epenesa lead the Hawkeyes with nine solo tackles and five assisted. The Hawkeyes defeated the Corn Huskers 27-24.

Epenesa, Duncan named Big Ten Players of the Week

Pete Ruden, Pregame Editor December 2, 2019

Iowa defensive end A.J. Epenesa has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, and kicker Keith Duncan earned Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday. Epenesa...

Iowa wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette carries the ball into the end zone during the game against Nebraska on Friday, November 29, 2019. Smith-Marsette received one pass for a total of twenty-two yards. The Hawkeyes defeated the Corn Huskers 27-24.

Grading Iowa’s performance against Nebraska

December 1, 2019

Offense — B There’s no question that big plays helped Iowa beat Nebraska. The Hawkeyes scored two touchdowns in the first quarter with a 45-yard run by Ihmir Smith-Marsette on a reverse and a 55-yard...