Sept. 18, 2006
- Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series
- Iowa-Iowa State: The Photo Gallery
- Order your Gold Bowl I , Blackout Saturday II t-shirts
- Order the “Video Season Ticket”
- The Schedule: 2006 and beyond
- Cruise with Kirk
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IOWA OPENS BIG TEN PLAY
Iowa (3-0) opens Big Ten Conference action Saturday at Illinois (1-2). Game time is 11:10 a.m. in Memorial Stadium (69,249). Plenty of tickets remain. A crowd of 45-50,000 is expected.
ON THE TUBE
ESPN Plus will televise the contest to a regional audience. Wayne Larrivee and Kelly Stouffer will call the action. The game is also available on ESPN’s GamePlan pay-per-view and online services.
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 1,081 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 550-492-39 (.527). That includes a 347-192-16 (.640) record in home games, a 204-300-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 271-330-25 (.453) mark in Big Ten games and a 230-157-15 (.591) record in Kinnick Stadium.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa climbed to 14th in both major polls this week. Illinois is not ranked.
HAWKEYE HUDDLE AT ILLINOIS
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 9-11 a.m. prior to the Illinois game Saturday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1501 South Neil Street in Champaign. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 4-3 in games played on Sept. 23. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa Teachers 22-0 in 1899, TCU 24-9 in 1967, Oregon State 19-11 in 1972 and Iowa State 31-21 in 1989. Iowa lost to UCLA 27-3 in 1938, Iowa State 31-0 in 1978 and Nebraska 42-13 in 2000.
FERENTZ TIES EVASHEVSKI
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz collected his 52nd overall win at the University of Iowa last week vs. Iowa State. Ferentz is now tied with Forest Evashevski (1952-60) for the second-most wins by a Hawkeye head coach. Ferentz’s next conference victory will also tie Evashevski for second at Iowa with 33. Hayden Fry (1979-98) is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach with 143 overall wins and 96 league victories.
KLINKENBORG EARNS NATIONAL HONOR
Despite losing his father Sept. 10, junior linebacker Mike Klinkenborg started vs. Iowa State and amassed eight tackles and helped lead the Hawkeye defense. His performance just days after his father tragically passing away earned Klinkenborg, Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The native of Rock Rapids, IA, ranks third in the Big Ten and 20th in the nation in tackles per game (10.33). He was credited with 12 tackles at Syracuse and 11 vs. Montana.
IOWA OPENS BIG TEN PLAY ON ROAD
Iowa will begin its quest for a 12th Big Ten championship Saturday at Illinois. This year marks the seventh time in eight years, including the last five, the Hawkeyes will open league play on the road. Iowa’s lone conference home opener, under Coach Ferentz, came in 2001 when it defeated Penn State.
The Hawkeyes also open the 2007 conference schedule on the road at Wisconsin.
IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 74 of its last 82 games. Iowa’s games vs. Iowa State (9/16/06), vs. Minnesota (11/19/05), vs. Michigan (10/22/05), at Purdue (10/8/05), at Minnesota (11/13/04), vs. Purdue (11/6/04), 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 won six of those eight games. Iowa has started the game on offense in 76-of-88 games under Kirk Ferentz.
COACHING STAFF STABILITY
Iowa has only lost four assistant coaches during Coach Ferentz’s tenure. After three years, Brett Bielema left and is currently the head coach at Wisconsin. After one season, Chuck Long departed and is now the head coach at San Diego State. Joe Philbin exited after four years and is now on the Green Bay Packers’ coaching staff. Pat Flahlerty left after one season and is currently on the New York Giants’ coaching staff.
HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
Saturday will mark the 55th consecutive game the Hawkeyes have been selected for television. The last Iowa contest not televised was against Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
IOWA AMONG THE BIG TEN’S ELITE
Iowa is tied with Michigan and Ohio State for the most conference victories the last four years. All three schools have 25 wins during that time. Michigan (19) has won the most league contests the last three years, followed by Iowa (17) and Ohio State (17).
ILLINOIS COACH RON ZOOK
Ron Zook is in his second season as the head football coach at Illinois and his fifth year as a head coach. Prior to being named the Fighting Illini’s 22nd head football coach, Zook coached three seasons at Florida. His overall record stands at 26-25 (.510) and 3-11 (.214) at Illinois. While coaching the Gators, he led Florida to three consecutive bowl appearances and a share of the 2003 SEC East Division title. Zook has 28 years of coaching experience at the collegiate and professional levels. Prior to being named Florida’s head coach, he coached for six years with three NFL franchises (New Orleans, Kansas City, Pittsburgh). Zook coached under longtime Florida Coach Steve Spurrier for five seasons before making the jump to the NFL. Prior to joining the Florida staff, he made coaching stops at Ohio State (1989-90), Virginia Tech (1987), Tennessee (1984-86), Kansas (1983), Cincinnati (1981-82) and Murray State (1978-80). Zook coached on five SEC Championship teams (four at Florida and one at Tennessee). He was a three-year letterwinner as a defensive back at Miami (OH).
Zook is 0-2 against Iowa and Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa defeated Florida (37-17) in the 2004 Outback Bowl and defeated Illinois 35-7 last year in Iowa City.
IOWA, ILLINOIS NOTES
? Illinois and Iowa had a common foe the last two weeks. The Hawkeyes defeated Syracuse (20-13, 2OT) on the road, while the Fighting Illini lost to the Orange (31-21) at home.
? Illinois has lost nine-straight conference games, dating back to 2004. The Fighting Illini’s last league win came against Indiana (26-22) on Nov. 6, 2004 in Champaign. Furthermore, Illinois is 1-23 in Big Ten play the last three years.
? Illinois played 16 true-freshmen in its first three games, a total that ranks second in the nation behind Temple’s 19.
? DT Mitch King ranks first in the Big Ten and second nationally in sacks per game (1.67) and first in the conference in tackles for loss (2.0) and 10th nationally. WR Andy Brodell ranks second in the league in punt returns (12.1) and 21st in the nation.
? Iowa ranks 20th nationally in scoring defense (12.33), 22nd in total defense (249.0) and 25th in punt returns (13.27).
? There are 12 players on the Iowa roster from the state of Illinois, while there are no Iowans on Illinois’ roster.
? Illinois is the last team to shut out the Hawkeyes. The Fighting Illini blanked Iowa 31-0 on Oct. 14, 2000 in Champaign. The Hawkeyes have not been shutout in 70 contests.
? QB Drew Tate completed his first career touchdown pass against Illinois as a true freshman in 2003. The native of Baytown, TX, connected on a 13-yard pass to WR Matt Melloy.
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 67th meeting between the two schools with Illinois holding a 37-27-2 lead. The series began with a 58-0 Iowa victory in 1899. The Hawkeyes have won six of the last eight contests against the Fighting Illini, including last season’s 35-7 victory in Iowa City. Iowa is 12-19 vs. Illinois in games played in Champaign. Iowa defeated Illinois in the last game between the two teams in Memorial Stadium (23-13) on Oct. 30, 2004.
ILLINOIS FALLS TO SYRACUSE
After falling to Iowa in double overtime the week before at home, Syracuse went on the road and handed Illinois a 31-21 defeat Saturday in Memorial Stadium. The win snapped a school-record 11-game losing streak. The Orange jumped out to a 31-7 advantage through three quarters, a deficit the Fighting Illini were unable to overcome. Freshman QB Juice Williams threw touchdown passes of 76 and 69 yards in the fourth quarter. Williams completed 9-16 passes for 227 yards and two scores after replacing starter Tim Brasic, who rushed for a team-high 38 yards on nine carries, early in the third period. Illinois had two turnovers and was flagged 12 times for 106 yards, including three that stopped second-quarter drives. Syracuse recorded five QB sacks.
LAST MEETING
Iowa won its school record 21st consecutive home game with a 35-7 victory over Illinois last year on homecoming in Kinnick Stadium. The win was also the Hawkeyes’ sixth straight homecoming victory.
The Hawkeyes jumped on the Fighting Illini early, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions. RB Marcus Schnoor scored his second touchdown of the season on a three-yard run, while WR Ed Hinkel scored on a 20-yard reverse to put the Hawkeyes up 14-0.
Illinois threatened to score three times in the first half, all resulting in missed field goals on consecutive possessions. PK Jason Reda had two field goals blocked (44 and 31 yards) by Iowa DE Kenny Iwebema and missed a 21-yarder wide left. The two blocked field goals tie an Iowa record for blocked kicks by an individual in a single game.
After a scoreless second quarter, Iowa scored on its first three second-half possessions. Hinkel scored his second touchdown of the game on a 10-yard pass from QB Drew Tate, followed by a TE Scott Chandler seven-yard touchdown reception and a RB Damian Sims 66-yard scoring run. Iowa posted season highs in first downs (25) and rushing yards (301).
Tate completed 17-22 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns. RB Albert Young led the Hawkeyes in rushing and receiving. Young carried the ball 13 times for 102 yards and caught four passes for 51 yards.
Defensively, Iowa had four players record double digit tackles. LB Abdul Hodge collected a game and career-high 18 tackles (11 solo), including two for loss to earn Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career. LB Chad Greenway registered 15 stops (10 solo) and two sacks. DB Miguel Merrick posted 13 tackles (7 solo), while LB Edmond Miles tallied a career-high 10 stops (6 solo), including one for loss.
COACH Kirk Ferentz
The 2002 Associated Press, Walter Camp and AFCA Regional Coach of the Year and two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, Kirk Ferentz (pronounced FAIR-rintz, rhymes with parents), is in his eighth season as Iowa’s head football coach. Ferentz guided Iowa to Big Ten titles twice in the last four years (2002 and 2004) and four straight January bowl games, including back-to-back New Year’s Day bowl victories (2004 Outback Bowl and 2005 Capital One Bowl). Iowa has posted a 39-12 (.765) overall mark and a 25-7 (.781) Big Ten record the last five seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 52-36 (.591) and a 32-24 (.571) mark in Big Ten games. In 11 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 64-57 (.529).
Twenty-nine of Iowa’s 88 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (14-15) and 29 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (12-17).
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 3-2 against Illinois and 2-0 vs. Fighting Illini Coach Ron Zook.
IOWA 27, IOWA STATE 17
Trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, Iowa scored 17 unanswered points for a 27-17 victory over in-state rival Iowa State in Kinnick Stadium. The win regains possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy and gives the Hawkeyes a 5-2 advantage in the third annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series.
QB Drew Tate connected with TE Tony Moeaki on a 19-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17-17 late in the third period. In the fourth quarter, Tate found FB Tom Busch in the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown to put Iowa up seven (24-17). PK Kyle Schlicher converted a 44-yard field goal with 42 seconds remaining to give the Hawkeyes a 27-17 advantage and secure the win.
Tate, who missed the previous week’s game due to an abdominal strain, completed 26-38 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns. He distributed the ball to nine different receivers. Tate also rushed five times for 31 yards.
Leading the Hawkeye receivers was true freshman Dominique Douglas, who caught six balls for 88 yards. TE Scott Chandler caught five for 52 yards.
Iowa State QB Bret Meyer completed 15-31 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown and also rushed 15 times for a team-best 74 yards in defeat.
Defensively, LB Edmond Miles collected a team-high nine tackles (2 solo). DB Charles Godfrey tied a career-high with eight stops (all solo), while DB Devon Moylan established a career high with eight tackles (1 solo) in his first career start. LB Mike Klinkenborg, whose father passed away the previous Sunday, started and amassed eight tackles (3 solo), earning national honors as the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week.
FINAL GAME NOTES
? Iowa State led 7-3 after the first quarter and 14-10 at the half. Iowa halted a trend in which the team leading after the first quarter and halftime had won 14 of the last 16 games in the series and 15 of the last 16 contests, respectively.
? Senior and former walk-on DB Devon Moylan started his first career game, replacing the injured Marcus Paschal.
? Dominique Douglas got his first career start at wide receiver. Douglas becomes the first true freshman to start since Mike Jones started on the offensive line in 2003 at Ohio State. Furthermore, Douglas becomes the first Hawkeye freshman to start at a skill position since Champ Davis started at fullback vs. Miami (OH) in 2003.
? Iowa has won three of the last four games against Iowa State and improves to 36-18 all-time against the Cyclones. The Hawkeyes also improved to 21-12 in games played in Iowa City.
? Iowa State scored a touchdown on its first possession after a 62-yard kickoff return to open the contest. The Cyclones are the second-straight Hawkeye opponent to score a touchdown on the opening drive (Syracuse). Iowa failed to score on its first possession and has not scored on its opening drive this year.
? All three touchdown passes were thrown to receivers who previously had not caught a touchdown at Iowa. WR Andy Brodell (11 yards), TE Tony Moeaki (19 yards) and FB Tom Busch (2 yards) all caught their first career touchdowns. Busch’s touchdown was his second career score, as he had a rushing touchdown his freshman campaign.
? TE Scott Chandler’s 52 yards moved him over 1,000 yards receiving in his career. He has 86 career receptions for 1,037 yards, a total that ranks 30th in Hawkeye annals.
? P Andy Fenstermaker pinned Iowa State deep in its own territory. Three of his four kicks were downed inside the 20.
? Andy Brodell returned three punts for 61 yards, including an Iowa season-long 31-yarder in the third period.
TATE CLIMBS CAREER CHARTS
QB Drew Tate, who is on the Maxwell, Davey O’Brien and Manning Award Watch Lists, ranks high in all the Iowa career passing charts. The senior ranks second in touchdown passes (49), third in completion percentage (.621) and attempts (804), fourth in completions (499) and total offense (6,210) and fifth in yards (6,166). Tate is within reach to climb into second in completions, attempts, yards and total offense. The all-Big Ten performer is only 768 yards behind second place Chuck Hartlieb for yards and 645 yards behind second place Matt Rodgers for total offense. He is 51 completions and 101 attempts from tying Matt Rodgers for second in those categories. Chuck Long is Iowa’s all-time leader in touchdowns (74), completions (782), attempts (1,203), yards (10,461) and total offense (10,254).
Tate completed 15-28 passes for 223 yards and three touchdowns vs. Montana. He did not play at Syracuse due to injury, but returned vs. Iowa State. The senior signal caller completed 26-38 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in his return. Tate has thrown two touchdown passes or more in 19 career games, including 16 of his last 19 games dating back to 2004. He has tossed three or more touchdowns in six career contests.
Tate garnered first team all-Big Ten laurels from the coaches and second team recognition by the media in 2004. He became the first Iowa sophomore quarterback to make first team all-Big Ten since Chuck Long was honored in 1983. Tate was also recognized as the 2004 Big Ten Player of the Year by collegefootballnews.com.
TATE AMONG HAWKEYE ELITE
Drew Tate joins Chuck Long, Matt Rodgers and Matt Sherman as the only three-year starters at quarterback in Iowa history. Tate has collected 19 overall victories under center, which ranks fourth in Hawkeye annals behind Long (33), Sherman (24) and Rodgers (21). Tate has also amassed 12 conference wins directing the Hawkeye offense, which ranks fourth behind Long (24) and Sherman (14) and Rodgers (14).
TATE EFFICIENT AMONG NATION’S BEST
Drew Tate ranks fifth in the nation among active quarterbacks in interception percentage vs. top 25 opponents since 2003. In nine games against ranked foes, Tate has thrown 10 interceptions in 257 attempts for a 3.9 percentage. Tate ranks behind Florida’s Chris Leak (2.0), Wisconsin’s John Stocco (2.4), Syracuse’s Perry Patterson (2.7) and Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn (3.0).
YOUNG LEADS IOWA’S RUSHING ATTACK
All-Big Ten RB Albert Young, who is on the Maxwell and Doak Walker Award Watch Lists, returns after carrying the ball 249 times for 1,334 yards (111.2 avg.) and a team-best eight touchdowns in 2005. He ranked 17th nationally and fourth in the Big Ten for all games.
In the season opener vs. Montana, Young rushed for 93 yards and a score and caught four passes for 55 yards and a score. He carried the ball 18 times for 73 yards and a score and caught three passes for 29 yards at Syracuse. Young gained 57 yards on 18 carries and also caught five passes for 28 yards vs. Iowa State. He ranks first in team rushing yards (223), second in receptions (12) and third in receiving yards (112).
Young, who was a 2005 second team all-Big Ten selection by the media and honorable mention pick by the coaches, averaged 125.2 yards in conference games to lead the league by 0.3 yards per game over Minnesota’s Laurence Maroney (124.9). Young also ranked second in all-purpose yards in league games, only 0.9 yards behind leader Brandon Williams (177.9) of Wisconsin. Young rallied to become the first Hawkeye to lead the conference in rushing (league games only) since Dennis Mosley in 1979. He ranked fifth among all rushers after five Big Ten games and climbed to No. 1 following big games against Northwestern, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
He rushed for over 100 yards in seven straight games (an Iowa record) and eight times in 2005 (Iowa State, Illinois, Purdue, Indiana, Michigan, Northwestern, Wisconsin and Minnesota). He averaged 139.6 yards rushing per game during the streak. Iowa has had a 1,000-yard rusher in five of the last six years. Ladell Betts (2000-01), Fred Russell (2002-03) and Albert Young (2005). Young also surpassed 200 all-purpose yards in four of the last seven games. He ranked fifth in the Big Ten and 18th nationally in all-purpose yards (146.7).
Young ranks 16th in Iowa career rushing with 1,592 yards. Another solid campaign will move him into the top ten. The junior needs only 335 yards to tie Levi Mitchell for 10th (1,927).
SCHLICHER THE KICKER
PK Kyle Schlicher returns for his senior campaign after earning second team all-conference accolades last season. The senior did not play in the season opener due to injury, but handled PATs and field goals the last two contests. Schlicher scored eight points (2-2 PAT and 2-3 FG) at Syracuse and nine points (3-3 PAT, 2-2 FG) vs. Iowa State.
Schlicher, who is on the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Watch List, ranked first in team scoring his junior year (17-21 FGs, 43-44 PATs – 94 points), sixth in Big Ten scoring and third in league kicking points. He ranked 26th in the nation in field goals per game (1.42) and 39th in overall scoring per game (7.8). Additionally, the 94 points rank seventh-most in a single season at Iowa. His .810 field goal percentage was tops in the Big Ten last year. He was a Groza semifinalist in 2005.
The Ankeny native has 206 career points, which ranks eighth in Iowa career scoring. He is only eight points from equaling Sedrick Shaw and Jeff Skillett (214) in sixth place. He is 42-52 (.808) in career field goal attempts, including 7-15 from beyond 40 yards, and 80-84 on PATs. Schlicher has only missed two field goals under 39 yards (31-33). He has made two field goals or more in 13 contests.
SCHLICHER AMONG NATION’S ELITE
Kyle Schlicher ranks among the nation’s best place kickers in active career field goal percentage and field goals made per game (min. 30 FG made).
Schlicher ranks first in field goals made (1.62) and fourth in percentage (.808). Schlicher (.808) trails Eastern Michigan’s Andrew Wellock (.831), Virginia Tech’s Brandon Pace (.824) and Southern Mississippi’s Darren McCaleb (.814) in field goal percentage.
IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2006 season includes six seniors, three juniors, four sophomores, one redshirt freshmen and one true freshman. Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Council for this season includes seniors Mike Elgin, Jason Manson, Miguel Merrick, Marcus Paschal, Drew Tate and Marshal Yanda; juniors Mike Humpal, Bryan Mattison and Albert Young; sophomores Mitch King, Matt Kroul, Tony Moeaki and Seth Olsen; redshirt freshman Jake Christensen and true freshman A.J. Edds.
CHANDLER LEADS HAWKEYE RECEIVERS
TE Scott Chandler, a candidate for the John Mackey Award, given to the nations’ top tight end, has had a solid start to the 2006 campaign. The senior leads the Hawkeyes in receptions (15) and yards (161) and ranks fifth in Big Ten receptions per game (5.0). Chandler had touchdown receptions in each of Iowa’s first two games – a six-yard reception vs. Montana and a one-yard catch at Syracuse.
Nine of his 15 receptions have moved the chains. Chandler caught four passes for 44 yards and one touchdown vs. Montana, with all four receptions moving the sticks. The native of Southlake, TX, caught six passes for 65 yards and a score at Syracuse – all in the first half. Four of his six catches gave Iowa first downs. He caught five balls for 52 yards vs. Iowa State, two of which were for first downs.
Chandler, who is the younger brother of former Hawkeye quarterback Nathan Chandler (2002-03), has 86 career receptions for 1,037 yards and six touchdowns, a total that ranks 30th in Hawkeye annals.
SYRACUSE RUNS INTO WEB
Syracuse had eight tries inside the Iowa five-yard line in double overtime, but the Hawkeye defense was like a brick wall and turned away the Orange to propel the Hawkeyes to victory. Four of the eight plays were stopped by DE Kenny Iwebema. The junior collected four of his nine solo stops on the goal line stand.
Hawkeye historians are calling it one of, if not the best, goal line stand in Iowa football history. The goal line stand earned Iowa ESPNs Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Week. The victory netted the general scholarship fund at the University of Iowa $5,000. The UI is also now eligible to win $100,000 in December when the nation votes on the Pontiac Game Changing Performance of the Year.
IOWA NOTES
? QB Drew Tate moved past QB Matt Sherman after last week’s game vs. Iowa State and into fourth place in career total offense with 6,210 yards.
? Tate’s next completion will be his 500th and his next touchdown will be the 50th of his career.
? Iowa has collected just one turnover in three games, turning an interception against Montana into a field goal in game one.
? Senior OL Mike Elgin is a strong candidate for a National Football Foundation post-graduate scholarship.
? Senior Andy Fenstermaker is on the watch list for the Ray Guy Award, given to the nation’s top punter.
? OL Mike Jones has been named first team pre-season all-America by Sports Illustrated.
? Both LB Chris Brevi (foot) and DB Ma’Quan Dawkins (knee) will miss the 2006 season and will receive medical reshirts. Brevi is a junior, while Dawkins is a senior. WR Calvin Davis will likely miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn Achilles. Davis played in Iowa’s first two contests and suffered the injury in practice.
? Iowa has won 37 of its last 46 regular season contests.
? Iowa is one of only four teams (USC, Georgia and Florida State) to appear in four straight January bowl games.
? In the last five years, Iowa is 34-3 when leading at the half and 39-2 when leading after three quarters.
? Iowa had its 22-game home winning streak snapped when Michigan escaped with a 23-20 overtime win last Oct. 22. The Hawkeyes boasted a 24-point winning margin during the school-record streak. The Hawkeyes have won 32 of their last 35 games in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the end of the 2000 season. Iowa’s three losses came against Iowa State (36-31 in 2002) and Michigan (32-26 in 2001 and 23-20 in overtime in 2005).
? Iowa has a consecutive home sellout streak of 19, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Hawkeye game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03). All seven home contests this season are sold out.
? Iowa tied for third in the Big Ten in 2005 and now has 47 first-division finishes in the conference, including 11 championships and eight additional finishes among the top three in the league. The Hawkeyes have finished among the top three in the Big Ten standings three of the last four years.
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 11 offensive plays that went for 20 yards or more, nine via the pass and two on the ground. WR Andy Brodell caught a game and career-high 44-yard pass vs. Montana, while Herb Grigsby also caught a career-high 44-yard pass at Syracuse. RB Albert Young and RB Damian Sims have each posted a 21-yard run.
Hawkeye opponents have collected just four plays of 20 yards or more, all via the pass. Montana and Iowa State registered just one offensive play over 20 yards; Montana a 21-yard pass and Iowa State a 20-yard pass.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 24-7 in the second quarter, 17-10 in the third, 27-3 in the fourth and 10-3 in overtime. Hawkeye opponents own a 14-10 advantage in the first quarter.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 5.4 yards on 97 first down plays, 5.8 yards on 72 second down plays, 5.7 yards on 39 third down plays and 7.0 yards on two fourth down plays.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 14 scoring drives average 8.6 plays, 58.6 yards and 3:15 elapsed time. Eight of the 11 scoring drives covered 65 yards or more. Iowa’s longest scoring drive is a 15-play, 67-yard drive that consumed 5:41 vs. Montana in week one.
Hawkeye opponents have posted six scoring drives that average 8.7 plays, 54.2 yards and 3:54 elapsed time. Iowa State registered a 13-play, 87-yard drive that consumed 6:58 in week three.
Both average scoring drives do not include overtime possessions.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa, who ranked second nationally in red zone proficiency in 2005, is 12-13 in the red zone (9 TD, 3 FG). The Hawkeyes failed to convert a field goal (43 yards) after it reached the red zone at Syracuse. The Hawkeyes rank fourth in Big Ten red zone proficiency.
Hawkeye opponents have only marched inside the red zone six times, scoring on five of their possessions (4 TD, 1 FG). Syracuse turned the ball over on downs after Iowa’s defense stopped the Orange on eight plays inside the five-yard line, including four-straight inside the two, to win in double overtime in week two. Iowa State was a perfect 3-3 (2 TD, 1 FG) inside the red zone in week three.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored three points following a LB Mike Humpal interception vs. Montana. The Hawkeyes did not collect any turnovers in games against Syracuse and Iowa State.
Montana converted a RB Albert Young fumble into seven points. The touchdown was the only points scored against the Hawkeye defense. Syracuse picked off Iowa QB Jason Manson four times in week two, but did not convert the interceptions into any points. Iowa State was unable to convert a QB Drew Tate interception into any points.
INSTANT REPLAY
Instant replay was used once in the fourth quarter vs. Iowa State, a coaches challenge by the Cyclones. The challenge by Iowa State was the first by a Hawkeye opponent this season. The spotting of the ball on a crucial fourth down play in the fourth quarter was upheld.
Replay was used once in the first period, once in the third and once in the fourth at Syracuse, the most in any game Iowa has played since replay’s inception. In the first quarter, a Syracuse pass that was ruled incomplete was changed to a completion for a three-yard touchdown. In the third quarter, a play that was ruled a Syracuse fumble (recovered by Iowa) was changed to an incomplete pass. In the fourth period, the call on the field of a Syracuse completion was upheld.
Instant replay was used once in Iowa’s opening contest, when a call on the field (an Iowa fumble recovered by Montana), was upheld.
HAWKEYES TO PLAY 12
After two years of playing an 11-game regular season schedule, Iowa returns to a 12-game slate. The Hawkeyes will play seven home games in renovated Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 25-2 record the last five seasons. Eight of Iowa’s 2006 opponents posted seven wins or more a year ago, with six of the eight competing in bowl games. Iowa adds three new opponents to its 2006 slate: Northern Illinois from the Mid-American Conference, Syracuse from the Big East Conference and Montana from the Big Sky Conference (Division I-AA). Iowa’s opener against Montana marked the second consecutive year the Hawkeyes played a Division I-AA opponent. Other home games include in-state rival Iowa State, Northern Illinois and Big Ten foes Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes’ only non-conference road contest was at Syracuse, while they travel to play conference foes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota. Iowa’s regular season finale at Minnesota on November 18 will be the 100th meeting between the Hawkeyes and Golden Gophers.
The Hawkeyes will not face Michigan State or Penn State this year. This year will be the last time Iowa will face Michigan and Ohio State until 2009, as the two schools come off Iowa’s conference schedule in 2007 and 2008.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
A majority, if not all, of Iowa’s games this season will be selected for television. The Big Ten Conference announces game times and television stations no later than 12 days prior to game days. Four Hawkeye games have already been selected for television. Iowa made its ESPNU debut in the season opener vs. Montana. The Hawkeyes’ road contest at Syracuse was televised regionally on ABC. Iowa’s game vs. intra-state rival Iowa State was televised nationally on ESPN. Saturday’s Big Ten opener at Illinois will be aired regionally on ESPN Plus at 11:10 a.m. Iowa’s home conference opener vs. Ohio State will be televised on ABC at 7:10 p.m., marking the fifth time Kinnick Stadium will host a night game.
HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 41 lettermen from 2005, including 23 on offense, 16 on defense and two specialists. The Hawkeyes return seven starters on offense and seven on defense, plus place kicker Kyle Schlicher and punter Andy Fenstermaker. The lettermen breakdown includes 10 three-year lettermen, 12 two-year lettermen and 19 one-year lettermen.
The total roster has 111 players, and includes 18 seniors, 15 juniors, 30 sophomores, 23 redshirt freshmen and 25 true freshmen.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 111 players includes 44 players from Iowa. The roster includes 12 players from Illinois; nine from Ohio; eight from Florida and Texas; seven from New Jersey; three from Minnesota, Nebraska and Pennsylvania; two from Connecticut, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri and Wisconsin and one from Arkansas, Georgia, South Dakota and Utah.
MORE THAN ONE
Ten high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leaders are Iowa City West and City High with four. Robert E. Lee (Texas) and Ankeny (Iowa) high schools have three, while six schools have two players on the roster.
THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players named Davis (Calvin and Champ, no relation). Mike is the most popular first name. There are four Mike’s (Elgin, Humpal, Jones, Klinkenborg). There are three players named Andy (Brodell, Fenstermaker, Kuempel), Dan (Doering, Murray, Olszta) and Ryan (Bain, Donahue, Majerus). There are two Adam’s (Farnsworth, Shada), Austin’s (Postler, Signor), Bryan’s (Mattison, Ryther), Kyle’s (Calloway, Schlicher), Drew’s (Gardner, Tate), Jordan’s (Den Hartog, McLaughlin), Justin’s (Collins, Edwards), Marcus’ (Paschal, Wilson) and Tyler’s (Blum, Gerstandt). Two Hawkeye players go by initials, A.J. Edds and B.J. Travers.
THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Freshman WR Paul Chaney, Jr. is the lightest Hawkeye player at 160 pounds. Sophomore OL Wesley Aeschliman is the heaviest at 315 pounds. A total of five Hawkeye players are listed over 300 pounds.
The tallest player is 6-8 Aeschliman, while the shortest players, at 5-9, are PK Kyle Schlicher, RB Damian Sims and Chaney, Jr.
The average Hawkeye player is 6-2 and weighs 230 pounds. That is the exact height and three pounds lighter than the average Iowa player in 2005.
WATCHING FROM ABOVE
Iowa’s coaches in the press box are Lester Erb (receivers and special teams), along with quality control assistant Scott Southmayd and graduate assistant coaches Seth Wallace and Rick Kaczenski. That leaves Norm Parker (defensive coordinator), 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.
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.
IOWA STATS ON THE INTERNET
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of 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 hawkeyesports.com and then clicking on the Gametracker link. This feature is available for all games during the 2006 season.
AFTER THIS
Iowa returns home Sept. 30 to host top-ranked Ohio State (7:13 p.m., ABC) and Purdue on homecoming Oct. 7 (11:05 a.m.).