A-R-C DIII Bowl Game is Here - sportsguysiowa.com/a-r-c-dii… Our Column At Sports Guys Iowa we have been waiting on this announcement since it was put in the A-R-C Strategic Plan a year ago. It is awesome that an Iowa College (maybe 2 or 3 😀) will get a chance to play a post season bowl game this fall. The positives are clear - 1. The top 1-2 A-R-C teams that don't make the DIII NCAA playoffs are good D3 football teams and get to play another week. 2. That team(s) gets additional practices and extra work to get the team a head start on the 27 season and be rewarded for a strong season. 3. It's good for the A-R-C Brand and helps the conference stay competitive with the surrounding DIII bowl games that are already in place (Isthmus Bowl in Madison is a very good bowl, and the Lakefront Bowl in Milwaukee) that give 4 D3 Conferences a team playing an extra game every year. 4. Neenah and the Fox Valley in Wisconsin is a great area with plenty to do. (Some SGIers lived in Neenah so we know what a great area the Fox Valley is firsthand). There are still open questions as in the A-R-C Release they stated "Inaugural Riverbend Bowl Series, a postseason football event that will bring together teams from NCAA Division III on Saturday, November 21, 2026 in Fox Cities region of Wisconsin." Open Questions? The other conferences/teams involved are TBD. Maybe not TBD, but more likely to be announced later. In reading the tea leaves and what others are saying it looks like the MIAC is not involved. That we believed was the best partner. The A-R-C and MIAC are two top 5ish leagues in DIII. Very strong similar football - All MIAC teams are in Minnesota Minneapolis down so geographically and competitively it would have been a home run. Neenah Wisconsin as a location means it's likely that the NACC, Midwest Conference, and maybe the WIAC or UMAC is involved in some way. The CCIW may also be involved. That mystery will be revealed officially at some later point. 2. The location and distance is a surprise as it is announced as an A-R-C Two bowl game event. That could mean up to two A-R-C teams playing nowhere near their home state. Dubuque to Neenah is the closest at 195 miles. Indianola (Simpson) to Neenah is a haul folks. Seems odd to have a bowl game announced for a conference with no partner that is no where near the first announcing conference teams. (Now that may be solved the minute we hear who else conference wise is involved). The Isthmus and Lakefront bowl locations are placed at the mid-point basically of the conferences who participate. 3. We have been in jest joking about a MIAC - ARC Bowl in Austin MN that we called the Spam Bowl, but the logic we had was it is a mid-point location between the two conferences. Why Neenah? Right now without more details we are mystified on the location choice. 4. We freely admit we wanted a location like Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines Iowa to be the host. Maybe that could happen in the future. Great Iowa Facility right in the heart of the A-R-C We suggest going to @LogHanRatings who has some good thoughts on the location and mix of teams also to read. IMO. Again why NE Wisconsin? For many SGIers its great as we grew up there and have family we can visit when up for the game, but for most of the schools it is not close at all to their campuses. 5. Selfishly as Iowans if the MWC is involved it would be awesome to get Cornell, Grinnell, or Luther high enough in the standings to get 3rd (Luther and Grinnell both have legit shots at 3rd this year) and have them as one of the teams going to the Riverbend (the 2nd place MWC goes to the Lakefront bowl). An Iowa vs Iowa game for instate teams that don't play each other anymore (except for Coe playing Cornell every year) would be awesome. The Positives sure outweigh the questions and "sure would have been nice" thoughts. Today announcement was more like an impressionistic painting. Nice colors, looks good, but lacking details. It was a Monet versus a Rembrandt announcement. We can't wait for further announcements to become official. We think this is great for Iowa DIII Football teams. @D3FBHuddle @d3football @ChadHarberts @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @DTMWartburg @mctownsley @RHS76 Photo - A-R-C

Dubuque DIII Football sits atop the A-R-C (tied with Coe and Wartburg) with an impressive 4 game win streak. The Spartans non-conference schedule is always one of the toughest in DIII football (they play nearby UW-Platteville #2 - d3football poll in the nation every year). The Blue Spartans on the Bluff have been rolling this year and have a huge showdown with #11 Wartburg this Saturday at Home. Will the Wartburg FB Wagon keep rolling in Dubuque in a big showdown of two undefeated conference teams? Who are we picking in this showdown game. Pigskin Breakdown Show - 10.20.26 Links Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1S4… YouTube youtu.be/BmSwkE33x1w @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @ChadHarberts @D3FBHuddle @d3football @D3SportsData @D1_Rejects

Mt. Vernon Iowa HS Volleyball has had 2 coaches since they started playing volleyball in 1972 at the School. One of the best HS VB Programs in the state with Pittsburg Steeler Head Coaching consistency. Maggie Willems HC talked in depth about the Mustang program on our show this week as they start regional VB play this week. #IowaGirl Chad Harberts VB Show with Zac Ceresa - Maggie Willems, Final 1A-5A Ranking and District Look Ahead Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0TQ… You Tube youtu.be/SZdmkyXxw34 @ChadHarberts @zceresa4 @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @Quinn_Douglas_

Upper Iowa Football is in first place in the GLVC going into a big D2 home game this weekend vs. William Jewell. The Peacocks D is led by a dynamic Iowa tackling duo of Michael Mulherin 8.1 tackles pg (CR Kennedy, IA) and Evan Dorn 9.3 tackles pg (Denver, IA) this year and in a great position coming down the home stretch. Peacock Corner Show - William Jewell FB Preview Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/7a1… YouTube youtu.be/0MZ7RkvWHFk @Upper_Iowa_FB @WJReyerson @mschrocka @Upper_Iowa_FB @cpbehne @parkcity_UIU15 @DCBoosterClubIA @EvanDorn4

Will the Wartburg FB Wagon keep rolling in Dubuque in a big showdown of two undefeated conference teams? Who are we picking in this showdown game. Pigskin Breakdown Show - 10.20.26 Links Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/1S4… YouTube youtu.be/BmSwkE33x1w @WartburgFB @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @blenny10 @ChadHarberts @WartburgStool

Last night the Redbirds started their exhibition with a bang. The Voice of Redbirds (John Fitzgerald) joined our Deep in the Valley show to talk all about the upcoming season and roster in depth. It's a must listen for Redbird Fans to prep for the season. Follow along on X @Deepinthemvc for more MVC Coverage.@BowserVPSA Deep in the Valley - ISU Men's BB - John Fitzgerald Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/3u9… YouTube youtu.be/MhcskJ26PpE @Redbird_MBB @ryanpedon @PaulKabbes @BrianDutler @ChadHarberts @MVCMadness @MVCHoopsCentral @MVC_Hoops @RedbirdsBack @JordanCole43 @blenny10

Postseason IA HS Volleyball Districts start tonight ...some great insight from Maggie Willems Mt. Vernon Volleyball Head Coach on this week's CH Volleyball Show. Coach Willems Mt. Vernon Program is a perennial state team each and every year and the Mustangs are strong once again this fall. Chad Harberts VB Show with Zac Ceresa - Maggie Willems, Final 1A-5A Ranking and District Look Ahead Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/0TQ… You Tube youtu.be/SZdmkyXxw34 @ChadHarberts @zceresa4 @PSchiltzMSplus @Quinn_Douglas_ @blenny10 @JordanCole43 #IowaGirl

Iowa College NAIA, D2, D3, and FCS Scorecard Week 7 sportsguysiowa.com/iowa-coll… Big Week for the Dubuque Spartans and Wartburg as they are top of the SGI Football Class this week. October the 17th 2026 at the FCS, D2, D3, and NAIA level in Iowa our SGI teams put up some impressive victories. SGI Star Student(s) of the Week Dubuque A+ went to Indianola to play the Storm where they were slight underdogs against Simpson. This meeting of two undefeated teams in the A-R-C was expected to be a tight one. The Spartans led by Joey Rhomberg from Mt. Vernon IA and his 6 TD's passing dominated on the day and ran away with a lopsided win. Wartburg A+ The Knights continue to dominate the DIII landscape in Iowa and wiped out the Loras DuHawks 68-7 with almost 600 yards of offense (474 on the ground) while only allowing 169 yards of offense. The Knights have scored 69, 72, and now 68 points in the last three weeks. The Knights are playing angry and running the ball down teams' throats. Dordt A: The Defenders won the Battle of the Sioux's - City vs. Center in NW Iowa convincingly in a runaway 49-3 victory. At 5-2 Joel Penner's Boys in Black are setting themselves for another NAIA playoff run. Northwestern College A: A few weeks back our SGI team were calling for more consistency from one of the best NAIA programs in the country. Their 45 points yesterday in a big win against Doane and 52 the week before show us that the Blood Red Oranges from Orange City are looking like another playoff force this fall in NAIA. Upper Iowa A: Iowa's Only D2 program went down to Missouri and put it on Southwest Baptist to go into a first-place tie in GLVC at 3-1. After having 5 straight games of every game decided by 2 pts or less, the Peacocks strutted their feathers with a 42-23 victory over the Bearcats. Our Peacock Corner Show hosts were thrilled with the lack of drama and the runaway win. St. Ambrose A: Vince Fillipps Bees on the Bluff in Davenport had a dominant 46-26 win over Clarke University from just up the road on Highway 61. The Bees are off to an excellent 4-2 start this fall and are building program. They are having their best year ever since joining the Heart of America Conference a few years back (which is arguably the best NAIA Football Conference in America) so they had a huge step up in competitive class. It's been close to a decade since the Bees have had a winning record in Football. Coe College A: Coe rolled over to Storm Lake and handled the Buena Vista Beavers 42-7 behind another strong day from Quincy Drummer. The KoHawks are 3-0 in the A-R-C (tied with Dubuque and Wartburg) setting up some huge showdown games in the A-R-C over the next few weeeks. Central College A: Some key skill player injuries have hurt the Dutch's progression this year, but the Red Tulips from Pella are a proud program and put it on the Wolves from Nebraska Wesleyan this Saturday 44-11. The Dutch are historically one of Iowa's all time great football programs so it's always good to see the guys with a C on their helmet excel. Grinnell B+: The Pioneers went to Appleton Wisconsin and must have visited the Harry Houdini Museum (Houdini was from Appleton) and been inspired to escape with a big win after trailing going into the 4th quarter 7-6. The Pioneers put up 22 unanswered and won 28-7. We are big fans of the flexbone that Coach Barnes runs and the competitiveness that the Pioneers play. Grinnell's academic profile means they compete with a much smaller roster than almost every D3 team they play against has. The Pioneers are a plucky bunch who are playing above their weight this year Cornell B+: The Rams overcame four turnovers to nip the Prairie Fire from Knox 28-26. Curt Ritchie has a very young squad and is building his numbers up, so it is great to start to see some payoff. The Cornell and Grinnell game this week is going to be fun one to watch. UNI C-: UNI fell short of their 3rd straight top 10 upset and got in a hole to top 10 Youngstown state 28-0 fast. The Purple fellas did not quit but fell 35-22. The Fellas from Cedar Falls are a tough out this fall in the uber competitive Missouri Valley Conference which 90% of the time produces the FCS National Champion. Clarke C-: Coach Zuck was a late cycle hire and everyone knew this was going to be a build from the ground up situation as Clarke is a new Football program founded in 2020. They lost to the Bees but they did not quit and scored all 22 of their points in the 2nd half. Playing for 60 minutes and making progress is good to see for the Pride. Graceland C-: This week on Thursday the Yellow Jackets faced Grandview on a Thursday night in Lamoni. We loved it as we were able to watch the entire game on the feed. TJ Shanks their QB and Phil Stabacks Offense are a fun watch. The four turnovers the Yellow Jackets had made this score a bit lopsided but they do not quit. The Rest of the Weekend and D+'s Luther is having an excellent season but facing #24 Lake Forest was rough as they fell 57-3. Buena Vista got handled by Coe 42-7. Mt. Mercy had a rough day against Peru State and fell 59-10. Simpson in a Showdown game with Dubuque broke down defensively and lost going away 58-27. Briar Cliff had a rough day against Northwestern College. Loras had a road trip to Waverly and the Knights put up 68 on them in a burn the tape on the bus ride back to Dubuque game (Wartburg is making a habit of close to 70 point outbursts). William Penn had a turnover filled day giving Culver Stockton a 29-28 victory. Losing to the Butter Burgers by turning the ball over 4 times led to big NAIA upset. Drake fell in tight one to Marist 25-22 in DSM. It was our in person covered game this weekend. A 4th Straight PFL championship is likely gone for 26 now as Marist goes to 3-0 and has the tiebreaker. Some observations from Saturday I wanted to share. Drake had a late coaching change when much of last years staff went to Rutgers. Taking over in late Feb. at the D1 level is tough that late even for a national title winning coach like Matt Walker (UWRF just won the NCAA D3 Natty under Coach Walker). When coaches leave players go portal and some of last year's top Drake players are now playing in the Big Ten. It's a restock the cupboard situation, and where it shows up is in player size when you do not have time and the portal has already been picked clean is in the trenches. Drake is a smaller team this year in person than last years PFL winning squad that I saw on the field. @JordanCole43 @blenny10 @WartburgFB @mctownsley @DTMWartburg @RHS76 @DubuqueFootball @CoeAthletics @KohawksFootball @WJReyerson @mschrocka @nwcraiders @nwc_fb @NikRule @TheHeartConf @SAU_CoachQ @CentralDutchFB @DordtFB

This Conference Stat says it all. 8.8 YPC and on D allowing 2.0 YPC. It's like watching @MadridTigers HS football in Iowa. Pure pound the rock and run the D#&% ball excellence. @blenny10 and @JordanCole43 love talking ground and pound on their show and nobody in Iowa College Football does it like Wartburg this year. The Knights and Grand View are the two best in Iowa.

SGI shout out to our favorite 2026 Wartburg Knight FB player Matthew Hilleman. Why is Matt our favorite? His Dad Jeff has been a longtime friend of many of our SGI'ers and one of those great guys who is always there if you need him. Jeff to be kind is not the savviest Social Media or technology guy 😂but he keeps us up to date on every Wartburg game. We really appreciate that as an all volunteer group we need fans and friends to help us cover their teams. Jeff might the last Iowa Guy to transition from a flip phone. So, when he sends a hey look Matthew got a Tuddy video we are like...wow... Jeff sent a video it must be big... that is an immediate auto share😀😂🤣 Matthew is a grinder, top student, Iowa HS player from CR Prairie that is a typical Iowan doing the hard work on all the Iowa NAIA, FCS, D2, and D3 Teams we cover. Their are hundreds of these kids working every week, being true student athletes fitting all that work in around practices and games. These kids are grinding away, being a great teammate and doing the dirty work to help a team win most of the time in shadows. So, when a proud dad and close friend shares a Tuddy we absolutely have to share it and bring his son some well deserved sunshine ...We are not sure his Dad has the social media to actually see it, but maybe a friend of his will share it with him from Wartburg. @WartburgFB @WartburgKnights @mctownsley @RHS76 @DTMWartburg @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @WJReyerson @ChadHarberts @mschrocka @NikRule

Dowling Catholic FB is getting the Maroon bus for a run to the UNI Dome. Can the Maroons repeat in 5A? We ran into @EthanLaCava at the Drake game yesterday (on a recruiting visit) and caught up to him to talk PLAYOFFs. Ethan is a legit 6'4" and has size and this year is completing 70% of his passes with 10 Tuddy's and no Interceptions. It went the other way for @DrakeBulldogsFB yesterday 25-22 but it was great to see a bunch of Iowa HS Players in for visits at Drake Stadium. It's awesome to see that Coach Walker and team are recruiting the state hard. @PSchiltzMSplus @midwestsportstv @blenny10 @JordanCole43

The Dubuque Spartans sure did weather the Simpson Storm and are coasting to a big A-R-C victory. Mt. Vernon's very own @JoeyRhomberg QB had himself a day with 6 TD's before getting the rest of the game off. That bus ride back from Indianola is going to be fun one this afternoon for the Boys in Blue from the Bluffs. @blenny10 @JordanCole43 #RollRivers @AmerRiversConf

Upper Iowa Football with a huge win today to take a share of 1st place in the GLVC. Mike and Warren on their instant pod share their thoughts on J Cole and Ghost doubting the Peacocks on their weekly Pigskin Breakdown Show. Peacock Corner Oct 17.26 Instant React Podcast Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/7yZ… YouTube youtu.be/rt6fCa-gCzQ @blenny10 @WJReyerson @JordanCole43 @mschrocka @Upper_Iowa_FB

Drake with the pick and convert the tuddy 16-7 Drake 13:06 Left in Q2. Great day perfect for football and the Top Gun offense is clicking early. @D1_Rejects @SethHoward_ @blemny @JordanCole43

Perfect day for football in dsm. Drake needs a win against Marist to stay in the hunt for a 4th straight Pioneer Football League Championship @515Football @SSN_Drake @blenny10 @JordanCole43 @DrakeBulldogsFB

Peacocks on the road in Missouri today. Can Upper Iowa keep the good mojo going on the road today in a big D2 FB Game? @cpbehne @WJReyerson @mschrocka @cpbehne @parkcity_UIU15 @blenny10 @JordanCole43

Grand View FB on the road in Lamoni, IA tonight. Up 31-7 at half being opportunistic and creating turnovers. TJ Shanks and Graceland are moving the ball but the TOs and special teams have put them in a halftime hole. @GVVikingFB @TheHeartConf @NikRule @blenny10 @JordanCole43

William Penn Football in 2025 had their best season in over 100 years of playing football. In 2026 they are continuing that momentum with another top 25 ranked season. Can the Statesmen continue their good season in 2026 on the road this week in Canton MO? @WPUAthletics @WPU_Football @CoachBenavidez @blenny10 @JordanCole43

"I just can't quit Drake, but can we just have a game where you don't turn the ball over?" Jordan Cole and Brandon "Ghost" Leonard keep seeing positives for the Blue Dawgs. Drake still has a legit shot at the PFL championship for a 4th year in a row, but they have to win on Saturday at Home against Marist. Pigskin Breakdown Show Predictions Week 7 Apple podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas… Spotify open.spotify.com/episode/2rE… YouTube youtu.be/TOgL9UoRppw @D1_Rejects @SethHoward_ @JordanCole43 @blenny10 @515Football @SSN_Drake