Having a band make its way from the other side of the world, from a major European city not entirely well known to Americans, just to play at the back of a kombucha shop in the Midwest, greatly intrigued me. Upon seeing their name on the poster, I was determined to check it out. Zmar played second on the night. The first band that played was from Davenport, and had one of those spindly, hard to read black metal logos on the poster. They honestly weren’t really that enjoyable, so I’m not going to try and decipher their name or write much about them. 

Zmar though, were extremely enthralling. They played songs from their album Napořád which was released in May of last year. Vocals were howled and hissed like they were in desperation for survival. The lyrics in Czech emphasize this notion, with them being about manmade issues like patriarchy destroying the lives of women, and war wrecking the reality of many. It stabs at the most intrinsic of reactions.  

Backing this are these suspensions of dark, chaotic, and clouded instrumentation. It gave the songs a somewhat desolate atmosphere. Behind nearly each one though is this rupturing feeling of optimism, like streaks of light gleaming through the slits in the clouded dust. It builds the sentiment that if we try and stand up against systems of oppression, we can carry the world into a better place, even through all the pain and wreckage that it faces now. Even within the chords it would resolve on an uplifting hopefulness, and then ground itself in a tumultuous reality, before oscillating back again. It wills beauty into an unsightly world. 

It mirrored the images of the performance. The dark figures of the band were backlit by a spotlight angled on the ground, kind of like a low rising sun radiating on the peaked edges of dark mountains. Each member played with an unfeigned energy and immense vivaciousness. Despite the small, cold blue room that was still sparse with people, Zmar were able to transmit electricity through the few bodies of conduction that were there. It’s something that they are used to. Michal, the band’s vocalist, told me that small, tucked away venues like Wild Culture Kombucha were what they were used to playing in. For me, the piercing hopefulness of their performance reached that holy moment of fantastic live art where it sent literal chills coursing across my skin. 

Zmar came through Iowa City after playing Zegema Beach Records’ ZBR Fest, which got silly to say the least, during that weekend in Chicago. Coming along with them was screamo band Niboowin who gave just as great of a performance. Their new album giving in would come out later that week. Their set consisted of tearing, dynamic tracks with band members sometimes interchanging lyrics. Each song was lashed out in real visceral expression. Both bands are putting out some of the most musically spirited and emotionally punctual screamo. 

The post Zmar Brings a Beautiful World to Wild Culture appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Iowa started off strong with three time national champion and #1 ranked 125 pound wrestler Spencer Lee. Lee beat Michigan’s #14 Jack Medley by a score of 11-2, earning a bonus point to kick the night off.

After Lee, the Hawkeyes rolled. #13 Brody Teske tech falled Wilfried Tanefeu 19-3 and 133 pounds, with three very impressive four point tilts throughout the match. Teske only needed 4:09 to finish Tanefeu off. #2 Real Woods also came out hot, beating Pat Nolan 15-1, just one point away from a second straight Hawkeye tech fall. #10 Max Murin kept his streak of wins going, beating Chance Lamer 10-4.

The most exciting match came at 157, with the #13 ranked junior Cobe Siebrecht upsetting Michigan’s #10 Will Lewan 3-1 in a sudden victory in the fourth period. Lewan had Siebrecht tied up less than a minute in, but Siebrecht remained calm. He rolled over Lewan and spun around the back for a two point takedown, accompanied by the loudest crowd cheers of the night in Carver. 

In the second half of the meet, Patrick Kennedy started off with a bang, pinning Alex Wesselman in the first period. While Kennedy expected #6 ranked Wolverine Cameron Amine to wrestle, he took care of business when he got red shirt freshman Wesselman instead. #16 Nelson Brands at 174 also got his fair share of Carver chants, winning 5-1 over Joseph Walker.

The Hawks took their first of two losses at 184, with Drake Rhodes being tech falled by #9 Matt Finesilver in the second period. It’s been a tough task for Rhodes all year to wrestle above his weight, especially in the absence of Abe Assad. Rhodes just used his last red shirt freshman match today, so it’ll be interesting to see if Brands burns it next week, or if another fresh face appears at 184 against Oklahoma State.

#11 Jacob Warner bounced back better than ever, pummeling Brendin Yatooma 16-1 for Iowa’s second tech fall of the night. And finally, #3 Tony Cassioppi took on Goliath, wrestling #1 Mason Parris who was 22-0 before the match. Cassioppi had never beaten Parris, and narrowly took home the underdog story. However Parris got a late takedown in the third to extend his career record against Cassioppi to 4-0, winning 9-7. 

Next week the Hawkeyes will have their final home meet against Oklahoma State on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 3:30pm. It’ll be more than just a regular match, as Sunday will be senior day and alumni day. A big showing is expected in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, with hopes of a 15th win and a shot at the national championships.

The post Big Ten Beatdown: Iowa wrestling dominates Michigan 33-8 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Despite some scintillating defense, Iowa was never able to overcome four turnovers and eight sacks in its first loss of the season, falling to #20 Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The 14th-ranked Hawkeyes were split down the middle in Michigan Stadium on Saturday. The defense kept the team in the ball game from start to finish, handing the ball back to the offense time and time again with no success.

Phil Parker’s side held the Michigan offense to 267 yards and 10 points, well below their season averages. All of this was done in front of more than 111,000 fans deep in Big Ten East country and every level of the D put on a show.

The positives stop there. The Hawkeyes ran for 66 yards in the game, but after taking away the yardage lost from every time Stanley was driven into the dirt, Iowa accrued a single yard on the ground.

Nate Stanley came into the game one touchdown shy of Drew Tate’s career record and he left without gaining any ground. Three interceptions and eight sacks later, the senior signal caller is left with one of his worst performances in a Hawkeye uniform.

Taking a step back, Iowa never left the game. The defense is still an elite group on a national level and should be able to give the offense every chance to succeed throughout the rest of the season.

However, Iowa never entered the game. The first snap for the offense saw Mekhi Sargent put the ball on the ground and hand Michigan its best starting field position of the game. Thankfully the team trained a lot with professional coaches.

The team was left in football limbo – always an arm’s length from Michigan. Just enough to keep the hope of a comeback alive, but just enough to never prove threatening for 60 minutes.

At this point, it may feel familiar. Perhaps this could be plotted as a trend. Iowa can look golden against mediocrity – sometimes even setting the bar for efficiency. But Iowa hasn’t won a road game against a ranked team in nearly four years.

The lights of Kinnick at night aren’t just comforting for the Hawks and daunting for opponents – they tend to distort. A tight win over a ranked team, or even a comfortable blowout when Ohio State comes to town, can appear program-defining. It’s getting those lights on the plane to Madison, Wisconsin; State College, Pennsylvania; or Ann Arbor, Michigan that is the difference. 

There’s a way to get over the obstacle for Iowa, but it didn’t prove easy today. The Wolverines came to play and deserved the win. Iowa will have plenty of chances this year and is certainly on track for another 8-to-10 win season if all falls right.

The next page is written at home to Penn State and, luckily for the Hawks, it comes under those inviting Kinnick lights.

In front of a raucous 111,000, Michigan looked fantastic on defense and passable on offense. The season is back on track and now the target is aimed at Ohio State in the division. 

As for the visitors, Iowa hoped to toss some kindling into the fire below Jim Harbaugh’s hot seat, but Nate Stanley would probably overthrow it by five yards.

The post Football Limbo: Iowa sputters in loss to Michigan, 10-3 appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Iowa has had the best of luck with these kinds of stories. Just this year, the Kinnick Wave captured the hearts and minds of the nation, even winning the annual Disney Spirit Sports Award. But, if you had the chance to be at the Purdue-Iowa slaughter at Carver, the annual Chris Street reminded the Iowa faithful of why we love sports.

January 19^th, 2018 marks the 25^th anniversary of the passing of Hawkeye legend Chris Street. Street lived out his dream, even if it was marked short. The legend of Chris Street was never about his stats. Street’s passion was such a high intensity that the only thing you’d be able to do is be in awe. And smile. Chris did that a lot, another level of the legend. Not only did Street have an unparalleled passion for the game, but his lovable personality and magnetic smile was equally a force to be reckoned.

Iowa fell in love with Chris Street because Street was Iowa embodied. Street had the “Iowa Nice” personality commonly found in the Hawkeye State and held the tenacity of the court that is a by-product of his tough, blue collar work ethic. But, more than anything, Chris Street woke up everyday wanting to do nothing more than to play basketball for his Hawkeyes. The University of Iowa released a video and showed the same video during halftime of the Purdue-Iowa contest one day after the 25^th anniversary of his passing. The following link goes to the inspirational tribute: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48dGMn_muYk.

The game prior to and following the Chris Street tribute did not have the match the intensity of the Iowa legend. Purdue put Iowa out of the game in the first ten minutes of the first half and merely poured on the point. Making the game seem like nothing more than a morning stroll, the Boilermakers sliced through the soft Iowa defense on its way to a Big10 record in most 3-pointers in a game. 20 shots fell out to 33 attempted from beyond the arc for the third nationally ranked Purdue squad. Iowa could and would not come close after taking an early 3-0 lead in an eventual 87-64 loss.

Purdue will be taking their talents back home to West Lafayette, Indiana in a matchup against Michigan on Thursday, January 25^th at 6 pm CST. The next game for the Iowa comes with another tribute to Chris Street. However, in this Tuesday contest against the hated Wisconsin Badgers, Iowa will be wearing the Gold jerseys. Iowa faces Wisconsin on January 23 in Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 6 pm CST.

The post Forever 40: Remembering Chris Street appeared first on KRUI Radio.

This storied conference is rich in past glory, but the teams continue to make history every year. All fourteen teams are in a constant battle for supremacy in the conference and the 2017 Big Ten season is just getting underway.

14. Rutgers – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: N/A

(1-3, 0-1) Next Game: vs #11 Ohio State

Before losing in Lincoln, Rutgers got its first win on the season against the Morgan State Bears. The Scarlet Knights have struggled to get much going so far this season, but put up a fight against Nebraska.

Looking for its first conference win since Oct. 17, 2015, Rutgers has a tough test against Ohio State coming. Senior quarterback Kyle Bolin has thrown for a subpar 642 yards this season and they’ll need a more impressive outing from him if the team wants to beat a ranked team for the first time since 2009.

13. Illinois – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: N/A

(2-1, 0-0) Next Game: vs Nebraska

Illinois lost its first game on the season against #22 South Florida, but it wasn’t all that close. Quarterback Chayce Crouch was benched midway through the game in favor of backup Jeff George Jr. It wasn’t just the offense that struggled, the Illini defense allowed 680 yards of offense on Friday night.

Illinois has a good chance of getting a win at home and tying last season’s win total. Tanner Lee has been struggling for Nebraska and freshman running back Mike Epstein should thrive against a Nebraska defense that allows upwards of 350 yards a game.

12. Nebraska – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: vs Rutgers

(2-2, 1-0) Next Game: at Illinois

The nonconference has been a disappointment for the Huskers. A 1-2 start got athletic director Shawn Eichorst canned and head coach Mike Riley cannot afford to lose this one. Considering the next two games are Wisconsin and Ohio State, this contest becomes all the more important.

Junior QB Tanner Lee has disappointed for Nebraska by leading the Big Ten with nine interceptions through four starts. He’s thrown 146 times for 898 yards, but has cost his team plenty of chances down the stretch. This will be a great stage for Lee to prove that he’s worth his weight.

11. Northwestern – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: N/A

(2-1, 0-0) Next Game: at Wisconsin

Northwestern was a sleeper pick to win the Big Ten West this season, but after the walloping at the hands of Duke, it’s not looking as likely. Clayton Thorson has been uninspiring thus far and the defense hasn’t backed him up.

The Wildcats have turned the ball over seven times in three games and they head to Camp Randall Stadium for its toughest test of the year. Wisconsin has a Big Ten best +5 turnover margin so far and will not make it easy for Thorson.

10. Maryland – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Texas

(2-1, 0-0) Next Game: at Minnesota

You’ve got to feel for this Terrapins squad. Both Tyrell Pigrome and Kasim Hill have suffered season-ending injuries and the team is now relying on sophomore Max Bortenschlager. Regardless of who’s throwing, the team will depend on star wide receiver D.J. Moore who leads the conference in receiving yards (323) and touchdowns (four).

Winning in Minneapolis is much easier for an east coast team now than in frigid mid-November, so that’s one solace the Terps can take. The team has done well to take care of the ball thus far and Bortenschlager will have to improve quickly to compete at TCF.

9. Indiana – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Virginia

(2-1, 0-1) Next Game: at Penn State

Freshman running back Morgan Ellison ran for 186 yards and two scores in his first career start which is great news for Indiana. The team struggled on the ground in its first two games and Ellison will need to exploit Penn State’s linebacking corps to stand a chance.

There’s no real chance that Indiana wins this football game in Happy Valley and the near future doesn’t look much better for the Hoosiers. However, the team gave Ohio State a run for its money in the first half a month ago and can still air it out despite the defense’s deficiencies.

8. Michigan State – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: N/A

(2-1, 0-0) Next Game: vs Iowa

Getting dismantled in East Lansing by Notre Dame is no way to end the nonconference slate, but no one expected an insane Spartan resurgence this season. After a forgettable 3-9 season, MSU sophomore Brian Lewerke leads the charge to kick off the Big Ten schedule against Iowa.

Sparty is favored in this one, but the team will have their hands full against the Hawkeyes. The team’s only test thus far has been a home blowout, so the team will need to reset for the Big Ten schedule. The team is already much better than last year and improvement is certain.

7. Purdue – 0 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Missouri

(2-2, 0-1) Next Game: BYE

The Boilermakers have been an oddity of sorts in the Big Ten. Purdue has gone from nearly upsetting the defending Heisman winner on opening weekend and dismantling Missouri last week to losing handily at home to Michigan and its backup QB.

Switching between Elijah Sindelar and David Blough has been a roller coaster for the team with both QBs notching over five touchdowns so far. Heading into a bye week will give the coaching staff enough time to evaluate its shot caller scenario before the Minnesota game.

6. Minnesota – 3 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Oregon State

(3-0, 0-0) Next Game: vs Maryland

PJ Fleck has rowed the boat to an undefeated nonconference schedule and his defense has dominated. The Gophers have allowed three touchdowns in as many games and have six takeaways so far.

At home against Maryland, Minnesota and its running game should roll over an already depleted Maryland squad. The Terps have allowed 39.5 points per game in their two contests against FBS opponents and its third-string QB will struggle to keep up.

5. Iowa – 16 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Iowa State

(3-1, 0-1) Next Game: at Michigan State

A heartbreaking loss in the final seconds has Iowa reeling, but the team showed that it can fight to the finish with any Big Ten team if they’re at Kinnick. However, the team will be in East Lansing against Michigan State and hasn’t faced the Spartans since the Big Ten Championship in 2015.

Sophomore quarterback Nate Stanley has put up impressive numbers through four games, passing for 12 touchdowns and only one pick. The reason for Iowa’s success, however, his supporting cast. Linebacker Josey Jewell led the team in tackles and managed a fumble recovery and interception in the loss versus PSU. The defense will put plenty of pressure on the Spartans, but there will be memories of the championship game two years ago.

4. Ohio State – 1016 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at Indiana

(3-1, 1-0) Next Game: at Rutgers

Since losing at home to Oklahoma, the Buckeyes have rolled over some relatively measly competition at home. Traveling to New Jersey, OSU is favored by 30 against a team struggling to put up points.

Freshman running back J.K. Dobbins leads the conference in rushing yards (520) and will likely keep pushing the bar against Rutgers. J.T. Barrett is regaining form since his dud against the Sooners and doesn’t get another true test until Penn State on Oct. 28.

3. Wisconsin – 1023 AP Votes – Notable Wins: at BYU

(3-0, 0-0) Next Game: vs Northwestern

The Badgers are rolling on defense, allowing 10 points per game entering this home contest. Hoping to take an early lead in the Big Ten West, Wisconsin is touting a prolific offense to pair well with the intimidating defense.

Freshman back Jonathan Taylor is hitting the ground running 438 yards on only 53 carries. This is good news for the Badgers as the Wildcats have allowed over 150 rushing yards per game. A fast start is in the cards for this team as NW doesn’t match up well in any category.

2. Michigan – 1088 AP Votes – Notable Wins: vs Florida, at Purdue

(4-0, 1-0) Next Game: BYE

Michigan is running a fine-tuned machine through four weeks. The Wolverines lost ten starters from their stellar defense last season, yet haven’t missed a beat. Tallying an astounding 18 sacks in the first four games, this D is lights out.

The real issue is the offensive unit. Inconsistent Wilton Speight left the Purdue contest with an injury and John O’Korn picked up where he left off, throwing for 270 yards, one score and one pick. The season will be decided on the success (or lack thereof) of the offensive side, but the blue and maize look quite impressive through four.

1. Penn State – 1304 AP Votes – Notable Wins: vs Pittsburgh, at Iowa

Winning a night game at Kinnick is no easy feat and it seemed like the Nittany Lions wouldn’t be able to get it done when trailing by four with less than two minutes on the clock. However, Heisman candidate Saquon Barkley’s bulging stat line (305 total yards, one TD) proved too much for the Hawks to handle as Penn State won on the final play.

This team is not only the best team to watch in the Big Ten, but arguably the best to watch in the country. This averted upset proved that Barkley is even better than imaginable and that quarterback Trace McSorley’s stats and game management are for real. Penn State is the all-around most complete team in the Big Ten, hands town.

The post Big Ten Football in Full Swing appeared first on KRUI Radio.

#1: Gonzaga (61) V. West Virginia (58) (Sweet 16)

One of my three brackets had those dang Mountaineers winning the whole thing. And If they would have, I would have looked like an NCAA genius. Alas, the term “Would have” was used twice in that last sentence. A defensive battle through and through, these two teams relied on their ability to create turnovers and hit shots from outside the paint. The Bulldogs started to pull away midway through the second half, but Jevon Carter hit crucial shots to pull the Mountaineers close,

and even in the lead late. Gonzaga remained unfazed as they have been the whole year under Head Coach Mark Few, and Jordan Mathews hit the dagger 3 in the end. It was so refreshing to watch a college basketball game that relied so heavily on defense yet remained so close. Even though West Virginia out rebounded Gonzaga 41-34, They only shot 27% from the field. Yikes. That’s not a winning formula. Yet, they remained close the whole game. This was a classic nail-biter the whole way, and a true test for the Bulldogs.

#2 South Carolina (88) V. Duke (81) (Round of 32)

The surprise team of the bracket, South Carolina, started paving their road to the final four with this win against ACC champions, Duke. This game was all about momentum. Duke had a 30-23 lead at halftime. Grayson Allen was leading his Blue Devils as to what seemed like a certain sweet sixteen bid, until Sindarius Thornwell got hot in the second half, leading a 65 point surge against the Blue Devils with 19 points of his own. Which, is the most points allowed in a single half by a Mike Krzyzewski-led team. The swing of momentum and shooting in the second half led to a fall from grace for Duke, who had an impressive end of the season. And although the Gamecocks fell to the aforementioned Bulldogs, their run was a true testament as to how unexpected the month of March can really be.

#3 Xavier (73) V. Arizona (71) (Sweet 16)

The #11 Musketeers were the cinderella story of this year. They beat #6 Maryland and then went on to vaporize #3 Florida State. After those two tests of strength, Xavier met against the #2 Wildcats, who were favorites to not only win the game, but make it to the final four. This game, like most on this list, was close until the bitter end. Trevon Bluiett led Xavier with 25 points and was 9/17 from the field. But what made this game so interesting to watch were the final 45 seconds. Where Sean O’mara got one of the most beautiful passes I have ever seen to score down low to put the Musketeers up by two. After a missed shot and 20 seconds off the clock, O’Mara had the chance to be the hero once more, by

going to the line to put Xavier up by 4 and end the game. He, however, failed to make his first and only free throw, giving Arizona a chance to score. After passes galore from the Wildcats, Allonzo Trier missed his last shot of the tournament, propelling #11 Xavier to the Elite Eight. It was a crazy one to watch, and a bracket-buster for sure.

Honorable Mentions:

Oregon (69) V. Michigan (68) (Sweet 16)

North Carolina (75) V. Kentucky (73) (Elite Eight)

Wisconsin (65) V. Villanova (62) (Round of 32)

#4 Florida (84) V. Wisconsin (83) ( Sweet 16)

It what was arguably the most exciting last 3 minutes of the tournament, the Wisconsin Badgers and Florida Gators matched up in a sweet sixteen game that will not be soon forgotten. After a pretty even 1st half, both teams seemed to be in a good position to take the reins and lead the game away from the other team. Florida was that team. They came out with a high-energy attack that left Virginia in the dust in their Round of 32 victory. Playing fast, smart basketball is what Florida does best. Up 68-56 with 5 minutes to go is almost always a death sentence. Not for the Badgers. Creating turnovers and capitalizing on them was Wisconsin’s way of letting the world that they’re still kicking, and not going down without a fight. Zak Showalter became the hero for the entire state of Wisconsin after his incredibly awkward 3-point shot with 3 seconds left in the game. Sending the what was sure to be over game into overtime.

There, Wisconsin rode the momentum given to them by Showalter and jumped ahead. With the score being 80-75 with one minute left, the Gators seemed all but finished. But, they call it March Madness for a reason. Just like the Badgers before them, the Gators capitalized on Badger mistakes, bringing the game within 2 with a few seconds to go. And, like Zak Showalter before him, Chris Chiozza hit his mark at the buzzer. Forever enshrining himself in Gainesville basketball legend.

Excitement comes in the strangest of forms

Thinking about March Madness is well, maddening. The odds of a perfect bracket are so astronomically improbable, you might as well figure yourself a football playing king in space. With a mustache. Picking teams that you are likely not connected to in any way aside from, “I need the Tar Heels to win because Janice from Accounting has the Wildcats winning. And I want Janice’s money.” The typical affair. And these picks make our heads hurt when they lose, or our hearts light when the win. It’s all about being alive and experiencing the wonder of sport. Being a fan even if it is only for one month. And if this year taught us anything, the Madness won’t stop anytime soon.

The post After the Madness: A Story of Broken Brackets appeared first on KRUI Radio.

#1: Leonard Fournette (LSU)- Pete Wheeler 

Leonard Fournette wowed us all with his amazing rushing title in 2015. His speed and ability to maneuver around blockers should not and will not go unnoticed by teams this year. His 6.5 YPC is an amazing tool for teams to have. 1st down carries for chunk yardage are omni-important if a team is looking to come out on top. Well, LeonardFournette reminds me of a young man from the video game named Pete Wheeler. A dominant running back with lightning-quick speed and moves that can turn heads and break ankles, Wheeler is the best running back in the game. His legs churn and churn for every yard he can muster. He gives his team his all, and I’m all but certain Leonard Fournette will do the same.

#2: Malik Hooker (OSU)- Lisa Crockett

Easy, the top-ranked safety according to CBS.com has to be paired with the best safety in Backyard Football. With 7 interceptions (including one against Clemson in the CFP Semi-Final), Malik Hooker is a shark in the deep blue ocean

that is the Secondary. His decision-making, as well as his vision of the field, makes him a looming threat. Instinctual and hard-hitting, Hooker will make any defensive coordinator sweat a little less. As I begin to write about his comparison, my heart beats a little faster, my hair starts to stand on end, my legs begin to tremble. Lisa “show me the money” Crockett is not just a force to be reckoned with. She is THE force. Offenses have reported punting on first down. Only as to not further her already tremendous power. Every step she takes is an earthquake in the neighborhood. Every time she breathes, a tornado begins to whirl in the skies above. Malik Hooker is a great safety, but making a comparison to Lisa “dead or alive” Crockett is foolish, to say the least.

#3 C.J. Beathard (Iowa)- Tony Delvecchio

 Two guys that are all about heart and have cannon arms. C.J. and Tony are truly two guys cut from the same cloth. C.J. is an Iowa boy who just loves to play football. His 2015 campaign at Iowa was nothing short of Magical. With 17 touchdowns and only 5 INT’s, it was the best season for a quarterback in recent Iowa memory. His ability to find the open receiver well outside the pocket. 57% of the time, in fact. He is also a team leader in the locker room and on the field. Just like his counterpart, Tony. Tony is one of the better Quarterbacks in the game. His speed isn’t his greatest strength, but it is made up for in accuracy and power of his arm. Tony doesn’t take too kindly to rowdy teammates. He runs a well-disciplined team with only the coolest kids on the block.

#4 Jabrill Peppers (Michigan)- Pablo Sanchez

Jack of all trades. Swiss Army Knife. Superman. All of these descriptors can apply to Jabrill Peppers and Pablo Sanchez. Jabrill Peppers was a Wolverine who could do it all. Cover, Rush, Run, Return, Catch, Pass, Block, And much much more, he was a fiend on the field. His greatest asset is his speed. The ability to dart around the field and make plays is undoubtedly one of the best a player can have. Peppers also leaves it all on the field. The way he makes hits reminds me of Jadeveon Clowney on the Houston Texans. But Peppers has the body of a safety. Which brings me to the franchise staple of all the “Backyard” games. Pablo Sanchez. With great all-around potential, Sanchez is an essential part to any team. He can do it all. It’s just up to the player to mold him into a more refined version of himself. He needs direction. Needs a leader. Give him a path and he will follow, with all of his production following close behind.

From the Backyard to the Big Stage

These young men are about to embark on a journey very few make it on. Their skills, work ethic, and support brought them to the NFL Draft. And they all have something different to prove. Whether it is bringing your eventual team a Lombardi Trophy, or an MVP plaque in their trophy case, each person has their goals. But one thing that these players and those in our virtual world have in common is that they need guidance. They’ve had great coaching in their schools, but the coaching staffs will need to take these players to that next level. And just like in Backyard Football, the kids cannot do it themselves.

The post Comparing the 2017 NFL Draft Class to 2002 Backyard Football Players appeared first on KRUI Radio.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said about the moment, “To have 70,000 of our best friends with us, that was fantastic.”

It was a great night for the Iowa Hawkeyes, and a fantastic night for one Hawkeye in particular, Akrum Wadley. The junior has often been plagued with ball security issues which has led Ferentz to often not trust him in big game situations, that was different last night as he came up with a couple of big plays at the end of the game.

Wadley was visibly giddy during his post-game interview saying how much it meant to him that Ferentz trusted him with the game on the line. “(Ferentz) hugged me! It felt good.”

This game was much needed for Wadley who struggled in his past two games, combining for just 72 yards in those games. Last night Wadley rushed for 116 yards and made the opposing players look foolish while doing it. “Akrum is a slippery guy,” said Ferentz.

While Wadley gave credit to the offensive line for his improvement, he did a lot of the work himself, rushing for 54 yards after contact, and against this Michigan defense, that is no small feat.

Wadley also came up big in the passing game. He had 5 receptions for 52 yards and also had Iowa’s lone touchdown off a screen pass near the end of the half. This is even more impressive when you look at the rest of the passing game, that combined for just 14 yards on 3 receptions. This is nothing new for him as he has tied or lead the team in receptions in each of the last three games (17 catches, 156 yards, two touchdowns).

Wadley was the Iowa offense last night accounting for 168 of Iowa’s 230 offensive yards. Iowa hopes that Wadley can continue to play like this for the rest of this year and next year, too.

“This is a great feeling,” Wadley said about the game. “This will probably top (the Big Ten Championship game).”

Akrum Wadley and the Hawkeyes will try to ride the momentum into Champaign as they take on Illinois next week at 11am.

The post Wadley Shines in Hawkeye’s Stunning Upset appeared first on KRUI Radio.

There were many ideas and suggestions from all over the place. Could we see Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels on the field at the same time? Would Desmond King see the field on the offensive side of the ball (i.e. Jabrill Peppers at Michigan)? Could C.J. Beathard develop more chemistry with the wide receivers during the bye week?

All of the eyes were on the potential changes that offensive coordinator Greg Davis and company as Iowa stepped onto Beaver Stadium on Saturday night.

Unfortunately, the Hawkeye offense went from anemic to floundering like the catch of the day ready to be deep-fried.

There were subtle changes to the system. Daniels and Wadley did see the field together, and Wadley did score a touchdown late in the second quarter after lining up in the slot. As a whole, it was much of the same we have seen sans the Purdue game.

The 41-14 loss at Beaver Stadium all but makes Iowa path to a repeat B1G West title basically nonexistent as they still have showdowns with ranked Michigan and Nebraska teams on the horizon.

The offense managed a measly 234 yards of total offense compared to 599 total yards for the Nittany Lions.

Coach Kirk Ferentz called this loss and the season so far “unacceptable.”

Ferentz said in his opening statement that his team “capable of responding.”

“Where do you want to start?” he said after being asked to clarify.

There are a lot of different possibilities where one could start.

For a team that prides itself on running the ball effectively, Iowa had a total of 30 rushing yards on 26 carries. That is an average of 1.2 per carry. Let that sink in.

Quarterback C.J. Beathard said that the team had a good two weeks of practice and he felt the team was prepared for coming into a tough road environment.

“I just think we did not play as hard as were expecting,” Beathard said.

Things are going to have to get figured out in a hurry, as Iowa will have the tall task of trying to beat a Michigan Wolverine squad that is coming off a drubbing of Maryland and will be without a doubt the toughest opponent they have played all year.

Whether people have a glass half full or glass half empty philosophy, the only thing to do is move on, fix what you can control, and get ready for the next challenge that lies ahead.

Kickoff for the Hawkeyes and Wolverines will be at 7:00 P.M. from Kinnick Stadium next Saturday night.

The post Iowa Offense Goes From Bad To Worse appeared first on KRUI Radio.

EAST:

Michigan State (6-1, 3-0): After an early season loss to Oregon, Sparty has won their last five games, but they haven’t made it easy.  On October 4, they led Nebraska 27-3 in the 4th quarter but had to get a late interception to hold on for a 27-22 win.  They struggled in a 45-31 win against Big Ten doormat Purdue, and struggled for one half against lowly Indiana.  While Michigan State is winning games, they need to improve if they want to get back into the playoff conversation.

Ohio State (5-1, 2-0): Ohio State got off to a rough start, as they barely squeaked by Navy in the opening and suffered Urban Meyer’s first home loss at Ohio State in week 2 against Virginia Tech.  Since then, however the Buckeyes have been firing on all cylinders and are averaging a whopping 56 points in the four games since.  Ohio State’s offense, led by redshirt freshman quarterback J.T. Barrett, appears to be finding its stride at the right time with a trip to East Lansing looming on November 8.

Maryland (5-2, 2-1): Big Ten newcomer Maryland may be one of the hardest teams to figure out.  They have a good offense, led by quarterback C.J. Brown and dynamic play-making receiver Stefon Diggs, however the defense still has some questions.  Maryland did show some mental toughness, scoring 38 of the next 45 points after falling behind 14-0 vs Iowa this past week.  Maryland’s schedule gets considerably tougher as they travel to Penn State and Wisconsin for their next two games, followed by a visit from Michigan State.  The key for the Terps will be the health of C.J. Brown, who has been knocked out of four games this season.

Rutgers (5-2, 1-2): Rutgers is another team that varies from week-to-week. After a hard fought victory over Michigan on October 5, Rutgers turned back around and got crushed by Ohio State in Columbus this past weekend.  Gary Nova is very hot and cold as a quarterback, and the offense  as a whole is inconsistent.  Rutgers might have the toughest remaining schedule of any Big Ten team, as they still have to play Nebraska, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and Maryland.

Michigan (3-4, 1-2): Where to begin with this Michigan team.  Brady Hoke’s team is coming off a bye and will be hosting Michigan State this week.  They got a huge win two weeks ago against Penn State, possibly saving Brady Hoke’s job for the time being.  However, this team is still a mess.  The offense is a complete disaster–the offensive line can’t block anybody and Devin Gardner still turns the ball over too much–and the defense is inconsistent.  It really doesn’t seem like Brady Hoke will be in Ann Arbor much longer, as the losses will continue to pile up unless something changes drastically.

Penn State (4-2, 1-2): Penn State looked like a dark horse team at the beginning of the season, even getting their bowl ban lifted.  However, their flaws were exposed in a 29-6 loss to Northwestern where they were dominated in every phase of the game.  After a bye week, they came back and lost to lowly Michigan. It doesn’t get any easier as Penn State hosts red-hot Ohio State this week.  A once promising season has faded into mediocrity for Penn State.

Indiana (3-4, 0-3): Indiana’s problem this season is the same problem they’ve had for years.  Their offense can score and be as explosive as any, but their defense remains a huge issue.  After a stunning victory at Missouri on September 20, Indiana proceeded to get destroyed at home by Maryland.  Tevin Coleman might be the best running back in the nation, but now that quarterback Nate Sudfeld is out for the season and a suspect defense, it’s hard to imagine Indiana getting many more wins.

WEST:

Minnesota (6-1, 3-0): Don’t look now, but Minnesota is first in the Big Ten.  Jerry Kill’s team has gotten off to a great start, thanks to a favorable schedule, and great defense.  After dominating Michigan three weeks ago, Minnesota was able to squeak by Northwestern and Purdue the past two weeks.  The offense for the Gophers is very one-dimensional as Mitch Leidner is more of a threat running the ball than he is passing, but David Cobb is another one of the many great running backs in the Big Ten.  However, Minnesota’s last four games are brutal, as they play Iowa, Ohio State, Nebraska, and Wisconsin to end their season.

Nebraska (6-1, 2-1): Nebraska is probably the best team in the Big Ten West. They had a great comeback fall short against Michigan State, but bounced back and dominated Northwestern in a 38-17 victory. They are led by All-American candidate Ameer Abdullah at running back and Tommy Armstrong is becoming a very dangerous dual-threat quarterback.  After many calls for head coach Bo Pelini to be fired after last season, this team has responded and clearly look to be the best team in the Big Ten West.

Iowa (5-2, 2-1): It has been a very up and down season for the Hawkeyes.  There was a quarterback controversy between Jake Rudock and C.J. Beathard for a couple weeks, and the offense has been inconsistent for most of the year.  While the Hawks are 5-2, a frustrating loss to Iowa State early in the season and shaky play in a lot of their other games have been cause for concern for Iowa fans.  Iowa has some big games coming up, starting in two weeks at Minnesota in a game that will be crucial for determining the division.

Northwestern (3-4, 2-2): Northwestern has had a very strange season.  They played exceptionally poorly in their first three games, losing two of them, Northwestern responded with a shocking 29-6 domination against Penn State and then beat Wisconsin the following week at home.  Unlike typical Northwestern teams, the defense is the strong part of the team and the offense has been ineffective for the most part with Trevor Siemian at the helm.

Wisconsin (4-2, 1-1): Wisconsin has been the same team for years now.  They have arguably the best running back in the nation with Melvin Gordon, however their offense is still largely ineffective thanks to a non-existent passing game.  Tanner McEvoy struggled early in the season, and was benched in their loss against Northwestern.  He was replaced by last year’s starter Joel Stave, who hasn’t been much better.  The running game of Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement is great, but Wisconsin won’t be doing anything until they have some semblance of a passing game.

Purdue (3-5, 1-3): Purdue has taken some strides in recent weeks.  Austin Appleby led the team to their first Big Ten victory in the Darrell Hazell era on October 4th at Illinois, and they hung in there against Michigan State and were winning for most of the game this past weekend against Minnesota, but lost 39-38.  Purdue likely won’t be going bowling this year, but things are looking up for the Boilermakers.

Illinois (3-4, 0-3): Illinois football is an absolute fiasco.  In the Ron Zook era, it was always the offense that couldn’t seem to get it done, and now that the offense is finally rolling, the defense can’t stop anybody.  Illinois is easily the worst team in the Big Ten, and it’s not even close.  Tim Beckman is 1-18 in his career in Big Ten play, and will almost certainly be fired after this season, if not before.

The first 6-8 games are upon us and this much is clear from the Big Ten.  There are three contenders (Michigan State, Ohio State, Nebraska), three terrible teams (Indiana, Purdue, Illinois), and then everybody else. With some of the biggest match-ups yet to be played, the Big Ten will be entertaining from now until December.

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