In-state rivalries bring with it a number of connections and the Northern Iowa at Iowa State football game in Ames Saturday was no exception. Greene County had its share of ties to the Panthers and Cyclones.

UNI redshirt senior Daric Whipple is a receiver who was on the Cyclones’ football roster for four seasons before  joining the Panthers. Whipple was a standout athlete at Greene County High School.

Zac Kibby is another UNI redshirt senior. He’s listed as a defensive back and has punted in the past for the Panthers. Kibby is a Bishop Garrigan HS grad. Both his parents are Jefferson-Scranton graduates and Bill Kibby, his grandfather, is a former longtime JSPC head football coach and has more victories for the Rams than any other in program history.

Bryce Paup, the Scranton HS grad, is the defensive line coach of the Panthers. The former UNI standout played 11 seasons in the NFL and was the 1995 Defensive Player of the Year while with the Buffalo Bills.

For the Cyclones, Tyler Miller is on the two-deep as an offensive lineman. The 6-9, 320 lbs. redshirt freshman was an All-State player for Greene County and was the first DI scholarship player for the Rams in recent history.

Derek Hoodjer is ISU’s Director of Player Personnel. He is the son of Jefferson resident Tracy Hoodjer.