Iowa Returns Home to Host Arizona State

Sept. 15, 2003

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IOWA RETURNS HOME
Iowa (3-0) returns home to host Arizona State (2-0). Game time is 5:05 p.m. in Kinnick Stadium (70,397). A limited amount of tickets remain.

ON THE TUBE
ESPN2 will televise the contest to a national cable audience. Dave Barnett, Bill Curry and Craig James will call the action. Heather Cox will be the sideline reporter.

RADIO BROADCAST
Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, with color commentator Ed Podolak and sideline reporter Mark Allen. The Hawkeye Radio Network includes more than 40 stations throughout the state.

HAWKEYES AT NIGHT
This week’s contest vs. Arizona State will be Iowa’s fourth home night game in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa is 1-2 in home night games. The Hawkeyes defeated Northern Illinois 24-0 in 1999, but fell to Miami (FL) 24-7 in 1992 and Iowa State 36-31 in 2002. The Northern Illinois win was Kirk’s first victory at Iowa.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,042 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 523-480-39 (.521). That includes a 329-191-16 (.629) record in home games, a 194-289-23 (.406) record in games away from Iowa City, a 253-323-25 (.442) mark in Big Ten games and a 211-158-15 (.569) record in Kinnick Stadium.

TICKETS AVAILABLE
Tickets are available for all of Iowa’s remaining home games except Michigan, which is sold out.

Single game tickets remain for home games against Arizona State, Penn State, Illinois and Minnesota and are $40. Tickets can be purchased on-line by logging on to www.hawkeyesports.com or by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS. Fans may also purchase tickets in person at the UI Ticket Office located in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

MICHIGAN ST. GAME TIME SET
Iowa’s Big Ten Conference opener at Michigan State is slated to kickoff at 11:10 a.m. (CDT). The game will be televised by ESPN Plus.

WIN STREAK
Coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa have a 12-game regular season win streak, which is the third best in school history. Coach Alden Knipe’s Hawkeyes had a 14-game regular season win streak during the 1898-1900 seasons, while Coach Howard Jones guided Iowa to a 20-game winning streak during the 1920-23 seasons.

FERENTZ MATCHES HAYDEN
Coach Ferentz has guided Iowa to a 17-3 (.850) record in his last 20 games. Hayden Fry coached Iowa to a 17-3 (.850) mark in games during 1984-86, which was his highest winning percentage over a 20-game span as coach of Iowa.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa vaulted five spots to No. 14 in the most recent ESPN/USA Today poll, while it is ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press poll. Arizona State is ranked No. 16 in both major polls and will be Iowa’s first ranked opponent this season.

Three of Iowa’s Big Ten opponents are ranked in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Ohio State is ranked No. 4, followed by No. 5 Michigan and No. 24 Minnesota.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 3-3 when playing on Sept. 20. The Hawkeyes defeated North Dakota State 59-0 in 1947, Northern Illinois 57-3 in 1986 and Iowa State 63-20 in 1997. Iowa lost to Oregon State 42-14 in 1969, Syracuse 10-7 in 1975 and Nebraska 57-0 in 1980.

THE SERIES
This will be the first regular season meeting between Iowa and ASU. The Sun Devils did defeat the Hawkeyes 17-7 in the 1997 Sun Bowl in the only meeting between the two schools.

KAEDING EARNS BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
PK Nate Kaeding has been named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for his record-breaking performance at Iowa State. Kaeding became Iowa’s career scoring leader with 291 points after setting an Iowa school record for most kicking points in a game (16) at Iowa State. He kicked four PATs and also tied the school record for field goals in a game with four. Kaeding eclipsed Ron Houghtlin as Iowa’s all-time scoring leader, who was Iowa’s all-time scoring leader since 1987.

Kaeding becomes the third Hawkeye this year to earn conference weekly laurels. This marks the fourth time in Kaeding’s career that he has earned the weekly honor from the Big Ten. He has earned the accolade once in each of his four years.

Junior punter David Bradley and sophomore defensive back Jovon Johnson were both honored by the Big Ten after their performances in Iowa’s 21-3 win over Miami (OH). It marked the first time either player earned the accolade.

Bradley punted five times against the RedHawks for a 48.4 average. He downed one punt inside the 20-yard line and boomed a career-long 62-yarder in the second quarter.

Johnson was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Ohio State defensive end Simon Fraser. Johnson led the Iowa secondary with two interceptions, the fifth and sixth of his career. Johnson returned his first interception 20 yards to the Iowa one-yard line, which led to Iowa’s second touchdown. He intercepted his second pass in the end zone to erase a potential Miami (OH) scoring drive. He also finished with five tackles and three pass break-ups.

HAWKEYE COACH Kirk Ferentz
The 2002 Associated Press Coach of the Year, Walter Camp Coach of the Year, AFCA Regional Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year, Kirk Ferentz (pronounced FAIR-rintz, rhymes with parents), is in his fifth season as Iowa’s head football coach. He resurrected the Iowa program and led the 2002 Hawkeyes to an 11-2 record, a Big Ten title and an Orange Bowl berth.

Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 25-26 and a 15-17 mark in Big Ten games. He holds a 23-8 record in Iowa’s last 31 games. In seven seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 37-47. Taking over a program that won three games in 1998, Ferentz guided the 2001 Hawkeyes to a 7-5 overall record, including a win in the Alamo Bowl over Texas Tech. Iowa in 2001 was 4-4 in the Big Ten, earning a fourth place tie.

Ferentz and the Hawkeyes posted a 3-9 record in 2000, winning two of the final three games of the season while playing one of the strongest schedules in the nation.

Nineteen of Iowa’s 51 games over the last four seasons have been decided by seven points or less and 17 of the 51 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time.

Ferentz joined the Iowa staff after serving as assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He had been part of the Baltimore (Cleveland Browns prior to the move) staff for six years. This season is the first time that Iowa has been ranked under Coach Ferentz.

Ferentz was named head coach of the Maine Bears in 1990 and held that position for three years. Ferentz was a member of Hayden Fry’s Iowa staff for nine years as offensive line coach (1981-89). He coordinated Iowa’s running game during his coaching stint with the Hawkeyes. Iowa appeared in eight bowl games during the time Ferentz was an Iowa assistant, posting a 4-4 record. A pair of Rose Bowls (1982 & 1986), two Holiday Bowl appearances (1986 & 1987) and a pair of Peach Bowl visits (1982 & 1988), along with appearances in the Gator (1983) and Freedom Bowls (1984) highlighted his previous Iowa stay. Iowa’s record in those nine years was 73-33-4 and included two 10-win and two nine-win seasons.

Ferentz was born in Royal Oak, MI, and attended high school in Pittsburgh, PA. Kirk earned his bachelor’s degree in English Education from the University of Connecticut in 1978, where he was a football captain.

Ferentz has not coached against ASU or Sun Devil Coach Dirk Koetter.

ASU COACH DIRK KOETTER
Dirk Koetter is in his third year as ASU’s head coach and sixth season as a college head coach. Koetter holds a 14-13 (.519) record with the Sun Devils and a career mark stands of 40-23 (.635). In only his second year at ASU, he guided the 2002 Sun Devils to an 8-6 mark and a Holiday Bowl berth. He began his head-coaching career at Boise State (1998-2000) where he guided the Broncos to two conference titles, two Humanitarian Bowl wins and was named Big West Conference Coach of the Year twice. Koetter has not coached against a Big Ten opponent or Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz.

BIG TEN – PAC 10 WEEKEND
There are four games on the schedule this weekend that pit Big Ten teams against Pac 10 teams. Arizona State is at Iowa, Arizona visits Purdue, California travels to Illinois, while Michigan plays at Oregon. The Pac 10 currently owns a 2-1 record against Big Ten teams this year.

IOWA VS. THE PAC 10
Iowa holds an all-time record of 27-32-1 against current members of the Pac 10 Conference, having met all but Stanford at least once. The Hawkeyes are looking to snap a three-game losing skid to the Pac 10 Conference. Iowa lost to Southern Cal 38-17 in the 2003 Orange Bowl, at Arizona 35-11 in 1998 and to ASU 17-7 in the 1997 Sun Bowl. Iowa’s last victory over a Pac 10 opponent came in 1996 when it dropped Arizona 21-20 in Kinnick Stadium.

ASU is the only Pac 10 opponent on the Hawkeye schedule this season.

ASU VS. THE BIG TEN
ASU is 10-4 vs. the Big Ten, having met all but Minnesota at least once.

COMMON FOES
Iowa and ASU do not share any common opponents this year.

IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
At Home:
27-17 over 12th-ranked Northwestern, 11/11/00
On the Road:
34-9 over eighth-ranked Michigan, 10/26/02
Neutral:
38-18 over 20th-ranked Washington, Sun Bowl, 12/29/95

IOWA, ASU NOTES

• ASU’s roster includes one player from the state of Iowa. RB Hakim Hill, who prepped at Iowa City HS, is the brother of former Hawkeye Kahlil Hill (1998-01). Iowa’s roster does not include any players from Arizona.
• ASU assistant coach (safeties) Dan Fidler was a graduate assistant (defensive backs) at Penn State in 1987 when the Nittany Lions won the national championship. Fidler played two years as an offensive lineman at the University of Pittsburgh (1978-79). Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz served as a graduate assistant at Pittsburgh in 1980.
• ASU assistant coach Kevin Ramsey (defensive backs) was previously an assistant at Northwestern (1990-92).
• ASU Athletic Director Gene Smith was previously the AD at Iowa State (1993-2000).

LAST MEETING
An incredible defensive effort by ASU picked apart Iowa’s ninth-ranked offense and earned the Sun Devils a 17-7 win in the 1997 Sun Bowl. Iowa was held to 209 yards total offense, including 19 yards on the ground.

The Sun Devil offense overshadowed Iowa’s, as ASU rushed for 268 yards and compiled 377 yards total offense. After a scoreless first quarter, ASU scored in the second quarter on a seven-play, 55-yard scoring drive. The Sun Devils recovered an Iowa fumble late in the first half and added a field goal for a 10-0 halftime advantage.

After yielding a one-yard scoring run in the third quarter, Iowa was able to score on a six-play, 87-yard scoring drive, under the direction of QB Randy Reiners late in the fourth quarter. ASU held RB Tavian Banks, the nation’s fourth-best rusher, to only 52 yards.

LBs Raj Clark and Matt Hughes led the Iowa defense, each recording 12 tackles, while DB Ed Gibson added 11. Jared DeVries contributed nine tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Iowa punter Jason Baker was named Sun Bowl Special Teams MVP after averaging 48.9 yards per punt, including a Sun Bowl-record 76-yarder.

IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2003 season includes 13 players (five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores two redshirt freshmen and a true freshman). Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Council for this season includes seniors Robert Gallery, Bob Sanders, Nathan Chandler, Nate Kaeding and Jared Clauss, juniors Sean Considine, Jonathan Babineaux and Jermelle Lewis, sophomores Ed Hinkel, Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway, redshirt freshmen Jason Manson and Cy Phillips and true freshman Drew Tate.

TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2003
Iowa has had three true freshmen see action in its first three games. FB Champ Davis, RB A.J. Johnson and QB Drew Tate.

Davis has rushed for 30 yards on five attempts, 22 of which came against Buffalo. Davis also caught three passes for 33 yards against the Bulls.

Johnson has rushed 13 times for 36 yards, while Tate completed 4-7 passes for 37 yards and has 21 yards rushing on three carries.

IOWA 40, IWOA STATE 21
Big plays on special teams and a strong defensive effort enabled the Hawkeyes to snap a five-game losing skid to in-state rival ISU with a 40-21 road victory.

After posting a field goal on its opening drive, LB Grant Steen recovered a fumble two drives later that led to a 17-yard Maurice Brown TD reception to give Iowa an early 10-0 lead. After an ISU touchdown, Iowa tallied 23 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to extend its lead to 33-7.

Iowa scored 10 points in the second quarter on a RB Fred Russell three-yard run and a Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal before the Hawkeyes’ special teams broke the game open in the third quarter.

Sean Considine blocked his first of two punts, which was recovered by Chris Smith in the end zone. Two drives later Steen returned an interception 15 yards to the ISU four-yard line, which Iowa converted into a field goal. Iowa’s defense stopped ISU on its next drive and Considine blocked his second punt of the day, which it again converted into three points. Marcus Schnoor added a 33-yard scoring run to put an exclamation point on the Hawkeye victory.

QB Nathan Chandler completed 7-14 for 72 yards and a touchdown. Russell rushed for 75 yards on 26 carries, while Brown caught three passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Iowa recorded 14 tackles for loss, including three sacks. Steen collected six tackles, intercepted one pass and recovered a fumble. Considine recorded six tackles, including one for loss, blocked two punts and had one pass break-up. LB Chad Greenway tallied a career-high 17 tackles, while LB Abdul Hodge registered a career-high 15 stops, including three for loss, one sack and a forced fumble.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Iowa’s 3-0 start matches the record of 2001. The Hawkeyes have not started a season with four straight wins since 1997.
• PK Nate Kaeding kicked four field goals and four PATs to set a single-game record with 16 kicking points and tie the school record for field goals in a game. Additionally, he passed Rob Houghtlin to become Iowa’s career scoring leader with 291 points.
• Sean Considine blocked two punts, tying the school record for blocked kicks in a game. He has four-career blocked kicks.
• Both WR Maurice Brown and RB Fred Russell scored their third touchdowns of the season. Brown has caught three touchdowns, while Russell has run for three, both collecting one in each of Iowa’s three games.
• Iowa scored on its opening possession of the game for the second time in three outings.
• QB Nathan Chandler improved to 3-0 as Iowa’s starting quarterback. He has not thrown an interception in 44 attempts this season.
• Sam Aiello started at right tackle, his first start of the season. Pete McMahon, who started at right tackle in Iowa’s first two games, started at right guard in place of Eric Rothwell, due to injury.

ASU REMAINS UNDEFEATED
QB Andrew Walter threw for 277 yards and SS Riccardo Stewart returned an interception 18 yards for a decisive score as ASU defeated Utah State 26-16 to remain undefeated.

After the Sun Devils scored the game’s first 13 points, Utah State answered with a touchdown to trim the lead to 13-7. Stewart’s interception return late in the second quarter gave ASU a 19-7 advantage at the half. Utah State scored the only points of the third quarter on a field goal, but would get no closer as ASU put the game out of reach with a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

The Sun Devils tallied 438 yards of total offense, but had four turnovers (three fumbles and one interception) and 12 penalties for 122 yards in the process.

Offensively, Walter had scoring passes of 44 and 15 yards to WR Skyler Fulton and RB Randy Hill scored on a one-yard run. Defensively, the Sun Devils registered seven sacks, including three by Jimmy Verdon.

This week’s game at Iowa is ASU’s first road game of the year.

INJURY UPDATE
FB Champ Davis and WR Maurice Brown are questionable for this week’s game against ASU. Both have been hampered by ankle injuries.

SS Bob Sanders underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right foot Sept. 5, and is expected to be out of action for a couple more weeks. Sanders has been troubled by the foot injury throughout the pre-season. The native of Erie, PA, was named to The Sporting News fourth all-America team last year and to the same publication’s 2003 pre-season all-America team. He has 283 career tackles, which ranks 14th on Iowa’s all-time tackle chart.

Running back Albert Young broke a bone in his right leg in mid-August and will be sidelined for an indefinite period of time. The true freshman from Moorestown, NJ, was battling sophomore Marcus Schnoor for the back-up role behind senior Fred Russell. Young was named the New Jersey Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Running back Jermelle Lewis had knee surgery near the end of spring practice. Lewis was a productive back for the Hawkeyes in 2002. Lewis played quality minutes, including one start against Wisconsin. Against Michigan, Lewis played most of the second half and finished the game as Iowa’s top rusher, accumulating 109 yards on 18 carries (6.1) and scoring two touchdowns.

Lewis accounted for 10 touchdowns in 2002, which tied for second on the team with WR C.J. Jones. The native of Bloomfield, CT, scored eight on the ground, one receiving and one on a kickoff return. Lewis ranked second on the team in rushing with 709 yards on 123 carries (5.8). He had Iowa’s longest run from scrimmage, when he scored on a 75-yard run vs. Utah State.

AMILY AFFAIR
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and his son, Brian, Ferentz are believed to be one of only five father-son duos in Division I this year. They join Lee Owens and his son Andy from Akron, Art Briles and his son Kendal from Houston, Tony Samuel and his son Travis from New Mexico State and Mike Bellotti and his son Luke from Oregon.

GALLERY AMONG TOP LINEMEN
Senior offensive tackle Robert Gallery (6-7, 320) is a top candidate for the Outland Trophy and the Lombardi Award. He was a first team all-Big Ten selection last season and he is the only returning starter in Iowa’s offensive line. Gallery has also been named to several pre-season all-America teams. He is a first team all-America selection by The Sporting News, Sports Illustrated and Playboy and a second team all-America pick by Athlon Sports. In addition to his talents on the field, Gallery has been a member of the academic all-Big Ten team in each of the last two years.

Gallery has started 34 consecutive games at tackle after moving from tight end his freshman year. His 34-game starting streak ties for 15th in the nation for offensive linemen and is tops in the Big Ten.

STEEN HAS BIG GAME AGAINST ISU
Former Iowa walk-on Grant Steen had a big game at Iowa State last week, helping Iowa and his senior teammates collect their first victory over the Cyclones during their Hawkeye careers. In addition to collecting six tackles, Steen returned a fumble four yards and returned an interception 15 yards. The turnovers led to 10 Iowa points.

The Emmetsburg, IA, native ranks fifth on the team in tackles (14), is tied for first in fumble recoveries (1) and tied for second in interceptions (1).

Steen has been named to the 2003 Butkus Award Watch List, which is annually presented to the nation’s top linebacker. A two-year starter, Steen was a second team all-Big Ten selection last year after recording 57 tackles and three interceptions. Steen’s three interceptions all came in Iowa’s win at Indiana, which tied an NCAA record for most interceptions in one game by a linebacker.

KAEDING: IOWA’S CAREER SCORING LEADER
PK Nate Kaeding is in his final season after becoming the first Hawkeye to ever win the 2002 Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s top placekicker. After receiving numerous accolades last season, Kaeding entered his senior season on four pre-season all-America Teams (Sports Illustrated, Playboy, Athlon and The Sporting News).

Last week, Kaeding was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the fourth time in his career. He became Iowa’s career scoring leader with 291 points after he set a school record for most kicking points in a game (16) at Iowa State last week. Kaeding kicked four PATs and also tied the school record for field goals in a game with four. Kaeding eclipses Ron Houghtlin as Iowa’s all-time scoring leader, who held the record since 1987.

For the season, Kaeding has converted all PAT attempts (12) and field goals (4). He ranks fifth in the Big Ten in scoring (8.0) and third in kicking points (8.0). Furthermore, 14 of his 18 kickoffs have gone for touchbacks (77.8%). Seven of his nine kickoffs went for touchbacks last week at Iowa State; the two that did not reach the end zone were into a strong wind.

Kaeding has made 51-63 career field goal attempts, including 21-26 from outside 40 yards and 3-3 from outside 50 yards, and 138-140 PATs. Rob Houghtlin holds the Iowa record for career field goals (54), while Tom Nichol holds the school record for career PATs (142), both of which are in reach for Kaeding.

A year ago, he was selected as a first team all-America selection by The Sporting News, the Football Writers Association, ESPN.com and CNN-SI.com and a second team choice by the Associated Press. He was also named to the first team all-Big Ten coaches team, while earning second team laurels by the media. Kaeding was also a 2002 Verizon Academic all-America second team selection.

Kaeding made 57-58 PATs and 21-24 field goals to finish last season with 120 points. Kaeding’s 120 points are an Iowa single season scoring record and a Big Ten single season kick scoring record. He set an Iowa single season record for PATs made (57) and attempted (58). His only PAT miss and one of his three missed field goals were blocked.

The Coralville, IA, native had an overall consecutive field goal streak of 22 (19 in 2002) end after missing a 27-yard attempt vs. Wisconsin last year. Prior to that game, his last miss was in the first quarter of the 2001 Alamo Bowl win.

Kaeding has booted four field goals in a game three times during his career. He first accomplished the feat in a win at Penn State in 2000. He also kicked four field goals in Iowa’s Alamo Bowl win over Texas Tech in 2001 and at Iowa State this year.

Kaeding booted two or more field goals in seven of Iowa’s 13 games last year, including converting on three field goal attempts in one game twice (vs. MSU and at Miami, OH). Kaeding finished last season ranked 10th nationally in field goals made per game (1.62) and 15th in scoring (9.2).

SANDERS ON THE SHELF
Senior DB Bob Sanders underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right foot on Sept. 5 and is expected to be out of action a couple more weeks. Sanders is a pre-season candidate for the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Year award and the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Year award. He has also been named a pre-season first team all-American by The Sporting News and third team all-American by Athlon Sports.

Sanders was a first team all-Big Ten selection by both the media and coaches last season and was named as a fourth team all-America selection by The Sporting News. It marked the second straight year Sanders was honored as a first team all-Big Ten selection.

Sanders did not start in Iowa’s season-opener against Miami (OH) due to his foot injury, but did see significant minutes. The native of Erie, PA, collected seven tackles to increase his career tackle total to 283, which ranks 14th at Iowa.

HODGES AND ROTH ON WATCH LISTS
Defensive ends Howard Hodges and Matt Roth were named to the pre-season watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. Hodges was also named to the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to college football’s top interior lineman and was named a pre-season third team all-American by Athlon Sports.

Hodges ranks 12th on the team in tackles (9), is tied for fourth in tackles for loss (2) and has collected one sack . The native of Copperas Cove, TX, earned first team all-Big Ten honors in 2002 when he recorded 62 tackles, including 11 tackles for loss and nine QB sacks.

Roth ranks first on the team in tackles for loss (6), sacks (3) and quarterback hurries (3) and seventh in tackles (11). Roth ranks second in the Big Ten in sacks per game (1.0), first in TFL (2.0). He has recorded at least one sack in nine of Iowa’s last 10 games, dating back to last year. Last week, Roth collected five tackles, including three for loss and one sack.

The native of Villa Park, IL, led the Hawkeyes in sacks (10) and ranked 11th in tackles (48) in 2002. His 10 QB sacks ranked second in the Big Ten in all games and ranked first in conference games only (9). Roth ended the season recording at least one sack in each of the last seven games.

CONSIDINE LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior DB Sean Considine blocked two ISU punts last week, tying the Iowa school record for blocked kicks in a single-game. His first block was recovered for a Hawkeye touchdown and the second resulted in a field goal. Considine blocked punts last season in wins over Purdue and Utah State, and both were recovered for touchdowns. Iowa’s record for blocked kicks in a season is three and the record for career blocks is seven.

In addition to his special teams success, he is a leader defensively as well. The native of Byron, IL, is tied for the team lead in interceptions (2) and ranks third in tackles (16). He scored his first career points when he returned a fumble 18 yards against Buffalo.

LINEBACKERS STOP ISU
The Hawkeyes had two players total double figure tackles last week at Iowa State. LB Chad Greenway collected a game and career-high 17 tackles, including one for loss. LB Abdul Hodge registered career highs in tackles (15) and TFL (3) and also forced his first career fumble. Greenway ranks second in the Big Ten and first on the Hawkeyes in tackles (11.3), while Hodge ranks eighth in the conference and second on the team in tackles (9.0). Hodge also ranks second on the team in TFL (5) and sacks (2).

SMITH STEPS IN AND DELIVERS
Senior DB Chris Smith scored the second touchdown of his career when he recovered a blocked punt in the end zone at Iowa State. Smith, who has started the first three games in place of injured Bob Sanders, returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown in a win over Miami (OH) in 2001.

CHANDLER DIRECTS HAWKEYE OFFENSE
Senior Nathan Chandler has begun the season 3-0 as Iowa’s starting quarterback. He has completed 27-44 passes for 314 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. His pass efficiency rating of 158.8, ranks third in the Big Ten.

Last week, Chandler directed the Iowa offense to its first victory over Iowa State in six tries. Chandler completed 7-14 passes for 72 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed three times for 53 yards, including a career-long run of 42 yards in the second quarter.

Against Miami (OH), Chandler completed 12-19 for 129 yards, two touchdowns and 24 yards rushing. The native of Southlake, TX, was 6-6 for 37 yards on the Hawkeyes’ first scoring drive and 7-7 for 40 yards in the first quarter. The scoring drive ended with Chandler’s second career touchdown pass. Chandler threw the third touchdown of his career and the second of the game in the fourth quarter when he floated a 28-yard pass to Maurice Brown.

Chandler completed 8-11 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s victory over Buffalo. He engineered touchdown drives on Iowa’s first four possessions, before the coaching staff substituted Drew Tate late in the second quarter.

Chandler transferred to the University of Iowa after one season with Pasadena CC. Chandler saw action in five games last year. The native of Southlake, TX, completed 7-12 passes for 92 yards last year against Akron, which was his first game as a Hawkeye. Chandler threw his first touchdown pass, as a Hawkeye, in Iowa’s convincing victory over Northwestern. Chandler finished the game completing 2-2 passes for 33 yards. He combined with QB Brad Banks’ 10-10 for 197 yards to break the NCAA record for team passing percentage in a single game. The previous mark was 11-11.

IOWA STARTS ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 44 of its last 45 games. Iowa’s game at Miami, OH (9/7/02) is the only contest that the Hawkeyes didn’t start on offense during the streak. It snapped a streak of 30 consecutive contests of starting on offense. The streak dated back to Iowa’s contest at Northwestern in 1999, when the Hawkeyes won the toss and deferred. Iowa has started the game on offense in 45 of 51 games under Kirk Ferentz.

HAWKEYES IN THE NFL
Iowa ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 20 former Hawkeyes on NFL rosters. Michigan (31) ranked first, followed by Ohio State (29) and Penn State (28). Illinois and Wisconsin tie the Hawkeyes with 20 each. Other national notable teams with former players in the NFL include Arizona State (22), USC (20), West Virginia (20), Washington (20), Texas (19), Oklahoma (16), Virginia Tech (16) and Pittsburgh (12).

RUSSELL LEADS GROUND GAME
RB Fred Russell, who is a candidate for the Doak Walker Running Back of the Year Award, will attempt to become just the third running back in Iowa history to rush for over 1,000 yards in more than one season. Russell a year ago rushed 220 times for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the 10th Iowa running back to surpass 1,000 yards in a season. Only Sedrick Shaw (1994, 1995, 1996) and Ladell Betts (2000, 2001) have accomplished the feat in more than one season.

Russell has rushed 60 times for 340 yards and three touchdowns in the first three games. Last week, the native of Inkster, MI, carried the ball 26 times for 75 yards and a touchdown. He has rushed for one touchdown in each of Iowa’s first three games.

Russell started the 2003 campaign on the right foot as he rushed 22 times for 167 yards and one touchdown against Miami (OH). It marked the ninth time that he has rushed for over 100 yards. Additionally, Russell tallied the longest (66) and second-longest (58) runs of his career. Against Buffalo, Russell tallied 98 yards on 12 carries in a half of play against Buffalo. Russell ranks third in conference rushing (113.3) and eighth in all-purpose yards (115.7).

His career totals include 291 attempts for 1,745 yards, which ranks 11th best among Iowa running backs. He is only four yards from topping Nick Bell (1988-90) and cracking the top 10 for career rushing yardage at Iowa. His career 6.0 average ranks first among Iowa running backs (min. 200 attempts).

Russell was named to the first all-Big Ten coaches team last year, while he was a second team selection by the media. Russell ranked third in the Big Ten and 14th nationally in rushing (114.9) last year.

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 113 players includes 45 players from Iowa. The roster includes 13 players from Illinois, 12 from Texas, eight from Florida, five from New Jersey and California, four from Wisconsin and Minnesota, three from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, two from Arkansas, Michigan and South Carolina and one from Alabama, Kansas, Indiana, New York and South Dakota.

b>BROWN LEADS IOWA’S RECEIVERS
Senior WR Maurice Brown has led the Hawkeye receiving corps the first three games. Brown has 14 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns. The native of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, had a 17-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter at Iowa State. Brown did not return to the game after making the touchdown reception, due to injury. He has caught one touchdown pass in each of Iowa’s first three games.

He caught four passes for 82 yards and one score in Iowa’s win over Buffalo and seven passes for 78 yards and one TD in Iowa’s season opening win over Miami (OH). His 14 receptions ranks six in the Big Ten, while his 212 yards ranks seventh.

In his first full season as receiver, Brown established a new school record with 11 touchdown receptions. Brown finished with 966 receiving yards, which ranks fourth best in school history. The honorable mention all-Big Ten selection, also ranked fourth nationally with an average 20.1 yards per reception.

Brown’s career totals include 65 receptions for 1,223 yards. He ranks 21st in receiving yards and 24th in receptions on Iowa’s career receiving charts.

OCHOA SHINES
Senior Ramon Ochoa returned his first career punts in grand fashion against Buffalo. Ochoa returned three punts for 99 yards. He returned a punt 70 yards for his first career touchdown on his second attempt. The 70-yard scamper marked the 11th-longest punt return in school history. The native of Maywood, CA, recorded a 21-yard return on his first attempt and eight yards on his third.

Ochoa has returned four punts for an average of 26.8, which is tops in the Big Ten and nation. He has returned two kickoffs for a 36.0 average.

BRADLEY CONTINUES HOT PUNTING
Punter David Bradley has punted 11 times for a 42.8 average, including five downed inside the 20. Bradley had a career day in Iowa’s win over Miami (OH). The junior punted five times for a 48.4 average. Furthermore, he downed one punt inside the 20-yard line and boomed a career-best 62-yarder in the second quarter. His previous best was 55 yards vs. Michigan as a freshman in 2001. His performance earned him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week laurels. Last week, the native of San Diego, CA, averaged 34.8 yards on five punts. Two of his punts were downed inside the ISU five-yard line.

His average of 42.8 ranks fourth in the Big Ten. As a team, Iowa’s net punting average of 42.0 is tops in the Big Ten and ranks seventh nationally.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Three of Iowa’s 10 plays of 20 yards or more have produced touchdowns. WR Maurice Brown caught a 28-yard pass for a touchdown against Miami (OH) and a 23-yard score vs. Buffalo, while RB Marcus Schnoor scored on a 33-yard scoring run against Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes have also recorded big plays on special teams, including two long punt returns (70 and 21) and three kickoff returns (26, 27 and 38).

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS
After a successful season last year, Iowa’s special teams continues to shine in 2003. Iowa, in three games, has already scored special teams and defensive touchdowns. Last week, Sean Considine blocked two punts, both leading to points. Considine’s first punt block was recovered in the end zone by Chris Smith, while Kaeding kicked a field goal after the second blocked punt.

Against Buffalo, Ramon Ochoa returned a punt 70 yards for a TD and Considine returned a fumble 18-yards for a score.

Iowa has returned four kickoffs for an average of 31.2, eight punt returns for an average of 18.8. The Hawkeyes rank first in the Big Ten and seventh in the nation in punt returns, while it ranks third in the conference and seventh nationally in kickoff returns. Iowa’s kickoff coverage unit yields 15.3 yards per return, which is tops in the Big Ten.

Iowa’s special teams were excellent in kickoff and punt returns and blocks in 2002. The Hawkeyes finished tops in the nation and Big Ten in kickoff returns (25.1). Iowa ranked third in the conference in punt returns (11.8).

Last year, Iowa’s special teams blocked four kicks (two punts, one field goal and one PAT attempt). All four blocks resulted in points for the Hawkeyes. Both blocked punts were recovered in the end zone, while the blocked field goal and PAT attempt were scooped up and returned for scores.

DEFENSE MAKES A STAND

• The Hawkeye defense has not allowed any points in the second and third quarters this season.
• DB Jovon Johnson intercepted his fifth and sixth career interception’s in Iowa’s season-opening win over Miami (OH). The sophomore is tied for third in the NCAA and is tied for first in the Big Ten in interceptions per game.
• Iowa collected four interceptions against Miami (OH) quarterback and Heisman hopeful Ben Roethlisberger. It marked the first time Iowa collected four interceptions in a single-game since a 62-0 victory over Indiana in 1997. Iowa also had four interceptions in a win over Northern Iowa that season.
• Iowa’s defense has collected nine takeaways (6 interceptions and 3 fumbles), while Iowa’s offense has only turned the ball over twice. Iowa’s turnover margin (+7) ranks first in the Big Ten and second in the nation. Iowa’s nine takeaways ranks first in the conference with Michigan State.
• Iowa’s defense has allowed only 31 points (10.3) in the first three games, which ranks second in the Big Ten and 12th in the nation. Iowa’s pass efficiency defense (101.19) ranks 22nd. Two of the opponents have come against Iowa’s second team defense in the fourth quarter of two big wins.
• FS Sean Considine has collected two interceptions, two blocked punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown.
• Iowa’s defense has yielded only five plays of 20 yards or more. Iowa State recorded four last week.

MORE THAN ONE
Fifteen high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leaders are City High of Iowa City and West Des Moines Valley, with three. Twelve schools have two players on the roster.

THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players named Chandler (brothers Nathan and Scott), Davis (Calvin and Champ, no relation), Gallery (brothers John and Robert), Johnson (A.J. and Jovon, no relation) and Lewis (George and Jermelle, no relation).

Mike is the most popular first name. There are five Mike’s (Elgin, Follett, Humpal, Jones, Klinkenborg) and a Michael (Emalfarb). There are three Matt’s (Melloy, Neubauer, Roth). There are three Brian’s (Ferentz, Kline, Meidlinger) and two Bryon’s (Mattison, Ryther). There are three Eric’s (McCollum, Rothwell, Zilisch) and an Erik (Jensen). There are three players named Chris (Brevi, Felder, Smith) and two named David (Bradley, Walker). Two Hawkeye players go by initials, including C.J. Barkema and A.J. Johnson.

IOWA NOTES

• Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz is looking for his first 4-0 start as Iowa’s head coach, while his record with the Hawkeyes stands at 25-26 and he is one win away from reaching the .500 mark.
• Iowa’s 40-21 victory at Iowa State last week extended its regular-season road winning streak to six games, dating back to a 2001 loss at Iowa State.
• Iowa has won 15 of its last 17 games in Kinnick Stadium dating back to the end of the 2000 season. Iowa’s two loses came against Iowa State (36-31 in 2002) and Michigan (32-26 in 2001).
• Iowa ranks third in Big Ten rushing (231.7).
• Iowa’s offensive line has been solid this season, yielding only one QB sack, which ranks first in the Big Ten.
• Miami (OH) scored a field goal on its opening possession of the game, which marked only the third time in the last 15 games that Iowa’s defense has surrendered any points on the opponents’ first drive. Buffalo and Iowa State failed to score on its respective opening possession.
• Iowa’s 56 points against Buffalo mark the first time it has scored 50 points or more since a 62-10 win over Northwestern (11-9-02).
• Hawkeye opponents have won the time of possession battle in all three games. Iowa opponents own a 6:42 time of possession advantage (33:21-26:39).

Lester Erb HONORED
Iowa’s Lester Erb was named the American Football Monthly Division I Special Teams Coordinator of the Year. The winner is selected based on each team’s accomplishments on the field during the 2002 season. Erb is in his fourth season as the Hawkeyes’ wide receivers and special teams coach. Under Erb’s direction, Iowa’s special teams excelled in the kickoff, punting, place-kicking and kick blocks categories. Iowa topped the nation in kickoff returns (25.1 yard average) last year and finished third in Big Ten punt returns (11.8). Four opponent kicks were blocked and all turned into scores for the Hawkeyes.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 38-10 in the first quarter. The Hawkeyes have also been dominant in both the second and third quarters, outscoring their opponents 38-0 and 27-0, respectively. Hawkeye opponents own a 21-14 advantage in the fourth quarter.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa is averaging 6.4 yards on 83 first down plays, 5.8 yards on 56 second down plays and 5.5 yards on 35 third down plays. The Hawkeyes have not attempted a fourth down play this season.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 16 scoring drives have averaged 6.1 plays, 46.4 yards and 2:24 elapsed time. Eight of Iowa’s 16 scoring drives covered 50 yards or more. Iowa opponents have recorded only five scoring drives, averaging 11.4 plays, 68.2 yards and 4:39 elapsed time. Four of Iowa’s opponents’ five scoring drives have covered 75 yards or more.

IOWA IN THE REDZONE
The Hawkeyes have marched inside the red zone 15 times and scored 12 of those times (80%). Iowa was a perfect 5-5 last week at Iowa State, scoring two touchdowns and kicking three field goals.

Two of the Hawkeyes’ red zone failures came when they had a comfortable lead and let the clock expire – once against Miami (OH) and the other against Buffalo. QB Nathan Chandler fumbled inside the five-yard line against Miami (OH) in Iowa’s other scoring failure.

Hawkeye opponents have advanced inside the red zone only six times and have scored three times (50%). Buffalo and Iowa State each tallied touchdowns, while Miami (OH) kicked a field goal. Miami (OH) was 1-2, Buffalo was 1-1, while Iowa State was 1-3.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW
For the second straight season and for the third time in four years, Iowa’s regular season schedule includes 12 games. Iowa will again play seven games in Kinnick Stadium, where it posted a 6-1 mark last season. Eight of Iowa’s 12 opponents posted a 5-3 record in post-season bowl games last season. The newest additions to the slate include Pac 10 power Arizona State in the non-conference and Ohio State and Illinois in the Big Ten. ASU is expected to contend for the Pac 10 title and the Sun Devils visit Iowa City this week. Ohio State earned the national title last season with a win over Miami, FL in the Fiesta Bowl, while Illinois won the Big Ten title in 2001.

Iowa’s 2003 schedule includes seven home games: Miami (OH), Buffalo, Arizona State, Michigan, Penn State, Illinois and Minnesota. Road games are at Iowa State, Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa’s bye week is on Oct. 11 and does not have to play consecutive road games for the time since 1999.

The Hawkeyes do not play Indiana or Northwestern this year or in 2004. The last time Iowa did not play the Hoosiers was 1990, while 1970 was the last time the Wildcats were not on Iowa’s schedule.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 31 points off nine turnovers (6 interceptions and three fumbles), plus an additional 10 points following two blocked punts at Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes scored 10 points after creating two turnovers at Iowa State. QB Nathan Chandler found WR Maurice Brown in the end zone for a 17-yard score after LB Grant Steen recovered a fumble and PK Nate Kaeding connected on a 19-yard field goal after Steen intercepted a pass.

Against Buffalo, DB Sean Considine scored his first career touchdown when he returned a fumble 18 yards for a score in the first quarter. Brown caught a 23-yard touchdown pass from Chandler after Considine intercepted his second pass in as many weeks in the second quarter.

Iowa scored seven points off four Miami (OH) turnovers, all of which were interceptions. DB Jovon Johnson intercepted Miami (OH) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on its own 21-yard line and returned the pick to the one-yard line, with RB Fred Russell scoring two plays later. The Hawkeyes’ other three interceptions came inside the opponents’ red zone. Chris Smith recorded his second career interception on Iowa’s own three-yard line. Considine collected his first career interception when he picked off Roethlisberger at the 19-yard line. Finally, Johnson recorded his sixth career interception, and second of the day, in the end zone in the fourth quarter.

Iowa has only turned the ball over twice, once against Miami (OH) and at Iowa State. The RedHawks were unable to score, but the Cyclones converted an Iowa fumble into a touchdown last week.

THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Redshirt freshman DB Ma’Quan Dawkins is the lightest Hawkeye player at 153 pounds, while the shortest players, at 5-8, include RB Fred Russell, DB Bob Sanders and RB Marques Simmons. Both Russell and Sanders earned first team all-Big Ten honors and all-America recognition in 2002. OL Peter McMahon is the heaviest Hawkeye at 323 pounds, while nine Hawkeyes players are listed at over 300 pounds.

The tallest players are 6-8 sophomore offensive tackle C.J. Barkema and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Greg Dollmeyer. Barkema was an all-state basketball player as a prep while Dollmeyer was a member of Iowa’s 2002-03 basketball team.

The average Hawkeye player is 6-2 and weighs 233 pounds. That is two inches taller and three pounds lighter than the average Iowa player in 2002.

IOWA DEPTH CHART
Iowa’s depth chart includes 16 seniors, 10 juniors, 14 sophomores, eight redshirt freshmen and one true freshman. These numbers do not include return specialists. Iowa’s lone true freshman is quarterback Drew Tate.

HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 38 lettermen from 2002, including 18 on offense, 18 on defense and two specialists. The Hawkeyes return nine starters on offense and eight on defense, plus PK Nate Kaeding and P David Bradley. The letterman breakdown includes 10 three-year lettermen, 13 two-year lettermen and 15 one-year lettermen.

The total roster includes 113 players, including 21 seniors, 20 juniors, 24 sophomores, 20 redshirt freshmen and 28 true freshmen.

WATCHING FROM ABOVE
Iowa’s coaches in the press box during the season are Lester Erb (receivers and special teams), along with quality control assistant Jon McLaughlin and graduate assistant coaches Michael Ketchum and A.J. Blazek. That leaves Ken O’Keefe (offensive coordinator), Norm Parker (defensive coordinator), Phil Parker (defensive backs), Carl Jackson (running backs), Reese Morgan (offensive line), Darrell Wilson (linebackers), Ron Aiken (defensive line) and Eric Johnson (tight ends) on the sidelines.

ROSE BOWL EXPERIENCE
Four members of the Iowa coaching staff have coached or played in the Rose Bowl. Kirk Ferentz coached in two Rose Bowl games while on the Iowa staff and Carl Jackson coached in three Rose Bowl games as an Iowa assistant coach. Norm Parker and Phil Parker both coached in the Rose Bowl while on the staff at Michigan State.

EARLY GAMES ON TELEVISION
Iowa’s first seven games have been selected for television. Iowa’s game vs. Miami (OH) was televised to a national cable audience on ESPN2. Iowa’s contest vs. Buffalo was televised by ESPN Plus. Last week’s game at in-state rival Iowa State was televised to a national cable audience on Fox Sports Net. This week’s home contest vs. Arizona State will be televised to a national cable audience on ESPN2. Iowa’s conference opener at Michigan State will be televised to a regional audience on ESPN Plus. Big Ten games vs. Michigan at home and at Ohio State will be televised by ABC and will kickoff at 2:35 p.m. (CST).

The majority of Iowa’s Big Ten Conference games will likely be selected for television coverage as the conference season approaches.

IOWA STATS ON THE INTERNET
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of Iowa home football games are available live on the internet. The statistical program allows viewers to read the play-by-play action just moments after it takes place, and to view all individual and team statistics while the game is in progress.

The program can be accessed through www.hawkeyesports.com or www.hawkeyefootball.com, and then clicking on the Live stats link. This feature is available for home games and for away contests within the Big Ten Conference.

Kirk Ferentz RADIO SHOW
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is featured on “Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz” each week. The 90-minute radio call-in show is hosted by Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The show airs each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from Carlos O’Kelley’s in Iowa City.

AFTER THIS
Iowa begins its conference schedule on Sept. 27 at Michigan State at 11:10 a.m. CDT (ESPN Plus). The Hawkeyes then return home to host the Michigan Wolverines on Oct. 4 at 2:30 p.m. (ABC) on homecoming.