As the Iowa Hawkeyes gambling scandal continues to unfold, one bit of news Wednesday amused Twitter.
Chad Leistikow of the Des Moines Register noted that walk-on junior kicker Aaron Blom allegedly placed 170 bets, totaling $4,400, under his mother’s name on DraftKings.
One of the alleged bets: Blom bet the “under” for points in the 2021 Iowa-Iowa State football game.
According to a new complaint, Iowa walk-on kicker Aaron Blom bet the "under" on the 2021 Cy-Hawk football game, won by Iowa 27-17. (The O/U was 45, so it hit!)
Blom wagered 170 times under his mother's name for $4,400 on DraftKings, per the affidavit, and was underage.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) August 2, 2023
While the situation is no laughing matter for Blom, who will have his chance to plead his case, college football fans found it hilarious he bet the under on an Iowa football game. The Hawkeyes have been horrendous on offense, and ranked 132nd out of 133 FBS teams in yards per game in 2022. They were 125th in scoring (17.7 points per game).
Those woes have led to much criticism of offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, son of longtime Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz.
So CFB fans had a lot of fun with the news.
BEST TWEET OF THE DAY AWARD WINNER!!! pic.twitter.com/Oo1KpmSHoX
— Iowa Punt Returner (@IAPuntReturner) August 2, 2023
I think it is more alarming that someone needed inside information to bet the under on an Iowa game.
— Josh Baughman (@TheJoshBaughman) August 2, 2023
This is less gambling and more risk-free investing. https://t.co/8yf68n3tde
— Rece Davis (@ReceDavis) August 2, 2023
At least he’s smart enough to know Iowa’s offense stinks. Should be fined if he took the over.
— Jimmy Doyle (@JimmyDo53415760) August 2, 2023
Brian Ferentz being terrible at his job is not insider knowledge
— Ray (@godaytonflyers) August 2, 2023
You’re right, but even a walk-on kicker would absolutely have insider information. Firsthand knowledge that the offense is struggling in practice, or even an offhand comment from a coach like “We’re gonna kick field goals whenever we’re in range,” would give an unfair advantage.
— Andrew Blaylock (@andrew_blaylock) August 2, 2023
Blom, Iowa’s backup kicker, faces aggravated misdemeanor charges in the case, and if he is found to have bet on Iowa football games, he could be ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA.
University of Iowa officials confirmed in May that more than two dozen athletes are under investigation for allegedly violating NCAA rules prohibiting online sports gambling. The probe involves 26 athletes, including football players.
[Chad Leistikow, Des Moines Register]
