L.J. Phillips Jr. News, Rumors, Updates - Iowa Hawkeyes

Leading rusher in victory Phillips had 21 rushes for 128 yards and caught all two targets for 14 yards during Saturday's 24-10 win over Northwestern.

Impact Phillips had his best game of the season against the Wildcats, running for a season-high 128 yards on 6.1 YPC. Though he was held out of the end zone, the 5-foot-8 running back took a big step toward establishing himself as the top option in the Iowa backfield in the absence of Kamari Moulton. He will hope for another explosive performance when the Hawkeyes host Purdue on Saturday.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Hank Brown, No. 21 Iowa defense combine to give Northwestern first loss at new stadium, 24-10

Hank Brown threw for a touchdown and ran for another, and Braeden Jackson returned a kickoff for a TD for the second time this season as No. 21 Iowa beat Northwestern 24-10

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Available Saturday Phillips (ankle) is ready to rock for Saturday's matchup versus Minnesota, per the Big Ten availability report.

Impact Phillips was seen as expected to play in Week 8, and the tailback will be an option in Iowa's backfield. The senior has been limited to just three games this season, notching 18 carries for 63 yards without finding the end zone. He should play a complementary role behind RB1 Kamari Moulton.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Available Saturday Phillips (ankle) is ready to rock for Saturday's matchup versus Minnesota, per the Big Ten availability report.

OCTOBER 21 • ROTOWIRE

Expects to play in Week 8 Phillips (ankle) expects to play in Saturday's game at Minnesota, Tyler Tachman of the Des Moines Register reports.

Impact Back in Week 6, Phillips tweaked one of his ankles, which was the lower-body injury vaguely described as his issue after Iowa defeated Washington then. The running back recently increased his workload at UW, beginning his 2026 season with eight carries across five games before logging 10 against the Huskies. Phillips wants to keep the positive momentum going in Minnesota, and it looks like there is more than a good chance he will be available to do that.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lower-body injury Phillips is dealing with a lower-body injury that he sustained during Friday's game against Washington, per Chad Leistikow of the Des Moine Register.

Impact Phillips left Friday's game and did not return after logging 10 rushes for 42 yards. The running back has been troubled by injuries this season, as he was forced to sit out three games due to an ankle injury. There is no official timeline for a return, but if the injury is long-term, expect Braeden Jackson to see more carries.

OCTOBER 10 • ROTOWIRE

Will be available Week 4 Phillips (ankle) will be available for Saturday's game at Michigan, David Eickholt of 247Sports reports.

Impact Phillips' return comes at a great time for him, as Kamari Moulton (undisclosed) potentially being out or limited in Week 4 would allow the former a prime opportunity to step up. Phillips has not proven himself just yet, with his one game for Iowa (against Northern Illinois) including less than 2.0 yards per carry across four rushing attempts. Nonetheless, the sample size is small, and Phillips' previous excellence at South Dakota suggests he can carry a huge workload. What he needs to master now is acclimating to the best of FBS defenses.

SEPTEMBER 23 • ROTOWIRE

Good chance to play at Michigan Phillips (ankle) is working his way back and head coach Kirk Ferentz says he likes the tailback's chances of playing at Michigan on Saturday, per David Eickholt of 247Sports.com.

Impact Phillips hasn't played since the opener, but the ball-carrier reportedly has a good chance to return. With Kamari Moulton also trending towards playing in Ann Arbor, Iowa's ground game should receive a boost ahead of a huge conference opener.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play Saturday Phillips (ankle) will miss Saturday's game against Northern Iowa, David Eickholt of 247Sports.com reports.

Impact Phillips was unable to give it a go against Iowa State last week and will miss a second straight contest Saturday. He'll get another opportunity to don the uniform when Iowa opens conference play next Saturday in the Big House against Michigan.

SEPTEMBER 19 • ROTOWIRE

Making progress, unlikely to play Week 3 Phillips (ankle) is reportedly making good progress but is also unlikely to play in Week 3 against Northern Iowa, per David Eickholt of 247Sports.com.

Impact Phillips missed Week 2 after rushing for five yards in the opener, and the tailback looks set to make it two straight absences. With Kamari Moulton also a question mark this week, Iowa's backfield could be depleted come Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 15 • ROTOWIRE

Sheds boot; remains out Phillips (ankle) was spotted without a boot on ahead of Saturday's game against Iowa State, Mitch Fick of Iowa's News Now reports.

Impact Phillips will remain sidelined during Saturday's game against the Cyclones, but he has shed his boot ahead of the contest. The 5-foot-8 senior, who was projected to be heavily involved this season, will have his next chance to suit up against UNI in Week 3.

SEPTEMBER 12 • ROTOWIRE

Officially ruled out for Week 2 Phillips (ankle) won't play in Week 2 at Iowa State, per David Eickholt of 247Sports.com.

Impact Phillips suffered what was reportedly a high-ankle sprain in Iowa's season-opening win over NIU. Now, the tailback has been officially ruled out for the Cy-Hawk game early in the week. Expect plenty of touches for starter Kamari Moulton, and to a lesser degree backup Nathan McNeil.

SEPTEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers potential high-ankle sprain Phillips suffered what's believed to be a high ankle sprain in Iowa's Week 1 win over Northern Illinois, per Matt Zenitz of CBSSports.com.

Impact Phillips ran for just five yards on four carries in the opener before sustaining the ankle injury. The South Dakota transfer was expected to be a big part of this Hawkeyes' ground game, but if Phillips can't go in Week 2, expect a big workload for Kamari Moulton and potentially more carries for Nathan McNeil.

SEPTEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Cats-Griz II: Montana routs South Dakota 52-22 to set up FCS semifinal against Montana State

Michael Wortham had 244 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns, Keali’i Ah Yat threw for 305 yards and three scores and Montana routed South Dakota 52-22 on Saturday to set up a re...

DECEMBER 14, 2025 • Associated Press

Phillips rushes for 2 TDs, South Dakota picks off Mercer 4 times in 47-0 FCS playoff victory

DECEMBER 6, 2025 • Associated Press

Bouman's 4 TD passes push South Dakota past Drake 38-17

Aidan Bouman threw four touchdown passes and South Dakota rolled to a 38-17 win over Drake on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs

NOVEMBER 29, 2025 • Associated Press

L.J. Phillips Jr. powers South Dakota to 24-17 upset victory over South Dakota State

NOVEMBER 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Lewis' scoop and score, Phillips' rushing lead South Dakota to 26-21 win over North Dakota

NOVEMBER 1, 2025 • Associated Press

Illinois State rides Rittenhouse's 3 TDs to 21-13 win over Illinois State

Quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse accounted for three total touchdowns — two passing and one running — and No. 18 FCS Illinois State beat South Dakota 21-13

OCTOBER 25, 2025 • Associated Press

Phillips runs for 187, Leyland boots 4 field goals for South Dakota in 19-14 win over Indiana State

OCTOBER 11, 2025 • Associated Press

Phillips rushes for 244 yards, 4 TDs in South Dakota's 49-24 win over Murray State

OCTOBER 4, 2025 • Associated Press

Phillips Jr. puts himself in record book again, FCS No. 15 South Dakota defeats Drake 42-21

SEPTEMBER 20, 2025 • Associated Press

Phillips runs for 301 yards, powers South Dakota over Northern Colorado 24-17 in OT

SEPTEMBER 13, 2025 • Associated Press

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