Sept. 10, 2007
IOWA TO PLAY IOWA STATE
Iowa (2-0) travels to Ames to face Iowa State (0-2) Saturday. Game time is 12:37 p.m. at Jack Trice Stadium (55,000). Saturday’s football game will be the fourth event in the fourth annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. The Cyclones currently lead the series 5-1 after picking up victories in men’s golf and volleyball. Each team received one point after Sunday’s women’s soccer draw.
ON THE TUBE
The Versus Network will televise the game to a national cable audience. Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer and Lewis Johnson 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 1,093 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 555-499-39 (.526). That includes a 350-194-16 (.639) record in home games, a 205-303-23 (.408) record in games away from Iowa City, a 272-336-25 (.449) mark in Big Ten games and a 233-159-15 (.591) record in Kinnick Stadium.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 1-3 in games played on Sept. 15. The Hawkeyes defeated Cincinnati 63-10 in 1990. Iowa lost to Michigan 31-7 in 1973, Oklahoma 21-6 in 1979 and Penn State 20-17 in 1984.
CY-HAWK TROPHY
When Iowa resumed its football series with Iowa State in 1977, the Des Moines Athletic Club donated a trophy to be awarded to the winner of the annual in-state battle.
The Hawkeyes hold a 20-10 advantage since 1977 when the Cy-Hawk Trophy was first awarded. The Cy-Hawk Trophy currently resides in Iowa City as a result of Iowa’s 27-17 victory in Iowa City last season. Iowa has won three of the last four meetings.
HAWKEYE HUDDLE IN DES MOINES
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at the Seven Flags Events Center, located at 2100 NW 100th Street in Clive. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.
IWEBEMA EARNS BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
Kenny Iwebema was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week on Monday. Iwebema equaled his own school record by blocking two Syracuse field goals to lead the Hawkeyes to their first shutout since the 2005 season opener. The senior defensive end, who added three tackles and a sack in the game, also blocked a pair of field goals against Illinois in 2005. He picks up his first career weekly honor and the first for an Iowa special teams performer since the 2004 campaign.
Iowa’s last special teams player of the week honoree was PK Kyle Schlicher on Nov. 13, 2004.
BACK-TO-BACK
Iowa has allowed only three points in its first two contests, ranking first nationally in scoring defense (1.5). The Hawkeye defense has collected four turnovers, eight sacks, blocked two field goal attempts, registered 17 tackles for loss and has not yielded a touchdown. The last time the Hawkeyes did not allow a touchdown in back-to-back contests was 1984. Iowa downed Purdue (40-3) on Oct. 13 and then defeated Michigan (26-0) on Oct. 20.
FIRST FIVE IOWA HOME GAMES SOLD OUT
Iowa’s first five home games of 2007 reached sellout status in late July. The Hawkeyes entered this season with 24 consecutive sellouts, dating back to 2003. Kinnick Stadium’s capacity is 70,585. Approximately 1,500 tickets remain for Iowa’s Nov. 17 game against Western Michigan.
The Hawkeyes’ season opener drew a sellout crowd of 61,500 in Chicago’s Soldier Field, including approximately 45,000 Hawkeye fans.
THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will mark the 55th game in the series. Iowa holds a 36-18 advantage in the series that began with a 16-8 ISU win in 1894. The Hawkeyes have won 18 of the last 24 meetings, including three of the last four.
The teams did not meet between 1935 and 1976 and Iowa holds a 20-10 advantage since the series resumed in 1977. Iowa holds a 15-6 advantage in games played in Ames. Iowa State defeated the Hawkeyes 23-3 in the last meeting at Jack Trice Stadium in 2005.
The Hawkeyes won 15 straight games in the series (1983-1997).
IOWA VS. THE BIG 12
Iowa holds an all-time record of 65-63-3 (.508) against current members of the Big 12 Conference, having met all but Baylor at least once. Iowa State is the only Big 12 opponent on the Hawkeye schedule this season.
ISU VS. THE BIG TEN
Iowa State is 22-77-2 (.228) vs. the Big Ten, but has not played Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State or Purdue.
COACH Kirk Ferentz
The 2002 Associated Press, Walter Camp National Coach of the Year 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 ninth season as Iowa’s head football coach. Ferentz guided Iowa to Big Ten titles twice in the last five years 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 46-19 (.708) overall mark and a 27-13 (.675) Big Ten record the last six seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 57-43 (.570) and a 34-30 (.531) mark in Big Ten games. In 12 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 69-64 (.519). Ferentz, who boasts the second-most victories by a Hawkeye head coach, coached his 100th game as Iowa’s head coach vs. Syracuse last week.
Thirty-two of Iowa’s 100 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (14-18) and 33 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (12-21).
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 3-5 against Iowa State.
IOWA STATE HEAD COACH GENE CHIZIK
Gene Chizik is in his first season as a college head coach. Chizik and the Cyclones lost their first two games to Kent State and Northern Iowa, both at home. Prior to being named Iowa State’s 31st head coach, Chizik served two seasons (2005-06) as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas. He was also the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Auburn from 2002-04. At one point, he had a personal 29-game winning streak in two-plus years as defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas. Chizik helped bring Texas its first national championship (2005) since 1970. Additionally, he assisted Middle Tennessee State winning the Ohio Valley Conference title (1990) as its defensive line coach. Chizik also coached defensive units at Central Florida (1998-2001) and Stephen F. Austin (1992-97).
NORTHERN IOWA TOPS IOWA STATE
Northern Iowa defeated Iowa State, 24-13, in front of a school-record crowd 56,795 at Jack Trice Stadium. The loss dropped the Cyclones to 0-2 on the season. Iowa State was plagued by miscues as the Panthers scored 10 points off four Iowa State turnovers. Northern Iowa scored on a 10-yard pass play early in the second period to take a 10-6 lead and never looked back. Pacing the Cyclones were QB Bret Meyer and receivers Marqui Hamilton and R.J. Sumrall. Meyer completed 27-43 passes for 255 yards and rushed 11 times for a team-best 50 yards and a score. Hamilton caught a career-high seven passes for 97 yards, while Sumrall had seven receptions for 71 yards. DB James Smith posted a team-high 12 tackles.
IOWA, IOWA STATE NOTES
? Other than a sore jaw, Iowa Running Back Coach Carl Jackson is okay after being clipped in the jaw by a foot by a Syracuse player on the sidelines following an interception return late in the fourth period.
? Iowa State Head Coach Gene Chizik coached against the Hawkeyes last year in the Alamo Bowl as Texas’ co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
? Damian Sims has collected 1,922 all-purpose yards (1,177 rushing, 184 receiving, 561 kickoff returns) in his career. He is only 78 yards from reaching 2,000. He currently ranks 20th in all-purpose yardage at Iowa.
? Iowa State redshirt freshman Austen Arnaud played his first collegiate game vs. Northern Iowa, taking a majority of the snaps in the third quarter.
? Both Iowa and Iowa State are 16-35 (.46%) on third and fourth down conversions this season.
? Iowa State averages 143.5 rushing yards per contest, while Iowa’s rushing defense has allowed only 22.5 yards through two games.
? Hawkeye opponents are only 1-4 (25%) inside the red zone, a percentage that ranks first in the Big Ten.
? Iowa ranks third in Big Ten punt returns (17.1). Individually, Andy Brodell has returned a Big Ten best 10 punts for 153 yards (15.3 average).
? Iowa has a +1 turnover margin, while the Cyclones are -4.
? Iowa has had a defensive lineman record two sacks or more in each of the first two games. DT Mitch King collected two sacks vs. Northern Illinois, while DE Bryan Mattison registered a career-high three sacks vs. Syracuse.
? Iowa forced Syracuse into 10 three-and-outs last week, including its first eight offensive possessions.
LAST MEETING
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 regained possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy and marked Iowa’s third victory over the Cyclones in the past four seasons.
Iowa State took advantage of a 62-yard KO return to start the game, jumping to a 7-0 advantage. Iowa got on the board later in the first period on a 38-yard field goal from Kyle Schlicher. After ISU had taken a 14-3 lead late in the second period, Iowa responded with a touchdown just before halftime. The score came on an 11-yard pass from Drew Tate to Andy Brodell, following a 27-yard completion to TE Scott Chandler.
Tate connected with TE Tony Moeaki on a 19-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 17-17 late in the third period. After forcing an ISU punt, Brodell produced a 31-yard punt return to put the Hawkeye offense in good field position, giving Iowa a chance for its first lead of the game. Tate concluded the scoring drive with a two-yard scoring strike to FB Tom Busch to give Iowa a 24-17 advantage early in the final period.
The Iowa defense was outstanding in the second half, holding Iowa State to just three points. Iowa State was unable to take advantage of the only turnover in the game midway through the final period and 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. He also rushed five times for 31 yards.
Leading the Hawkeye receivers was Dominique Douglas, who had six receptions for 88 yards. Chandler caught five passes for 52 yards.
Defensively, LB Edmond Miles collected a team-high nine tackles (two solo). DB Charles Godfrey had eight stops (all solo), while DB Devan Moylan established a career high eight tackles 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.
IOWA 35, SYRACUSE 0
Iowa scored touchdowns on four straight possessions and held Syracuse to 103 total yards en route to a 35-0 shutout over the Orange in the Hawkeyes’ 2007 home opener at Kinnick Stadium. The game was only the third true night game at Kinnick Stadium and marked Kirk Ferentz’ 100th as Iowa’s head coach.
QB Jake Christensen and TE Tony Moeaki had career games to lead the Hawkeyes. Christensen completed 23-32 passes for 278 yards and four touchdowns, all career bests. Moeaki posted career highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (112) and touchdowns (3).
The duo first connected on a 52-yard touchdown in the first period to give the Hawkeyes the early 7-0 advantage. RB Albert Young caught a 36-yard scoring pass from Christensen later in the first quarter to stretch Iowa’s lead to 14-0.
The Hawkeyes added two more touchdowns in the second quarter on a RB Damian Sims one-yard run and a Moeaki five-yard scoring reception. Moeaki and Christensen hooked-up for their third touchdown on a six-yard passing play in the third period.
The Hawkeyes limited the Orange to only 24 rushing yards on 30 attempts and 79 yards passing. Iowa sacked Syracuse QB Andrew Robinson six times and recorded a takeaway. Iowa’s defense yielded only one total yard and recorded a takeaway on Syracuse’s seven first half possessions. The Orange did not record their initial first down until the 9:35 mark of the third period.
DE Kenny Iwebema thwarted two Syracuse scoring threats, blocking two field goal attempts, tying an Iowa single-game record. The blocks were the third and fourth of his career. He blocked the first kick in the second quarter and the second in the third period. The last time Iowa blocked a field goal was against Illinois in 2005, also by Iwebema. In a 35-7 win over Illinois, he blocked two field goal attempts.
DE Bryan Mattison shared a team-high six tackles with LB Mike Humpal. Three of Mattison’s tackles were sacks, which established a new career high. In addition to registering six tackles, Humpal picked off his second pass in as many weeks.
Iowa posted its first shutout since blanking Ball State 56-0 in 2005.
EXTRA POINTS
? Iowa’s defense allowed only 103 yards total offense and five first downs, ranking as the fewest total yards and first downs allowed under Coach Ferentz. Additionally, Syracuse completed only seven passes, the second fewest (6 by Penn State in 2004) by an Iowa opponent under Coach Ferentz.
? Iowa’s defense allowed only 79 yards passing. The last time a Hawkeye opponent threw for less than 100 yards was Ball State (93 yards) on Sept. 3, 2005.
? Last Saturday marked Iowa’s 25th straight sellout in Kinnick Stadium, as 70,585 fans watched. The last Hawkeye game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03). All six 2007 home contests are expected to be sellouts, with the first five already sold out.
? Both Iowa and Syracuse failed to score on their opening possession. Both Iowa and Northern Illinois failed to score on their first offensive possessions.
? Iowa has won six straight non-conference regular season contests, dating back to 2005.
? Iowa improves to 87-29-1 in home openers, including winning the last seven. The Hawkeyes improve to 3-1 against Syracuse and 5-3 against current Big East teams.
? In the last six years, Iowa is 39-5 when leading at the half and 44-3 when leading after three periods.
? QB Jake Christensen threw his first interception of the year in the second period on a pass that deflected off WR James Cleveland’s hands.
? RB Albert Young now has 3,163 all-purpose yards and moves into 11th place in Iowa career annals, passing Fred Russell (3,142 yards).
? LB Mike Humpal intercepted a pass in the second quarter, Iowa’s fourth takeaway of the season. The interception was the fifth of his career. It also marked the second straight contest Humpal collected a theft; he had three picks last season.
? RB Albert Young caught a 36-yard touchdown from Christensen on Iowa’s third possession. The touchdown reception is only the second of Young’s career. Young caught a touchdown in last year’s season opener vs. Montana (9/2/06). The scoring pass was Christensen’s second of the contest. The last time Christensen tossed two touchdowns in a single-game was vs. Northern Illinois (10/28/06).
? QB Jake Christensen completed 9-12 for 128 yards in the first quarter. In the season opener, the sophomore completed 12-29 passes for 133 yards for the entire contest.
? Iowa converted 13-19 (68%) of its third downs, while Syracuse was 2-15 (13%). Fourteen of Syracuse’s 15 third down plays were over seven yards.
? DE Bryan Mattison lined up as a tight end on a fourth-and-goal on the one-yard line in the second quarter. It marked the first time in his career that Mattison played on offense. RB Damian Sims scored on the play, the 11th rushing touchdown of his career. Sims posted six touchdowns last year as a junior.
? WR Andy Brodell had a 49-yard punt return in the second period that setup another Iowa touchdown. Brodell had a career-long 56 yarder vs. Northern Illinois that also set up a touchdown.
? WR James Cleveland started his first career game vs. Syracuse. He did not register any statistics.
? Iowa improved to 23-0 when allowing 10 points or fewer and 33-2 when scoring 30 points or more under Ferentz.
? After being penalized 10 times for 117 yards in its season opener vs. Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes were only flagged four times for 35 yards against the Orange.
? No plays needed to be reviewed by Instant Replay in the Syracuse game.
DEFENSIVE LINE SHINES
Iowa’s defensive line has had a solid start to the 2007 campaign. The Hawkeyes have yielded only 45 rushing yards on 51 attempts through two contests. Iowa ranks second nationally in rushing defense (22.5), sixth in sacks (4.5) and total defense (169.0), first in scoring defense (1.5) and 17th in tackles for loss (8.5).
DE Bryan Mattison collected a career-high three sacks vs. Syracuse, while DT Mitch King matched a career high with two sacks vs. Northern Illinois. Mattison has collected 119 career tackles, while King has been credited with 124 career stops.
TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2007
Iowa had six new true freshmen play against Syracuse, bringing Iowa’s season total to ten: DT Cody Hundertmark, DB Cedric Everson, DE Christian Ballard, LB Jacoby Coleman, DB Diauntae Morrow and LB Dezman Moses. The four other freshmen that have seen action this season include WR Colin Sandeman, DB Jordan Bernstine, RB Jevon Pugh and OL Bryan Bulaga.
The ten true freshmen are the most that have seen action under Kirk Ferentz in a single season. Iowa had seven true freshmen play in 2003 and 2000.
HAWKEYES TO PLAY 12
The 2007 Hawkeyes will play six home games in Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 28-5 (.848) record the last five seasons. Iowa opened its season vs. Northern Illinois at Soldier Field. The opener was the first NCAA Bowl Subdivision contest in renovated Soldier Field and first since Northwestern defeated Oklahoma on August 23, 1997, in the Pigskin Classic. Additionally, the game marked the first time Iowa opened the season at a neutral site since playing Kansas State on August 26, 2000, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
The Hawkeyes defeated Syracuse in their home opener. Other Iowa home games include Indiana, Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota and Western Michigan. The Hawkeyes’ only true road non-conference contest is at intra-state rival Iowa State this week. The Hawkeyes travel to play conference foes Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern. Six of Iowa’s 12 opponents played in bowl games in 2006 (Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota). Iowa has a new Big Ten slate, as this season marks the first time in three years it will play Michigan State and Penn State. While the Spartans and Nittany Lions rejoin the Hawkeye schedule, leaving are Michigan and Ohio State for the next two seasons.
IOWA OPENS BIG TEN PLAY ON ROAD
Iowa will begin its quest for a 12th Big Ten championship Sept. 22 at Wisconsin. This year marks the eighth time in nine years, including the last six, the Hawkeyes open league play away from Iowa City. Iowa’s lone conference home opener, under Coach Ferentz, came in 2001 when it defeated Penn State.
IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2007 season includes five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, one redshirt freshman and one true freshman. A member of the incoming freshman class will be named soon. Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Council for this season includes seniors Tom Busch, Mike Humpal, Mike Klinkenborg, Bryan Mattison and Albert Young; juniors Rob Bruggeman, Matt Kroul and Seth Olsen; sophomores Jake Christensen, A.J. Edds and Rafael Eubanks and redshirt freshman Brett Greenwood.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Iowa has appeared on television in its last 67 games. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
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. Iowa’s first five games have been selected for television. The Hawkeyes’ season opener vs. Northern Illinois at Chicago’s Soldier Field was aired on ESPNU. Iowa made its Big Ten Network debut in hi-definition last week vs. Syracuse, marking the second straight year, and sixth time ever, Kinnick Stadium hosted a night game. The Hawkeyes will make their first-ever appearance on the Versus Network when they visit intrastate rival Iowa State Saturday at 12:37 p.m. Iowa’s conference opener at Wisconsin will air on ABC to a split-national audience at 7:05 p.m. The Black and Gold’s homecoming game vs. Indiana Sept. 29 will be televised on either ESPN, ESPN2 or the Big Ten Network at 11:05 a.m. All times listed are central time.
IOWA AMONG BIG TEN’S ELITE
Ohio State has the most conference victories the last five years with 33. Michigan ranks second (32) and Iowa (27) ranks third during that time span. Michigan (26) has won the most league contests the last four years, followed by Ohio State (25) and Iowa (19).
HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 31 lettermen from 2006, including 16 on offense, 14 on defense and one kicker. The Hawkeyes return five starters on offense and eight on defense. The lettermen breakdown includes eight three-year lettermen, 12 two-year lettermen and 11 one-year lettermen.
The total roster has 112 players, and includes 13 seniors, 23 juniors, 19 sophomores, 29 redshirt freshmen and 28 true freshmen. Saturday’s depth chart includes 11 seniors, 13 juniors, 11 sophomores, 11 redshirt freshmen and four true freshmen. Only three seniors (two running backs and one fullback) are listed on the offensive depth chart.
STARTERS RETURNING
Iowa returns five starters on offense and eight on defense. The returning starters on offense include: center Rafael Eubanks, guard/tackle Seth Olsen, running back Albert Young, fullback Tom Busch, wide receiver Andy Brodell (plus part-time starters RB Damian Sims and OT Dace Richardson). The defensive starters returning include: ends Kenny Iwebema and Bryan Mattison, tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King, linebackers Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal and corners Adam Shada and Charles Godfrey (plus part-time starter DB Bradley Fletcher).
RETURNING WITH HONORS
Iowa returns three players who earned all-Big Ten honors a year ago. That list includes LB Mike Klinkenborg, who was a second team honoree by the media. DE Bryan Mattison and DB Adam Shada earned honorable mention accolades.
HAWKEYES HAVE NEW SIGNAL CALLER
Iowa opened the season with a new quarterback for the first time since the 2004 season. The Hawkeyes needed to replace three-year (2004-06) starter Drew Tate. Tate concluded his career ranked second in passing yards (8,292), touchdown passes (61), completions (665), attempts (1,090) and total offense (8,427) and third in completion percentage (.610) at Iowa.
Jake Christensen started the first two games, as he was the only returnee with game experience. The 6-1 sophomore saw action in five games, including one start, a year ago. Christensen completed 23-35 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns in 2006, including 19-30 for 256 yards and two scores in his first start in the Hawkeyes’ 24-14 victory over Northern Illinois.
In his first start of the 2007 campaign, he completed 12-29 passes for 133 yards and a score. In fact, it is believed that he became the first quarterback in NCAA Bowl Subdivision history to start his first two games against the same team. In his third career start, Christensen posted career highs in completions (23), attempts (32), passing yards (278) and touchdown passes (4). He also posted a career-long pass of 52 yards to TE Tony Moeaki that resulted in a touchdown in Iowa’s 35-0 win over Syracuse.
IOWA RETURNS TWO EXPERIENCED BACKS
Iowa returns two experienced senior running backs to lead its rushing attack in 2007, Albert Young and Damian Sims. Young ranks seventh in Iowa career rushing with 2,374 yards. He needs 182 yards to tie Owen Gill for sixth (2,556). Young rushed for a game-high 144 yards on 23 carries in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois, marking the 11th time in his career that he surpassed the century mark. Against Syracuse he rushed only 11 times for 25 yards, but did have three receptions for 48 yards and a score. Young has posted 20 career touchdowns and is tied with Eddie Phillips for 18th in career scoring (120) at Iowa.
Young ranked first in team rushing attempts (178), rushing yards (779), touchdowns (7) and all-purpose yards (1,004), fourth in receptions (30) and fifth in receiving yards (225) in 2006. He ranked eighth in Big Ten rushing (59.6). Young carried the ball 249 times for 1,334 yards (111.2 avg.) and a team-best eight touchdowns in 2005. The native of Moorestown, NJ was a 2005 second team all-Big Ten selection by the media and honorable mention pick by the coaches. He averaged 125.2 yards in conference games to lead the league. Young also ranked second in all-purpose yards in league games, only 0.9 yards behind the leader. Young became the first Hawkeye to lead the conference in rushing (league games only) since Dennis Mosley in 1979.
Like Young, Sims also topped 100 yards in the season opener against the Huskies. The senior collected 110 yards on only 16 attempts, eclipsing 100 yards for the third time in his career. Last week vs. Syracuse, he rushed for a game-high 62 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown and also had a catch for 20 yards.
Sims ranked second on the Hawkeyes in rushing yards (686), rushing attempts (132), all-purpose yards (981) and touchdowns (6) in 2006. His totals from a year ago helped him eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in his career. He now has 1,177 yards and became the 37th Hawkeye to top the 1,000-yard plateau. The native of Boynton Beach, FL, started two games in 2006 (Purdue and Indiana) for injured starter Albert Young. Sims carried the ball 20 times for 155 yards and two scores against the Boilermakers. The 155 yards is a career-high, besting his 104 yards vs. Minnesota in 2005.
BRODELL FINISHES 2006 STRONG
Junior Andy Brodell finished the 2006 season with two strong performances. He caught seven passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in the regular season finale at Minnesota and six passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns vs. Texas in the Alamo Bowl. The 159 yards against the Longhorns was an Alamo Bowl record. Brodell also had a career-long 63-yard touchdown reception vs. Texas, which was the longest touchdown reception in Iowa bowl history and the fifth-longest reception in Alamo Bowl history. His two Alamo Bowl touchdown receptions (63 and 23 yards) ties an Iowa bowl record with four others.
Brodell equaled a career high with seven receptions for 54 yards vs. Syracuse. He also had a 49-yard punt return that set up a touchdown. In the season opener, he only had two catches for 18 yards, but did return six punts for 75 yards, including a career-long 56 yarder in the second period that set up Iowa’s first score.
The native of Ankeny, IA, finished 2006 ranked first on the team in receiving yards (724) and yards per catch (18.6) and third in receptions (39). His 724 yards rank 21st-best in Iowa single-season history.
MOEAKI HAS CAREER GAME
TE Tony Moeaki posted career highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (112) and touchdowns (3) vs. Syracuse. His efforts earned him rivals.com Big Ten Player of the Week accolades. The junior entered the 2007 season with 22 career receptions for 284 yards and three scores. Against the Orange, he caught a career-long 52-yard pass from QB Jake Christensen that resulted in a touchdown.
KLINKENBORG ANCHORS LINEBACKING CORPS
Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg is in his final season after a stellar junior campaign. Klinkenborg collected a team-best nine tackles in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois. He was credited with four stops vs. Syracuse last week.
Klinkenborg ranked second in the Big Ten and eighth in the country in tackles per game (10.75). He led Iowa with 129 tackles, 29 more than second-ranked LB Edmond Miles (100). The native of Rock Rapids, IA, earned second team all-Big Ten accolades by the media. He recorded double-digit tackles in nine of 12 games in 2006. He was credited with a career-high 16 stops vs. Northwestern. Klinkenborg was unable to play in the bowl game vs. Texas due to injury.
Despite losing his father last Sept. 10, 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. Klinkenborg was one of three Hawkeyes (Adam Shada and Mike Elgin) to earn first team academic all-America honors; Iowa was the only school to accomplish that feat in 2006.
MOYLAN GRANTED ADDITIONAL YEAR
DB Devan Moylan, a senior in 2006, was granted a medical hardship after playing in just four games a year ago. Moylan was injured in Iowa’s win at Illinois and missed the final nine games of the season. Moylan, a three-year letterman, adds experience and depth to Iowa’s safety positions. He started in the secondary in Iowa’s 2006 win over Iowa State and played a key role on special teams prior to his season-ending injury.
In his second career start, Moylan was credited with seven stops and a forced fumble vs. Northern Illinois. He collected his first career sack for a six-yard loss in his third career start vs. Syracuse.
MOVING ON UP
Four Hawkeyes have already earned their bachelor’s degree and are currently working on advanced degrees. Anton Narinskiy earned a BBA in Accounting in May, 2007, Mike Humpal and Devan Moylan earned a BA in Health and Sport Studies in May, 2007, while Clint Huntrods received his BA in Communication Studies in August, 2007.
IOWA NOTES
? Iowa starts the season with three of its first four games away from Iowa City, while it concludes the season with four of six in Kinnick Stadium.
? Four Hawkeyes are pre-season all-Big Ten by collegefootballnews.com. DE Kenny Iwebema was named to the first team, while RB Albert Young, DE Bryan Mattison and LB Mike Klinkenborg were recognized on the second team.
? Iowa has won 46 of its last 63 regular season contests (.730).
? In the last six years, Iowa is 39-5 when leading at the half and 44-3 when leading after three quarters.
? Iowa has been bowl eligible the last six seasons, the school’s longest string of success since playing in eight straight bowl games (1981-88).
? All seven of Iowa’s home games in 2006 were sellouts (Montana, Iowa State, Ohio State, Purdue, Northern Illinois, Northwestern and Wisconsin). Iowa’s 2005 and 2006 home attendance average of 70,585 is a school record.
? Iowa has a consecutive home sellout streak of 25 games, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Hawkeye game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03). All six home contests this season are expected to be sellouts, with the first five already reaching sellout status.
? Iowa tied for third in the Big Ten in 2005 and 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 five years.
? Iowa is one of only three institutions (Iowa, Florida and Tennessee) to have a former football and men’s basketball National Coach of the Year currently coaching their respective team.
? Iowa’s regular season finale will come against a non-conference opponent, Western Michigan. The Broncos have been picked to win the west division and also capture the MAC Championship Game in the MAC News Media Association pre-season poll.
? The last time Iowa finished the season with a non-conference game was Iowa State (2001), a contest that was rescheduled due to the 9/11 attacks. Prior to 2001, the Hawkeyes’ last scheduled regular season non-league game came at Hawai’i (1984).
DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 28 of its last 32 games in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The Hawkeyes’ four losses came to Michigan (23-20 in overtime in 2005), Ohio State (38-17 in 2006), Northwestern (21-7 in 2006) and Wisconsin (24-21 in 2006). Iowa recorded a school-record 22-game home winning streak between 2002-05.
The Hawkeyes (.852, 23-4) boast the ninth-best home winning percentage in the nation over the last five years (2003-07).
IOWA RETURNS TWO ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS
LB Mike Klinkenborg and DB Adam Shada return after earning first team academic all-America honors a year ago. Iowa also had graduating senior OL Mike Elgin on the first team in 2006. For the first time in school history, the Iowa football team placed three players on the first team. No other school in the nation had three first-team selections. The team is voted on by the College Sports Information Directors of America.
Shada and Klinkenborg were members of the district all-America team in 2005.
IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 86 of its last 94 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 88 of 100 games under Kirk Ferentz.
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted six offensive plays (5 pass, 1 run) that have resulted in 20 yards or more. The Hawkeyes collected four passing plays that went for 20 yards or more vs. Syracuse. Iowa had two big offensive plays vs. Northern Illinois, one pass and one run. WR Andy Brodell recorded a career-long 56-yard punt return vs. Northern Illinois in week one. The following week he had a 49-yard punt return against the Orange. WR Colin Sandeman returned his first punt return 35 yards against Syracuse.
Hawkeye opponents have only registered three offensive plays of 20 yards or more. Northern Illinois collected two big passing plays, while Syracuse had only one.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 14-0 in the first quarter, 27-3 in the second, and 10-0 in the third quarter. Neither Iowa or its opponents have scored in the fourth period.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 5.5 yards on 66 first down plays, 4.6 yards on 50 second down plays, 5.6 yards on 33 third down plays and (-4) yards on two fourth down plays.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 7.0 plays, 54.3 yards and 2:59 elapsed time on its scoring drives. Iowa posted an eight-play, 95-yard drive that consumed 3:31 and resulted in a touchdown against Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes posted two touchdown scoring drives that consumed over five minutes vs. Syracuse.
Hawkeye opponents have only recorded one scoring drive, a nine-play, 49-yard drive in 4:05 that resulted in a field goal by Northern Illinois. Syracuse did not score last week.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 6-8 (75%) in the red zone (5 TD, 1 FG) this season. Iowa scored touchdowns on all three red zone possessions vs. Syracuse. The Hawkeyes failed to score on two red zone possessions, due to the clock expiring in a double-digit win and missing a field goal attempt, against Northern Illinois.
Hawkeye opponents are 1-4 (25%) in the red zone. Syracuse failed to come away with any points after marching inside the red zone and missing a field goal (blocked). Northern Illinois was inside the red zone three times, scoring only once on a field goal. The Huskies missed a field goal and had a pass intercepted on the three yard-line.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored seven points off four interceptions. The Hawkeyes collected three thefts vs. Northern Illinois, but failed to score. Against Syracuse, Iowa converted one interception into seven points.
Hawkeye opponents have yet to score following Iowa miscues. Syracuse intercepted Iowa quarterbacks twice last week, but failed to score. Northern Illinois did not record a takeaway in the season opener.
HAWKEYES NAMED TO WATCH LISTS
OL Rafael Eubanks, LB Mike Klinkenborg, DE Kenny Iwebema and TE Tony Moeaki have been named to pre-season watch lists. Eubanks is on the Rimington Trophy watch list, which recognizes the nation’s outstanding center in college football. Klinkenborg is on the Lott Trophy watch list, which is awarded to college football’s Defensive Impact Player of the Year. Iwebema is on the Lombardi Award watch list, which recognizes college football’s top defensive lineman. Moeaki is on the John Mackey Award watch list, which is given annually to the best collegiate tight end.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 112 players includes 49 players from Iowa. The roster includes 14 players from Illinois; 12 from Ohio; six from New Jersey; five from Texas and Minnesota; four from Florida and Pennsylvania; three from Missouri and Nebraska; two from Indiana and one from Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin.
MORE THAN ONE
Thirteen high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leader is Glenville (Ohio) with four. Iowa City High (Iowa), Iowa City West (Iowa), Cretin-Derham Hall (Minnesota), Glenville (Ohio), C.R. Washington (Iowa), Millard North (Nebraska) and Humboldt (Iowa) high schools have three, while six other schools have two players on the roster.
HAWKEYES SHINE AT SHRINE BOWL
Iowa had a total of eight true freshmen, five scholarship and three walk-ons, compete at the 35th annual Shrine Bowl at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames on July 22. WR Colin Sandeman (Bettendorf HS) caught five passes for 84 yards, including two touchdowns (16 and 18 yards), to pace the South team to a 24-7 victory over the North squad. Additionally, Tyler Sash (Oskaloosa HS) caught five balls for 81 yards for the South. Sash will play defensive back for the Hawkeyes.
Sandeman and Sash joined incoming Hawkeye recruits LB Tyler Nielsen (Humboldt HS), TE Allen Reisner (Marion HS) and DB Jordan Bernstine (Lincoln HS) in the contest. Walk-ons DL Nick Brayton (Iowa City West), OL Tyrel Detweiler (Williamsburg HS) and P Eric Guthrie (Nevada HS) also competed.
THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players named Murphy (Jayme and Nick, no relation).
Mike and Tyler are the most popular first names. There are four Mike’s (Daniels, Humpal, Klinkenborg and Morio) and four Tyler’s (Blum, Gerstandt, Nielsen and Sash). There are three players named Adam (Farnsworth, Gettis and Shada), Daniel (Doering, Murray and Olzsta), Kyle (Calloway, Haganman and Spading) and Nick (Brayton, Kuchel and Murphy). There are two Andy’s (Brodell and Kuempel), Austin’s (Postler and Signor), Ben’s (Evans and Thilges), Brett’s (Greenwood and Morse), Jordan’s (Bernstine and McLaughlin) and Tom’s (Busch and Nardo).
THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Redshirt Freshman WR Paul Chaney, Jr. is the lightest Hawkeye player at 165 pounds. Junior OL Wesley Aeschliman is the heaviest at 318 pounds. A total of six Hawkeye players are listed over 300 pounds.
The tallest player, at 6-8, is Aeschliman, while the shortest player, at 5-9, is Chaney, Jr.
The average Hawkeye player is 6-1 and weighs 233 pounds. That is one inch shorter and three pounds heavier than the average Iowa player in 2006.
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 Dan Clark. 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), Rick Kaczenski (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 home games and most road contests during the 2007 season.
IOWA FOOTBALL WITH Kirk Ferentz
“Iowa Football with Kirk Ferentz” will air on the Big Ten Network Mondays at 4 p.m., with a repeat on Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. Both times listed are central.
AFTER THIS
Iowa remains on the road to open Big Ten play at Wisconsin, Sept. 22 (7:05 p.m., ABC). The Hawkeyes return home to host Indiana, Sept. 29 (11:05 a.m.) on homecoming.
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