Oct. 15, 2006
IOWA CITY — One bright spot emerged from the nationally ranked Iowa football team’s loss at Indiana on Saturday: Wide receiver Trey Stross.
The redshirt freshman from Avon Lake, Ohio burst had a team-high six catches against the Hoosiers for 67 yards, five more than he had against Montana in the only other game this season where Stross has seen significant action. And, perhaps more noteworthy was this footnote: Every time Drew Tate found Stross, Stross found the first-down marker.
Ed Hinkel-like? Fans of the Hawkeyes and the UI coaching staff hope so.
Stross was presented his opportunity to be this week’s “Next Man In” after freshman wide receiver sensation Dominique Douglas was sidelined with a strained knee in the second quarter.
“Dominique was helping me on the sidelines,” said Stross in the post-game radio interview on the Hawkeye Radio Network. “We try to keep each other doing what we have to do to get the job done. It’s a team effort.”
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At No. 23, Iowa is one of four Big Ten Conference teams listed in the first Bowl Championship Series rankings of the 2006 season.
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Stross opened his afternoon with a 7-yard reception in the second quarter that advanced Iowa to the Indiana 25-yard line. On the next play, Herb Grigsby scored on a wide receiver reverse that gave Iowa 21-7 lead.
In the third quarter, Tate and Stross picked up the pace, banging out three first downs before the quarter’s end in a drive that resulted in a touchdown and the Hawkeyes’ final lead of the game, 28-24.
UI Coach Kirk Ferentz praised Stross’ performance. “He made some great grabs and at critical times,” said Ferentz. “Trey certainly is a bright spot there. He did some good things for us.”
Stross and the Hawkeyes, who are ranked No. 23 in the first Bowl Championship Series poll of the 2006 season, travel to Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. (Iowa time) date with the Michigan Wolverines.