Hawkeyes Excited for Big Ten Opener

Sept. 18, 2007

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IOWA CITY — University of Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye football team are excited and eager for a shot at nationally ranked Wisconsin on Sept. 22 in Madison, Wis.

The start of the Big Ten football season is traditionally a stirring experience for Ferentz and this game is no exception. Iowa (2-1 overall) will play its second straight contest in a hostile environment, this time against the No. 7 Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff is 7:13 p.m., and will be broadcast live by ABC.

“It’s exciting to get the Big Ten part of the season started, we’re looking forward to that,” Ferentz said. “It’s going to be a challenging game. We’re playing on the road in a rambunctious place and on top of that we’re playing a team that’s outstanding in all regards. We’re eager to get started this afternoon.”

Wisconsin’s last loss at home came against Iowa, 20-10, on Nov. 12, 2005. The Hawkeyes are also 4-1 in games following a loss to Iowa State under Ferentz.

Iowa will be an underdog for the first time this season. The Badgers have the longest active winning streak in the nation at 12 games. In victories against Washington State (42-21), UNLV (20-13) and The Citadel (45-31), Wisconsin has averaged 432.3 yards per game (217.3 passing, 215.0 rushing) and allowed almost 100 fewer yards per outing (337.0). Sophomore running back P.J. Hill has gained 399 yards (133.0 per game) with six touchdowns; quarterback Tyler Donovan has completed 62.7 percent of his passes for 623 yards and no interceptions; the top Badger receiving targets are Luke Swan (17-297-2) and Travis Beckum (16-175-1). Elijah Hodge — brother of former Iowa star Abdul Hodge — is the leading tackler for Wisconsin with 21, including 2 ½ for a loss. Kicker Taylor Mehlhaff has converted all three field goal attempts from 22, 27 and 51 yards. He is 12 of 13 on extra points.

“Hill’s a load and an exceptional football player,” Ferentz said. “He’s even better now. He’s in better shape, he’s more mature and he’s been through the battles. He’s extremely dangerous and he’s a handful.”

With Hill on the roster or not, Iowa has been anything but intimidated at Camp Randall in recent history. The Hawkeyes have won two in a row there — 27-21 in 2003 and 20-10 in 2005.

“We won at Wisconsin in 2005 because we played well,” Ferentz said. “You know, in ’03, (Robert) Gallery threatened several individuals on the football team, too. That helped. He’s an imposing guy.”

Ferentz reiterated his fondness for this Hawkeye team, but he also emphasized that regardless of the won-loss record, improvement still needs to be made.

“What we have to do right now is improve,” Ferentz said. “The challenge for us is to get through those bumps and move forward and learn from them. That’s the one good thing about stubbing your toe. If you learn from it and improve, you have a chance to be a good football team and that’s the task that’s out there for us.

“I really like this football team. It’s been a fun group to work with, we’re getting great leadership out of our seniors and the whole team’s working hard. We have a great opportunity this week and whether we win this week or lose this week, the season’s not going to be over. We have nine more laps to run here.”

This will be the 83rd meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin with the Heartland Trophy at stake (introduced in 2004). The series couldn’t get much closer — both teams have 40 victories and there have been two ties. The Badgers won 24-21 a year ago, snapping a four-game Iowa winning streak.

Personnel-wise for the Hawkeyes on Saturday, they will be without freshman offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga and sophomore wide receiver Trey Stross, who are injured, and freshman defensive back Lance Tillison, who has been suspended for games against Wisconsin and Indiana. Ferentz said that Stross could “be back in a week or two.”

Iowa captains will be senior running backs Albert Young and Damian Sims for the offense and seniors Mike Klinkenborg and Bryan Mattison for the defense.

It took a boisterous home crowd, a miracle final-drive catch and five field goals for Iowa State to edge the Hawkeyes last weekend, 15-13. Despite the nonconference loss, Ferentz saw several positives — a leaping pass reception by freshman receiver Colin Sandeman, two field goals by sophomore kicker Austin Signor and the attitude of a still-raw-yet-improving sophomore Jake Christensen at quarterback.

“One of the best plays I thought of the (Iowa State) game was Colin Sandeman making a great catch knowing he was going to take one under the chin, which he did,” Ferentz said. “He made a great football play. That was certainly a positive. I thought Austin’s field goal to put us up was a huge play. Not only at that time of the game, but huge for him. The thing that is impressive to me about Jake is his attitude. He’s pretty unflappable. He really wants to do well. There’s no doubt in my mind he will do well.”

Iowa won its Big Ten road opener last season, 24-7, at Illinois.

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