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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

Iowa offensive lineman Gennings Dunker answers questions during Day for Kids, an event for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, at Fun Spot America in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Iowa and Tennessee met with children and enjoyed a morning of roller coasters and rides at the amusement park. The teams match up at Camping World Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1, at noon CT.

Iowa football notebook | Kirk Ferentz discusses Luke Lachey return, Hawkeye players detail offseason plans

Matt McGowan, Pregame Editor December 30, 2023

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Iowa football team enjoyed an entertaining off-day on Saturday, attending Fun Spot America amusement park with children from the West Lakes neighborhoods. Before the event began,...

Iowa running back Jaziun Patterson and linebackers Jaden Harrell and Jayden Montgomery ride the SkyCoaster during Day for Kids, an event for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, at Fun Spot America on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Iowa and Tennessee met with children and enjoyed a morning of roller coasters and rides at the amusement park. The teams match up at Camping World Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1, at noon CT.

Photos: 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl Day For Kids

Grace Smith and Ayrton Breckenridge December 30, 2023

Athletes and community members enjoyed Day for Kids, an event for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, at Fun Spot America in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday. Iowa and Tennessee met with children and enjoyed a...

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz walks into a press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Ferentz met with members of the media ahead of his last game with the Hawkeyes on New Year’s Day at 1 p.m. ET.

Iowa football notebook | Hawkeye players discuss major decisions while coaches deny rumors and affirm status quo

Matt McGowan, Pregame Editor December 29, 2023

ORLANDO, Fla. – Leading up to the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1, 2024, Iowa football has had plenty of storylines develop over the past few days, perhaps most notably in the Friday announcement of Hawkeye...

Tennessee offensive coordinator Joey Halzle looks at center Cooper Mays during a press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Tennessee plans to start quarterback Nico Iamaleava — his first career start — after starting quarterback Joe Milton announced he will enter the NFL draft.

Iowa football prepares to face depleted Tennessee squad in Citrus Bowl

Cooper Worth, Pregame Reporter December 29, 2023

ORLANDO, Fla. — No. 17 Iowa football's streak of facing SEC teams in bowl games continues for the third straight year, as the Hawkeyes face No. 21 Tennessee in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New...

Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini speaks with reporters after an Iowa football practice at Celebration High School in Celebration, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Iowa plays Tennessee in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1, at noon CT. Ragaini averaged 8.7 yards per reception in the 2023-24 season.

Photos: 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl post-practice interviews

Grace Smith and Ayrton Breckenridge December 29, 2023

Select Iowa football players and special teams coordinator LeVar Woods spoke with reporters and members of the media after a practice at Celebration High School in Celebration, Fla., on Friday. Several...

Iowa tight end Luke Lachey speaks with members of the media following his announcement of coming back to Iowa next season during an event at Topgolf before the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. The Hawkeyes and Volunteers match up at Camping World Stadium on Monday, Jan. 1, at noon CT.

‘More Work to be Done:’ Iowa football tight end Luke Lachey will return to Iowa next season

Matt McGowan, Pregame Editor December 29, 2023

Iowa football tight end Luke Lachey will return to the Hawkeyes next season. The junior played in only three games in the fall, suffering a season-ending right ankle injury in the first quarter in...

Iowa center Logan Jones answers a question during a press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. The junior stepped into the role of the center position after previous center Tyler Linderbaum entered the NFL. Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz spoke highly about Jones and his entrance into his new role. “I don't know that we have a football player on offense who works harder, who practices harder, who's tougher, who's more committed to the football team.”

Iowa football offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz talks to media in person for the first time since August

Matt McGowan, Pregame Editor December 29, 2023

ORLANDO, FL – On Friday, Dec. 29, Iowa football’s offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz talked to the media in person for the first time since August. All Hawkeye assistant coaches have usually been...

Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz walks out of the room during a press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Ferentz spoke to reporters about his last game with the Hawkeyes on New Year’s Day, discussing his commitment to the Hawkeyes for the next few days. “My focus has been on our football team and our players and doing my job and getting them ready to play football games and trying to help them be in a position to be successful and win games,” Ferentz said. 
“So that's where I kept my focus during the season. That's where I've kept my focus since October.”

Photos: 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl player-coordinator press conference

Grace Smith and Ayrton Breckenridge December 29, 2023

A press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl was held at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando on Friday. Iowa and Tennessee athletes and coaches met with members of the media ahead of the matchup on...

Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins answers a question during a press conference for the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando, Fla., on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023. Higgins spoke to reporters about his return to Iowa next season. “Over the last four years, I built a great relationship with obviously my teammates and the coaching staff that the University of Iowa has,” Higgins said. “…I just felt like if I came back another year, I could be a better football player.”

Linebacker Jay Higgins to forego NFL Draft, return to Iowa next season

Kenna Roering, Sports Editor December 26, 2023

Hawkeye fans received encouraging news just days ahead of the Citrus Bowl against Tennessee. Linebacker Jay Higgins announced he will return to Iowa for a fifth season and forego the 2024 NFL Draft....

Iowa helmets sit on the sidelines before a football game between No. 18 Iowa and No. 17 Indiana at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021. The Hawkeyes defeated the Hoosiers 34-6.

Iowa football signs 21 scholarship players on National Signing Day

Matt McGowan, Pregame Editor December 20, 2023

While plenty has changed in the world of college football, such as immediate eligibility in the transfer portal and conference realignment, one element remains constant. That is, no matter how many...