Hawkeyes Head to the Desert

Sept. 13, 2004

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IOWA HEADS TO THE DESERT Iowa (2-0) concludes its non-conference schedule Saturday at Arizona State (2-0). Game time is 9:05 p.m. (CDT) at Tempe, AZ, in Sun Devil Stadium (73,379). Tickets are still available.

ON THE TUBE ESPN Plus will televise the contest to a regional audience that includes KGAN Cedar Rapids, KDSM Des Moines, KMEG Sioux City, KYOU Ottumwa, KWQC Quad Cities and Cox Cable Omaha. The game will also be available to Arizona residents on Fox Sports Net Arizona. Larry Morgan and Marv Cook 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 Rob Brooks. The Hawkeye Radio Network includes more than 40 stations throughout the state.

MICHIGAN GAME TIME SET Iowa’s Big Ten Conference opener at Michigan is slated to kickoff at 2:35 p.m. (CDT). The game will be televised to a regional television audience on ABC.

HAWKEYE HISTORY Iowa has played 1,054 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 532-483-39 (.523). That includes a 336-191-16 (.634) record in home games, a 196-292-23 (.406) record in games away from Iowa City, a 258-326-25 (.444) mark in Big Ten games and a 219-156-15 (.581) record in Kinnick Stadium.

TICKET UPDATE A limited amount of tickets remain for home games vs. Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Iowa’s first two home games were sellouts, while its game vs. Ohio State is also sold out.

The Iowa record for average home attendance is 70,071, set in 1991. The current capacity is 70,397.

ON THIS DATE Iowa is 2-4 in games played on Sept. 18. The Hawkeyes defeated Syracuse 41-3 in 1976 and Northern Illinois 24-0 in 1999. Iowa lost to Washington State 7-0 in 1965, Oregon State 33-19 in 1971, Iowa State 19-7 in 1982 and Penn State 31-0 in 1993. Iowa’s victory over Northern Illinois in 1999 was Coach Ferentz’s first victory as Iowa’s head coach.

IN THE RANKINGS Iowa is ranked 12th in the ESPN/USA Today and 16th in the Associated Press poll.

None of the Hawkeyes’ non-conference opponents are ranked, but five of their eight conference foes are in the top 25. The Big Ten boasts six teams ranked in the top 25 – the most of any conference. Ohio State is ranked No. 7/9 (ESPN-USA Today/AP), followed by No. 12/16 Iowa, No. 17/17 Michigan, No. 18/18 Purdue, No. 20/21 Wisconsin and No. 22/22 Minnesota.

THE SERIES This is the third meeting and each team has a win. The Sun Devils won the first meeting (17-7) in the 1997 Sun Bowl in El Paso, TX. Last season, the Hawkeyes downed Arizona State (21-2) in Iowa City. Saturday marks Iowa’s first trip to Tempe, AZ. The Hawkeyes played at Arizona in 1998.

IOWA VS. THE PAC 10 Iowa holds an all-time record of 28-32-1 against current members of the Pac 10 Conference, having met all but Stanford at least once. The Hawkeyes snapped a three-game losing skid to the Pac 10 Conference with last season’s 21-2 victory over Arizona State in Iowa City. The Sun Devils are the only Pac 10 opponent on the Hawkeye regular season schedule this season.

ASU VS. THE BIG TEN Arizona State is 11-5 vs. the Big Ten, having met all but Minnesota at least once.

COMMON FOES Iowa and Arizona State do not share any common opponents this year. The Sun Devils played Northwestern last Saturday in Evanston, IL, but the Wildcats are not on the Hawkeyes’ schedule this season.

MELLOY OUT INDEFINITELY WR Matt Melloy will be out an indefinite period of time due to a sprained knee suffered in practice last week. The junior caught two passes for 13 yards in Iowa’s season opener vs. Kent State. Both receptions were for touchdowns.

IOWA, ASU NOTES

• Arizona State’s passing offense (324.0) ranks seventh nationally, while Iowa’s passing defense (146.5) ranks 19th. In addition, Iowa’s rushing defense (26.5) ranks third in the nation.
• Arizona State PK Jesse Ainsworth ranks second nationally in field goals (2.5), while WR Derek Hagan ranks 10th in receptions (8.0).
• Arizona State’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.
• Arizona State 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.
• Arizona State Athletic Director Gene Smith was previously the AD at Iowa State (1993-2000).
• Iowa and Wisconsin are traveling to the state of Arizona Saturday. The Badgers play the Wildcats at 3 p.m. (CDT) in Tucson.
• The Big Ten is 1-2 vs. the Pac 10 this season. Indiana defeated Oregon (30-24) in Eugene, while UCLA downed Illinois (35-17) in Champaign and Arizona State topped Northwestern (30-21) in Evanston, IL.

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 sixth season as Iowa’s head football coach. He resurrected the Iowa program and led the 2003 Hawkeyes to a 10-3 record and a 37-17 Outback Bowl victory No. 17 Florida. Iowa has posted a 23-5 (.821) overall mark and 13-3 (.813) Big Ten record the last three seasons under Ferentz.

Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 34-29 (.540) and a 20-20 (.500) mark in Big Ten games. In eight seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 46-50 (.479).

Twenty-two of Iowa’s 63 games over the last six seasons have been decided by seven points or less and 23 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 first 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 1-0 against Arizona State and Sun Devil Coach Dirk Koetter.

ASU COACH DIRK KOETTER Dirk Koetter is in his fourth year as ASU’s head coach and seventh season as a college head coach. Koetter holds an 18-21 (.462) record with the Sun Devils and his career mark stands of 44-31 (.587). 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 is 0-1 against Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz.

IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2004 season includes 13 players (five seniors, three juniors, two 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 Jonathan Babineaux, Sean Considine, Tony Jackson, Tyler Luebke and Pete McMahon, juniors Chad Greenway, Ed Hinkel and Abdul Hodge, sophomores Jason Manson and Mike Elgin, redshirt freshmen Bryan Mattison and Albert Young and true freshman Seth Olsen.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE Saturday’s game vs. Arizona State will mark the 46th consecutive game the Hawkeyes have been selected for television. The last Iowa contest not televised was at Illinois on Oct. 14, 2000.

INJURY UPDATE RB Albert Young and LG Todd Plagman are doubtful for Saturday’s game vs. Arizona State and will be out for an indefinite period of time after each player sustain an injury during last week’s game vs. Iowa State.

LAST MEETING The setting was electric in a night game that matched a pair of teams ranked in the top twenty. After yielding a first quarter safety following a fumbled snap out of the shotgun, 14th ranked Iowa scored 21 unanswered points for a 21-2 victory over No. 16 Arizona State.

Trailing 2-0, QB Nathan Chandler connected with WR Ramon Ochoa for a 40-yard TD pass midway through the second quarter. The Hawkeyes scored another touchdown on their next possession, driving 41 yards in seven plays. The clincher was a two-yard scoring toss to TE Erik Jensen.

Leading 14-2 at the half, Iowa added a third touchdown when Ochoa caught a three-yard pass from Chandler in the third quarter.

Iowa’s defense was sensational, allowing only 24 rushing yards and 184 yards total offense. Arizona State was held without an offensive point for the first time since a 31-0 loss to Southern Cal in 1995.

LB Chad Greenway matched a career-high with 17 tackles (11 solo), while LB Abdul Hodge contributed 15 tackles (8 solo). Greenway’s efforts earned him co-Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors. DB Jovon Johnson recorded five tackles and two break-ups. His third pass interception of the season came at the goal line in the first quarter to stop a potential ASU scoring threat. After collecting a first down on the first play of the second quarter, Arizona State went five straight possessions before getting its next first down with less than six minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Chandler completed 15-23 passes for 154 yards and three touchdowns. RB Fred Russell had a big game, carrying the ball 27 times for 154 yards while moving into 10th place on Iowa’s career rushing charts. Ochoa caught four passes for 64 yards and two touchdowns and had 42 yards on four punt returns.

IOWA STARTS ON OFFENSE Iowa has started on offense in 55 of its last 57 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 57 of 63 games under Kirk Ferentz.

INSTANT REPLAY Nine of Iowa’s 11 games this season will feature the Big Ten Conference’s experimental instant replay system. Hawkeye games vs. Iowa State and at Arizona State are the only two Iowa contests that will not utilize the system. There were no plays reviewed in Iowa’s season opener vs. Kent State.

The NCAA Football Rules Committee granted the Big Ten the right to experiment with instant replay on a one-year basis for all televised games at league stadiums in 2004. While all 44 conference games will utilize this system, visiting teams during non-conference contests must approve the usage of instant replay.

HINKEL RETURNS TO FORM WR Ed Hinkel has been Iowa’s top receiving threat the first two weeks. Hinkel posted team highs in receptions and receiving yards vs. Kent State (4-65) and Iowa State (4-61). QB Drew Tate connected with Hinkel on a 29-yard touchdown in the second quarter vs. Iowa State. The reception was his third career touchdown. Two have been diving catches in the end zone (the other at Penn State in 2002). The junior also returned a punt for a touchdown his freshman season. Hinkel was hampered by injuries last season, missing four games and seeing limited action in other games. The native of Erie, PA, has 40 career receptions for 452 yards and two touchdowns.

LEWIS RETURNS TO ACTION After serving a one game suspension, RB Jermelle Lewis returned to action vs. Iowa State. The senior rushed 30 times for 102 yards and also caught two passes for 44 yards. The 102 yards on the ground marked the fifth time in his career that he has eclipsed the century mark. The last time Lewis topped 100 yards was when he rushed for 101 yards at Minnesota (11/16/02).

Lewis is one of 50 student-athletes named to the 2004 Walter Camp Player of the Year Watch List. Last season, Lewis rushed 46 times for 241 yards, ran for one score and also caught one touchdown. He was the leading rusher in the Hawkeyes’ 2003 victory vs. Minnesota, rushing nine times for 63 yards. Lewis also rushed a season-high 12 times for 45 yards vs. Florida in the Outback Bowl. The native of Bloomfield, CT, missed Iowa’s first seven games recovering from off-season knee surgery. Lewis’ career numbers include 169 rushing attempts for 950 yards and nine touchdowns and eight receptions for 71 yards and two scores.

SPECIAL TEAMS RISE AGAIN After blocking a single season school record five punts last season, Iowa has started on the right foot in 2004. LB Chad Greenway blocked a Kent State punt in the third quarter, which resulted in a field goal. Iowa is 5-0 in games that it blocked at least one punt dating back to last season.

IOWA 17, IOWA STATE 10
Iowa won its second-consecutive game over Iowa State with a 17-10 victory in Kinnick Stadium last weekend. The victory snapped a three-game home losing streak to the Cyclones and the Hawkeyes retained the Cy-Hawk Trophy.

The Hawkeyes marched down the field on their opening possession, scoring a touchdown on a six-play, 49-yard drive. RB Albert Young scored his second touchdown in as many weeks on a one-yard plunge.

Iowa maintained a 17-3 advantage for most of the third quarter until a 40-yard touchdown pass trimmed the Hawkeye lead to seven (17-10) with 36 seconds left in the period. The Hawkeye defense was able to protect the seven-point advantage and neither team scored again.

Drew Tate completed 16-22 passes for 220 yards, tossed one touchdown and one interception in his first complete game as Iowa’s starting quarterback. WR Ed Hinkel caught a team-high four passes for 61 yards, including a 29-yard diving catch in the end zone in the second quarter. RB Jermelle Lewis eclipsed the century mark for the fifth time in his career. Lewis rushed 30 times for 102 yards, including a team-season long 34-yard scamper late in the fourth quarter to move the chains and help run time off the clock.

For the second-straight week, Iowa’s defense was solid. The Hawkeyes held the Cyclones to 236 total yards, including 66 yards on the ground. LB Abdul Hodge posted a game-high 12 tackles (8 solo), while LB Chad Greenway collected 10 tackles (6 solo), including one for loss and one pass breakup. DL Jonathan Babineaux tied a career-high with six tackles (5 solo), including two sacks.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Iowa won the first event in the inaugural Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. The victory earned the Hawkeyes three points in the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series.
• RB Albert Young rushed only four times for five yards and left the game early in the second quarter due to injury. The redshirt freshman also returned two kickoffs for 63 yards, including a team season-long 36 yarder on the opening kickoff.
• True freshmen Adam Shada and Charles Godfrey saw their first action. The duo played on special teams.
• RB Marques Simmons saw his first action in an Iowa uniform, carrying the ball one time for no yards.
• PK Kyle Schlicher converted a career-long 39-yard field goal in the third quarter. The sophomore made 1-2 field goals and 2-2 PATs, with the missed FG attempt being blocked.
• David Bradley punted seven times, averaging 33.3 yards per punt, including downing two inside the 20.
• The game did not feature the Big Ten Instant Replay system.

ARIZONA STATE WINS AT NORTHWESTERN Arizona State scored the game’s final six points to hold off Northwestern 30-21 last Saturday in Evanston, IL. The Sun Devils had a commanding 24-7 advantage in the third quarter, but the Wildcats rallied and scored two quick touchdowns in a 2:15 span to trim Arizona State’s lead to 24-21 late in the period. Northwestern had an opportunity to take the lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a fumble inside the red zone cost the Wildcats and Arizona State held on for the victory. QB Andrew Walter completed 19-36 passes for 292 yards and three touchdowns. WR Derek Hagan posted game highs in receptions (8) and receiving yards (154).

TATE DIRECTS HAWKEYE OFFENSE After playing only one half in the season opener, QB Drew Tate played his first complete collegiate game vs. Iowa State last week and helped the Hawkeyes to their second-straight win over the Cyclones. Tate completed 16-22 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. For the season, Tate has completed 29-44 passes for 356 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions. The sophomore ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 25th nationally in pass efficiency (147.3).

IOWA NOTES

• The Hawkeyes have won 21 of their last 23 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).
• Iowa has won 20 of its last 23 regular season games.
• Iowa has a 14-game home winning streak. The active streak ranks seventh nationally among Division I-A schools. Boise State (20) ranks first, followed by Ohio State (18), USC (16), Georgia (15), TCU (15) and Oklahoma (15). The 14-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.
• Kirk Ferentz is approaching his 100th game as a collegiate head coach. Ferentz will reach the century mark in Iowa’s home game vs. Ohio State (10/16).
• Last week’s game vs. Iowa State was Iowa’s seventh-straight sellout dating back to last year. The seven consecutive sellouts at the current Kinnick Stadium capacity (70,397) is a school record. The previous record was five set in during the 1992 season.
• Iowa has scored points on its opening possession the first two games. The Hawkeyes kicked a field goal vs. Kent State and scored a touchdown vs. Iowa State.
• RB Albert Young and LB Chad Greenway scored their first collegiate points in week one vs. Kent State.
• Iowa began the season ranked No. 12 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 19 in the Associated Press poll. The ranking is its highest preseason ranking since 1985 when the Hawkeyes were ranked No. 3 by USA Today/CNN and No. 4 by the AP.

FAMILY AFFAIR Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and his son, Brian, Ferentz are believed to be one of only four father-son duos in Division I this year. They join 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.

NEW STARTING QUARTERBACK For the fifth consecutive season, Iowa started with a different starting quarterback from the previous year. Sophomore Drew Tate started both games to start the 2004 season. Last year, Nathan Chandler started all 13 games, while in 2002 it was Brad Banks, preceded by Kyle McCann in 2001 and Scott Mullen in 2000.

ROTH ON PRE-SEASON LISTS Senior DE Matt Roth is a pre-season candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award, the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year and Bronko Nagurski Awards. Other pre-season honors for Roth include the Playboy magazine all-America team, second team all-America by Lindy’s and first team all-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.

Last season, Roth was a first team all-Big Ten honoree by both the media and coaches. He ranked second in the league and 13th nationally in sacks (0.88) and fifth in tackles for loss (1.23). Roth ranked second on the Hawkeyes in quarterback hurries (4) and eighth in tackles (51). He recorded at least one sack in 15 of Iowa’s last 20 games, dating back to 2002. Roth also tied for second in the league and 26th nationally in forced fumbles (4). He posted four tackles, including one sack, vs. Florida in the Outback Bowl. 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).

His 12 QB sacks in 2003 ties as the second best single-season Iowa total. Leroy Smith set the record in 1991 with 18. Roth’s 23 career sacks ranks third best, and trails Jared DeVries (42, 1995-98) and Mike Wells (33, 1990-93). Also, he sits in third place in tackles for loss (29) behind Jim Johnson (39, 1987-90), Wells (54, 1990-93) and DeVries (78, 1995-98).

Roth has collected five tackles, including one sack and two QB hurries, the first two games of 2004.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD SOLID DBs Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson and FS Sean Considine are looking for another good season as part of Iowa’s defensive unit. Johnson intercepted six passes in 2003, two in the end zone. The six interceptions are the most by an Iowa player since Damien Robinson had six thefts in 1996. The six picks tie for sixth in a season at Iowa. He finished the season with three interceptions in Iowa’s last three games.

Johnson ranked second in the Big Ten in interceptions (6) and 22nd in the nation. Additionally, he was ninth on the team in tackles (41) and ranked first in pass break-ups (13). He ranked second in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in passes defended (19). His 10 interceptions in 25 career games ties for seventh in career interceptions at Iowa.

Johnson registered three solo tackles in each of Iowa’s first two games. The native of Erie, PA, also recorded two pass breakups in Iowa’s win over Iowa State.

Considine intercepted three passes, blocked two punts and returned a fumble for a touchdown last season. The native of Byron, IL, ranked fourth on the team in tackles, posting a career-high 64. He also ranked second in pass break-ups (3) and second in recovered fumbles (2).

Considine has 113 career tackles and three picks.

Against Kent State, Considine posted four tackles and one pass breakup, while collected three stops vs. Iowa State.

Allen ranked fifth on the team in tackles, collecting a career-high 61 stops. The native of Tampa, FL, also recorded 10 pass break-ups, which ranked second on the team. Allen has 124 career tackles, four interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Allen collected three solo tackles, one pass breakup and forced one fumble vs. Kent State. Against Iowa State, Allen collected eight tackles (6 solo).

LINEBACKERS ARE BIG TEN LEADERS Iowa’s linebacking duo of Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge are on the 2004 Dick Butkus Award Watch List, which is given annually to the nation’s top college linebacker. They were also named to the preseason first all-Big Ten team by Athlon Sports. Hodge was also named second team all-America by The Sporting News, while Greenway was named honorable mention all-America by NationalChamps.net.

Greenway and Hodge, both juniors, were a force in the middle of Iowa’s defense in 2003. Both players earned all-Big Ten laurels. Hodge was a first team pick by the media and a second team honoree by the coaches, while Greenway earned second team accolades by both.

The duo of Hodge and Greenway ranked first and third in the Big Ten in tackles, respectively. Both collected double figure tackles in seven of Iowa’s last 10 regular season games.

Hodge collected a game-high 12 tackles (8 solo) in Iowa’s win over Iowa State and two stops vs. Kent State. The junior ranks second in team tackles (14) behind Greenway (20). Hodge is closing in on 200 career tackles. The native of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, has 193 career tackles.

Hodge, who was named to the 2004 NationalChamps.net pre-season all-America second team, ranked first in the Big Ten and 27th nationally in tackles (10.8) last season. His 141 tackles rank second in single season tackles at Iowa. Andre Jackson (1972) is Iowa’s record holder with 171 tackles. Nine of his 141 tackles were for loss, ranking fourth on the Hawkeyes.

Greenway was honored by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Big Ten after his outstanding performance vs. Kent State. He led the Hawkeye defense, intercepting two passes and returning them 54 yards, including a 30-yarder for a touchdown. He also collected a team-best 10 tackles (6 solo, 4 assists), including two for loss and recorded one pass breakup as Iowa held the Golden Flashes to minus 13 yards rushing and just 110 total yards. On special teams, the native of Mt. Vernon, SD, blocked his second career punt, which resulted in a field goal.

Last week vs. Iowa State, Greenway posted 10 tackles, including one for loss and one pass breakup.

The junior ranks first in team tackles (20), second in tackles for loss (3) and first in interceptions (2). Greenway ranks fourth in conference tackles and seventh nationally in interceptions.

Greenway ranked third in the conference in tackles (10.2) and was third on the Hawkeyes in TFL (11) and pass break-ups (6). His 132 tackles rank 12th in single season tackles at Iowa. The native of Mt. Vernon, SD, has posted double digit tackles 10 times during his career.

DEFENSE MAKES A STAND ? The Hawkeyes held Kent State to minus 13 yards rushing. Iowa could have held the Golden Flashes to minus 30 yards if not for their punter scampering 17 yards following a blocked punt in the third quarter. ? Kent State did not score any offensive points in week one. In fact, the Golden Flashes’ offense advanced past midfield only once. ? Iowa’s defense held Iowa State to 2-16 on third-down conversions. The Cyclones did not convert a third-down until late in the third quarter. ? DL Jonathan Babineaux ranks first in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (7) and sacks (3). The senior ranks first in conference sacks. ? Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten in rushing defense (26.5), total defense (173.0), red zone defense (0.0%) and opponent third-down conversions (14.3).

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW For the first time since the 2001 season, Iowa’s regular season schedule includes only 11 games. The Hawkeyes will play six home games in Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 15-1 record the last three seasons, including a perfect 7-0 mark last year. Six of Iowa’s 11 opponents posted seven wins or more and competed in bowl games last season. The newest addition to the slate includes Kent State from the Mid-American Conference. Other home games include Iowa State and Big Ten opponents Michigan State, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin. All four home conference foes earned bowl bids last season. Iowa’s only non-conference road game is at Arizona State, while it travels to Michigan, Penn State, Illinois and Minnesota within the conference. For the second consecutive year, the Hawkeyes’ league schedule does not include Indiana or Northwestern.

NINE WERE WALK-ONS Nine members of Iowa’s initial two-deep joined the program as walk-ons. That list includes offensive linemen Pete McMahon, Todd Plagman, Greg Dollmeyer and Jacob Bowers, defensive tackle Tyler Luebke, defensive backs Sean Considine and Chigozie Ejiasi, deep snapper Kody Asmus and safety Andrew Becker.

Considine and McMahon started all 12 games, while Luebke started the last two contests in 2003. Ejiasi played in every game last year.

THEY STARTED THEM ALL Iowa had 10 players, four on offense and seven on defense, start all 12 games last year. That list included OL Robert Gallery, OL Pete McMahon, QB Nathan Chandler, RB Fred Russell, DE Howard Hodges, DE Matt Roth, LB Abdul Hodge, LB Chad Greenway, DB Jovon Johnson, DB Antwan Allen and FS Sean Considine.

Seven of those players (McMahon, Roth, Greenway, Hodge, Considine, Johnson and Allen) are on the 2004 roster. Allen has started all 28 games in his career.

HAWKEYES STAY HOT IN NFL DRAFT For the second straight year, five Iowa players were selected in the NFL Draft. OT Robert Gallery was the second player selected, taken by the Oakland Raiders. DB Bob Sanders was a second round selection of Indianapolis and PK Nate Kaeding was selected in the third round by San Diego. DT Jared Clauss (Tennessee) and TE Erik Jensen (St. Louis) were both selected in the seventh round. Nine additional Iowa seniors signed NFL free agent contracts immediately following the 2004 Draft. The five players selected in the 2004 draft matches the number taken in the 2003 draft (Dallas Clark, Eric Steinbach, Bruce Nelson, Derek Pagel, Ben Sobieski), giving the Iowa program its most draft selections in back-to-back drafts since the AFL/NFL merger. Iowa had never had more than nine players selected in back-to-back drafts. All five players made rosters. A total of 17 former Iowa players are in the NFL and five that are either on practice squads or injured reserved.

IOWA BY QUARTERS Iowa has outscored its opponents 17-3 in the first quarter, 20-7 in the second, 13-7 in the third and 6-0 in the fourth quarter.

ON THE AVERAGE Iowa averaged 4.6 yards on 65 first down plays, 3.5 yards on 53 second down plays, 7.0 yards on 36 third down plays and 2.0 yards on one fourth down play.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES Iowa’s nine scoring drives averaged 6.8 plays, 37.8 yards and 2:48 elapsed time. Five of Iowa’s nine scoring drives covered 45 yards or more. In addition, Iowa has had four drives that amassed eight plays or more, including a 14-play drive that consumed 6:08 that resulted in a Matt Melloy four-yard TD reception vs. Kent State.

Hawkeye opponents have recorded two scoring drives, averaging 4.5 plays, 39.0 yards and 2:05 elapsed time.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE The Hawkeyes have marched inside the red zone 10 times and scored seven of those times (70%). Iowa was a perfect 1-1 last week vs. Iowa State, scoring a touchdown. The Hawkeyes scored on six of nine drives that reached the red zone vs. Kent State, collecting two rushing TDs, two passing TDs and two field goals for 33 points. Iowa failed to score any points the other three times inside the red zone when QB Drew Tate was intercepted on the one yardline, PK Kyle Schlicher missed a field goal and the team failed to convert on a fourth down late in a game while trying to run out the clock.

Hawkeye opponents have advanced inside the red zone three times and have come away with no points. Iowa State was 0-2 after reaching the red zone, missing two field goals. Kent State advanced inside the red zone only once and did not score. The Golden Flashes tried to convert on a fourth down late in the game and failed to move the chains.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES Iowa’s offense has produced eight plays of 20 yards or more, with six of the eight coming on pass plays. Jermelle Lewis produced Iowa’s longest run of the year last week vs. Iowa State when the senior scampered 34 yards late in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes also have kickoff returns of 36 and 27 yards, both coming from redshirt freshman Albert Young. Iowa’s defense has been stellar, not allowing many big plays. The Hawkeye defense has yielded only three plays of 20 yards or more, with all three coming on pass plays.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS Iowa has scored 14 points after obtaining four turnovers (2 interceptions, 2 fumbles), plus an additional three points following a blocked punt in its victory over Kent State in week one. The Hawkeyes did not collect a turnover vs. Iowa State.

Hawkeye opponents have scored 10 points following Iowa miscues. Kent State scored seven points on a 99-yard interception return, while Iowa State converted an interception into three points.

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES Iowa’s roster of 118 players includes 56 players from Iowa. The roster includes 12 players from Florida, 10 players from Texas, eight from Illinois, seven from New Jersey, three from Pennsylvania and Connecticut, two from Arkansas, California, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and South Carolina and one from Indiana, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, and New York.

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 Ankeny, with four, while Oelwein has three.

THE NAME GAME Iowa has two players named Davis (Calvin and Champ, no relation), 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 two Michael’s (Huisman, Sabers). There are three Matt’s (Kroul, Melloy, Roth). There are three Chris’s (Aldrich, Brevi, Felder). There are two players named Brian (Ferentz, Powers), Kyle (Kesselring, Schlicher) and Bryan (Mattison, Ryther). There are two Andy’s (Fenstermaker, Zeal) and two named David (Bradley, Walker). Two Hawkeye players go by initials, including C.J. Barkema and A.J. Johnson.

THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE Sophomore DB Ma’Quan Dawkins is the lightest Hawkeye player at 164 pounds, while the shortest player, at 5-8, is RB Marques Simmons. OL Peter McMahon is the heaviest Hawkeye at 320 pounds. A total of six Hawkeye players are listed at over 300 pounds. The tallest players are 6-8 junior offensive tackle C.J. Barkema and sophomore 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 231 pounds. That is the exact height and two pounds lighter than the average Iowa player in 2003.

IOWA DEPTH CHART Iowa’s depth chart includes 15 seniors, 13 juniors, 11 sophomores and eight redshirt freshmen. These numbers do not include return specialists. Iowa does not have any true freshmen listed on this week’s depth chart.

HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS Iowa returns 39 lettermen from 2003, including 20 on offense, 17 on defense and two specialists. The Hawkeyes return three starters on offense and seven on defense, plus punter David Bradley. The letterman breakdown includes nine three-year lettermen, 10 two-year lettermen and 20 one-year lettermen.

The total roster includes 118 players, including 15 seniors, 24 juniors, 28 sophomores, 29 redshirt freshmen and 22 true freshmen.

IOWA STATS ON THE INTERNET Statistics and play-by-play accounts of all Iowa 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 and then clicking on the Gametracker or Live Stats link.

WATCHING FROM ABOVE Iowa’s coaches in the press box during the season are Norm Parker (defensive coordinator), 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), 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. Parker has missed the first two games due to surgery and hopes to return next week at Michigan.

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 four games will be televised. All three non-conference contests (vs. Kent State, vs. Iowa State and at Arizona State) will be televised regionally on ESPN Plus in the state of Iowa. Iowa’s conference opener at Michigan (Sept. 25) will be televised to a regional audience on ABC-TV. Most, if not all, of Iowa’s games are expected to be televised by ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPN Plus.

The Big Ten Conference announces game times and television stations that will carry the games no later than 12 days prior to game days.

IOWA FOOTBALL REPLAY SHOW The Hawkeye television program makes its return this season as it takes highlights from Iowa’s most recent game and packages it in a tight and exciting 60 minutes of college football action. Produced by the Iowa Athletic Department in partnership with Mediacom, the Iowa Football Replay Show will air on Mediacom’s “Connections” channel throughout the week in select television markets across the 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.

HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES Iowa leads the inaugural Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series 3-0 after its 17-10 football victory on Sept. 11 in Iowa City.

A point system will track each institution’s performance and will culminate in one institution winning the annual trophy for the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. Intercollegiate athletic teams from Iowa and Iowa State will square off in head-to-head competition nine different times during the 2004-05 academic year. The competition this year is in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, softball and women’s swimming and diving. Additional points will be available for each school to secure based on successful performance in the classroom by its student-athletes. Listed below is the upcoming competition schedule:
Oct. 31, Soccer — 2 points
Dec. 1, W. Basketball — 2 points
Dec. 4, W. Swimming and Diving — 2 points
Dec. 5, Wrestling — 2 points
Dec. 10, M. Basketball — 2 points
Jan. 28, W. Gymnastics — 2 points
Feb. 19, W. Gymnastics — 2 points
Apr. 19, Softball — 2 points
2 points for an institution if the student-athlete graduation rate for all student-athletes is greater than the national average for all student-athletes.

AFTER THIS Iowa begins its conference schedule Sept. 25 at Michigan at 2:35 p.m. CDT (ABC). The Hawkeyes then return home to host Michigan State Oct. 2 (kickoff time TBA) for homecoming.