Sept. 16, 2006
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Andy Brodell knows how big the Iowa-Iowa State game is for the state of Iowa. He also knows how big it is for the student-athletes who wear the school colors of the Hawkeyes and their intrastate rival.
A native of Ankeny – which is just a nine-iron away from Ames – the home of the Cyclones – Brodell was high on the recruiting list for ISU three years ago. The sophomore wide receiver chose to travel east and become a member of the nationally ranked University of Iowa football program.
Saturday at historic Kinnick Stadium that decision paid huge dividends for the Iowa Hawkeyes and the 70,585 fans who filled historic Kinnick Stadium to capacity for the 19th straight game.
Brodell caught a pair of passes for 36 yards, 11 of which coming at the end of the first half when he was on the receiving end of a touchdown strike from UI quarterback Drew Tate that narrowed ISU’s lead at intermission to 14-10.
That touchdown ignited the Hawkeye offense. Iowa used that momentum to register a 27-17 victory in the annual battle for college football bragging rights in the Hawkeye State, and to move the Hakweyes’ record to a perfect 3-0. Iowa now will turn its attention to it 2006 Big Ten Conference season opener next Saturday at Illinois.
“We knew we needed to answer before halftime. Drew checked off and the play worked well,” said Brodell, who also contributed a 31-yard punt return that set up an 8-play, 50-yard touchdown drive.
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“I have a lot of respect for the Iowa State program; we all do. We knew it was going to be a battle. We matched their intensity then took it up one more notch to get the win.”
UI wide receiver Andy Brodell
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“Our special teams really came up huge and Andy’s return in particular,” said Kirk Ferentz.
“All three phases of our game really came on in the second half,” he added. “Both teams came to play and that should come as no surprise to no one. We did a lot of growing up today and that was the difference in the game. We made the adjustments and the plays in the second half when it mattered most.”
Brodell’s score was set up by a brilliant catch by Scott Chandler, catching twice a 27-yard pass from Tate on a 2nd and 10 at ISU 38 and time running out in the first half.
“Scott’s catch was tremendous and you expect that kind of effort from a quality young man like Scott,” said Ferentz.
Chandler was one of eight different Hawkeyes to catch a pass from Tate, who connected on 26 of 38 attempts for 274 yards and three touchdowns after sitting out last week’s victory at Syracuse with a sore abdominal muscle.
“He always gives you a chance to win. That’s why Drew’s so special,” Brodell said of the Hawkeyes’ senior quarterback.
Freshman Dominique Douglas paced the squad with six reception for 88 yards. Chandler and Albert Young each had five catches, Herb Grigsby four, and one each by Tony Moeaki, Shonn Greene, Damian Sims and Tom Busch. Moeaki and Busch’s catches both were for scores.
Brodell said the receivers were driven to perform at a high level out of respect for senior Calvin Davis, who ruptured an Achilles tendon in practice this week and will be out for the remainder of the 2006 season.
“We know we need to step it up now with the loss of a senior leader (Calvin),” said Brodell. “It’s great to get this win for Cavlin and Mike Klinkenborg.”
Klinkenborg played the game with a very heavy heart. His father, Myron, died last Sunday after suffering a heart attack.
Iowa outscored ISU 17-3 after intermission and the Hawkeye defense was dominant in the fourth quarter, forcing the Cyclones to punt twice and turn the ball over once on downs.
“I have a lot of respect for the Iowa State program; we all do. We knew it was going to be a battle. We matched their intensity then took it up one more notch to get the win,” said Brodell.