Hawkeyes Close Regular Season at Wisconsin

Nov. 17, 2003

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IOWA IN ROAD FINALE
Iowa (8-3, 4-3) will play its final regular season game of 2003 Saturday when it travels to Wisconsin (7-4, 4-3). Game time is 2:37 p.m. in Camp Randall Stadium (76,634). The game is sold out.

ON THE TUBE
ABC will televise the game to a regional audience. The game is also available on DIRECTV’s ESPN GamePlan package. Tim Brant, Ed Cunningham and Samantha Ryan will call the action.

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.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,050 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 528-483-39 (.521). That includes a 334-191-16 (.632) record in home games, a 194-292-23 (.404) record in games away from Iowa City, a 257-326-25 (.443) mark in Big Ten games and a 216-158-15 (.575) record in Kinnick Stadium.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked 17th in both the Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today polls. Wisconsin received votes in both major polls. The Hawkeyes have been ranked as high as ninth in the ESPN/USA Today poll twice this year. This year marks the first time in school history that Iowa has been ranked in the top 10 three times after falling out following a loss.

HAWKEYE HUDDLE AT WISCONSIN
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 11:30-1:30 p.m. prior to the Wisconsin game Saturday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at the Wisconsin Union South in the Varsity Room, located at 227 North Randall Avenue in Madison. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 8-4 when playing on Nov. 22. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 10-0 in 1919, Michigan 9-2 in 1924, Nebraska 12-7 in 1930, Notre Dame 31-21 in 1958, Illinois 40-0 in 1969, Michigan State 41-0 in 1980 and Minnesota 30-27 in 1986 and 31-0 in 1997. Iowa lost to Nebraska 12-0 in 1913 and 14-13 in 1941, Notre Dame 27-0 in 1952 and Michigan State 27-23 in 1975.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
Saturday’s contest at Wisconsin will mark the 41st consecutive game the Hawkeyes have been selected for television. The last Iowa contest that was not televised was its game at Illinois on Oct. 14, 2000.

ON THE SAME STAFF
Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz and Wisconsin’s Barry Alvarez served on the same Iowa coaching staff from 1981-86. Ferentz was Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 and Alvarez coached the Hawkeye linebackers from 1979-86.

WISCONSIN COACH BARRY ALVAREZ
Barry Alvarez is in his 14th year as a college head coach, all at Wisconsin. Alvarez has posted a career mark of 99-65-4 (.601). Alvarez is the winningest football coach in Wisconsin history. Alvarez previously was an assistant coach at Notre Dame (1987-89) and Iowa (1979-86) and he also coached at Mason City HS (1976-78). He has guided the Badgers to victories in the 1994, 1999 and 2000 Rose Bowls, the 1995 Hall of Fame Bowl, the 1996 Copper Bowl, the 2000 Sun Bowl, the 2002 Alamo Bowl, and Wisconsin also participated in the 1998 Outback Bowl. Alvarez was the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1998.

Alvarez is 5-6 vs. Iowa and 3-1 vs. Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz.

IOWA 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 30-29 and an 19-20 mark in Big Ten games. He holds a 23-8 record in Iowa’s last 31 games. In almost eight seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 42-50. 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.

Twenty of Iowa’s 59 games over the last four seasons have been decided by seven points or less and 22 of the 59 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.

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 is 1-3 vs. Wisconsin and Badger Coach Barry Alvarez.

SANDERS AND KAEDING EARN BIG TEN HONORS
SS Bob Sanders and PK Nate Kaeding were both honored by the Big Ten after their outstanding performances in Iowa’s 40-22 win over Minnesota.

Sanders led the Iowa defense with a season-high 16 tackles (10 solo), collected two tackles for loss, including one sack and forced a career-high three fumbles, recovering one. In one of the turning points of the game, Sanders forced and recovered a Minnesota fumble on Iowa’s goal line in the second quarter, stopping a Golden Gopher scoring threat. The two-time first team all-Big Ten selection earned the second weekly honor of his career and first since the 2001 campaign.

PK Nate Kaeding was named co-Special Teams Player of the Week along with OSU punter B.J. Sander. Kaeding tied career highs in points in a game (16), field goals in a game (4) and longest field goal (55). In addition, the 16 points and four field goals in a game tie his own school record and the 55-yard field goal ties as the third longest field goal in school history. The senior has kicked four field goals in a game twice this season and four times in his career. This marks the second time this season and fifth time in Kaeding’s career that he has earned the weekly honor from the Big Ten. He has earned the accolade at least once in each of his four years.

Iowa has had at least one conference Player of the Week five of the 11 weeks it has played.

THE SERIES
Wisconsin holds a slim 39-37-2 advantage in the series that began with a 44-0 Badger victory in 1894. The Hawkeyes snapped a five-game losing streak to the Badgers with a 20-3 victory in Iowa City last year. Iowa has won 11 of the last 16 meetings. Wisconsin holds a 25-15-1 advantage in games played in Madison. The Badgers have won the last three contests in Madison. The last Iowa victory in Madison was in 1995 (33-20). Here are the results:

IOWA, WISCONSIN NOTES

• Iowa SS Bob Sanders was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week and PK Nate Kaeding earned co-special teams honors, while Wisconsin WR Lee Evans was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week.
• Iowa is 1-3 on the road this year, including 0-3 in Big Ten road contests. Wisconsin is 4-2 at home this year, including 2-1 in league contests.
• The Iowa roster includes four players from the state of Wisconsin. They are TE Erik Jensen (Appleton), OL Eric Rothwell (McFarland), DL John Traynor (Milton) and LB Eric Zilisch (Hartland). The Wisconsin roster includes just one Iowan, OL Jake Wood, who attended Pleasant Valley HS. Wisconsin LB Kyle McCorison is a transfer from Northern Iowa.
• Iowa Strength Coach Chris Doyle was the assistant strength coach at Wisconsin from 1996-98. Doyle’s assistant at Iowa, James Dobson, earned his degree from Wisconsin and worked with the Badger football team for three seasons.
• John Chadima, Wisconsin’s director of football operations and an assistant athletic director, is a native of Cedar Rapids, IA and an Iowa graduate. Chadima was an Iowa football manager from 1983-87 and an administrative graduate assistant from 1987-89 before joining the staff at Wisconsin.
• Saturday marks the first time Iowa finishes its regular season against Wisconsin since the 1912 season.
• Saturday marks the fourth time this season that Iowa will be televised on ABC. The Hawkeyes are 2-1 in games televised on ABC this year. Iowa’s loss came on the road at Ohio State (19-10).
• Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez is a win away from his 100th career coaching victory.
• Saturday features two of the league’s top punt returners. Wisconsin’s Jim Leonhard leads the conference with a 15.3 average on 28 attempts. Iowa’s Ramon Ochoa ranks fourth with an average of 12.9 on 34 attempts.

WISCONSIN CRUISES PAST MICHIGAN STATE
Wisconsin snapped a three-game losing streak with a 56-21 victory over then-No. 15 Michigan State. The Badgers totaled 630 yards of total offense, compared to Michigan State’s 310. Wisconsin took advantage of 11 Spartan penalties and three turnovers (2 interceptions, 1 fumble). QB Jim Sorgi completed 16-24 passes for a career-high 380 yards and five touchdowns. WR Lee Evans caught 10 passes for a school record 258 yards and five touchdowns. His five touchdowns tied a Big Ten record for touchdown receptions in a single game. RB Dwayne Smith rushed 21 times for a career-high 207 yards and three scores. The Badgers defense held Michigan State to 95 yards rushing and sacked Spartan QB Jeff Smoker five times.

HAWKEYES THIRD IN BOWL APPEARANCES
Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in bowl appearances. Ohio State and Michigan have received a conference-best 34 bowl bids each, while the Hawkeyes have gone to 18 bowls. Michigan State ranks fourth with 15. Penn State has gone to seven bowls while a member of the Big Ten Conference.

IOWA 40, MINNESOTA 22
Iowa forced five turnovers en route to a 40-22 victory over No. 17 Minnesota on senior day. Iowa’s senior class was responsible for 34 of Iowa’s 40 points. The Hawkeye win was their third straight over the Golden Gophers and their third win over a nationally ranked opponent at home this year.

The Hawkeyes scored 37 straight points after Minnesota took a 6-3 lead into the second quarter. QB Nathan Chandler scored his fifth touchdown of the season on a two-yard run. RB Jermelle Lewis scored Iowa’s second touchdown on a 34-yard run. PK Nate Kaeding finished the Hawkeyes scoring in the first half when he converted a 55-yard field goal, which matched his career high and tied the school record for the third longest field goal.

Kaeding converted two field goals (33 and 38) to open the scoring in the third quarter. WR Ramon Ochoa then caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Chandler to stretch Iowa’s lead to 33-6. FB Edgar Cervantes scored on a one-yard scoring run to finish the Iowa scoring early in the fourth quarter.

Kaeding tied his own school records for kicking points in a game (16), field goals made in a game (4) and longest field goal made (55).

Chandler completed 17-28 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed six times for 29 yards and one touchdown. Lewis rushed for 63 yards on nine attempts and scored one touchdown. WR Ramon Ochoa caught his team-leading fifth touchdown reception this year and posted career highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (92).

Iowa had four players record double figures in tackles: SS Bob Sanders (16), LB Abdul Hodge (16), LB Howard Hodges (12) and LB Chad Greenway (10). In addition to his season-high 16 tackles (10 solo), Sanders forced a career high three fumbles, recovered one fumble on the goal line and had one sack. Hodge’s 16 tackles (9 solo) matches a career high.

The Big Ten honored Sanders and Kaeding’s performances. Sanders was named Defensive Player of the Week, while Kaeding earned special teams accolades.

FINAL MINNESOTA GAME NOTES

• Iowa improved its record to 29-38-2 when playing for Floyd of Rosedale.
• Fred Russell’s 46-yard opening kickoff return was Iowa’s longest this season. The previous long was 38 yards by Ramon Ochoa at Iowa State (9/13). The 46-yard return also marked the longest kickoff return of his career. He had a 32-yard return vs. Indiana in 2001.
• Kaeding’s 16 kicking points moved him past Dan Stultz of Ohio State for third in career kick scoring in the Big Ten Conference. Kaeding has 345 career kick points. Purdue’s Travis Dorsch (1998-01) is second with 355 kick points.
• DT Jared Clauss and LB Grant Steen both returned to action on defense after they were both injured in Iowa’s victory over Penn State (10/25).
• David Bradley posted a career long 75-yard punt in the second quarter. The 75-yard punt ties as the fifth-longest in school history tying, Nick Gallery’s 75-yard punt vs. Indiana (10/14/95).
• Iowa recorded its fifth straight sellout of the season. Iowa finished the 2003 season with an average attendance of 65,798, its best home attendance average since 1998 (68,330).
• Iowa scored first for the first time since it scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Illinois. The Hawkeyes are 4-0 when they score first.
• Iowa had a season-low three penalties for five yards.
• Minnesota’s five turnovers (4 fumbles, 1 interception) is a season high by Iowa’s defense. Iowa had four turnovers in its 21-3 win over Miami, OH (8/30). Entering the game, Minnesota had 11 turnovers (6 interceptions, 5 fumbles) for the season.
• Iowa finished the season undefeated at home, marking the first undefeated home season since finishing 6-0 in 1997. This year marked the first time the Hawkeyes completed a season with a 7-0 home record.

IOWA EXTENDS HOME WINNING STREAK
Iowa’s 40-22 win over Minnesota last week extended its home winning streak to 12. The 12-game home winning streak, dating back to 2002, is a new Kinnick Stadium record. Overall, Iowa’s longest home winning streak is 20 games, dating from Nov. 19, 1918 to Oct. 20, 1923. In Big Ten games only, Iowa’s current streak of nine straight wins is the best for the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium. Overall, Iowa won 10 straight home conference games from Nov. 9, 1918 to Oct. 20, 1923. The current nine-game win streak in conference games began with a 42-24 win over Minnesota in 2001.

LAST MEETING
Iowa continued its balanced play with a 20-3 victory over rival Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes out-gained the Badgers 405 to 215 en route to its sixth-straight conference win.

The Hawkeyes scored 17 unanswered points after Wisconsin tied the contest at three in the second quarter. With 1:03 left in the half, QB Brad Banks hooked-up with WR Maurice Brown for a 21-yard touchdown to give Iowa a 10-3 lead at the break.

PK Nate Kaeding connected on a 30-yard field goal followed by a Banks 23-yard touchdown pass to TE Dallas Clark to finish the scoring in the third quarter.

Banks led the Iowa offense with 296 yards of total offense. He completed 17-30 passes for a career-high 275 yards and two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also rushed nine times for 21 yards.

Brown paced Iowa’s receivers with six receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown. Clark caught five passes for 97 yards and a score. RB Jermelle Lewis led Iowa’s ground attack with 81 yards on 25 attempts.

Defensively, LB Fred Barr and DB Derek Pagel each collected nine tackles to lead the Hawkeyes. Pagel also recorded his team-leading fourth interception and had a pass deflection. DE Jonathan Babineaux collected one of Iowa’s three sacks and finished with six tackles.

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.

KAEDING AND CLAUSS EARN ACADEMIC HONOR
PK Nate Kaeding and DL Jared Clauss have been named to the Verizon District VII first team Academic All-America squad. This marks the second consecutive year Kaeding has been selected to the first team. Clauss was named to the second team last season. Kaeding is a history major with a 3.48 GPA and Clauss is a communication studies major with a 3.53 GPA.

HAWKEYE COACHES IN THE HALL OF FAME
Iowa is currently tied for second with the most coaches in the College Football Hall of Fame with five. Iowa’s inductees include Howard Jones, Dr. Eddie Anderson, Edward ‘Slip’ Madigan, Forest Evashevski and Hayden Fry. Nebraska boasts the most coaches in the Hall of Fame with six.

FOUR PUNT BLOCKS IS A FIRST FOR IOWA
For what is believed to be the first time in school history, Iowa has blocked four opponent punts in a single season.

Sean Considine blocked two punts in the win at Iowa State, Chris Smith blocked a Michigan punt in Iowa’s 30-27 win over the Wolverines and Chad Greenway blocked a punt in the 26-14 win over Penn State. The first block at Iowa State and the block vs. Penn State were returned for Iowa touchdowns, while the Hawkeyes added a field goal following the second block at Iowa State and the block vs. Michigan.

The Hawkeyes blocked two punts, one field goal and one PAT attempt last season and last blocked three punts in 1991.

FAMILY 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.

FIRST CAREER TOUCHDOWNS
Iowa has had 11 players record their first career touchdowns this year. The list includes FB Aaron Mickens (vs. Miami, OH), DB Sean Considine (vs. Buffalo), A.J. Johnson (vs. Buffalo), QB Nathan Chandler (vs. Buffalo), TE Erik Jensen (vs. Arizona State), TE Mike Follett (at Michigan State), WR Calvin Davis (vs. Michigan), PK Nate Kaeding (at Ohio State), WR Matt Melloy (vs. Penn State), SS Bob Sanders (Illinois) and TE Tony Jackson (Illinois).

TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2003
Iowa has had seven true freshmen see action this year, WR Scott Chandler, FB Champ Davis, WR James Townsend, RB A.J. Johnson, OL Mike Jones, WR Eric McCollom and QB Drew Tate.

Tate has played in five games and has completed 6-10 passes for 55 yards and one touchdown, which was a 13-yard pass completion to WR Matt Melloy vs. Illinois. The native of Baytown, TX, has also rushed five times for 46 yards.

Jones played and started his first five games at left guard the last five weeks.

Johnson has rushed 18 times for 46 yards.

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

McCollom and Townsend saw their first action in Iowa’s win over Arizona State. Townsend has caught three passes for 16 yards. McCollom has played primarily as a wide receiver, but did have one rushing attempt from the quarterback position. Chandler played in his first game at Michigan State and also saw action vs. Michigan, but did not catch a pass in either game.

Iowa had only two true freshmen play last season (DB Jovon Johnson and WR Clinton Solomon).

KAEDING NAMED LOU GROZA FINALIST
PK Nate Kaeding is in his final season after becoming the first Hawkeye to ever win the Lou Groza Award, which is given to the nation’s top place kicker, last year. He is one of three finalists for the 2003 Lou Groza Award. The other finalists are Trey DiCarlo (Oklahoma) and Jonathon Nichols (Mississippi).

Kaeding was also named to the Verizon Academic all-District first team last week. 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 vs. Minnesota, Kaeding tied career highs in points in a game (16), field goals in a game (4) and longest field goal (55). In addition, the 16 points and four field goals in a game tied his own school record and the 55-yard field goal ties as the third longest in school history. His efforts earned him co-Special Teams Player of the Week, marking the second time this season and fifth time in his career that he has earned the accolade from the Big Ten.

Kaeding has kicked four field goals in a game twice this year and four times in 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 was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week for the first time this year on Sept. 15. He became Iowa’s career scoring leader after he set a school record for most kicking points in a game (16) at Iowa State. Kaeding kicked four PATs and four field goals. Kaeding passed Ron Houghtlin as Iowa’s all-time scoring leader, who held the record since 1987.

Kaeding has 345 career kick points and 351 overall. His 345 points rank third all-time in kick scoring in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue’s Travis Dorsch (1998-01) is second with 355 kick points.

Kaeding collected his first career touchdown at Ohio State when he scored a five-yard touchdown on a fake field goal in the fourth quarter.

Kaeding missed his third career PAT following a Penn State block in the second quarter this year. He had converted 56 straight PATs before the block. Kaeding’s previous miss was at Penn State last year. It was also blocked.

For the season, Kaeding has converted 15-16 field goals and 33-34 PATs. He ranks seventh in the Big Ten in scoring (7.6) and fourth in kicking points (7.1) and field goals made (1.36).

Kaeding has made 62-78 career field goal attempts, including 22-27 from outside 40 yards and a perfect 4-4 from outside 50 yards, and 159-162 PATs. Kaeding is the school record holder for career field goals (62) and PATs (159). The 62 career field goals rank fifth in Big Ten history. Michigan’s Remy Hamilton (1993-96) ranks fourth with 63.

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.

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 last week named to the list of semi-finalists for 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 was also 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 42 consecutive games at tackle after moving from tight end his freshman year. His 42-game starting streak is tops in the Big Ten.

Gallery is the only Iowa player to be selected a team captain every week this year. In addition, ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has Gallery listed as his fourth overall prospect for next spring’s draft.

JOHNSON ENDS SCORING THREATS
DB Jovon Johnson has intercepted four passes this year, two in the end zone. Johnson returned his fourth interception of the year eight yards last week vs. Minnesota. It marked the second straight season that he has intercepted Minnesota QB Asad Abdul-Khaliq. He collected two interceptions against Miami (OH) quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, one of which came in the end zone. Johnson intercepted his third pass of the season, in the end zone, against Arizona State.

Johnson ranks second in the Big Ten in interceptions (4) and 45th in the nation. Additionally, he ranks ninth on the team in tackles (36) and is tied for first in pass break-ups (10). He ranks third in the Big Ten in passes defended (14).

He has eight interceptions in 23 career games, which ties for 15th in career interceptions at Iowa.

He was named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week along with Ohio State defensive end Simon Fraser on Sept. 1. 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.

SANDERS LEADS IOWA SECONDARY
Senior SS Bob Sanders collected 10 tackles (5 solo) at Ohio State to top 300 career tackles. Sanders was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in his career after collecting a season-high 16 tackles (10 solo), including two for loss and one sack, forcing a career-high three fumbles and recovering one vs. Minnesota. Sanders ranks ninth in school history with 339 career tackles. He is four tackles from moving past Aaron Kampman (1998-01) for eighth on Iowa’s career tackle chart.

The native of Erie, PA, has collected 62 tackles in seven games this season. He ranks third on the team in tackles and leads the Big Ten in forced fumbles (6). All six forced fumbles have come in conference games.

Against Illinois, Sanders registered three tackles (2 solo), forced a fumble and recovered a fumble, which he returned three yards for his first career touchdown. The previous week vs. Penn State, Sanders forced two fumbles and registered six tackles (4 solo).

Sanders, who underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right foot Sept. 5, returned to Iowa’s lineup at Michigan State after missing three games and recorded seven tackles (5 solo). Sanders collected seven tackles (six solo) and had one pass break-up vs. Michigan in his first start of the season.

Sanders is a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Defensive Back of the Year award and the Bronko Nagurski Defensive Player of the Year award. He was also named a pre-season first team all-American by The Sporting News and third team all-American by Athlon Sports.

Sanders did not start in Iowa’s season-opener against Miami (OH) due to his foot injury, but did see significant minutes.

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.

BROWN RETURNS TO ACTION
After missing six games due to injury, WR Maurice Brown has returned to action. In his first game back from injury, Brown saw limited action and caught two passes for 31 yards vs. Illinois. At Purdue, Brown caught a career-high eight receptions and matched a career high with 129 receiving yards. He had a touchdown reception in the first half called back due to an Iowa penalty. Brown had at least 100 receiving yards for the first time this year and the sixth time in his career.

Last week vs. Minnesota, Brown caught two passes for 38 yards.

Brown ranks second on the team in receptions (26), receiving yards (407) and touchdown receptions (3).

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 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).

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 77 receptions for 1,418 yards. He ranks 15th in receiving yards and 22nd in receptions on Iowa’s career receiving charts.

CONSIDINE LEADS SPECIAL TEAMS
Junior DB Sean Considine blocked two Iowa State punts, tying the Iowa school record for blocked kicks in a 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 individual 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 second on the team in interceptions (2) and ranks fifth in tackles (48). He scored his first career points when he returned a fumble 18 yards against Buffalo.

He posted back-to-back career high tackle figures the last two weeks. At Purdue, Considine collected a career-high six tackles (5 solo) and bested that performance with seven tackles (6 solo) last week vs. Minnesota.

He collected a career-high six tackles (5 solo) at Purdue last week.

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 collected a career-high 12 tackles (11 solo) in Iowa’s victory over Minnesota last week. He collected five tackles, including one sack vs. Penn State in week eight. He registered four tackles, including a career-high three sacks at Ohio State the previous week. At Michigan State, he registered five tackles, including two sacks. He ranks fourth in the Big Ten in sacks (0.81), ranks third on the Hawkeyes in TFL (10) and seventh in total tackles (45).

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 second in the Big Ten in sacks (0.95) and fifth in tackles for loss (1.27), ranks second on the Hawkeyes in quarterback hurries (4) and eighth in tackles (42). He has recorded at least one sack in 14 of Iowa’s last 18 games, dating back to last year.

Against Illinois, Roth forced a fumble that SS Bob Sanders returned for a three-yard touchdown and collected six tackles (4 solo). He matched his career high with three sacks. His efforts earned him his first Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week honor.

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.

LEWIS HAS BIG GAME
Junior RB Jermelle Lewis scored a 34-yard touchdown, his first rushing touchdown this season vs. Minnesota last week. Lewis finished the game as Iowa’s leading rusher (9 attempts, 63 yards). His first touchdown of the season came on an eight-yard reception at Purdue.

For the season, Lewis has rushed 27 times for 176 yards. The native of Bloomfield, CT, missed Iowa’s first seven games recovering from off-season knee surgery.

IOWA STARTS ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 51 of its last 53 games. Iowa’s games at Miami, OH (9-7-02) and at Michigan State (9-27-03) are the only contests that the Hawkeyes didn’t start on offense. Iowa has started the game on offense in 53 of 59 games under Kirk Ferentz.

LINEBACKERS ARE BIG TEN LEADERS
Linebackers Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge have been a force in the middle of Iowa’s defense this season. Hodge and Greenway rank one-two in the Big Ten in tackles, respectively. Both have collected double figures in tackles in six of Iowa’s last nine games, including the last two contests.

Hodge ranks first in the Big Ten in tackles (10.8) and his 119 tackles tie for 22nd in single season tackles at Iowa.

Last week vs. Minnesota, Hodge tied a career high with 16 tackles (9 solo) and had one pass break-up. At Purdue, Hodge registered a game-high 11 tackles (7 solo), including one for loss. Against Illinois, Hodge collected a team-high nine tackles (7 solo) and recovered his second fumble in as many weeks. Against Penn State, Hodge recovered the first career fumble and returned the first quarter fumble 47 yards, the longest return by Iowa this year. The native of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, also registered five solo tackles against the Nittany Lions. At Ohio State, he collected a career and game-high 16 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, had one pass break-up and forced a fumble on Iowa’s goal line to stop an Ohio State scoring threat. Against Michigan, Hodge collected a game-high 13 tackles (3 solo), including one for loss. He registered 15 tackles at Iowa State and then matched his tackle total the next week vs. Arizona State.

Greenway ranks second in the league in tackles (10.6), ranks second on the Hawkeyes in TFL (10.5) and is tied for third in pass break-ups (5). His 117 tackles tie for 24th in single season tackles at Iowa.

Greenway has posted 10 tackles the last two games. Four of his 10 were solo last week vs. Minnesota, including two for loss. He also had one pass break-up. Greenway collected seven solo tackles and three assists at Purdue, including one half for loss. He collected eight tackles (2 solo), including one for loss and one pass break-up vs. Illinois. Against Penn State, he registered a game-high 11 tackles (9 solo). He recorded a career-high 17 tackles at Iowa State and duplicated his efforts vs. Arizona State. His performance earned him Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week laurels, the first of his career. At Ohio State, Greenway collected 10 tackles (5 solo), including 2.5 for loss. Along with leading the conference in tackles (10.7), he ranks fourth on the Hawkeyes in TFL (8.5).

CHANDLER DIRECTS HAWKEYE OFFENSE
Senior Nathan Chandler has completed 144-257 passes for 1,804 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 1,804 yards passing rank 15th-best, while his 1,925 yards of total offense rank 14th-best in a single season at Iowa.

His pass efficiency rating of 129.3, ranks fifth in the Big Ten and 50th nationally. Chandler has thrown at least one touchdown pass in ten of Iowa’s 11 games. Iowa’s game at Ohio State marked the only time this year he failed to toss a touchdown pass. Chandler’s 16 touchdown passes tie for third in the league. He has passed for over 200 yards in three straight games.

He has rushed the ball 72 times for 121 yards and five touchdowns. His five rushing touchdowns tie for first on the team with RB Fred Russell.

Last week vs. Minnesota, Chandler completed 17-28 passes for 210 yards and one touchdown, and he also scored on a two-yard run.

Against Illinois, Chandler completed 14-23 passes for a career-high 243 yards and one touchdown.

In Iowa’s win over Michigan, Chandler collected career bests in completions (17), attempts (34) and passing yardage (195). He also threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in Iowa’s upset win over then-No. 9 Michigan.

Against Arizona State, Chandler completed 15-23 passes for 154 yards, threw for three touchdowns and had one interception. He had thrown 67 passes (20 last season) before his first interception. The three scoring passes are the most for an Iowa QB since Brad Banks had four TD passes in an overtime win at Penn State last year.

Chandler directed the Iowa offense to its first victory over Iowa State in six tries in week three. 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 NOTES

• The Hawkeyes are 3-2 against ranked opponents this year. Iowa defeated then-No. 16 Arizona State (21-2), then-No. 8 Michigan (30-27) and then-No. 17 Minnesota (40-22) in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes lost to then-No. 8 Ohio State (19-10) and then-No. 14 Purdue (27-14) on the road.
• Iowa’s 18-play, 77-yard game-opening touchdown drive vs. Illinois, that consumed 9:06, marked its longest scoring drive since the Hawkeyes scored a touchdown a 19-play, 81-yard drive that consumed 9:28 against Michigan on 10/20/84.
• The Hawkeyes have won 19 of their last 21 games in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the end of the 2000 season. Iowa’s two losses came against Iowa State (36-31 in 2002) and Michigan (32-26 in 2001).
• The Hawkeyes rushed the ball a season-high 51 times vs. Penn State.
• Iowa totaled a season-high 505 yards of offense vs. Illinois. The previous season best was 442 vs. Buffalo. The last time Iowa collected 500 yards or more of total offense was vs. Utah State (9/21/02), a span of 19 games.
• Iowa has won 17 of its last 20 regular season games. The Hawkeyes’ loss at Michigan State on Sept. 27, stopped a 13-game regular season winning streak, the third longest in school history.
• Iowa posted five home sellouts this year (Arizona State, Michigan, Penn State, Illinois and Minnesota). Iowa’s home attendance average of 65,798 is its best home attendance since 1998 (68,330).
• Iowa opponents have scored first in six of the last eight games.
• Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz started the season 4-0 for the first time as Iowa’s head coach. He has posted a 23-8 (.742) mark over the last 31 games.
• 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).
• Iowa has blocked four punts this year, all of which have resulted in points. Two of the four punts were recovered and returned for touchdowns (at Iowa State and vs. Penn State).

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 108-15 and 94-28 in the second and third quarters, respectively. Hawkeye opponents own a 70-58 advantage in the first quarter and a 59-49 edge in the fourth quarter.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa is averaging 5.4 yards on 319 first down plays, 4.7 yards on 234 second down plays, 5.1 yards on 158 third down plays and 2.7 yards on six fourth down plays.

RAZOR SHARP
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 34 punts for an average of 12.9, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 21st nationally. He has returned 18 kickoffs for a 22.0 average, which rank fifth in the conference.

For the year, Ochoa leads the Hawkeye wide receiving corps. He ranks first in receptions (31), receiving yards (457) and touchdown receptions (5).

Ochoa has led the Hawkeye receivers three of the last five weeks. Ochoa had his best game at wide receiver in Iowa’s win over Minnesota last week, posting career highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (92). He also caught a six-yard touchdown, his team leading fifth of the year and returned two punts for 56 yards (28.0). Against Penn State, Ochoa caught five passes for 67 yards and caught one touchdown and returned seven punts 50 yards (7.1 avg.). At Ohio State, Ochoa caught four passes for 86 yards, including a career-long 51-yard reception.

Against Michigan, Ochoa recorded 169 yards total offense. Ochoa ran back three punts for 48 yards, three kickoffs for 85 yards and caught two passes for 36 yards, including a crucial 31-yard touchdown that gave Iowa a 10-point cushion (30-20) late in the fourth quarter.

Ochoa caught four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s win over Arizona State. His 40-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter marked his first scoring reception. His other touchdown was a three-yard reception in the third quarter.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 48 scoring drives have averaged 6.9 plays, 48.7 yards and 2:47 elapsed time. Twenty-five of Iowa’s 48 scoring drives covered 50 yards or more.

The Hawkeyes posted a season-high 18-play, 77-yard drive that amassed 9:06 on their first offensive possession against Illinois in week nine.

Iowa opponents have recorded 27 scoring drives, averaging 8.1 plays, 53.1 yards and 2:54 elapsed time. Seven of Iowa’s opponents’ 27 scoring drives have covered 75 yards or more.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Six of Iowa’s 42 offensive plays of 20 yards or more have produced touchdowns. RB Jermelle Lewis scored his first rushing touchdown of the year when he scampered 34 yards vs. Minnesota last week. WR Ramon Ochoa caught a 31-yard touchdown vs. Michigan. WR Maurice Brown caught a 28-yard pass for a touchdown against Miami (OH) and a 23-yard score vs. Buffalo, RB Marcus Schnoor scored on a 33-yard scoring run at Iowa State, while Ochoa caught a 40-yard pass for a touchdown vs. Arizona State.

The Hawkeyes posted five or more offensive plays of 20 yards or more each of the last four weeks.

The Hawkeyes have also recorded big plays on special teams, including six long punt returns (70, 43, 41, 24, 21, 21) and 14 kickoff returns (46, 38, 37, 33, 32, 31, 31, 27, 26, 26, 23, 23, 22, 20). Iowa had four kickoff returns of 20 yards or more last week vs. Minnesota. The Hawkeyes averaged 25.4 yards on five returns against the Golden Gophers.

Iowa’s defense has yielded 27 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, including only one three running plays over 20 yards. Michigan and Minnesota both recorded six of the 27. Iowa held Ohio State to only one big play (34-yard passing play) and Purdue to two (20-yard rushing play and a 45-yard touchdown pass).

RUSSELL TOPS 1,000 YARDS
RB Fred Russell, who is a candidate for the Doak Walker Running Back of the Year Award, joined Sedrick Shaw (1994, 1995, 1996) and Ladell Betts (2000, 2001) as the only Iowa running backs to rush for over 1,000 yards in more than one season. On his last rushing attempt vs. Illinois, Russell scampered 14 yards for a touchdown, which also put him at 1,010 yards for the season. Last year, Russell rushed 220 times for 1,264 yards and nine touchdowns, becoming the 10th Iowa running back to surpass 1,000 yards in a season.

Last week vs. Minnesota, Russell rushed eight times for 23 yards. He also had two kickoff returns for 78 yards, including a 46-yard opening kickoff return that is the longest for the Hawkeyes this year and is a career long.

Against the Fighting Illini, Russell finished the game with 94 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. It marked the third time in his career that he rushed for two touchdowns in a game (vs. Akron and at Indiana – both in 2002).

Russell has rushed 243 times for 1,068 yards and five touchdowns. His 1,068 yards rank ninth on Iowa’s single season rushing chart. Russell ranks second in the Big Ten and 28th nationally.

Russell led the Iowa offense in its victory over Penn State, rushing a career-high 36 times for 148 yards.

The native of Inkster, MI, has rushed for 100 yards or more in a game five times this year and 13 times in his career. He accomplished the feat in three consecutive games this year as Russell rushed 27 times for 154 yards vs. Arizona State, 23 times for 122 yards at Michigan State and 26 times for 110 yards vs. Michigan.

Russell started the 2003 campaign on the right foot as he rushed 22 times for 167 yards and one touchdown against Miami (OH). 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 second in conference rushing (109.7) and sixth in all-purpose yards (110.7).

His career totals include 466 attempts for 2,450 yards and 15 touchdowns, which ranks sixth best for yardage among Iowa running backs. He is 84 yards from moving past Owen Gill (1982-85) for fifth. Russell’s career 5.2 average ties for second all-time with Owen Gill (min. 400 attempts). Tavian Banks ranks first with a 5.9 average.

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.

SPECIAL TEAMS SUCCESS
After a successful season last year, Iowa’s special team continues to shine in 2003. Iowa has scored three special team and two defensive touchdowns this year.

Against Illinois, SS Bob Sanders scored his first career touchdown when he returned a fumble three yards for a touchdown. Against Penn State, LB Jermire Roberts scored his second career touchdown when he returned a blocked punt 26 yards for a score.

At Ohio State, the Hawkeyes scored a touchdown on a fake field goal. Holder David Bradley pitched the ball to place kicker Nate Kaeding, who ran five yards to the right corner of the end zone and scored.

At Iowa State, 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 Michigan, DB Chris Smith blocked Iowa’s third punt of the season in the third quarter that led to a Kaeding field goal.

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 27 kickoffs for an average of 22.7, 41 punt returns for an average of 13.4. The Hawkeyes rank fourth in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in punt returns and second in the conference and 29th nationally in kickoff returns. Iowa’s kickoff coverage unit yields 16.8 yards per return on 32 attempts, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten.

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

• Iowa’s defense has allowed only five field goals (15 points) in the second quarter and four touchdowns (28 points) in the third quarter this year. Iowa owns a 108-15 advantage in the second quarter and 94-28 in the third quarter.
• Iowa had four players post double figures in tackles last week vs. Minnesota (SS Bob Sanders – 16, LB Abdul Hodge – 16, LB Howard Hodges – 12, LB Chad Greenway – 10).
• Iowa’s red zone defense is tops in the Big Ten. Hawkeye opponents score on only 63 percent (17-27) of their possessions inside the 20. The Hawkeyes have forced and recovered two fumbles on the goal line this year (at Ohio State and vs. Minnesota).
• Iowa’s rushing defense has held seven of its last nine opponents to under 75 yards rushing. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the country to have held seven consecutive opponents to under 75 yards rushing. Purdue snapped Iowa’s streak, rushing 44 times for 154 yards. Iowa State rushed for 71 yards on 40 attempts (1.78 avg.). Arizona State was held to 24 yards on 21 attempts (1.1 avg.), Michigan State collected only 45 yards on 32 carries (1.4 avg.), Michigan recorded 74 yards on 33 attempts (2.2 avg.), Ohio State collected 56 yards on 42 attempts (1.3 avg.), Penn State registered 38 yards on 28 carries (1.4 avg.), Illinois posted 59 yards on 26 attempts (2.3 avg.).
• The Hawkeyes held No. 24 Miami (OH) to three points in a 21-3 victory in week one. Since the week one loss to Iowa, the RedHawks have averaged 44.0 points per game and have won nine straight contests.
• Iowa’s rushing defense has allowed only three plays of 20 yards or more this season. Iowa State’s quarterback scrambled for a 25-yard touchdown in week three, Purdue running back Jerod Void had a 20-yard rush and Minnesota running back Thomas Tapeh had a 30-yard rush last week.
• The Hawkeyes have forced 18 fumbles this year, recovering 11. Iowa has returned two fumbles for touchdowns (Considine – 18 yards vs. Buffalo and Sanders – 3 yards vs. Illinois).
• Iowa held Penn State without a first down on its first four possessions. In addition, the Nittany Lions failed to convert on its first seven third down conversions and finished the game 2-15.
• Iowa has collected 30 sacks, which ranks fourth in the Big Ten.
• After gaining 16 yards on the first play of the second quarter (its longest play from scrimmage in the game), Arizona State went five straight possessions without a first down.
• After scoring on four of its first five possessions, Michigan failed to score on 11 of its last 12 possessions, which included a one play kneel down at the end of the half.
• Iowa’s defense has allowed only 172 points (15.6) in 11 games, which ranks third in the Big Ten and ninth in the nation. Five of the opponents’ 16 offensive touchdowns have come against Iowa’s second team defense in the fourth quarter of three big wins (Buffalo, Iowa State, Illinois and Minnesota).
• DB Jovon Johnson leads the team with four interceptions this year. He collected his fifth and sixth career interception’s in Iowa’s season-opening win over Miami (OH). He recorded his seventh career theft in Iowa’s win over Arizona State. Two of Johnson’s four interceptions this year have come in the end zone.
• 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 18 takeaways (11 interceptions and 9 fumbles).
• FS Sean Considine has collected two interceptions, two blocked punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown.

GAMES ON TELEVISION
Iowa’s first nine games were televised. Iowa’s game vs. Miami (OH) was shown to a national cable audience on ESPN2. Iowa’s contest vs. Buffalo was televised by ESPN Plus. The Hawkeyes’ game at Iowa State was televised on Fox Sports Net, while its game vs. Arizona State was on ESPN2. Iowa’s conference opener at Michigan State was televised to a regional audience on ESPN Plus. ABC televised three consecutive Hawkeye games (vs. Michigan, at Ohio State and vs. Penn State). Iowa’s game vs. Illinois was televised regionally on ESPN Plus. Iowa’s last two contests (at Purdue and vs. Minnesota) were shown to a national cable audience on ESPN. Saturday’s regular season finale at Wisconsin will be televised to a regional audience on ABC.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
The Hawkeyes have marched inside the red zone 46 times and scored 40 of those times (87.0%).

Iowa was a perfect 6-6 last week vs. Minnesota. The Haweyes scored three touchdowns and three field goals vs. the Golden Gophers. Iowa was also a perfect 6-6 vs. Illinois. The Hawkeyes posted four touchdowns and two field goals against the Fighting Illini.

Three of the Hawkeyes’ red zone failures came when they had a comfortable lead and let the clock expire – once each against Miami (OH), Buffalo and Penn State. 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 27 times and have scored 17 times (63.0%). Iowa’s red zone defense ranks first in the Big Ten.

Last week, Minnesota was 3-6, scoring two touchdowns and one field goal. Iowa forced three fumbles inside its own 20, including one at the goal line. Purdue was 2-3, collecting two touchdowns. Penn State is Iowa’s only opponent this year not to have an offensive possession reach the red zone. Ohio State failed to score any points on two possessions inside the red zone. A fumble on the goal line and a fumbled snap on a field goal attempt halted two potential scoring drives. Michigan was a perfect 3-3, scoring two touchdowns and converting a field goal. Michigan State scored on all four possessions inside the red zone. Iowa stopped Arizona State’s only red zone scoring threat when DB Jovon Johnson intercepted a pass at the goal line. 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.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 53 points off 20 turnovers (9 interceptions and 11 fumbles), plus an additional 19 points following four blocked punts (2 at Iowa State, 1 vs. Michigan and 1 vs. Penn State).

Iowa scored six points (2 field goals) following five Minnesota turnovers last week.

SS Bob Sanders scored his first career touchdown on a three-yard fumble return against Illinois.

WR Matt Melloy caught a two-yard touchdown pass from QB Nathan Chandler following a 47-yard fumble return by LB Abdul Hodge vs. Penn 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 turned the ball over 18 times, including four at Michigan State and three times each at Ohio State and vs. Penn State. Iowa State, Michigan State and Penn State are the only opponents to score any points following an Iowa turnover. The Cyclones scored a touchdown, the Spartans tallied 13 points (1 touchdown and 2 field goals) and the Nittany Lions scored a touchdown following the Hawkeye miscues.

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 included Arizona State in the non-conference and Ohio State and Illinois in the Big Ten.

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 was 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 next. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

IOWA DEPTH CHART
Iowa’s depth chart includes 20 seniors, 12 juniors, 13 sophomores, six redshirt freshmen and three true freshmen. These numbers do not include return specialists. Iowa’s three true freshmen include quarterback Drew Tate, offensive lineman Mike Jones and full back Champ Davis.

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.

RON AIKEN ON NCAA COMMITTEE
Iowa defensive line coach Ron Aiken is one of four Big Ten assistant coaches to be chosen to participate in the first NCAA Advanced Coaching Program, which is a component of the NCAA Coaches Academy. Aiken, along with Michigan assistant head coach John Campbell, Michigan State running backs coach/recruiting coordinator Reginald Mitchell and Illinois assistant coach Donald Thompson were among the 20 coaches selected to attend the Academy.

The Academy is designed to assist minority coaches in excelling in head coaching positions, to enhance and strengthen the skills that many ethnic minority coaches currently possess and to provide exposure and networking opportunities for these coaches. The program will be held Jan. 2-4 in Orlando, FL, and precedes the American Football Coaches Association convention.

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.

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’Kelly’s in Iowa City.