Hawkeye news roundup: Kade Pieper and Zach Lutmer awards, Kylie Welker wins gold, and more

Iowa football had a week off, but there was still plenty of action in Hawkeye athletics.

Multiple members of the Iowa women's wrestling program were in action, and a few Hawkeyes football players were added to midseason award watch lists before a pivotal week eight matchup against Minnesota.

Kade Pieper was named to the AP Midseason All-American team

After bursting onto the scene last season in his first year as a full-time starter, Kade Pieper continues his stellar run. Pieper has started the last 19 games at right guard and has become an anchor for an inexperienced offensive line group this season. The Hawkeyes have had success in the running game this season, notching three games of 250-plus rushing yards, including a 422-yard outburst against Northern Iowa in week three.

Iowa had three running backs surpass the 100-yard mark for the first time since 1983, including Xavier Williams (151 yards), Braeden Jackson (125 yards), and Nathan McNeil (111 yards).

After helping Iowa start the year 5-1, Pieper was named to the AP Midseason All-American First Team. Pieper was an All-American last year and has picked up right where he left off. The Iowa offense is averaging 31.0 points and 403.2 total yards per game, including 194.0 yards per game on the ground.

Zach Lutmer was named a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist

It was a blessing that rising star defensive back Zach Lutmer never considered leaving Iowa for the NFL after a breakout 2025 campaign, and it is paying dividends. Lutmer has been a solid starting safety in Iowa's secondary and is making an impact on and off the field. For his contributions, Lutmer has been named a Lott IMPACT Trophy quarterfinalist. IMPACT stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community, and Tenacity.

Lutmer has started all six games at free safety, tallying 34 total tackles, four pass breakups, and one tackle for loss. Lutmer recorded a career-high 12 total tackles in Iowa's thrilling 20-19 victory over Michigan in week four and followed that up with 11 tackles against Ohio State. Off the field, Lutmer is an Academic All-Big Ten selection.

Lutmer is one of 16 quarterfinalists for the award, and the next stage will be announced in mid-November.

Kylie Welker's domination continues with another gold medal

Fifth-year wrestler Kylie Welker continues to prove why she is one of the top wrestlers in college and internationally. Welker has been a force for the Iowa women's wrestling program since it launched, and she is also on an impressive international streak. Welker was in Las Vegas with multiple Iowa teammates for the Under-23 World Championships, where she achieved something no other wrestler has. After winning her third consecutive gold medal, Welker is the first American and freestyle women's wrestler to win three straight gold medals.

Welker was dominant in her bracket, going 4-0, and her final matchup was over almost as quickly as it started. She scored a 10-0 after a tech fall over Serbia's Evelin Ujhelji in just 48 seconds.

Jan Jensen, Iowa defeated Oklahoma State in a closed-door scrimmage

Jan Jensen and the Iowa women's basketball program agressively scheduled tough opponents this season, and that carried over into scrimmages. The Hawkeyes reportedly had a closed-door scrimmage against Oklahaoma State, and it went well. As details trickle in about the scrimmage, it paints a good picture for what the Hawkeyes might look like this season. Although a box score or advanced stats aren't available, On3 Sports' Talia Goodman has released details about the game.

After initially reporting that Iowa defeated Oklahoma State 93-86 in a closed-door scrimmage, some stats have been released.

Some notable performances from the scrimmage include Dani Carnegie, who filled up the stat sheet in the win. She finished with a 30-point double-double, adding six assists and three steals. First-year sensation McKenna Woliczko was also impressive, tallying 19 points and four rebounds. Returning star Ava Heiden faced former rival Audi Crooks and fell just short of a double-double with 12 points and 7 rebounds. Although there wasn't much defense in this game, Iowa's new offensive scheme appears to be working, which is music to the ears of Hawkeye fans.

Carnegie was the biggest surprise, and if she can do that against a good Oklahoma State team, Iowa might have signed the best transfer this offseason. It is still too early to make any concrete determinations, but Iowa's offense looks better than we initially thought.

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