Iowa put on probation for year, will pay fine and vacate 4 wins for violations involving McNamara

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Iowa has been placed on probation for one year, will pay a self-imposed $25,000 fine and vacate four wins in 2023 as part of the resolution to an NCAA infractions case stemming from the recruitment of former quarterback Cade McNamara, the NCAA announced Tuesday.

The NCAA found tampering violations occurred in 2022 when coach Kirk Ferentz and assistant Jon Budmayr had impermissible contacts with McNamara when he was enrolled at Michigan and had not entered the transfer portal. Budmayr also communicated with McNamara's father before he entered the portal.

Ferentz previously agreed he violated head coach responsibility rules because of his awareness of and personal involvement in the violations. Iowa suspended Ferentz and Budmayr from the team's 2024 opener against Illinois State.

Iowa, the individuals involved and the NCAA enforcement staff agreed that throughout November 2022, Budmayr participated in 13 phone calls with McNamara or McNamara's father as well as sending two text messages. Budmayr also arranged for McNamara to speak on the phone with Ferentz, who assured him that he would have a home at Iowa. After those communications, McNamara entered the portal and transferred to Iowa.

McNamara was the starter in Iowa's first five games in 2023 before he sustained a season-ending injury. The NCAA ordered Iowa to vacate wins over Utah State, Iowa State, Western Michigan and Michigan State.

“I am disappointed by the NCAA’s decision today,” Ferentz said. "Throughout the process, our program has been open and honest about my mistake — contacting a potential player in the hours before it was permissible by NCAA rules.

“I felt it was important to make amends for the issue, which is why I voluntarily served a one-game suspension to start the 2023 season. I believe today’s decision by the NCAA vacating four wins in our 2023 season is overly harsh and inconsistent with the violation.”

Iowa, in a self-imposed penalty, prohibited recruiting communication in the football program for two weeks this year.

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FILE - Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Utah State, Sept. 2, 2023, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

FILE - Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz stands on the field before an NCAA college football game against Michigan State, Nov. 22, 2025, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Alexander Isak was handed his first Liverpool start since December as the Merseyside club aimed for another famous Champions League comeback Tuesday against Paris Saint-Germain.

But there was no place in Arne Slot's starting lineup for Mohamed Salah.

Six-time European champion Liverpool trails 2-0 after the first leg of the quarterfinal in Paris. But it is hoping for the type of Anfield night that saw it rout Barcelona 4-0 in the semifinals in 2019 to overturn a 3-0 first-leg loss.

“There is a belief that we can do special things ... but we need to be very, very, very special," coach Slot said ahead of the match. “We know we need an exceptional performance to go through to the next round.”

Isak sustained a broken ankle and fibula in December and only made his comeback as a substitute against PSG last week.

The British record $170 million signing was named at the point of Liverpool's attack with Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz also included.

Salah, who is leaving the club at the end of the season, was a substitute.

Defending champion PSG dominated the first leg but missed opportunities to run up a more commanding lead.

PSG coach Luis Enrique warned his team about the potential to slip up with the semifinals within touching distance.

“You need to be really careful, there could be pitfalls and it could be a trap,” he said. “Everyone says, ‘You won (the first leg) easily and you were much better than (the) opposition.’ It might be the case but things can change so quickly in a football match.”

Barcelona must also overturn a 2-0 first-leg loss to Atletico Madrid if it is to advance to the semifinals.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Liverpool's Alexander Isak, right, and Liverpool's Mohamed Salah run during the warm up before the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

PSG's Willian Pacho, left, and Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike challenge for the ball during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique attends a press conference in Liverpool, England, Monday April 13, 2026, one day ahead of their Champions League soccer match against Liverpool. (Peter Byrne/PA via AP)

Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk gestures during the Champions League quarterfinal first leg soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in Paris, Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)