A “here we go again” first half turned into a second half full of promising signs for the Iowa offense. John Steppe and Mike Hlas break down the Hawkeyes’ 40-0, season-opening win over Illinois State on The Final Score podcast.By The Gazette

This episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast features John Steppe’s analysis of the news that Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz and receivers coach Jon Budmayr have been suspended one game for a recruiting violation, plus Thursday’s press conference featuring Ferentz and Iowa athletics director Beth Goetz.…

Tom Kakert of Hawkeye Report joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off The Press podcast this week to discuss Thursday’s big recruiting news. They talk about Iose Epenesa’s recruiting process, why he ultimately followed his family to Iowa and how he’ll fit in with the Hawkeyes.By The Gazette

Hundreds of miles from the ocean, divers don wetsuits, helmets, communication lines, and four air supply systems, and submerge into the Sacramento River. They're here to do annual maintenance at an irrigation pump. Picture contractors and construction workers, just under water. Anywhere there are lakes and rivers, anywhere we've manipulated water, …

Iowa football director of strength and conditioning Raimond Braithwaite is the guest on this episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe. Braithwaite talks about the Hawkeyes’ offseason weight-room standouts, Cade McNamara’s injury rehab, how he works with transfers, why it’s important for young athletes to play multipl…

Iowa wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr is the guest on this episode of the Hawk of the Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe. Budmayr talks about what he’s learned in various coaching roles at Wisconsin, Colorado State and Iowa and what he expects from some of the Hawkeyes’ 2024 breakout candidates at receiver, including Jarriett Buie, Dayton…

Iowa football and men’s basketball radio play-by-play broadcaster Gary Dolphin joins the Hawk Off The Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe this week. The voice of the Hawkeyes talks about Pat Angerer joining him in the booth this season, stories from working with Ed Podolak, why radio matters in Iowa, his favorite calls over the years and h…

Iowa tight ends and fullbacks coach Abdul Hodge is the guest on this week’s episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe. Hodge discusses why he started coaching, what he learned as an entrepreneur, what to expect from the Hawkeyes’ new offense and the tight ends in particular, what stands out about Iowa’s 2004 team, rec…

Pat Angerer joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off The Press podcast this week to talk about his new role as Iowa football radio color analyst and his post-playing career.By The Gazette

Scott Brickman, the general manager for Iowa NIL strategy/operations through a partnership with Altius, joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off The Press podcast this week to discuss his role, how the Hawkeyes use NIL, working with the Swarm Collective, the changing college sports landscape and more.…

The Gazette's John Steppe and Jeff Linder examine the legacy Lisa Bluder leaves a day after her surprise announcement that she is retiring as Iowa women’s basketball coach. Plus, what Jan Jensen’s promotion to head coach means for the program moving forward.By The Gazette

Iowa baseball coach Rick Heller joins The Gazette's John Steppe to talk about the Hawkeyes’ slow start after a hyped preseason, recovering in a balanced Big Ten, Brody Brecht’s recent resurgence on the mound, Duane Banks Field renovation plans and more.By The Gazette

A busy week of Iowa football news this spring included the NFL Draft, open spring practice and transfer portal comings and goings. David Eickholt of 247Sports joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off the Press podcast to discuss.By The Gazette

Indianapolis Star reporter (and University of Iowa alum) Chloe Peterson joins The Gazette's John Steppe to discuss Caitlin Clark’s fit with the Indiana Fever and expectations for her rookie season in the WNBA.By The Gazette

It’s Iowa and Colorado in the NCAA women’s basketball Sweet 16 for the second year in a row. Boulder Daily-Camera reporter Brian Howell joins The Gazette's John Steppe to help preview the game and let us know what to expect from the Buffaloes.By The Gazette

The 2023-24 finale of the Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and hall of famer Dick Briggs puts a bow on the college wrestling season with takeaways from the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.By The Gazette

The Gazette's John Steppe has quick thoughts on an eventful week in Iowa athletics on this week's show, including Kadyn Proctor's plan to reenter the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes' path back to the NCAA women's basketball Final Four and a preview of the Iowa-Utah NIT game.By The Gazette

A big weekend is ahead for wrestling fans in the state of Iowa. The National Collegiate Women's Wrestling Championships come to Cedar Rapids and the Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa men compete in their respective conference tournaments. The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs preview them all on this week’s episode of the P…

Iowa probably won’t have Molly Davis for the Big Ten women’s basketball tournament this week, but Caitlin Clark and the two-time defending champion Hawkeyes will be among the favorites in Minneapolis. The Gazette's John Steppe and Jeff Linder preview the tournament, Iowa’s NCAA potential and take a peek at the future of the program on this episode …

It’s all about the postseason now on the Pinning Combination podcast, a show about all things wrestling in Iowa with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs. This week’s episode has takeaways from Iowa’s win over Oklahoma State and Iowa State and UNI’s wins over Missouri and looks ahead to their respective conference tournamen…

After another unpredictable Iowa high school boys’ state wrestling tournament, the Pinning Combination with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs is here to break down all the top storylines. The podcast talks all things wrestling in Iowa, beginning with the Hawkeyes’ win over Wisconsin and previewing Sunday’s dual against O…

With Caitlin Clark set to break the NCAA women’s basketball career scoring record Thursday night, analyst Meghan McKeown talks about her perspective with The Gazette's John Steppe. McKeown, who will be on the call for Peacock on Thursday night and has covered Clark throughout her Iowa career, discusses what makes Clark a special player, where she h…

Penn State's one-sided win over Iowa combined with Iowa's loss to Michigan the week prior gave the Hawkeyes a rare losing streak. The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs break down where things stand now for Iowa on this week's college segment of the Pinning Combination podcast.…

The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs talk all things wrestling in Iowa on the Pinning Combination, including the Hawkeye men’s loss to Michigan ahead of this week’s Penn State dual, the upcoming UNI-Iowa State dual, Wartburg’s one-sided win over Coe and recaps of the girls’ state tournament and boys’ state duals.…

Sean Bock of 247Sports joins the Hawk Off The Press podcast this week to discuss the latest Iowa football news, including new offensive coordinator Tim Lester and the Hawkeyes self-reporting a violation involving impermissible contact with Kadyn Proctor to the NCAA.By The Gazette

Along the southern end of Stockton's Angel Cruz Park the air is filled with wafts of smoke, the smell of grilled meats and karaoke tracks booming out of speakers. For more than 30 years, this has been a destination for made-to-order dishes created by local food vendors, many of whom are Hmong and Cambodian immigrants. Locals argue over who has the …

A look at the college wrestling scene in Iowa on this week's Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs, including Hawkeyes you shouldn’t overlook, Iowa’s sweep of Illinois and Northwestern, 1-1 trips to Oklahoma for Iowa State and Northern Iowa and Augsburg’s win over Wartburg.…

It was only about a month or so ago when the Pinning Combination podcast had limited topics during a slow period of the wrestling schedule. That’s far from the case now. This week’s episode with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs looks back at wins for the Iowa men and women last week, reviews American Rivers Conference c…

Swarm Collective CEO and founder Brad Heinrichs is the guest on this week’s episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe. Heinrichs talks about Iowa naming Beth Goetz its permanent athletics director, Swarm’s growth, his goals for the collective and more.By The Gazette

Weather wiped out much of the wrestling schedule in Iowa last week, but there still are plenty of topics to discuss on this week’s episode of the Pinning Combination with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs. Iowa impressed in a dual win over Nebraska, Ben Kueter made his debut in the Hawkeyes’ victory over Minnesota and UNI wr…

The first weekend of wrestling in 2024 gave the Pinning Combination podcast plenty to discuss this week, including the Iowa women winning the NWCA National Duals in Cedar Falls. Tune in for takeaways from all levels and more discussion about the Iowa men’s wrestling team’s roster questions with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick…

It’s a good time for an Iowa women’s basketball-focused episode, with No. 14 Indiana coming to Iowa City for a Saturday night showdown this week (first, of course, the third-ranked Hawkeyes travel to Purdue on Wednesday). How is the Big Ten race shaping up? What needs to happen for Iowa to meet its March goals? John Steppe seeks answers from Gazett…

This week’s episode of the Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs looks at the ramifications of the Soldier Salute tournament. Which Hawkeyes made the biggest statements? What will happen with Anthony and A.J. Ferrari? Plus, a breakdown of the Iowa women’s team’s standouts and a look at the we…

Something is broken. That much is clear again after No. 17 Iowa’s 35-0 loss to No. 21 Tennessee in Monday’s Citrus Bowl ended a 10-4 season for the Hawkeyes with three shutout losses to ranked opponents. Will a new offensive coordinator fix it? The Gazette's John Steppe and MIke Hlas discuss the future of the program and their final takeaways from …

This week’s Pinning Combination ponders “duck or not to duck” competition as ISU goes 3-0 at Collegiate Duals. K.J. Pilcher and Dick Briggs also discuss UNI’s next meets, senior nationals, Upper Iowa’s big weekend at Indianapolis and area high school. Our last podcast of 2023 includes our top Christmas movies and songs.…

Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan joins the Hawk Off the Press podcast this week to discuss Iowa's return to the Citrus Bowl, his pitch for fans considering whether to attend the game and more.By The Gazette

This week’s Pinning Combination discusses Iowa’s and UNI’s contrasting results against Columbia. K.J. Pilcher and Hall of fame coach Dick Briggs also cover Upper Iowa’s dual opener and the weekend for area D-III schools. Briggs talks about what is in a name? We talk weekend results and upcoming tournament, including the Battle of Waterloo dual tour…

Iowa women's wrestling associate head coach Gary Mayabb talks to The Gazette's John Steppe about the program's first season, including upcoming events, wrestlers to watch, fan support and his favorite moments so far.By The Gazette

On this segment of the Pinning Combination podcast, The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs break down the Iowa men's wrestling team's dual win over Penn. And Teeing it Up with Briggs takes a look at the impact the NIL era is having on college wrestling. Catch the full show, talking all things college and high school wrestling…

It wasn’t a surprising result, but Iowa’s 26-0 loss to Michigan in the Big Ten championship game still was hard to watch for Hawkeye fans. The Gazette's John Steppe and Mike Hlas discuss what went wrong, this team’s season-long trends and what comes next on The Final Score podcast.By The Gazette

Does Iowa have a chance against Michigan in the Big Ten championship game? Angelique Chengelis of the Detroit News joins The Gazette's John Steppe on the Hawk Off The Press podcast this week to help us break down the game and tell us what to expect from the 12-0 Wolverines.By The Gazette

The Pinning Combination podcast with The Gazette's K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs breaks down Iowa's 18-14 wrestling dual win over Iowa State on Sunday.By The Gazette

Another coin-flip game went Iowa’s way. The Gazette's John Steppe and Mike Hlas break down the late-game heroics in the Hawkeyes’ Heroes Game win over Nebraska on this episode of The Final Score podcast.By The Gazette

Iowa has the Big Ten West locked up, but it of course still wants a 10th regular-season victory and the Heroes Trophy on Friday against a Nebraska team that has bowl eligibility on the line. Amie Just of the Lincoln Journal Star joins this episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast to preview the game with The Gazette's John Steppe.…

The Pinning Combination podcast returns for the 2023-24 season talking all things wrestling in Iowa with The Gazette’s K.J. Pilcher and Hall of Fame coach Dick Briggs. This episode analyzes early impressions of the Iowa, Iowa State and Northern Iowa teams, previews Sunday’s Cy-Hawk dual and looks at some initial storylines in D-II, D-III and high s…

In a season full of obstacles, Iowa found a path to the Big Ten championship game. The Gazette's John Steppe and Mike Hlas discuss the Hawkeyes’ 15-13 win over Illinois and their journey to the Big Ten West title on this episode of The Final Score.By The Gazette

All Iowa football conversations this week start with Cooper DeJean’s season-ending injury. That’s how this episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast begins with The Gazette's John Steppe and HawkeyeReport.com’s Tom Kakert before moving into how Iowa put itself in position to win the Big Ten West and an early look at its offseason roster questions.…

A well-rounded win for Iowa football. We haven’t been able to say that much in 2023, but it was true Saturday in the Hawkeyes’ 22-0 victory over Rutgers. The Gazette's John Steppe and Mike Hlas break down the game and Iowa’s clear path to Indianapolis on The Final Score podcast.By The Gazette

It’s a two-part episode of the Hawk Off The Press podcast with The Gazette's John Steppe this week, centered on two big games in Iowa City this weekend. First up, Pat Lanni of NJ Advance Media joins to preview Saturday’s Rutgers-Iowa football game. Then, Iowa soccer coach Dave DiIanni talks about his team’s Big Ten tournament championship run and t…

Bottom line: Iowa won. Three other Big Ten West teams that entered Saturday tied for first didn’t. So the Hawkeyes’ unconventional 10-7 win over Northwestern — a style of victory that is actually becoming conventional for Iowa — puts them alone in first in the West. We break down the game and the scene at Wrigley Field on The Final Score podcast.…