Hawkeyes Return Home to Host Michigan State

Sept. 27, 2004

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IOWA RETURNS HOME
Iowa (2-2) returns home Saturday to host Michigan State (2-2) in its annual homecoming game. Game time is 11:10 a.m. (CDT) in Kinnick Stadium (70,397). Under 500 tickets remain.

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 is also available on DIRECTV’s ESPN GamePlan package. Wayne Larrivee, Randy Wright and Beth Mowins 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.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,056 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 532-485-39 (.522). That includes a 336-191-16 (.634) record in home games, a 196-294-23 (.404) record in games away from Iowa City, a 258-327-25 (.443) mark in Big Ten games and a 219-156-15 (.581) record in Kinnick Stadium.

HAWKEYE HOMECOMING
Iowa holds a 48-39-5 record in homecoming games. Iowa has won its last four homecoming games, including last year’s thrilling come-from-behind victory over Michigan (30-27). Iowa will play Michigan State for the fifth time on homecoming. The Hawkeyes are 5-0-1 against the Spartans on homecoming, with Iowa winning (21-16) the last meeting in 2000.

IOWA LOOKS TO EXTEND HOME WINNING STREAK
Iowa’s win over Iowa State extended its home winning streak to 14. The 14-game home winning streak, dating back to 2002, is a new Kinnick Stadium record. The active streak ranks sixth nationally among Division I-A schools. Boise State (21) ranks first, followed by Ohio State (18), USC (16), Georgia (16) and Oklahoma (16). 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 home 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.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 6-8 in games played on Oct. 2. The Hawkeyes defeated Wilton 22-4 in 1897, Cornell 33-0 in 1915, Indiana 14-7 in 1920, Colorado Teachers 24-0 in 1926, Montana 48-6 in 1954 and Northwestern 45-7 in 1982. Iowa lost to Minnesota 41-0 in 1909, Wisconsin 7-5 in 1943 and 16-13 in 1965, Indiana 7-0 in 1948, Purdue 45-13 in 1971, USC 55-0 in 1976, Michigan 24-7 in 1993 and Michigan State 49-3 in 1999 in Kirk’s first Big Ten game.

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 did not utilize the system. There were no replays in Iowa’s win over Kent State. One play was reviewed last week at Michigan. Iowa recovered a Michigan fumble in the first quarter and the play was upheld.

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. All 44 conference games will utilize this system starting this week.

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. Michigan State will mark the 48th consecutive game the Hawkeyes have been selected for television. The last Iowa contest not televised was at Illinois on Oct. 14, 2000.

INJURY UPDATE
OL Todd Plagman and FS Sean Considine are doubtful for Saturday’s game vs. Michigan State. Plagman suffered an ankle sprain vs. Iowa State, while Considine sustained a foot injury at Michigan. WR Matt Melloy is questionable after missing the last three games due to a sprained knee. OL Brian Ferentz dressed last week at Michigan, but did not play and could see action vs. Michigan State. The junior has missed the first four games due to complications following off-season knee surgery and also missed the final seven games in 2003 due to injury.

Iowa has already lost three players to season-ending injuries. Running backs Marcus Schnoor and Albert Young sustained knee injuries, while offensive lineman David Walker suffered an elbow injury.

NEW STARTING QUARTERBACK
For the fifth consecutive season, Iowa started with a different starting quarterback from the previous year. Sophomore Drew Tate started all four 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.

IOWA HEAD 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 23-7 (.767) overall mark and 13-4 (.765) Big Ten record the last three seasons under Ferentz.

Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 34-31 (.523) and a 20-21 (.488) mark in Big Ten games. In eight seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 46-52 (.469).

Twenty-two of Iowa’s 65 games over the last six seasons have been decided by seven points or less and 24 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 2-3 vs. Michigan State and 0-1 against Spartan Coach John L. Smith.

MSU COACH JOHN L. SMITH
John L. Smith is in his second year as MSU’s head coach and 16th season as a college head coach. Smith holds a 10-7 (.588) record with the Spartans and a career mark of 120-67 (.642). In his first season with the Spartans, Smith guided the team to an 8-5 record and an Alamo Bowl appearance and was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year. Smith began his head-coaching career at Idaho. After six seasons with the Vandals (1989-94), Smith was named head coach at Utah State (1995-97). Smith then coached five seasons (1998-02) at Louisville before becoming MSU’s 23rd head coach. His teams have won six conference championships (two Conference USA, two Big West and two Big Sky) and 11 of his 15 teams participated in post-season play. Smith was a three-year letterman as a quarterback and linebacker at Weber State (1969-71).

Smith is 1-0 against Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz.

MICHIGAN STATE UPENDS INDIANA
Michigan State erased a 13-point first half deficit to win its conference opener 30-20 at Indiana. The win was the Spartans’ third-consecutive conference opening victory. The Hoosiers started fast and took a 20-7 advantage into the half. Indiana scored on a pair of field goals, a 12-yard touchdown pass and a 94-yard punt return. However, the Spartans rallied in the second half, out-scoring the Hoosiers 23-0. QB Drew Stanton completed 15-23 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. He did most of his damage on the ground, rushing 12 times for a game and career-high 134 yards and two touchdowns. PK Dave Rayner connected on all three field goal attempts en route to victory. Michigan State’s defense was solid as six of Indiana’s seven second half possessions consumed three plays or less. The Hoosiers gained a total of 41 yards in the second half.

IOWA, MICHIGAN STATE NOTES

• The last two coaches to earn the Big Ten Coach of the Year award will square off Saturday. Kirk Ferentz earned the honor in 2002, while John L. Smith was recognized in 2003.
• Both Iowa and Michigan State do not play Northwestern this year.
• Iowa has not lost three-straight games since the 2000 season. The Hawkeyes lost at Illinois 31-0 on Oct. 14, vs. Ohio State 38-10 on Oct. 21 and vs. Wisconsin 13-7 on Oct. 28.
• Michigan State and Iowa rank 1-2 in red zone defense, respectively. Spartan opponents have scored points only 57.1 percent when in the red zone, while Hawkeye opponents have scored only 64.3 percent of the time.
• Michigan State started last year’s game on offense. Iowa won the toss and deferred to the second half due to the windy conditions at Spartan Stadium. Iowa has started on offense 57 of its last 59 games (Michigan State and Miami, OH) and 59-of-65 contests under Coach Ferentz.
• Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker was the defensive coordinator at Michigan State from 1990-94. He also served as the Spartan outside linebackers coach from 1983-89.
• Phil Parker, Iowa’s defensive backs coach, earned all-Big Ten honors as a Michigan State defensive back from 1983-86 and he was a graduate assistant at MSU in 1987.
• Iowa’s victory over Michigan State in 2000 was the first Big Ten Conference win for Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz.
• TE Tony Jackson is the only Iowa player from the state of Michigan (Ypsilanti). Last week, Jackson posted career highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (61). Michigan State does not have any players on its roster from the state of Iowa.
• Michigan State’s, Brandon Fields, ranks first nationally in punting (49.55).
• Two years ago, Lewis returned two kickoffs for 113 yards, including one for a 94-yard touchdown against the Spartans.

LAST MEETING
Turnovers and a sluggish offensive attack plagued the Hawkeyes in their conference opener as Michigan State defeated Iowa 20-10 in Spartan Stadium. The loss snapped Iowa’s 13-game regular season winning streak and 10-game conference winning streak.

QB Jeff Smoker connected with WR Ziehl Kavanght for a 17-yard touchdown to open the scoring after surprising the Hawkeyes with a no-huddle offense. Following a Ramon Ochoa fumble, Smoker found Eric Knott for a seven-yard touchdown to give the Spartans a 14-0 advantage in the first quarter.

Iowa answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with a TE Mike Follett seven-yard touchdown reception from QB Nathan Chandler. The Spartans added a field goal late in the second quarter following another Hawkeye fumble to take a 17-7 halftime lead.

PK Nate Kaeding converted a 23-yard field goal on Iowa’s opening possession of the second half to trim Michigan State’s lead to seven (17-10), but the Hawkeyes would get no closer. Following Iowa’s third lost fumble, the Spartans made a field goal to take a 20-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. Thirteen of Michigan State’s 20 points were scored following Iowa turnovers.

Chandler completed 11-23 passes for a career-high 158 yards and one touchdown. RB Fred Russell rushed for 122 yards on 23 carries, while FB Edgar Cervantes led the Iowa receiving corps with three receptions for 41 yards.

LB Grant Steen registered a game-high 10 tackles (8 solo), while LB Chad Greenway tallied eight tackles (7 solo). LB Howard Hodges collected two of Iowa’s four QB sacks as part of his five tackles. For the first time in five games, Iowa failed to record a turnover.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a slim 18-17-2 advantage in the series that began with a 21-7 Michigan State win in 1953. The Hawkeyes have won five of the last eight meetings, with all three losses coming at East Lansing. Iowa has won the last four games in Iowa City. Iowa holds a 10-8-1 advantage in games played in Iowa City. The Spartans slipped past the Hawkeyes 20-10 last season in Spartan Stadium. Kirk Ferentz recorded his first Big Ten victory as Iowa’s head coach when the Hawkeyes defeated Michigan State (21-16) in Iowa City in 2000.

Michigan 30, Iowa 17
Michigan scored 27 points following five Iowa turnovers en route to a 30-17 victory over the Hawkeyes in front of 111,428 fans in Michigan Stadium. The loss snapped a two-game Iowa win streak over the Wolverines.

Iowa scored first on a seven-play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a two-yard diving catch by WR Ed Hinkel from QB Drew Tate. On the drive, Tate was a perfect 4-4 for 55 yards. In fact, Tate completed his first 11 passes and finished the contest completing a career-high 24-32 for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Michigan scored the next 16 points to take a 16-7 halftime advantage. The Hawkeyes held Michigan’s offense on its first third quarter possession. Iowa then marched down the field and PK Kyle Schlicher converted a 25-yard field goal to trim Michigan’s lead to 16-10.

However, Iowa was unable to hold onto the ball as Michigan scored after an Iowa fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown to stretch its lead to 30-10. Iowa scored its second touchdown midway through the fourth quarter on a Hinkel reception.

Hinkel posted career highs in receptions (7), yards (89) and touchdowns (2). TE Tony Jackson also posted career highs in receptions (4) and yards (61). RB Jermelle Lewis led Iowa’s ground attack, rushing 14 times for 35 yards.

LB Chad Greenway posted double digit tackles for the fourth-straight game, collecting a game-high 10 tackles (8 solo) and a career-high two sacks. LB Abdul Hodge registered 10 tackles (7 solo) and recovered one fumble. DE Matt Roth had his best game, collecting seven tackles (all solo), including two for loss and forcing one fumble.

FINAL GAME NOTES

• Iowa has lost consecutive games for the first time since losing to Michigan (32-26) at home and at Wisconsin (34-28) on Oct. 27 and Nov. 3, 2001, respectively. Iowa has lost its Big Ten opener the last two years (Iowa lost at Michigan State last season).
• The attendance of 111,428 marks the fourth-straight sellout Iowa has played before this season. The attendance is the second largest to see an Iowa football game. In 2002, 111,496 viewed the Iowa at Michigan contest.
• FS Sean Considine left the game early in the second quarter with a foot injury and did not return. FS Miguel Merrick replaced Considine and had four solo tackles.
• Defensive coordinator Norm Parker, due to health problems, did not attend Iowa’s first three games. He returned for the Michigan game and was in the press box.
• Iowa did not lose a fumble in its first three games. The Wolverines forced five Hawkeye fumbles, recovering three.
• DE Matt Roth forced his sixth career fumble.
• Through the first four games, Arizona State is the only Iowa opponent to score on its first possession. Michigan lost a fumble on its first possession.
• The last time Iowa posted five turnovers was in a 36-14 defeat at Purdue on Oct. 31, 1998. Similar to the Michigan game Saturday, the Hawkeyes lost two interceptions and three fumbles.
• Iowa rushed 28 times for -15 yards. The last time a team held the Hawkeyes under 50 yards rushing was Purdue (33 yards) on 10/16/01.
• Three of the Wolverines’ four offensive scoring drives were two plays or less.

JACKSON HAS CAREER GAME
TE Tony Jackson had no receptions in the first three games of the season. In fact, the native of Ypsilanti, MI, had only seven receptions his first three years combined. The senior put up career numbers against the Wolverines in his home state, collecting four receptions for 61 yards, including a 24-yard reception on the first play from scrimmage.

HINKEL RETURNS TO FORM
WR Ed Hinkel has been Iowa’s top receiving threat. Hinkel had his best game statistically at Michigan last week. The junior posted career highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (89) and touchdowns (2), and his 35-yard reception in the fourth quarter was a career long. Prior to last week’s contest at Michigan, Hinkel posted team highs in receptions and receiving yards vs. Kent State (4-65) and Iowa State (4-61).

Three of his four receiving touchdowns have been highlight reel diving catches in the end zone (at Michigan, 2004; vs. Iowa State, 2004; at Penn State, 2002). Hinkel also returned a punt for a touchdown his freshman season. Hinkel ran back two punts for 60 yards and two kickoffs for 51 yards at Arizona State. He did not have any returns at Michigan. The junior ranks 15th nationally in punt return yardage (15.88).

Hinkel was hampered by injuries last season, missing four games and seeing limited action in other games. The native of Erie, PA, has 48 career receptions for 545 yards and four touchdowns.

LEWIS LEADS IOWA’S RUSHING ATTACK
RB Jermelle Lewis is Iowa’s leading rusher after four games. Lewis has rushed 54 times for 151 yards. The senior had his best game of the season vs. Iowa State, rushing 30 times for 102 yards and also catching two passes for 44 yards. The 102 yards rushing marked the fifth time in his career that he eclipsed the century mark. Last week at Michigan, Lewis had 14 carries for 35 yards. Lewis served a one-game suspension in Iowa’s season-opener.

Two years ago vs. Michigan State, Lewis returned two kickoffs for 113 yards, including one for a 94-yard touchdown.

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 223 rushing attempts for 1,101 yards and nine touchdowns and 13 receptions for 135 yards and two scores. Lewis is the 36th Iowa player to eclipse the 1,000-yard rushing plateau and ranks 27th in career rushing. He is 35 yards from moving past Bill Green (1939-41) into 26th place.

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.

DB Walner Belleus returned a punt 83 yards for a touchdown at Arizona State. Previously, the last time an Iowa player returned a punt for a touchdown was Ramon Ochoa vs. Buffalo for 70 yards (9/6/03). Additionally, WR Ed Hinkel returned two punts for 60 total yards and two kickoffs for 51 total yards at Arizona State.

As a team, Iowa ranks first in the Big Ten and sixth nationally in punt returns (20.15).

IOWA NOTES

• Iowa dropped out of both major polls this week. The Hawkeyes were ranked every week for just over two years. The last time Iowa was not ranked in either major poll was the week of Sept. 23, 2002.
• 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 25 regular season games.
• Saturday’s 13-point loss to Michigan is the largest margin of defeat since the 21-point loss to USC (38-17) in the 2003 Orange Bowl.
• Iowa has 14 players who have recorded one or more receptions this season, while 12 different Hawkeyes have recorded one or more rushing attempts.
• OL Pete McMahon is the only Hawkeye to be named captain in each of the first four games.
• Iowa has had two interceptions returned for touchdowns (99 yards by Kent State and 25 yards by Michigan).
• Iowa ranks sixth nationally in punt return yardage (20.15). Walner Belleus (31.5) and Ed Hinkel (15.9) rank 1-2 in punt returns in the conference. Furthermore, Hinkel ranks 15th in punt return yardage (15.88), Belleus does not have enough returns to qualify for a national ranking.
• 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).
• Iowa’s game vs. Iowa State was its seventh-straight home 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 three of its first four opening possessions. The Hawkeyes kicked a field goal vs. Kent State and scored touchdowns vs. Iowa State and at Michigan. Iowa punted on its first possession at Arizona State.
• RB Albert Young and LB Chad Greenway scored their first collegiate points vs. Kent State. DB Walner Belleus scored his first points on an 83-yard punt return at Arizona State.
• Iowa began the season ranked No. 12 in the ESPN/USA Today poll and No. 19 in the Associated Press poll. The ranking was 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.

IOWA STARTS ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 57 of its last 59 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 59 of 65 games under Kirk Ferentz.

TATE DIRECTS HAWKEYE OFFENSE
QB Drew Tate had the best game of his collegiate career at Michigan. The sophomore completed 24-32 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs. The last Iowa quarterback to throw for more than 270 yards in a single game was Brad Banks. Banks threw for 275 yards in a 20-3 triumph over Wisconsin on Nov. 2, 2002 in Iowa City.

After playing only one half in the season opener vs. Kent State, Tate played his first complete collegiate game vs. Iowa State 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 61-95 passes for 670 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. The sophomore has thrown at least one interception in each of Iowa’s four games. The native of Baytown, TX, ranks fourth in the conference and 41st nationally in pass efficiency (130.29). His pass efficiency in last week’s game at Michigan (154.0) was second in the league only to Purdue’s Kyle Orton (157.9).

ROTH BREAKS OUT
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.

Roth posted eight tackles, including one for loss, the first three games of the season. The defensive end nearly equaled his season tackle total at Michigan. Roth exploded for seven tackles (all solo), including two for loss and one sack and also forced a fumble. The senior is tied for sixth on the squad in tackles (15), tied for second in sacks (2), ranks first in QB hurries (2) and fourth in TFL (3).

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 24 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 (31) behind Jim Johnson (39, 1987-90), Wells (54, 1990-93) and DeVries (78, 1995-98).

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.

In 2003, 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 became the 53rd Hawkeye to record 200 tackles when he posted seven stops (6 solo) at Arizona State. His 210 career tackles rank 45th at Iowa. Last week at Michigan, he registered a game-high 10 tackles (7 solo) and recovered one fumble. He collected a game-high 12 tackles (8 solo) in Iowa’s win over Iowa State. The junior ranks second on the team and 16th in the conference in tackles (31). He has posted double digit tackle games nine times in his career, including twice this season.

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.

Greenway has posted double figure tackles in each of the first four games and 12 times in his career. The junior collected a game and season-high 12 tackles (9 solo) at Arizona State. Last week at Michigan, Greenway registered a game-high 10 stops (8 solo), including a career-high two sacks. He tallied 10 tackles in the season-opener vs. Kent State and in week two vs. Iowa State.

The junior ranks first on the team and second in the league in tackles (42), second on the team and tied for fifth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss (3) and first on the team and tied for third in interceptions (2). The native of Mt. Vernon, SD, has posted 189 career tackles.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD SOLID
DBs Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson and FS Sean Considine are looking for good results 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 11 solo tackles in Iowa’s first four games, including three last week at Michigan. 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 125 career tackles and three picks.

Last week at Michigan, Considine recorded two tackles and then exited the game due to a foot injury and did not return. His status for Saturday’s game vs. Michigan State is doubtful. Against Arizona State, Considine recorded seven tackles (6 solo), including one for loss. Against Kent State, he 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 128 career tackles, five interceptions and three forced fumbles.

Last week at Michigan, Allen posted six solo tackles and his second career sack. Against Arizona State, he posted four tackles and intercepted one pass. Allen collected three solo tackles, one pass breakup and forced one fumble vs. Kent State. Against Iowa State, he collected eight tackles (6 solo).

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 (8) and is tied for third in sacks (3).
• Iowa forced a Michigan fumble on its goal line last week to prevent the Wolverines from scoring. The last time the Hawkeyes forced a fumble on the goal line was at Ohio State (10/18/03).
• Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten and third nationally in rushing defense (55.5).

EIGHT WERE WALK-ONS
Eight members of Iowa’s two-deep joined the program as walk-ons. That list includes offensive linemen Pete McMahon, 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.

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 an additional five are either on practice squads or injured reserved.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 24-13 in the first quarter and 20-14 in the fourth period. Hawkeye opponents own a 40-20 edge in the second quarter and a 24-16 advantage in the third.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 4.6 yards on 110 first down plays, 3.3 yards on 84 second down plays, 5.2 yards on 60 third down plays and -0.5 yards on four fourth down plays.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 12 scoring drives average 7.3 plays, 47.8 yards and 3:02 elapsed time. Eight of Iowa’s 12 scoring drives have covered 45 yards or more. In addition, Iowa has had six 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. Last week at Michigan, Iowa posted its three longest drives of the season, covering 75, 79 and 80 yards.

Hawkeye opponents have recorded 14 scoring drives, averaging 5.8 plays, 47.6 yards and 2:31 elapsed time. Last week at Michigan, three of the Wolverines’ four offensive scoring drives were two plays or less.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa’s offense has produced 13 plays of 20 yards or more, with 10 of the 13 coming on pass plays. WR Ed Hinkel posted catches of 35 and 23 at Michigan to spark Iowa’s receiving corps. The Hawkeyes had a big day running back kickoff and punt returns at Arizona State. Hinkel had a 36-yard kickoff return and a 49-yard punt return, while DB Walner Belleus ran back an Arizona State punt 83 yards for a touchdown, which ties as the sixth longest punt return in Hawkeye history.

The Hawkeye defense has yielded 10 offensive plays of 20 yards or more, with all 10 coming on pass plays. Iowa opponents have also recorded three big interceptions returns (99, 31 and 25 yards), including two for touchdowns.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
The Hawkeyes have marched inside the red zone 15 times and scored 10 of those times (66.7%). Last week at Michigan, Iowa was a perfect 3-3. WR Ed Hinkel caught two touchdowns and PK Kyle Schlicher converted a field goal. Iowa was a perfect 1-1 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. Iowa was 0-2 at Arizona State, trying to convert on fourth down late in the game, trailing 44-0.

Hawkeye opponents have advanced inside the red zone 14 times and have scored nine of those time (64.3%). Michigan was 2-4 last week, scoring on two rushing touchdowns. The Wolverines fumbled on the goal line and downed the ball to end the game on their other two red zone possessions. Arizona State was a perfect 7-7, scoring five touchdowns and two field goals. Prior to the Arizona State game, Iowa’s first two opponents were 0-3. 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 after failing to convert on a fourth down.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 21 points after obtaining seven turnovers (3 interceptions, 4 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 44 points following Iowa miscues. Last week, 27 of Michigan’s 30 points followed Hawkeye turnovers. Kent State scored seven points on a 99-yard interception return. Iowa State converted an interception into three points, while Arizona State drove 13 yards for a touchdown following an interception.

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, eight redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen. These numbers do not include return specialists. Iowa’s two true freshmen include left guard Seth Olsen and free safety Charles Godfrey.

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.

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 missed the first three games due to surgery and returned to the booth last 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.

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.

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.

IOWA FOOTBALL WITH Kirk Ferentz
The weekly television replay show, featuring Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz, is a 30-minute program, which includes Iowa football highlights and weekly features about the University of Iowa football program. Gary Dolphin, the radio play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, hosts the show.

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 is idle next week before hosting Ohio State on Oct. 16 (kickoff time TBA).