Sept. 17, 2007
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IOWA TO PLAY IN PRIME TIME
Iowa (2-1) will play its second straight road game Saturday when it visits Madison, WI, to face No. 7/9 Wisconsin (3-0). Game time is 7:13 p.m. at Camp Randall Stadium (80,360). The game is sold out.
ON THE TUBE
ABC (HD) will televise Saturday’s game to a split-national prime time audience. Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Lisa Salters will call the action. Hawkeye fans that do not get the game on their local ABC affiliate (check the ABC coverage map above), can watch the game via ESPN GamePlan pay-per-view (DirecTV, Channel 780).
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 game on XM Satellite Radio on Channel 196.
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,094 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 555-500-39 (.525). That includes a 350-194-16 (.639) record in home games, a 205-304-23 (.407) 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. 22. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 45-35 in 1990. Iowa lost to UCLA 55-18 in 1973, Nebraska 24-21 in 1979 and Ohio State 45-26 in 1984.
HEARTLAND TROPHY
The Heartland Trophy will be awarded for the fourth time to Saturday’s winner. The Hawkeyes are 2-1 in the series since the introduction of the trophy in 2004.
The trophy was designed and crafted by artist and former Iowa football player Frank Strub. The trophy, which is a bull mounted on a walnut base (native to both Wisconsin and Iowa), has the scores of all previous games between the two schools inscribed on it.
The Iowa-Wisconsin series has been the closest and most competitive of all Big Ten series. The teams have met 82 times and the series is tied 40-40-2. Iowa has won three of the last four meetings. The Heartland Trophy became the 16th Big Ten football traveling trophy. Wisconsin gained possession of the Heartland Trophy after winning 24-21 last year in Iowa City.
IN THE RANKINGS
Wisconsin is ranked seventh in the USA Today poll and ninth in the Associated Press rankings. Iowa is not ranked.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Saturday will be Iowa’s first game this season against a ranked opponent. 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 34-9 over eighth-ranked Michigan, 10/26/02Neutral: 30-25 over 11th-ranked LSU, Capital One Bowl, 1/1/05 37-17 over 17th-ranked Florida, Outback Bowl, 1/1/04
HAWKEYE HUDDLE IN MADISON
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 4-6 p.m. Saturday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at Wisconsin Union South, located in the Varsity Room at 227 North Randall Avenue in Madison. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.
IOWA OPENS BIG TEN PLAY ON ROAD
Iowa will begin its quest for a 12th Big Ten championship Saturday. 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. The Hawkeyes are 3-5 in Big Ten openers under Coach Ferentz, including 2-5 in road contests. Iowa defeated Illinois last season 24-7 in the league opener at Champaign.
Next season, the Hawkeyes will open the Big Ten schedule at home for the first time since 2001, vs. Northwestern.
SOLID DEFENSIVE PLAY
Iowa has allowed only 18 points in its first three contests. The Hawkeye defensive unit has collected five turnovers, nine sacks, blocked two field goal attempts, registered 19 tackles for loss and has not yielded a touchdown. Iowa ranks third in the country in scoring defense (6.0), fifth in total defense (212.7), eighth in rushing defense (62.7), 13th in pass efficiency defense (92.1) and 20th in sacks (3.0).
The last time the Hawkeyes did not allow a touchdown in three consecutive contests was 1984. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the nation not to have allowed a touchdown (LSU and Cincinnati have yielded one).
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), Wisconsin (22) and Iowa (19).
THE SERIES
Saturday will be the 83rd meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin. The series is tied, 40-40-2. Iowa has won four of the last five contests and 21 of the last 28. Wisconsin snapped a four-game losing skid to the Hawkeyes with a 24-21 victory at Kinnick Stadium a year ago.
Wisconsin holds a 25-17-1 advantage in games played at Madison. The Hawkeyes scored 20 unanswered points en route to a 20-10 triumph over Wisconsin in their last visit to Camp Randall Stadium on Nov, 12, 2005. The game was the last home contest for former Badger Coach Barry Alvarez. Iowa also won (27-21) at Wisconsin in 2003, stopping the Badgers inside the 10-yard line as time expired.
The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers 30-7 in the 2004 regular season finale to win a share of the Big Ten championship.
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 46-20 (.697) overall mark and a 27-13 (.675) Big Ten record the last six seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 57-44 (.564) and a 34-30 (.531) mark in Big Ten games. In 12 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 69-65 (.515). Ferentz, who boasts the second-most victories by a Hawkeye head coach, coached his 100th game as Iowa’s head coach vs. Syracuse in week two.
Thirty-three of Iowa’s 101 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (14-19) 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 4-4 vs. Wisconsin and 0-1 against Badger Coach Bret Bielema.
WISCONSIN COACH Bret Bielema
Wisconsin’s Bret Bielema is in his second season as a collegiate head coach, boasting a 15-1 overall record and a 7-1 conference mark. In his first season as Badger head coach, he guided Wisconsin to a share of second place in the Big Ten and a 17-14 victory over Arkansas in the 2007 Capital One Bowl. Bielema, 37 years old, is the nation’s second youngest head coach (Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald is 32). Bielema began his coaching career as a graduate assistant (1994-95) at his alma mater, the University of Iowa. In 1996, he was promoted to linebackers coach for six seasons (1996-2001). While at Iowa, he coached under head coaches Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz. He served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas State for two seasons (2002-03) before joining the Wisconsin coaching staff in 2004. Bielema served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for two years (2004-05) before becoming the Badgers’ head coach. Bielema earned four letters (1989-92) as a nose guard after joining the Iowa football program as a walk-on. He was a member of Iowa’s 1990 Big Ten championship team. He was a starter his junior year (1991) and was a team co-captain his senior campaign.
Bielema is 1-0 vs. Iowa and Hawkeye Coach Ferentz.
WISCONSIN REMAINS UNDEFEATED
RB P.J. Hill scored a record-tying five touchdowns in Wisconsin’s 45-31 victory over The Citadel last Saturday at Camp Randall Stadium as the Badgers remained undefeated. Hill’s four rushing scores and 11-yard touchdown reception equaled the school record for most touchdowns in a single-game. The game was tied (21-21) at the half. The Badgers broke the contest open in the second half, scoring 24 straight points to take a commanding 45-21 advantage in the fourth period. The Citadel added 10 points late in the game. Hill rushed 25 times for a game-high 168 yards. QB Tyler Donovan completed 14-20 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns. WR Luke Swan had five catches for 76 yards to lead the Badger receivers. Wisconsin’s passing defense allowed 254 yards and four touchdowns.
IOWA, WISCONSIN NOTES
? Damian Sims has collected 1,978 all-purpose yards (1,222 rushing, 195 receiving, 561 kickoff returns) in his career. He is only 22 yards from reaching 2,000. He currently ranks 20th in all-purpose yardage at Iowa.
? Wisconsin’s 12-game winning streak is the longest active streak in the nation. It is also the second-longest winning streak in school history (the longest is 17 games from 1900-1902).
? The Badgers are 20-1 at Camp Randall since the start of the 2004 season, with the lone loss coming to the Hawkeyes (20-10) on Nov. 12, 2005. Wisconsin has won nine consecutive home games since losing to Iowa in 2005.
? Saturday will be Wisconsin’s 28th consecutive sellout at Camp Randall Stadium. Iowa has had 25 straight sellouts at Kinnick Stadium.
? Wisconsin QB Tyler Donovan made his first career start against Iowa last year, replacing the injured John Stocco. Donovan completed 17-24 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Badgers to a 24-21 win in Iowa City.
? Wisconsin’s David Gilreath was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week after totaling 154 return yards against The Citadel, including 75 yards on three kickoffs and 73 yards on four punts.
? Wisconsin is tied for 10th with the most wins the last five years, with 41. Iowa is tied for 21st with 35 victories from 2003-07.
? DT Mitch King was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in Iowa’s 20-10 win at Madison in 2005. King established career highs in tackles for loss (3.5) and sacks (2). It was part of an Iowa defense that limited Wisconsin to season-lows in total offensive yards (276) and points (10) during the road win at Madison. The 6-3, 247-pound red-shirt freshman from Burlington, IA, collected six tackles, including five solo stops, and recorded a quarterback hurry, while helping limit the Badgers to only 19 rushing yards. The Badgers entered the game leading the Big Ten and ranked 10th nationally with 37.1 points per outing while averaging 389.1 yards of total offense and 167.1 rushing yards per game.
? Iowa ranks first in Big Ten scoring defense (6.0) and second in rushing defense (62.7), pass efficiency defense (92.1), punt returns (16.2) and pass defense (150.0) and third in turnover margin (+2). Wisconsin ranks second in Big Ten pass efficiency (160.4) and fourth in turnover margin (+1).
? Iowa and Wisconsin have one common non-conference opponent: Northern Illinois. Iowa defeated the Huskies 16-3 in Chicago, IL on Sept. 1. The Badgers host Northern Illinois, Oct. 20.
? RB Albert Young and LB Mike Klinkenborg are the only student-athletes to be named game captains for each of the first three games.
? The Iowa roster includes only one player from the state of Wisconsin: junior DL Jared Oberland. The Badgers have no Iowans on their roster.
? Wisconsin sophomore LB Elijah Hodge is the younger brother of former Hawkeye LB Abdul Hodge (2002-05).
LAST MEETING
Wisconsin snapped a four-game losing streak to Iowa with a 24-21 victory in Kinnick Stadium. The win earned the Badgers’ possession of the Heartland Trophy for the first time since it was introduced in 2004.
Wisconsin back-up QB Tyler Donovan completed 17-24 passes and threw two touchdown passes and WR Luke Swan caught four passes for a game-high 113 yards and a touchdown to lead the Badgers to victory.
The Badgers grabbed an early 10-0 lead, but the Hawkeyes erased the early deficit with consecutive seven-play touchdown drives capped by QB Drew Tate scoring passes to TE Tony Moeaki (four yards) and FB Tom Busch (three yards). Wisconsin reclaimed the lead 17-14 on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Donovan to Swan with 42 seconds left in the half.
The Badgers scored their final touchdown on a 15-play, 97-yard drive that consumed 7:40 early in the fourth period. Tate connected with WR Trey Stross for a 26-yard touchdown with 10:20 left to cut the Badger advantage to 24-21. The scoring reception was the first of Stross’ career. Iowa had two more possessions, but failed to score.
Wisconsin, who had allowed only three passing touchdowns the previous 10 games combined, allowed Tate to complete three in Iowa’s home finale. In addition to the three scoring strikes, Tate completed 10-31 passes for 170 yards. RB Damian Sims rushed seven times for 53 yards.
Wisconsin dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 38:48, compared to Iowa’s 21:12.
Defensively, Iowa had four players post double-digit tackles. DB Marcus Paschal was credited with a game and career-high 14. LB Mike Klinkenborg tallied 12, LB Edmond Miles amassed 11 and DT Matt Kroul collected a career-high 10. DT Mitch King had eight tackles (seven solo), including 1.5 for loss. DB Charles Godfrey and Bradley Fletcher each forced a fumble, while King and Paschal each recovered a fumble.
IOWA STATE 15, IOWA 13
Iowa State place kicker Bret Culbertson converted five field goals, including a 28-yarder with one second remaining, to lift the Cyclones to a 15-13 victory over Iowa at Jack Trice Stadium.
The Cyclones scored field goals on their first four possessions in the first half to grab a 12-0 halftime advantage. Iowa was unable to move the ball in the first half, generating only 59 yards total offense.
The Hawkeyes got on the board early in the third period after recovering an Iowa State fumble in Cyclone territory. Iowa drove 41 yards in seven plays that resulted in a touchdown on a QB Jake Christensen 11-yard run on a fourth-and-one to trim the deficit to 12-7.
PK Austin Signor kicked a 36-yard field goal on Iowa’s next possession to cut Iowa State’s lead to two with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter.
Two possessions later, the Hawkeyes drove to the Cyclone 15-yard line, but Signor’s field goal attempt from the right hash mark was blocked. However, Iowa’s defense forced the Cyclones to a three-and-out and Iowa drove down the field again to set up another field goal attempt. This time, Signor converted from 41 yards to give Iowa a 13-12 advantage, its first lead of the game, with 3:38 to play.
Iowa State QB Bret Meyer connected with WR Phillip Bates on a 38-yard pass on a second-and-13 to put the Cyclones in field goal range. After two running plays, Culbertson came on to attempt his sixth field goal of the game. He split the uprights to give the Cyclones the victory and regain possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy.
Christensen completed 12-23 passes for 118 yards. RB Albert Young rushed for a team-high 60 yards on 14 attempts, while RB Damian Sims had 45 yards rushing on 12 carries. TE Tony Moeaki (26 yards) and WR Andy Brodell (22 yards) each had three receptions.
Meyer completed 21-29 passes for 157 yards to lead Iowa State. WR R.J. Sumrall had a game-high seven catches for 62 yards, while RB J.J. Bass rushed 25 times for 80 yards.
Defensively, linebackers Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal each collected a game-best 11 tackles. The 11 stops for Humpal were a career high. DT Mitch King was credited with a career-high 10 stops, while LB A.J. Edds recorded a career-best eight stops.
EXTRA POINTS
? The home team has won the last four meetings in the Iowa-Iowa State series.
? Iowa started the game on offense, as Iowa State won the toss and deferred to the second half.
? Iowa was flagged only twice, for 20 yards, in the contest.
? Iowa State became the first Iowa opponent to score on its opening possession of the game, kicking a 21-yard field goal. Iowa has not scored on its opening drive in any of its first three games.
? Iowa extended to 12 quarters its streak of not allowing a touchdown. Iowa State collected four field goals in the first half and another in the final seconds of the game. Iowa has not allowed any of its three opponents to score in the third period.
? DB Harold Dalton came up with his first career fumble recovery in the third period on a fumble that was caused by DE Bryan Mattison. The forced fumble is the fifth of Mattison’s career, as he had four last season. The fumble recovery for Iowa was its first of the season and it was just the second fumble by an Iowa opponent.
? Iowa’s touchdown in the third quarter came after a fumble recovery. The Hawkeyes have now scored 14 points following five opponent turnovers (four interceptions, one fumble). Iowa scored a touchdown in the win over Syracuse after a LB Mike Humpal interception. For the second game this season, Iowa did not record a turnover (Northern Illinois).
? QB Jake Christensen scored Iowa’s third period touchdown on an 11-yard run for the first rushing touchdown of his career. The 11-yard run is the longest run of his career.
? Christensen’s touchdown run in the third period came on fourth down play. Iowa is now 2-3 on fourth downs, with both plays resulting in an Iowa touchdown. Both plays included DE Bryan Mattison playing offense.
? Austin Signor converted a 36-yard field goal in the third period and a 41-yarder in the fourth quarter, marking the second time in his career he converted two field goals in a single-game (Montana last season). The 41-yard kick matches his career best. He has made 3-5 this season, including a 22-yard boot in Iowa’s opening win over Northern Illinois. One of his three attempts against Iowa State was blocked.
? For the first time under Coach Ferentz, Iowa has not allowed a touchdown in three consecutive games. It marks the first time Iowa has accomplished the feat since 1984.
? Redshirt freshmen Paul Chaney Jr. and Jeff Tarpinian saw their first action of the season on special teams after missing the opening two games due to injuries.
? Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had a career-long 65-yard kickoff return on the final play of the game. Iowa’s longest kickoff return was 37 yards (Shonn Greene) last season.
? Iowa was 2-3 in the red zone, scoring a touchdown and a field goal. On Iowa’s third red zone possession, Iowa State blocked a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter.
? For the second straight game, Instant Replay was not needed to review any plays.
? Iowa’s defense forced four three-and-outs in the second half.
DEFENSIVE LINE SHINES
Iowa’s defensive line has had a solid start to the 2007 campaign. The Hawkeyes have yielded only 188 rushing yards on 90 attempts (62.7 average) through three contests. Iowa ranks eighth nationally in rushing defense (62.7), fifth in total defense (212.7), third in scoring defense (6.0), 20th in sacks (3.0) and 55th in tackles for loss (6.3).
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, whose father is the co-defensive coordinator for the defending national champion Florida Gators, has collected 123 career tackles. King has been credited with 134 career stops.
TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2007
Iowa had six true freshmen play against Syracuse in week two, 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.
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.
HAWKEYES TO PLAY 12
The 2007 Hawkeyes will play six home games in Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 29-5 (.853) record the last six 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 was at intra-state rival Iowa State last 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 LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2007 season includes five seniors, three juniors, three sophomores, one redshirt freshman and one true freshman. 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, redshirt freshman Brett Greenwood and true freshman Marvin McNutt.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Iowa has appeared on television in its last 68 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 vs. Syracuse, marking the second straight year, and sixth time ever, Kinnick Stadium hosted a night game. The Hawkeyes made their first-ever appearance on the Versus Network when they visited in-state rival Iowa State. Iowa’s conference opener at Wisconsin Saturday will air on ABC to a split-national audience at 7:13 p.m. The Black and Gold’s homecoming game vs. Indiana Sept. 29 will be televised on the Big Ten Network at 11:05 a.m. All times listed are central time.
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, 14 juniors, 10 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 three games, as he is 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. Christensen lost his first contest as a starter last week at Iowa State, completing 12-23 passes for 118 yards.
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 2,434 yards. He needs 122 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 rushed for a team-best 60 yards on 14 attempts at Iowa State. He 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. Against Syracuse, he rushed for a game-high 62 yards on 12 carries and one touchdown and also had a catch for 20 yards. Sims carried the ball 12 times for 45 yards at Iowa State.
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 1,222 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. Against Iowa State, he caught three balls for 22 yards.
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
Junior 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 and John Mackey Tight End of the Week accolades. Against Iowa State, he had three receptions for 26 yards.
Moeaki, who is on the John Mackey Award watch list, 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 a team-best 11 stops at Iowa State last week. He leads the team with 24 total tackles and is tied for fifth in the league for tackles per contest.
Klinkenborg has registered double-digit tackles ten times in his career, including nine times in 2006.
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 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.
IWEBEMA EARNED BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
Kenny Iwebema was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week Sept. 10. 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 picked 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.
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
Three 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 and Mike Humpal and Devan Moylan earned a BA in Health and Sport Studies in May, 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 64 regular season contests (.719).
? 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).
? 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 tenth-best home winning percentage in the nation over the last five years (2003-07); Wisconsin ranks ninth (24-4, .857).
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 87 of its last 95 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 89 of 101 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 Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had a career-long 65-yard kickoff return on the final play of last week’s contest at Iowa State.
Hawkeye opponents have only registered four offensive plays of 20 yards or more. Northern Illinois collected two big passing plays. Syracuse and Iowa State registered only one each.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 14-6 in the first quarter, 27-9 in the second, and 20-0 in the third quarter. Both Iowa and its opponents have scored only three points in the fourth period.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 5.5 yards on 90 first down plays, 4.8 yards on 68 second down plays, 4.1 yards on 46 third down plays and 2.0 yards on three fourth down plays.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 7.1 plays, 50.0 yards and 3:03 elapsed time on 11 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 recorded only six scoring drives, averaging 9.0 plays, 45.8 yards and 3:58 elapsed time. Syracuse did not score in week two.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 8-11 (72.7%) in the red zone (6 TD, 2 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. Iowa was 2-3 in the red zone at Iowa State, scoring a touchdown and a field goal and having a 33-yard field goal blocked in the fourth quarter.
Hawkeye opponents are 4-7 (57.1%) in the red zone. Iowa’s defense forced the Cyclones to three field goals on three red zone possessions. 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 14 points following five turnovers. The Hawkeyes collected three thefts vs. Northern Illinois, but failed to score. Against Syracuse, Iowa converted one interception into seven points. Iowa scored a touchdown after recovery an Iowa State fumble last week.
Hawkeye opponents have yet to score following Iowa miscues. Syracuse intercepted Iowa quarterbacks twice, but failed to score. Northern Illinois and Iowa State did not record a takeaway.
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 returns home to host Indiana, Sept. 29 (11:05 a.m., BTN) on homecoming. The Hawkeyes travel to Penn State, Oct. 6, before returning home to entertain Illinois, Oct. 13.
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