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Football

Jackson’s 99-yard kickoff return for TD helps Iowa to thrilling win at Big House

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The hype surrounding Braeden Jackson is likely only to grow even larger this week. The former Ankeny Centennial star returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and racked up 138 all-purpose yards as the 17th-ranked Iowa football team went on to defeat No. 18 Michigan, 20-19, on a last-second touchdown reception by Reece Vander Zee on Saturday at Michigan … [Read more...] about Jackson’s 99-yard kickoff return for TD helps Iowa to thrilling win at Big House

Jackson enjoys breakout performance in Hawkeyes’ win with 149 total yards, 2 TDs

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Braeden Jackson always knew that he could compete at the Division I level. Now, the former Ankeny Centennial football star is proving it. The second-year running back had a breakout performance for 18th-ranked Iowa on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, where he racked up 149 total yards and two touchdowns in the Hawkeyes' 55-0 victory over Northern Iowa. And … [Read more...] about Jackson enjoys breakout performance in Hawkeyes’ win with 149 total yards, 2 TDs

Miller scores his first collegiate TD to help Cyclones roll past SEMO in Rogers’ debut

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Former Ankeny Centennial standout Easton Miller scored his first collegiate touchdown on Saturday to help the Iowa State football team begin the Jimmy Rogers era with a 38-10 victory over Southeast Missouri at Jack Trice Stadium. Miller caught a 10-yard scoring pass from Jaylen Raynor to give the Cyclones a 28-7 lead with 2 minutes 50 seconds left in the … [Read more...] about Miller scores his first collegiate TD to help Cyclones roll past SEMO in Rogers’ debut

‘It’s a great fit and opportunity for me’: Former Ankeny star Kohl is headed to FIU

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Former Ankeny quarterback JJ Kohl has found a new home. Kohl has committed to play for Florida International University. He also visited FIU a year ago before transferring to Appalachian State, where he spent one season. "It's a great fit and opportunity for me," Kohl said. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound quarterback passed for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns … [Read more...] about ‘It’s a great fit and opportunity for me’: Former Ankeny star Kohl is headed to FIU

“WE ARE…..HOME!!”: Ex-Cyclone safety Patton follows Campbell to Penn State

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Like many of his teammates, Jamison Patton has decided to follow head football coach Matt Campbell to Penn State. Patton announced on Twitter Monday that he is headed to Happy Valley along with nearly 20 other former Iowa State players. "WE ARE.....HOME!!" Patton tweeted. Patton, a junior defensive back, helped the Cyclones to an 8-4 record in 2025. … [Read more...] about “WE ARE…..HOME!!”: Ex-Cyclone safety Patton follows Campbell to Penn State

HEADED TO HAPPY VALLEY: Ex-Hawk Quigley follows Campbell to Penn State

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Former Iowa State assistant football coach Xavier Quigley is headed to Happy Valley to join Matt Campbell's staff at Penn State. Quigley, a former Ankeny standout, was a part of the Cyclones' staff in Ames for the last six seasons. He was the director of college scouting/offense in 2025. "I'm not sure exactly what the new title will be," Quigley wrote … [Read more...] about HEADED TO HAPPY VALLEY: Ex-Hawk Quigley follows Campbell to Penn State

Patton to enter transfer portal; Miller, Welsch, Simonsen to stay with Cyclones

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Former Ankeny star Jamison Patton is among the more than 40 Iowa State football players who have entered the transfer portal following the departure of longtime head coach Matt Campbell earlier this month. Patton announced his decision via Twitter on Sunday. "Thank you to coach Campbell and the entire staff for believing in me and investing so much … [Read more...] about Patton to enter transfer portal; Miller, Welsch, Simonsen to stay with Cyclones

Goode, Kumm help Vikings to second consecutive NAIA national championship

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Wide receivers Peyton Goode and Jordan Kumm helped the Grand View football team to a second consecutive NAIA national championship on Saturday at Crowley ISD Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas. The top-seeded Vikings posted a 22-16 victory over No. 2 seed Keiser to finish the season with a perfect 14-0 record. It was a rematch of the 2024 title game, which was … [Read more...] about Goode, Kumm help Vikings to second consecutive NAIA national championship

Ex-Ankeny QB Kohl re-enters transfer portal after one year at Appalachian State

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Former Ankeny star JJ Kohl has re-entered the transfer portal. The 6-foot-7, 240-pound quarterback passed for 1,465 yards and 12 touchdowns while helping Appalachian State to a 5-7 record this season. He played in eight games and started six of the last eight. Kohl led the Mountaineers to a 27-23 victory over Oregon State in his first collegiate start … [Read more...] about Ex-Ankeny QB Kohl re-enters transfer portal after one year at Appalachian State

UT Martin QB Bauer named to OVC-Big South all-conference second team

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Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer has been named to the OVC-Big South all-conference second team after helping the University of Tennessee at Martin football team to a 6-6 record this season. The Skyhawks went 6-2 in league play to record the program's 10th top-two finish in the conference standings during coach Jason Simpson's tenure. Joining the team … [Read more...] about UT Martin QB Bauer named to OVC-Big South all-conference second team

Ex-Jaguar standout Porter scores his first collegiate TD in Huskies’ victory at UMass

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Elijah Porter made the biggest play of his collegiate career in Northern Illinois' 45-3 victory at Massachusetts on Wednesday night. Porter, a redshirt freshman running back, caught a pass over the middle from Jalen Macon and raced 67 yards to the end zone for his first career touchdown with 11 minutes 42 seconds … [Read more...] about Ex-Jaguar standout Porter scores his first collegiate TD in Huskies’ victory at UMass

‘It’s been quite a ride’: Ex-Hawk star Bauer to celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday

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Former Ankeny quarterback Jase Bauer's college football career has been a long and winding journey. After spending three years at Central Michigan and another at Sam Houston State, Bauer has played his final season for the University of Tennessee at Martin. He will celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday when the Skyhawks host Charleston Southern in their … [Read more...] about ‘It’s been quite a ride’: Ex-Hawk star Bauer to celebrate his Senior Day on Saturday

Akers catches his first collegiate pass for 7-yard touchdown in Huskies’ loss at Ohio

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Devon Akers will never forget the first reception of his college football career. The former Ankeny standout caught a 7-yard touchdown pass from Josh Holst during the second quarter of Northern Illinois' 48-21 loss at Ohio on Saturday afternoon. It was the second career game for the tight end, who sat out his initial season in 2024 as a … [Read more...] about Akers catches his first collegiate pass for 7-yard touchdown in Huskies’ loss at Ohio

‘I was composed’: Kohl gets his first start, helps App State to 27-23 win over Beavers

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JJ Kohl's first collegiate start produced a huge victory for the Appalachian State football team. The former Ankeny and Iowa State quarterback passed for one touchdown and ran for another to help the Mountaineers to a 27-23 win over Oregon State before a crowd of 35,021 on Saturday at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, N.C. "It was very emotional," said … [Read more...] about ‘I was composed’: Kohl gets his first start, helps App State to 27-23 win over Beavers

‘We’ve got a great culture here’: Ex-Hawks Harrington, Pelham thriving for SDSU

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(Story by Stephen McDaniel) It wasn’t that long ago when Max Pelham and Ryan Harrington found themselves booting the ball underneath the Friday Night Lights inside Ankeny Stadium. But now that pair of former all-state specialists for the Ankeny Hawks has linked up on one of the premier FCS Division I football programs in the country with the South … [Read more...] about ‘We’ve got a great culture here’: Ex-Hawks Harrington, Pelham thriving for SDSU

Northern Illinois tight end Schutty enters transfer portal after freshman season

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Former Ankeny Centennial football standout Chase Schutty has entered the transfer portal. Schutty, a redshirt freshman tight end at Northern Illinois, announced his decision on social media Wednesday. "Dear Huskie Nation, I would like to say thank you to coach Hammock, coach White and coach Woody for giving me the opportunity to play at NIU. I'd also … [Read more...] about Northern Illinois tight end Schutty enters transfer portal after freshman season