I can’t speak for the entire country, but I can speak for my own backyard.
My baseball-obsessed 7 year old hasn’t ever so much as touched a soccer ball in his life and now he’s spending his evenings out here pretending he’s Flo Balogun.
I don’t think it’s possible to overstate the impact this World Cup will have on this sport’s popularity in America.
7️⃣7️⃣ days until Iowa Football
#77 Alaric Jackson: another product of the Iowa offensive line factory
Jackson was a 42-game starter, 3x All-Big Ten selection, and team captain who held down the left tackle spot from 2017-2020
7️⃣9️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Can’t forget #79 Bryan Bulaga, one of the most dominant offensive linemen to ever wear the black and gold
A cornerstone of Iowa’s 2009 Orange Bowl team, Bulaga earned 1st-Team All-Big Ten honors before becoming a 1st round draft pick
8️⃣1️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Shoutout to #81 Tony Moeaki, a key piece of the Hawkeyes’ 2009 Orange Bowl run, and one of the best TEs in school history
8️⃣3️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Flashback to #83 Riley McCarron’s 55-yard punt return TD at Illinois in 2016, earning him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week
8️⃣4️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Need a first down? Throw it to #84.
Sam LaPorta finished his Hawkeye career with 153 receptions, 1,786 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns, ranking 1st all-time among Iowa tight ends in receptions and 2nd in receiving yards.
There is a lot of “Paraguay isn’t very good” talk. Full stop.
Under Alfaro, they lost just once in WCQ and went 9 straight without defeat. They beat URG, Brazil, & Argentina.
They were one of the best defensive teams in the 🌎.
Paraguay isn’t bad.
#USMNT made them look bad.
83 - Chris Richards completed all 83 passes he attempted for the #USMNT against Paraguay, the most passes with a 100 percent accuracy rate by any player in a FIFA World Cup match since 1966.
Perfection.
8️⃣5️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Flashback to 2021 when #85 Logan Lee came through with a clutch blocked FG against Minnesota
Lee appeared in 43 games (41 starts) from 2020 to 2023, recording 158 total tackles (58 solo), 18.5 tackles for loss, 9.0 sacks, and 7 pass deflections
8️⃣6️⃣ days until Iowa Football
#86 Warren Holloway caught just one touchdown pass in his Hawkeye career, but it eventually came to be one of the most iconic touchdowns in Iowa history.
“The forgotten man… THE FORGOTTEN MAN!” - Gary Dolphin
8️⃣7️⃣ days until Iowa Football
#87 belongs to Noah Fant.
Flashback to 2017 when Fant hauled in 2 TDs as the #Hawkeyes knocked off Ohio State in one of the greatest upsets in school history.
Fant ranks 1st all-time for career receiving touchdowns (19) by an Iowa TE.
8️⃣8️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Flashback to 2015 when Desmond King turned defense into offense.
With Maryland driving, King jumped the route and raced 88 yards for a pick 6, one of the signature plays from his historic Jim Thorpe Award-winning season.
I’ve never had an issue paying players- above or under the table. It is what is. But you can’t bet on your own sport & team as a CFB player. That sets a very dangerous precedent. No other way to say it. I’m not saying he can’t have an NFL career but there has to be some meaningful punishment here.
8️⃣9️⃣ days until Iowa Football
Down 20-16. Kinnick shaking. One play changed everything.
Flashback to 2021 when #89 Nico Ragaini got behind the Penn State defense and hauled in the game-winning touchdown, capping Iowa’s improbable comeback win over No. 4 Penn State.
9️⃣0️⃣ days until Iowa Football
#90 Louis Trinca-Pasat was the definition of a glue guy on the defense from 2010-2014
He started in 38 straight games in his final 3 seasons, and in his senior year notched 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks (2nd on team in both categories)