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Joe Labas threw for 139 yards and a touchdown in his first start and the Iowa Hawkeyes posted the first shutout in the Music City Bowl's 24 years by beating Kentucky 21-0 Saturday. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz also capped his 24th season by matching the late Joe Paterno for the most bowl victories among Big Ten coaches with his 10th. Iowa (8-5) got a bit of payback for ending last season losing to Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl after a late comeback by the Wildcats. The Hawkeyes defense outscored its offense, returning two interceptions for TDs in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes finished the season with their fifth win in six games. Kentucky (7-6) lost for the third time in four games, this time without quarterback Will Levis and running back Chris Rodriguez as both opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. The loss ended the Wildcats' school record streak of bowl wins at four straight.

The Hawkeyes scored all their points in the second quarter to seize control, scoring twice 11 seconds apart early in the quarter. Taking his first snaps in a college game with Spencer Petras out with an upper-body injury, Labas hit Sam LaPorta with a short pass that the tight end took 27 yards pushing through defenders. Labas then found Luke Lachey for a short pass, and the tight end finished off a 15-yard touchdown with 12:08 left. Drew Stevens pushed the ensuing kickoff out of bounds, setting Kentucky up at the 35. Freshman Destin Wade, also making his collegiate debut, was picked off by Iowa safety Xavier Nwankpa who went 52 yards for the 14-0 lead. Bowl MVP Cooper DeJean picked off Wade on third-and-10 from the Kentucky 7 and easily ran 14 yards for a 21-0 lead. The Hawkeyes didn't miss All-American defensive back Kaevon Merriweather who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft. They posted their second shutout this season, holding Kentucky to 185 yards while sacking Wade four times and forcing the Wildcats to turn it over on downs twice. - Iowa/AP College Football

(DS#4 CB) Jr/2024

CB Cooper DeJean, Iowa
News Source: Iowa/AP College Football
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12/29/22 - Jack Campbell, rJr/2023, Iowa, 6-5, 249 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

Jack Campbell came back and won the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker and was the Big Ten Conference's defensive player of the year. Campbell has the potential to climb into the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft but is seen as a Day 2 pick at the latest. Yet he is choosing to play in Saturday's Music City Bowl against Kentucky rather than join the growing trend in college football for top prospects to opt out of bowl games. - Iowa City Press-Citizen

(DS#1 ILB) rJr/2023

ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
News Source: Iowa City Press-Citizen
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12/28/22 - Nico Ragaini, rSr/2024, Iowa, 5-11, 188 (DS#114 WR) + More +

Iowa wide receiver Nico Ragaini plans to use his extra COVID-19 year of eligibility to stay at Iowa for a sixth season, he told reporters Tuesday. "If they're accepting me back here, then I'm most definitely going to come back here to be a Hawkeye for another year," Ragaini said Tuesday.

Ragaini had 32 catches for 365 yards and one touchdown in 10 games in the 2022 regular season. No other wide receiver had 20-plus catches. The return of Ragaini adds a veteran presence to what would have otherwise been a young 2023 wide receiver room. Brody Brecht, Diante Vines and Jacob Bostick also are expected to return. Three wide receivers - Alex Mota, Dayton Howard and Jarriett Buie - from the 2023 recruiting class have signed with the Hawkeyes. - The Gazette

(DS#114 WR) rSr/2024

WR Nico Ragaini, Iowa
News Source: The Gazette
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12/24/22 - Sam LaPorta, Sr/2023, Iowa, 6-3, 245 (DS#5 TE) + More +

Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta anticipates being "ready to go" for the Music City Bowl after tearing the meniscus in one of his knees last month against Minnesota. He had his knee scoped to repair the injury in the week following the Minnesota football game. Four weeks later, LaPorta said Thursday his knee is "feeling good." The return of the John Mackey Award finalist is significant for an offense that ranks 130th out of 131 teams in yards per game and will be without several key pieces for the bowl game. Quarterback Alex Padilla and wide receivers Keagan Johnson and Arland Bruce IV left via the transfer portal, and quarterback Spencer Petras is unavailable after having shoulder surgery. Joe Labas is expected to make his first career start at quarterback.

LaPorta suffered the meniscus tear on a 24-yard fourth-down reception in the first quarter against the Gophers. "I turned up, and I kind of just felt something pop in my knee," LaPorta said. "Went back in for one more play and then didn't feel too good." LaPorta was out for the Hawkeyes' season-closing loss to Nebraska. He spent some time on the sideline and some in the locker room so he could put his knee in a compression machine. He did so "hoping that I could keep the swelling down for a possible chance to play in the Big Ten championship," LaPorta said, although it became a moot point when Iowa came up short of a division title. - The Gazette

(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: The Gazette
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12/17/22 - Mark Gronowski, rSr/2026, Iowa, 6-2, 235 (DS#15 QB) + More +

Mark Gronowski threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third and top-seeded South Dakota State dominated fourth-seeded Montana State 39-18 on a frozen field Saturday in the FCS semifinals. The Jackrabbits (13-1), who have won 13 straight, head to Texas next month for a Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown with third-seeded North Dakota State (12-2). SDSU beat the defending national champion Bison 23-21 on Oct. 15. Gronowski led South Dakota State to touchdowns on its first five drives with a balanced offense that had 281 yards rushing and 192 passing. On the other side, the Jackrabbits' nation-best rushing defense (85.4 yards a game) held the nation's best rushing offense (331.8) to 52 yards.

The game started with the temperature at 10 degrees and the wind chill at minus-7. It was the coldest game ever played at South Dakota State. It was the third straight semifinal for the two teams. SDSU avenged a 31-17 loss last year at MSU. The teams swapped touchdowns on their opening drives and then the Jackrabbits scored three straight touchdowns, shocking the Bobcats with two long scoring runs for a 28-9 lead at the half. Gronowski, who had a 36-yard hookup with Tucker Kraft to open the scoring, capped a 12-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard plunge on the second drive. That gave him a rushing and passing TD in the same game nine times this season. The next two touchdowns were a 41-yard burst up the middle by Isaiah Davis and a 38-yard scamper by Amar Johnson on a field that played like a skating rink. Gronowski finished 10-of-13 passing for 189 yards and Davis ran for 158. - South Dakota State/AP College Football

(DS#15 QB) rSr/2026

QB Mark Gronowski, Iowa
News Source: South Dakota State/AP College Football
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12/16/22 - Rusty Feth, rSr/2024, Iowa, 6-3, 306 (DS#36 C) + More +

2022 ALL-MID-AMERICAN CONFERENCE SECOND TEAM: Offensive Lineman – Rusty Feth, Miami,...Miami's offensive line is by far the most experienced unit for the RedHawks in 2022, returning four starters from last season's squad. In all, Miami's offensive line has started 96 combined games. Rusty Feth leads the way with 32, followed by Reid Holskey (25), Sam Vaughan (14, but out for the year in 2022), Will Jados (10), Kolby Borders (7), John Brekke (5), and Ben Jackson (1) Brekke was also a three-year starter from Holy Cross before transferring to Miami. - Miami OH Football

(DS#36 C) rSr/2024

C Rusty Feth, Iowa
News Source: Miami OH Football
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12/14/22 - Nick Jackson, rSr/2025, Iowa, 6-1, 228 (DS#16 ILB) + More +

All-ACC inside linebacker Nick Jackson, the unquestioned heart of the Virginia defense, has entered his name in the NCAA transfer portal Monday, Jackson said Monday, becoming the fourth Cavaliers' starter to do so this offseason. "Hardest decision I've ever made," said Jackson. "And not ruling coming back to the Cavs out." Jackson led the Cavaliers with 104 tackles this season, his third straight year with over 100 stops. He also had a career-high five sacks and earned second-team all-conference honors.

"It's been nothing less than a dream and honor to play for the University of Virginia," said Jackson. "The support and everything has been more than I could imagine when I committed in 2018." Jackson joins quarterback Brennan Armstrong, cornerback Fentrell Cypress and left guard John Paul Flores as Virginia starters in the portal. In all, UVa - which went 3-7 in its first season under coach Tony Elliott - has 12 players in the portal as of midday Monday. That group includes backups in defensive back Chayce Chalmers, offensive lineman Zachary Teter, wide receiver Nathaniel Beal III and long snapper Lee Dudley. - Charlottesville Daily Progress

(DS#16 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Nick Jackson, Iowa
News Source: Charlottesville Daily Progress
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12/10/22 - Jack Campbell, rJr/2023, Iowa, 6-5, 249 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2022 WALTER CAMP FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN: LB Jack Campbell, Iowa,...Campbell (6-foot-5, 246-pounds) has led Iowa’s defense all season. He has totaled 118 tackles, which are second in the Big Ten and tied for 13th nationally. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native also recorded two interceptions, one recovered fumble and one forced fumble, along with 3.5 tackles for loss. He has 295 career tackles to rank 19th in program history. - Iowa Football

(DS#1 ILB) rJr/2023

ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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12/08/22 - Jack Campbell, rJr/2023, Iowa, 6-5, 249 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2022 BUTKUS AWARD WINNER: Jack Campbell, Iowa,...University of Iowa senior linebacker Jack Campbell has been named the recipient of the 2022 Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. The announced was made Thursday by the Butkus Foundation. On Tuesday Campbell was presented the William V. Campbell Trophy by the National Football Foundation. He was previously named the Nagurski-Wooden Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year and he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second consecutive season. He was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi awards.

Campbell was also the Butkus Award national Player of the Month in November as the Hawkeyes posted a 3-1 record with wins at Purdue and Minnesota and a home victory over Wisconsin. In the four games, Campbell totaled 36 tackles, including 20 solo tackles and 16 assists. He had a forced fumble and pass interception in the final five minutes of the win at Minnesota, which led to Iowa's game-winning field goal with 28 seconds remaining. Campbell is the first Hawkeye to earn the Butkus Award. Former Hawkeye linebacker Josey Jewell was a semifinalist for the award in both 2016 and 2017, while Chad Greenway was a semifinalist in 2005. Larry Station placed second in the Butkus Award balloting in 1985. - Iowa Football

(DS#1 ILB) rJr/2023

ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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12/08/22 - Sam LaPorta, Sr/2023, Iowa, 6-3, 245 (DS#5 TE) + More +

2022 JOHN MACKEY AWARD FINALIST (OUTSTANDING TIGHT END): Sam LaPorta, Iowa,...LaPorta (6-foot-4, 249-pounds) leads Iowa in both receptions and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of Iowa's win at Minnesota and did not play against Nebraska. LaPorta leads the Big Ten Conference tight ends in receptions and yards. LaPorta's career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to rank 15th in career receiving yards. Among Iowa tight ends, he ranks first in career receptions and is second to Marv Cook in receiving yards.

LaPorta had nine receptions for 101 yards at Illinois, six receptions for 55 yards at Ohio State and three receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown at Purdue. Prior to his first quarter injury at Minnesota, he had totaled four catches for 95 yards. Iowa has had two previous winners of the Mackey Award, including Dallas Clark in 2002 and T.J. Hockenson in 2018. Tony Moeaki (2009), Allen Reisner (2010) and Noah Fant (2018) were also semifinalists for the award. - Iowa Football

(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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12/07/22 - Jack Campbell, rJr/2023, Iowa, 6-5, 249 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2022 WILLIAM V. CAMPBELL TROPHY WINNER: University of Iowa senior linebacker Jack Campbell was awarded the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy. The presentation was made during the 64th National Football Foundation Annual Award Dinner, presented by Las Vegas, at the Bellagio Resort and Casino. The Campbell Trophy is the premier scholar-athlete award that annually recognizes an individual as the absolute best in the nation for his combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership. As the 33rd recipient, Campbell will receive a $25,000 postgraduate scholarship. Campbell, a native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, was earlier named the Nagurski-Wooden Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year. He is one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, which is awarded to the best linebacker in the nation. He was named a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Rotary Lombardi awards.

Campbell (6-foot-5, 246-pounds) has led Iowa’s defense all season. He has totaled 118 tackles, which are second in the Big Ten and tied for 13th nationally. He also recorded two interceptions, one recovered fumble and one forced fumble, along with 3.5 tackles for loss. He has 295 career tackles to rank 19th in program history. Campbell, who will earn his degree in December, carries a 3.49 grade point average with a major in enterprise leadership and a minor in sport and recreation management. He earned Big Ten Distinguished Scholar recognition in 2021, has earned Dean’s List honors three semesters and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. He has been a member of Iowa’s Player Leadership Council for three years. - Iowa Football

(DS#1 ILB) rJr/2023

ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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12/05/22 - Nick Jackson, rSr/2025, Iowa, 6-1, 228 (DS#16 ILB) + More +

2022 ALL-ACC FOOTBALL SECOND TEAM: LB - Nick Jackson, Virginia, 75 votes,...The Cavaliers' leader in tackles for the third-straight season, Jackson finished with 104 stops including seven tackles for loss in 10 games played. He recorded double-digit tackle efforts in six of 10 games played, including 10 tackles playing just the second half against Duke. On Oct. 31 he was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week after an eight-tackle, two-sack effort against Georgia Tech in his hometown of Atlanta. Jackson's 354 career tackles are tied for the 11th most in program history. - Virginia Football

(DS#16 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Nick Jackson, Iowa
News Source: Virginia Football
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12/02/22 - Sam LaPorta, Sr/2023, Iowa, 6-3, 245 (DS#5 TE) + More +

Iowa senior tight end Sam LaPorta was named to the All-Big Ten first team by coaches and media. He also was named the Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year. He is the second Iowa player to win the Big Ten honor (T.J. Hockenson in 2018). LaPorta decided to forego the 2022 NFL Draft to return to Iowa for one final season, and he will leave the program as one of the most decorated tight ends in school history. He ranks first in career catches (148) and second in receiving yards (1,730). He's been a mainstay in Iowa's offense and this season came with new responsibilities.

Because of injury issues at wide receiver, LaPorta often lined up at outside receiver to fill a void. His versatility was perhaps his biggest asset this season. He was the most reliable player on an offense that struggled throughout 2022. It's unknown if LaPorta will suit up in Iowa's bowl game later this month as he's still recovering from injury. Regardless of his status, this week's awards announcements solidify LaPorta's place within Iowa's storied tight end lineage. - Iowa Press Citizen

(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Press Citizen
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12/01/22 - Jack Campbell, rJr/2023, Iowa, 6-5, 249 (DS#1 ILB) + More +

2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM (COACHES): LB Jack Campbell, Iowa,...Campbell earned first-team honors for a second straight year after recording 118 tackles in 12 games. The Cedar Falls, Iowa, native is a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy and the Butkus Award as the nation's top linebacker. He is the third Hawkeye under Ferentz to be named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, joining lineman Daviyon Nixon (2020) and linebacker Josey Jewell (2017) and the second Hawkeye to be voted the Butkus-Fitzgerald Big Ten Linebacker of the Year (Jewell, 2017). - Iowa Football

(DS#1 ILB) rJr/2023

ILB Jack Campbell, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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12/01/22 - Sam LaPorta, Sr/2023, Iowa, 6-3, 245 (DS#5 TE) + More +

2022 ALL-BIG TEN FOOTBALL FIRST TEAM (COACHES): TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa,...LaPorta leads Iowa in both receptions and receiving yards, totaling 53 receptions for 601 yards and a touchdown. LaPorta was injured in the first quarter of the win at Minnesota and did not play against Nebraska. LaPorta's career totals include 148 receptions for 1,730 yards to rank 15th in career receiving yards. Among tight ends, LaPorta ranks first in career receptions and second to Marv Cook in receiving yards. - Iowa Football

(DS#5 TE) Sr/2023

TE Sam LaPorta, Iowa
News Source: Iowa Football
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