Kirk Ferentz

The Iowa Hawkeyes will be without their top cornerback when they open the season at home against Wyoming on September second. Coach Kirk Ferentz says sophomore Manny Rugamba has been suspended. The native of Illinois played in 12 games last year as a true freshman and started three.

“It is for a violation of team policy that took place in the out of season and will be enacted here in this first week”, said Ferentz. “We will move on after that. He will be welcomed back with normal status after serving a one game suspension.”

Sophomore Michael Ojemudia will replace Rugamba in the starting lineup. Meanwhile, Ferentz says no decision has been made on a starting quarterback. Sophomore Nathan Stanley and junior Tyler Wiegers continue competing for the job.

“We will have a starter named by Monday at the latest but I am not sure when that decision will be made”, added Ferentz. “The competition remains close and both guys are doing a really good job.”

Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller. Photo courtesy of Brian Ray/hawkeyesports.com

The Iowa baseball team broke a one-all tie with a two-run eighth inning before holding off Mexico for a 3-2 victory in its World University Games opener Sunday night at Tianmu Baseball Stadium in Taiwan. The Hawkeyes are representing the United States in the tournament.

Team USA was held without a hit through the first seven innings before breaking through in the eighth. Sophomore Ben Norman led off the inning, reaching on a hit by pitch before junior Robert Neustrom ripped a single to right field to put runners on the corners with nobody out.

After Neustrom stole second, senior Tyler Cropley’s sacrifice fly gave USA a 2-1 lead and freshman Brett McCleary followed with an RBI single to left field, making the score 3-1.

“This was a game we needed to win to hopefully get to the medal round”, said Iowa coach Rick Heller. ” Our hitters found a way to get it done. Robert had a big hit with a runner moving in the eighth and McCleary with the drawn in infield gets a base hit.”

Junior Zach Daniels (1-0) pitched two innings in relief, allowing one run on one hit and fanning two to pick up the victory. The Hawkeyes return to action on Tuesday by facing Russia.

Fran McCaffery

The Iowa basketball team completed a trip to Europe with a 4-0 record after an 88-49 win over the Vicenza Al-Stars in Italy. The Hawkeyes won despite making only four of 21 from three point range.

“For the 40 minutes of this game everybody was locked in defensively”, said Iowa coach Fran McCaffery. “We did not shoot it well and we still won by 40. That says a lot about our defense and intesity level.”

Freshman center Luka Garza had 24 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore forward Tyler Cook also had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

“It was a lot of fund today”, said Cook. “Offensively and defensively are activity was really good and probably the best out of the four games we played here.”

Morningside coach Steve Ryan

Morningside football coach Steve Ryan is a believer in team building activities. This summer Ryan and the Mustang seniors went to Colorado to prepare for the new season.

“We want to make playing football at Morningside an incredible life changing experience and that is not just only on the football field”, said Ryan. “It gives the guys a chance to go on a little adventure and climb a 14,000 foot mountain in Colorado and just do something that a lot of the guys have not done.”

The plan has been working and the Mustangs have become a perennial power. They enter the new season ranked fourth in the pre-season NAIA Poll and are favored to win a seventh straight Great Plains Athletic Conference championship.

The biggest mountain, however, remains unconquered. Despite 13 straight playoff appearances the Mustangs are still in search of their first national championship. A challenging non-conference slate may boost their post season hopes. Morningside hosts NCAA division two Truman State in week three and opens with a visit to Saint Francis of Illinois out of the Mid-States Football Association.

“Many of our runs in the playoffs have come to an end playing Mid-States teams such as Marian and Saint Francis so we feel it is a really important game just to get us going from a physical standpoint”, added Ryan. “Truman State won their conference last year and should have been in the playoffs at 8-3 as a division two team. It will be a real test.”

Trent Solsma returns for his junior season at quarterback. The former Sioux City Heelan standout passed for nearly 3,300 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2016 and star receiver Connor Niles returns after being injured in the 2016 season opener. Niles led the NAIA ranks in all-purpose yards in 2015.

Jake Campos

Iowa State tackle Jake Campos is even more anxious for the new season to begin.

The former West Des Moines Valley standout entered last season as the Cyclones most experienced offensive lineman. But a broken leg in fall camp ended his season before it began and Campos hopes to lead an improved offensive line.

“We are coming together more than I have seen from our lines in the past”, said Campos. “This group is a real tight knit group and everyone feeds off each other in a very positive way. I think we are going to do very well.”

With experience at quarterback, receiver and running back Campos says the Cyclones have the skill needed to make major strides.

“It is great to have those people because we have got some of the best playmakers in our conference ands all we have got to do is give them a chance and they will make us look real good”, added Campos. That’s a real good thing to have as an offensive line.”

Iowa State opens September 2nd against Northern Iowa.