Sept. 25, 2006
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IOWA TO PLAY UNDER THE LIGHTS
Iowa (4-0) returns home to host top-ranked Ohio State (4-0) Saturday. Game time is 7:13 p.m. in Kinnick Stadium (70,585). The game is sold out.
ON THE TUBE
ABC (HD) will televise Saturday’s game to a national prime time audience. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Bob Davie and Lisa Salters 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. Fans can also listen to the Hawkeye broadcast on XM Satellite Radio, Channel 197.
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,082 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 551-492-39 (.527). That includes a 347-192-16 (.640) record in home games, a 205-300-23 (.410) record in games away from Iowa City, a 272-330-25 (.454) mark in Big Ten games and a 230-157-15 (.591) record in Kinnick Stadium.
IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa climbed one spot to 13th in both major polls this week. Ohio State has been the top-ranked team all season. The Hawkeyes are also ranked 14th in the initial Harris Poll, while Ohio State holds down the top spot with 107 of the 113 first place votes.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 7-4 in games played on Sept. 30. The Hawkeyes defeated Coe 16-0 in 1903, Monmouth 40-0 in 1905, Northwestern 7-0 in 1933, South Dakota 41-0 in 1939, California 28-7 in 1961, Tulsa 30-22 in 1989 and New Mexico State 59-21 in 1995. Iowa lost to Oregon State 38-18 in 1967, Penn State 14-10 in 1972, Arizona 23-3 in 1978 and Indiana 45-33 in 2000.
NIGHT HAWKEYES
Saturday will be the fifth night game in Kinnick Stadium’s history, with Iowa holding a 2-2 record in past night contests.
Iowa lost the first night contest played in Kinnick Stadium to Miami, FL (24-7) on Sept. 5, 1992. The Hawkeyes defeated Northern Illinois (24-0) on Sept. 18, 1999 and Arizona State (21-2) on Sept. 20, 2003. Iowa lost to Iowa State (36-31) on Sept. 14, 2002.
Saturday will be only the second true night game in Kinnick Stadium. Hawkeye games vs. Northern Illinois (1999), Iowa State (2002) and Arizona State (2003) were 5 p.m. starts, while the Miami contest started at 7 p.m.
COLLEGE GAMEDAY COMES TO IOWA CITY
ESPN’s College Gameday is coming to Iowa City this weekend. The extremely popular program, featuring Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and Desmond Howard, will be making its second appearance in Iowa City.
College Gameday’s main show is from 9-11 a.m. (CDT) each Saturday. The crew will also be on the air live for segments Friday and Saturday evenings.
The program’s only previous appearance in Iowa City came in 1996. The ESPN show accompanied Iowa’s game with Ohio State that year, too.
IOWA VS. TOP-RANKED OPPONENTS
Iowa has played 10 games (0-9-1) against top-ranked opponents in its history.
Saturday will be Iowa’s first game against a top-ranked opponent since playing at Nebraska (L, 42-13) on Sept. 23, 2000. Furthermore, the last time a top-ranked opponent visited Kinnick Stadium was Miami (L, 24-7) on Sept. 5, 1992 – coincidentally, Iowa’s only other true night game in Kinnick Stadium.
FERENTZ TIES EVASHEVSKI
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz collected his 53rd overall win at the University of Iowa last week at Illinois. The victory moves Ferentz past Forest Evashevski (1952-60) for the second-most wins by a Hawkeye head coach. Also, the triumph over Illinois was Ferentz’s 33rd in Big Ten play, which matches Evashevski for second in conference wins at Iowa. Hayden Fry (1979-98) is Iowa’s all-time winningest coach with 143 overall wins and 96 league victories.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
These are Iowa’s most recent wins vs. nationally ranked opponents:
Home: 30-7 over ninth-ranked Wisconsin, 11/20/04 33-7 over 23rd-ranked Ohio State, 10/6/04Road: 20-10 over 19th-ranked Wisconsin, 11/12/05 30-17 over 18th ranked Michigan, 9/25/04Neutral: 30-25 over 11th-ranked LSU, Capital One Bowl, 1/1/05 37-17 over 17th-ranked Florida, Outback Bowl, 1/1/04
OHIO STATE COACH JIM TRESSEL
Jim Tressel is in his sixth year as the head coach at Ohio State and his 21st season overall as a head coach. Tressel’s overall record stands at 189-70-2 (.724) and 54-13 (.806) with the Buckeyes. He has guided the Buckeyes to four consecutive bowl victories, including a thrilling 31-24 double overtime win over Miami for the 2002 national championship. Ohio State also defeated Notre Dame (34-20) in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, Kansas State (35-28) in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl and Oklahoma State (33-7) in the 2005 Alamo Bowl. The Buckeyes finished with a 7-5 mark in his first season as mentor, including a third place conference finish and an invitation to the 2002 Outback Bowl.
Prior to coaching the Buckeyes, Tressel coached 15 seasons at Youngstown State. Tressel guided the Penguins to four national titles and also appeared in two other championship games. He was named National Coach of the Year four times (1991, ’93, ’94 and ’97).
Tressel was a four-year letterwinner at quarterback (1971-74) and earned all-conference honors as a senior at Baldwin Wallace College.
Tressel is 2-1 vs. Iowa and 3-1 against Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz (2-1 OSU vs. Iowa and 1-0 YSU vs. Maine).
IOWA, OHIO STATE NOTES
? Iowa is looking for its first 5-0 start under Coach Ferentz and its first since 1995. In 1995, the Hawkeyes started 5-0 and finished the season 8-4, capped by a Sun Bowl victory over Washington.
? A win Saturday would be Iowa’s 10th overall victory over a top-five team and its 30th over a top-10 team. Iowa’s highest victory over a ranked opponent was second-ranked Michigan (12-10) on Oct. 19, 1985 in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa was ranked No. 1 at that time.
? Iowa has won its last five Big Ten home openers. The Hawkeyes defeated Penn State (24-18) in 2001, Purdue (31-28) in 2002, Michigan (30-27) in 2003, Michigan State (38-16) in 2004 and Illinois (35-7) in 2005.
? 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 (20-1, .952) boasts the fifth-best home winning percentage in the nation since the start of the 2003 season; Ohio State ranks second (23-1, .958).
? Saturday will be the last time Iowa and Ohio State meet until Nov. 14, 2009 in Columbus. Additionally, this year marks the last time the Hawkeyes play Michigan until Oct. 10, 2009.
? Ohio State has yielded seven points or fewer in its last three games (7 at Texas; 7 vs. Cincinnati; 6 vs. Penn State).
? Saturday will be Iowa’s first contest against a ranked opponent this season. Ohio State has already played two ranked foes (No. 2 Texas and No. 24 Penn State).
? Iowa ranks 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense (90.8) and 13th in scoring defense (11.0). Ohio State ranks third in the nation in tackles for loss (9.5), seventh in scoring defense (8.0) and 12th in passing efficiency (162.27).
? Iowa’s DL Mitch King is tied for sixth in the nation in sacks per game (1.25), while PK Kyle Schlicher ranks 11th in field goals per contest (1.67). Ohio State linemen Vernon Gholston and Quinn Pitcock are tied for 12th in sacks per game.
? Last week marked the first time Ohio State was shutout in the first half since the 2002 Outback Bowl.
? The Buckeyes have won 11-straight games, dating back to last year. Ohio State’s last defeat came at Penn State (17-10) on Oct. 8, 2005. Iowa has won four-consecutive games and six of its last seven, dating back to last season. The Hawkeyes’ last loss came to Florida (31-24) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1, 2006.
? Jim Tressel and Kirk Ferentz first coached against each other in 1990 when Tressel was head coach at Youngstown State and Ferentz at Maine. Youngstown State defeated Maine 38-17 in the final game of the year for the Black Bears.
? Iowa has nine players from the state of Ohio on its roster: sophomore DB Bradley Fletcher (Youngstown) and LB Anton Narinskiy (Chagrin Falls), true freshmen WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (Campbell), QB Arvell Nelson (Cleveland), LB Derrick Smith (Cleveland) and QB Richard Stanzi (Mentor) and, red-shirt freshman DB Chris Rowell (Warrenville Heights), WR Trey Stross (Avon Lake) and LB B.J. Travers (Westlake).
OHIO STATE DEFEATS PENN STATE
Top-ranked Ohio State returned two interceptions for touchdowns (55 and 61 yards) in the final three minutes to pull away from 24th-ranked Penn State and win 28-6 Saturday in Columbus. The Buckeyes avenged their only Big Ten loss with the victory over the Nittany Lions. Penn State led 3-0 at the half, but Ohio State grabbed a 7-3 lead on its second possession of the third period on an Antonio Pittman 12-yard scoring run. The Buckeyes added another offensive touchdown late in the third quarter on a QB Troy Smith 37-yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Robiskie. Pittman finished the game with 20 carries for 110 yards to lead the Buckeyes, who had 253 yards of total offense. Smith completed 12-22 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. He also threw his first two interceptions of the season.
THE SERIES
Saturday marks the 61st meeting between the two schools with Ohio State holding a 43-14-3 advantage in the series that began with a 12-9 Iowa win in 1922. The Hawkeyes snapped an eight-game losing streak to the Buckeyes with a 33-7 victory in Iowa City in 2004. The Buckeyes hold a 15-6-2 edge in games played in Iowa City.
LAST MEETING
Iowa lost its fifth consecutive game at Ohio State with a 31-6 setback in Ohio Stadium last year.
The Hawkeye offense was unable to generate much as the Ohio State defense forced Iowa to punt on its first seven possessions. Iowa was only able to score on two Kyle Schlicher field goals (52 and 37 yards) in the third and fourth quarters, respectively. The 52-yarder is a career long for Schlicher.
Ohio State scored touchdowns on two of its first three possessions to grab an early 14-0 advantage. The Buckeyes led 17-0 at the half and added touchdowns in the third and fourth quarters to put the game out of reach.
Ohio State had 530 yards total offense, including 314 yards rushing, and maintained possession for 39:23. Iowa’s offense generated only 137 yards total offense, including -9 yards rushing. The Hawkeyes were only able to convert 1-12 third downs.
QB Drew Tate completed 22-39 passes for 146 yards. RB Albert Young rushed 10 times for 25 yards. WR Ed Hinkel caught a team-high six passes for 47 yards – all in the second half.
Highlighting Iowa’s special teams play was punter Andy Fenstermaker. Fenstermaker averaged 43.4 yards on seven punts, including downing three punts inside the 20. Ohio State had just two returns for no yards.
The Hawkeye defense was able to force five Ohio State fumbles, but only recovered two. The two fumbles recovered were both inside the five-yard line to stop scoring threats. LB Chad Greenway collected a game-high 14 tackles (8 solo). LB Abdul Hodge tallied nine stops (4 solo) and also forced a fumble. DE Kenny Iwebema recorded six tackles (4 solo), including one sack and one forced fumble.
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 42-12 (.778) overall mark and a 26-7 (.788) Big Ten record the last five seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 53-36 (.596) and a 33-24 (.579) mark in Big Ten games. In 11 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 65-57 (.533).
Twenty-nine of Iowa’s 89 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 1-4 against Ohio State and 1-3 vs. Buckeye Coach Jim Tressel (1-2 Iowa vs. OSU and 0-1 Maine vs. YSU).
IOWA 24, ILLINOIS 7
Iowa scored three touchdowns in 4:08 in the second quarter to lift the Hawkeyes to a 24-7 victory over Illinois in Memorial Stadium. Kirk Ferentz became Iowa’s second all-time winningest coach with the win. The win was also Iowa’s fourth-straight over the Fighting Illini, its longest streak in the 67 games of a series that began in 1899.
RB Damian Sims scored his first points of the season on a one-yard run at the 5:55 mark of the second period. Following a three-and-out, RB Albert Young scored on a six-yard run at the 2:57 mark. After an interception by the Hawkeye defense, QB Drew Tate connected with TE Tony Moeaki on the first play from scrimmage for a 35-yard scoring strike at the 1:47 mark. The touchdown pass was Tate’s 50th career aerial score.
PK Kyle Schlicher added a 45-yard field goal into the wind in the fourth quarter to give the Hawkeyes a 24-0 advantage. Illinois scored a late touchdown to make the final score 24-7.
Young finished with 97 all-purpose yards, a team-best 57 yards rushing on 14 carries and a touchdown and six receptions for 40 yards. Sims finished with 55 yards on 15 carries and a score, while RB Shonn Greene contributed 54 yards on eight attempts.
Tate completed 17-27 passes for 190 yards and a touchdown.
The Hawkeye defense sacked Illinois quarterbacks three times and also collected four interceptions. Iowa turned two of the miscues into 10 points. DB Adam Shada collected a career-high two thefts, while DB Miguel Merrick and DB Devon Moylan each intercepted a pass. LB Mike Klinkenborg registered a team-high 10 tackles (3 solo), while LB Edmond Miles was credited with seven stops (4 solo), including one for loss, and one forced fumble.
FINAL GAME NOTES
? Iowa has now won seven of the last nine meetings vs. Illinois.
? DL Mitch King was credited with a half a sack. The sophomore has registered at least a half sack in each of the first four games (1.5 vs. Montana, 1.5 at Syracuse, 1.5 vs. Iowa State).
? Neither team scored on its first possession. Iowa has not scored on its first drive in four games. Two of the Hawkeyes’ opponents (Syracuse and Iowa State) opened the game with touchdown drives.
? Sophomore OL Seth Olsen started for the first time this season (left guard) and the second time in his career. Olsen also started at Iowa State (right tackle) in the second game of 2005.
? Redshirt freshman Travis Meade saw action at left guard in the second half after starting center Rafael Eubanks left the game late in the second period. With that move, Olsen, who started at left guard, moved to right guard and Mike Elgin, who started at right guard, moved to center.
? QB Drew Tate completed 5-6 passes for 86 yards on the three second-quarter touchdown drives he engineered in 4:08.
? Tate completed one touchdown pass, marking only the fourth time that he has not had at least two touchdown passes in his last 20 starts, dating back to 2004.
? The 21 points in the second quarter mark Iowa’s highest scoring period of the season. Previously, Iowa scored 17 points in the fourth quarter vs. Montana.
? LB Mike Klinkenborg was credited with a team-high 10 tackles, marking the third time this season he has reached double figures.
? Iowa kept its opponent off the scoreboard in the first half for the second time in four games (Montana and Illinois). The Illinois games marks the first time a Big Ten opponent did not score in the first three periods, since Iowa’s 33-7 triumph over Ohio State in Iowa City in 2004.
? Iowa’s four interceptions marks the first time it has collected that many, since the 6-4 win at Penn State in 2004.
? RB Albert Young scored his third rushing touchdown of the season on a six-yard run in the second quarter. He also has one receiving touchdown this year. Young raised his career rushing totals to 1,706 yards on 345 attempts. He ranks 13th in career rushing, moving up two spots on the career list vs. Illinois, and is just four yards behind Ed Podolak. Young also leads the team with 18 receptions.
? WR Dominique Douglas started his first career game vs. Iowa State and started again at Illinois. Against the Fighting Illini, Douglas had five catches for a team-high 64 yards.
? P Andy Fenstermaker downed three of his eight punts inside the 20. Six of his last 12 punts have been downed inside the 20. Illinois totaled a negative one yard on punt returns.
? PK Austin Signor handled the kickoff duties for the fourth-straight game, booting all four kickoffs through the end zone.
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 Flaherty left after one season and is currently on the New York Giants’ coaching staff.
IOWA AMONG THE BIG TEN’S ELITE
Iowa is tied with Michigan and Ohio State for the most conference victories the last five years. All three schools have 26 wins during that time. Michigan (20) has won the most league contests the last four years, followed by Iowa (18) and Ohio State (18).
TATE DOMINANT AT HOME
QB Drew Tate has completed 259-399 passes (.650) for 3,405 yards in 14 career starts in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2004 season. Tate has thrown 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has thrown two of more scores in 12 of the 14 contests, including three or more in both home games this season.
Tate completed 26-39 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa’s 33-7 triumph over Ohio State on Oct. 16, 2004 in Kinnick Stadium.
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 (50), third in completion percentage (.621) and attempts (831), fourth in completions (516) and total offense (6,396) and fifth in yards (6,356). Tate is within reach to climb into second in completions, attempts, yards and total offense. The all-Big Ten performer is only 578 yards behind second place Chuck Hartlieb for yards and 459 yards behind second place Matt Rodgers for total offense. He is 34 completions and 74 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 has completed 58-93 passes for 687 yards and seven touchdowns this year. He ranks second in Big Ten passing (229.0), second in touchdowns (7), fifth in pass efficiency (145.0) and seventh in total offense (238.7).
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 against the Cyclones. He completed 17-27 passes for 190 yards and a score at Illinois.
Tate has thrown two touchdown passes or more in 19 career games, including 16 of his last 20 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 20 overall victories under center, which ranks fourth in Hawkeye annals behind Long (33), Sherman (24) and Rodgers (21). Tate has also amassed 13 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 (2.1) and Wisconsin’s John Stocco (2.1), Syracuse’s Perry Patterson (2.7) and Notre Dame’s Brady Quinn (3.0).
HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
Saturday will mark the 56th consecutive game the Hawkeyes have been selected for television. The last Iowa contest not televised was against Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
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 collected 97 all-purpose yards at Illinois, 57 rushing and a touchdown and 40 receiving. Young ranks first in team rushing yards (283) and receptions (18) and third in receiving yards (152).
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 13th in Iowa career rushing with 1,706 yards. The junior needs only 221 yards to tie Levi Mitchell for 10th (1,927).
CHANDLER AND DOUGLAS LEAD 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 ranks second on the team in receptions (16) and yards (167). 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 16 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 caught one pass for six yards at Illinois.
Chandler, who is the younger brother of former Hawkeye quarterback Nathan Chandler (2002-03), has 87 career receptions for 1,043 yards and six touchdowns, a total that ranks 30th in Hawkeye annals.
WR Dominique Douglas leads the Hawkeye receiving corps with 195 yards and ranks 10th in Big Ten receiving (48.8). He ranks third in receptions (14). Douglas is Iowa’s only true freshman who starts. He got his first start at wide receiver in week three vs. Iowa State. He became the first true freshman to start at Iowa since Mike Jones started on the offensive line in 2003 at Ohio State. Furthermore, Douglas is the first Hawkeye freshman to start at a skill position since Champ Davis started at fullback vs. Miami (OH) in 2003.
Douglas had five catches for a team-best 64 yards at Illinois. He caught six balls for 88 yards vs. Iowa State. Douglas caught his first touchdown pass on a nine-yard pass from QB Drew Tate in the second quarter in the opener vs. Montana.
IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 75 of its last 83 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 77-of-89 games under Kirk Ferentz.
SCHLICHER THE KICKER
Senior PK Kyle Schlicher earned second team all-conference accolades last season. Schlicher did not play in the season opener due to injury, but handled PATs and field goals the last three contests. Schlicher scored eight points (2-2 PAT and 2-3 FG) at Syracuse, nine points (3-3 PAT, 2-2 FG) vs. Iowa State and six at Illinois (3-3 PAT, 1-1 FG). He has scored 23 points this season (5 FG, 8 PAT) and ranks ninth in Big Ten scoring (7.7). Schlicher ranks third in Big Ten field goals (1.67) and 11th nationally.
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 212 career points, which ranks eighth in Iowa career scoring. He is only two points from equaling Sedrick Shaw and Jeff Skillett (214) in sixth place.
Schlicher is 43-53 (.811) in career field goal attempts, including 8-16 from beyond 40 yards, and 83-87 on PATs. He has only missed two field goals under 39 yards (31-33). Schlicher is only two field goals from matching Tom Nichol (1981-84) for third in career field goals made at Iowa with 45. 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 (1.59) and tied for third in percentage (.811). Schlicher (.811) trails Virginia Tech’s Brandon Pace (.827) and Southern Mississippi’s Darren McCaleb (.814) in field goal percentage.
KLINKENBORG EARNED 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’s death, earned Klinkenborg, Walter Camp Football Foundation Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The native of Rock Rapids, IA, ranks second in the Big Ten and 17th in the nation in tackles per game (10.25). He was credited with 10 tackles at Illinois, 12 at Syracuse, 11 vs. Montana.
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
? After collecting just one turnover in the first three games, Iowa collected four interceptions at Illinois.
? 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. Jones missed last week’s game at Illinois, but is expected to return vs. Ohio State.
? 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 38 of its last 47 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 35-3 when leading at the half and 40-2 when leading after three quarters.
? 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.
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.
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 12 offensive plays that went for 20 yards or more, 10 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 six 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 45-7 in the second quarter, 17-10 in the third, 30-10 in the fourth and 10-3 in overtime. Hawkeye opponents own a 14-10 advantage in the first quarter.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 5.9 yards on 129 first down plays, 5.1 yards on 94 second down plays, 5.0 yards on 54 third down plays and 7.0 yards on two fourth down plays.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 18 scoring drives average 7.9 plays, 53.2 yards and 2:55 elapsed time. Eight of the 18 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 seven scoring drives that average 8.0 plays, 56.4 yards and 3:30 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 16-18 (88.9%) in the red zone (11 TD, 3 FG); two of the 18 possessions were overtime possessions. The Hawkeyes failed to convert a field goal (43 yards) after it reached the red zone at Syracuse and QB Drew Tate was intercepted on the one-yard line on a windy day at Illinois. The Hawkeyes rank fifth in Big Ten red zone proficiency.
Hawkeye opponents have only marched inside the red zone eight times, scoring on six (75.0%) of their possessions (4 TD, 1 FG); two of the eight possessions were overtime possessions. 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. Illinois drove to the Iowa 15-yard line late in the fourth quarter, but failed to score before the game ended.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 13 points following opponent turnovers. The Hawkeyes scored three points following an interception vs. Montana. Iowa tallied 10 points after four Illinois miscues (4 interceptions). 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 and Illinois were unable to convert an interception into any points.
INSTANT REPLAY
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz challenged an Illinois fumble in the first quarter, but the call on the field was upheld and Illinois maintained possession. Ferentz has challenged two plays in four games, with the call on the field being upheld each time. Illinois Coach Ron Zook challenged a play in the second period in which Iowa DB Marcus Paschal was ruled to have intercepted a pass. The call on the field was overruled, allowing Illinois to maintain possession.
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 original 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. Five 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. The Hawkeyes’ Big Ten opener at Illinois was aired regionally on ESPN Plus. Saturday’s home conference opener vs. Ohio State will be televised nationally on ABC at 7:13 p.m. Iowa will make a return appearance on ESPNU for its homecoming game vs. Purdue at 11 a.m. (CDT).
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 remains home to host Purdue on homecoming Oct. 7 (11:05 a.m., ESPNU). The Hawkeyes then hit the road for a two-game road swing at Indiana Oct. 14 (TBA) and Michigan Oct. 21 (TBA)