Aug 20, 2026 · 60 min
Ben Hutchens leaves Iowa State coverage with a history-filled farewell
The Beat Reporters: Hutchens' Farewell, Spinning the Wheel, Media Day Takeaways
The episode marks a newsroom transition while preserving the memories, roster questions, and football debates shaping Iowa State coverage.
- 1Ben Hutchens departs for Oklahoma State coverage as Jackson Pence joins the show’s next era.
- 2Media Day discussions center on leadership, team chemistry, defensive fit, and uncertainty around injuries and eligibility.
- 3The history wheel revisits Iowa State’s Phantom 3, Nebraska upset, and other defining what-ifs and comebacks.
Don't miss
The hosts reconstruct Iowa State’s Phantom 3 controversy, from the mistaken one-and-one ruling through the missed free throw and overtime loss.
The brief
Ben Hutchens joins Jake Brend and Rob Gray for his final episode before moving to Oklahoma State coverage, with Jackson Pence introduced as his replacement.
The reporters weigh Killian Torrey’s injury and eligibility uncertainty, then examine how Media Day stories reveal leadership, trust, chemistry, and a changing defensive fit.
The conversation questions whether Iowa State’s recent injuries reflect bad luck, training methods, or a broader shift in football philosophy under the new staff.
The history wheel revisits the Phantom 3 controversy, Paul Rhoads’ 9–7 Nebraska upset, David Irving’s what-if, Jared Uthoff’s scoring burst, and Steel Jantz’s mystery.
The episode closes with heartfelt appreciation for Hutchens, whose curiosity strengthened the show, and a promise to return for Iowa State–Oklahoma State.
Featuring
Listen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.