Oct. 1, 2007
IOWA BACK ON THE ROAD
Iowa (2-3, 0-2) returns to the road when it challenges Penn State (3-2, 0-2) Saturday in University Park, PA. Game time is 2:35 p.m. (CDT) in Beaver Stadium (107,282). The game is sold out.
ON THE TUBE
ABC and ESPN2 will televise the game to a national audience. Fans in the Big Ten market will see the contest on ABC, while other viewers around the country can see the game on ESPN2. Bob Wischusen, David Norrie and Jimmy Dykes 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 1,096 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 555-502-39 (.524). That includes a 350-195-16 (.638) record in home games, a 205-305-23 (.406) record in games away from Iowa City, a 272-338-25 (.448) mark in Big Ten games and a 233-160-15 (.589) record in Kinnick Stadium.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 10-5 in games played on Oct. 6. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa Teachers 68-0 in 1900, Cornell 76-0 in 1913 and 22-13 in 1917, Knox 44-3 in 1923, Monmouth 26-0 in 1928, Northwestern 20-7 in 1934 and 31-3 in 1984, Oregon State 14-13 in 1956, Illinois 13-7 in 1979 and Michigan State 12-7 in 1990. Iowa lost to Ohio State 42-0 in 1945, Purdue 34-30 in 1951 and 23-14 in 2001, USC 7-0 in 1962 and Arizona 23-20 in 1973.
HAWKEYE HUDDLE IN STATE COLLEGE
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 12:30-2:30 p.m. (EDT) Saturday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at The Nittany Lion Inn, located at 200 West Park Avenue in State College. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.
SOLID DEFENSIVE PLAY
The Hawkeye defensive unit has collected 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four fumbles), 12 sacks, blocked two field goal attempts, registered 28 tackles for loss and has yielded only seven touchdowns through five games. Iowa ranks eighth in the country in scoring defense (14.6), ninth in total defense (267.4), 14th in rushing defense (85.4) and 27th in pass defense (14.0).
As a unit, Iowa did not allow a touchdown until late in the second quarter at Wisconsin in game four – a streak of 13 quarters. The Hawkeyes allowed a combined seven touchdowns the last two weeks, but still rank eighth nationally in fewest touchdowns allowed.
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. In the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin, King had two tackles for loss, while Mattison collected his team-best fourth sack. Mattison, whose father is the co-defensive coordinator for the defending national champion Florida Gators, has collected 130 career tackles. King has been credited with 148 career stops.
THE SERIES
Penn State holds a slim 10-9 advantage in the series that began with a 19-0 Iowa win in 1930. Penn State had won four straight over Iowa through 1995, but the Hawkeyes have since won six of seven meetings, including the last five. Iowa is 6-3 vs. Penn State in games played at State College. The Hawkeyes have won the last four contests in Beaver Stadium, including a 6-4 triumph in the last meeting on Oct. 23, 2004. The Hawkeyes hold a slim 6-4 edge in the ten meetings since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten.
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 46-21 (.687) overall mark and a 27-14 (.659) Big Ten record the last six seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 57-46 (.553) and a 34-32 (.515) mark in Big Ten games. In 12 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 69-67 (.507). 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-four of Iowa’s 103 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (15-20) and 34 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (12-22).
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 5-1 against Penn State and Nittany Lion Coach Joe Paterno.
PENN STATE COACH JOE PATERNO
Joe Paterno is in his 58th season on the Penn State football coaching staff, including 41 years as head coach. Paterno’s career record is 366-123-3 (.747) since taking over in 1966. He ranks second in all-time NCAA Division I-A career victories behind Florida State’s Bobby Bowden (369). Paterno’s teams have appeared in 33 bowl games, winning 20, won national titles in 1982 and 1986 and posted undefeated records in 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994. His teams have won as many as 11 games in 13 seasons and he has been National Coach of the Year on four occasions. In 2005, Paterno guided the Blue and White to a share of the Big Ten title and a 26-23 triumph over Florida State in the FedEx Orange Bowl.
Paterno is 10-8 vs. Iowa and 1-5 vs. Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz.
PENN STATE FALLS AT ILLINOIS
Penn State turned the ball over four times and yielded a 90-yard punt return for a touchdown in a 27-20 setback at Illinois last Saturday. The Nittany Lions trailed 21-10 in the second quarter before QB Anthony Morelli threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to WR Derrick Williams to cut the deficit to four (21-17) at the half. Three field goals were the only scoring in the second half (two by Illinois and one by Penn State). Morelli completed 21-38 passes for a career-high 298 yards, but was intercepted three times, all coming inside the Illinois 30-yard line. Williams had a season-high five catches for 79 yards and a score. RB Rodney Kinlaw made his first career start and gained 66 yards on 16 carries. Penn State LB Sean Lee recorded career-high 17 tackles, the most by a Nittany Lion since Paul Posluszny had 22 stops at Northwestern in 2005. Lee has recorded double figure tackles in the last three contests.
IOWA, PENN STATE NOTES
? Saturday is Iowa’s first game against Penn State since Oct. 23, 2004.
? After playing its first two conference games on the road, Penn State will play four of its next five at home.
? Iowa has played four overtime games in its history and two have come vs. Penn State in State College (the other two were at home vs. Michigan in 2005 and at Syracuse in 2006). The Hawkeyes won both overtime contests at Penn State. Iowa’s 26-23 double overtime victory at Penn State in 2000 was Iowa’s first-ever overtime game. In 2002, the Nittany Lions rallied from a 35-13 fourth quarter deficit to send the game into overtime, only to see the Hawkeyes prevail (42-35).
? Iowa’s last visit two visits to Beaver Stadium were played in front of crowds of 108,247 (2002) and 108,062 (2004). The attendance figures are the fourth and fifth-largest road crowds in Hawkeye history.
? Only eight current Hawkeyes have seen game action inside Beaver Stadium: DB Devan Moylan, RB Damian Sims, DB Charles Godfrey, DE Kenny Iwebema, DE Bryan Mattison, DB Adam Shada and FB Tom Busch.
? The Hawkeyes have lost only five turnovers (3 interceptions and 2 fumbles), which is tops in the conference and tied for seventh in the country.
? Iowa ranks eighth in scoring defense (14.6), ninth in total defense (267.4), 10th in fewest fumbles lost (2), 14th in rushing defense (85.4), 16th in fourth down conversion percentage (66.7%) and 18th in turnover margin (+5). Individually, DT Mitch King ranks 13th in tackles for loss (1.6) and DB Charles Godfrey ranks 19th in interceptions (0.6).
? Penn State ranks fifth in the nation in sacks (3.8) and tackles for loss (9.8), seventh in total defense (265.0), 10th in net punting (38.8), 12th in scoring defense (15.0), 15th in rushing defense (87.0) and 19th in punt returns (14.9). Individually, DE Maurice Evans ranks fourth in tackles for loss (1.8), P Jeremy Boone ranks 13th in punting (44.6) and WR Derrick Williams ranks 14th in punt returns (16.2).
? Penn State Linebackers Coach Ron Vanderlinden was the defensive coordinator at Northwestern in 1995 and 1996 when the Wildcats won consecutive Big Ten titles.
? Ferentz attended high school in Pittsburgh and was a graduate assistant at Pittsburgh.
? Iowa’s roster includes four players from the state of Pennsylvania, sophomore RB Dana Brown (Clairton), redshirt freshman LB Jeremiha Hunter (York) and true freshmen DL Thomas Nardo (Lancaster) and DE Abe Satterfield (Erie). Penn State’s roster does not include any Iowans.
LAST MEETING
Iowa won a 6-4 defensive battle in Beaver Stadium in 2005, marking Iowa’s fifth straight win over Penn State and fourth consecutive at State College. The victory marked the first time the Hawkeyes won a football game without scoring a touchdown since a 12-10 victory over Michigan on Oct. 19, 1985 in Kinnick Stadium.
Penn State scored its only points on two Iowa safeties. Iowa’s opening possession ended with a bad snap, which sailed over punter David Bradley and through the end zone. The Hawkeyes added a pair of 27-yard field goals by Kyle Schlicher in the first half, which was all the Hawkeyes needed. The Nittany Lions’ second safety came in the fourth quarter when Iowa was pinned on its own goal line. Iowa opted to take a safety and a free kick from the 20.
Iowa’s defense was the story as the unit collected five turnovers, four of which were interceptions by each starting member of the secondary. The Hawkeyes held Penn State to only six first downs and 51 yards rushing. QB Drew Tate completed 14-31 passes for 126 yards. WR Clinton Solomon led the Iowa receivers for the third consecutive game, collecting five receptions for 46 yards. RB Sam Brownlee started his first collegiate game at running back and had 16 carries for 30 yards.
Linebackers Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway each registered 11 tackles. DE Matt Roth tallied four solo tackles, two sacks and forced fumble. DB Sean Considine returned to action after missing two games to injury. He returned an interception 51 yards and posted a game-high three pass break-ups.
INDIANA 38, IOWA 20
Indiana scored the game’s first 21 points, spoiling Iowa’s homecoming with a 38-20 victory over the Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium. The loss snapped Iowa’s seven-game homecoming winning streak.
Hoosier QB Kellen Lewis completed touchdown passes of 4, 39 and 71 yards in the first half to jump out to a 21-0 advantage. Lewis’ 71-yard scoring pass was credited to himself as he recovered a fumble by his receiver and ran the fumble 71 yards for the score. He is credited with 71 yards passing and a touchdown as a continuation of the play, but not a reception.
Iowa got on the scoreboard as time expired in the second quarter on a 33-yard touchdown pass from QB Jake Christensen to WR Trey Stross to cut the deficit to 21-7.
Iowa closed the gap to eight points after a 10-yard touchdown reception by TE Brandon Myers (PAT failed) midway through the third period. The Hoosiers answered with an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to re-establish a double-digit lead (28-13). Indiana added a field goal and another touchdown, while the Hawkeyes scored their third touchdown on an 18-yard scoring reception by Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.
Christensen posted career highs in completions (24), attempts (42) and yards (308) to go along with his three touchdowns. Johnson-Koulianos had six catches for 68 yards and a score to pace the Hawkeye receiving corp. RB Albert Young rushed 15 times for a game-high 94 yards.
Lewis completed 19-26 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns. WR James Hardy had four receptions for a game-high 113 yards and a touchdown. The Hoosier defense recorded nine sacks and collected two takeaways.
Iowa’s defense was without the services of starters LB Mike Klinkenborg and DB Devan Moylan due to head injuries they each suffered in the previous game. LB Mike Humpal registered a game and career-high 13 tackles to lead the Hawkeye defense. DL Matt Kroul tallied nine stops, while DB Charles Godfrey and DT Mitch King each had seven tackles.
EXTRA POINTS
? The Hawkeyes fell to 8-5-1 against the Hoosiers on homecoming and 51-40-5 in all homecoming contests.
? The loss was only Iowa’s fifth setback in Kinnick Stadium in the last 33 games, dating back to the 2002 season. The other 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).
? WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, LT Dace Richardson, LB Bryon Gattas and DB Bradley Fletcher started the contest, their first of the season. Johnson-Koulianos and Gattas’ starts were the first of their careers. Gattas started for LB Mike Klinkenborg and Fletcher started for DB Devan Moylan, both of whom missed the game due to injury. TE Michael Sabers and TE Allen Reisner, who celebrated his 19th birthday last Saturday, saw their first game action of the season.
? Iowa scored its first touchdown of the game on the final play of the first half. WR Trey Stross caught the pass after it was deflected by an Indiana player in the end zone. The reception was only the second of the season for Stross, who missed the last three contests due to injury.
? TE Brandon Myers caught his second career touchdown in the third period. QB Jake Christensen connected with Myers for a 10-yard score on a fourth-and-five. Myers had a five-yard scoring reception vs. Northern Illinois (9/1/07). Iowa was 4-5 on fourth down plays vs. Indiana.
? WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos caught his second touchdown in as many weeks, as he caught an 18-yard pass from QB Jake Christensen in the third quarter.
? QB Jake Christensen has thrown seven touchdowns in Iowa’s two home games this season. Nine different receivers caught at least one pass, including OL Kyle Calloway off a deflection.
? RB Albert Young carried the ball 15 times for 94 yards and caught three passes for 44 yards. His rushing totals increase his career total to 2,561. He moved past Owen Gill (2,556) and into sixth place in Hawkeye career rushing. Young is only one yard behind fifth-place Tony Stewart (2,562). Young recorded a game-high 138 all-purposes yards, which vaulted him three spots in Iowa’s career all-purpose annals. The senior moved past Harold Jasper, Tony Stewart and Danan Hughes and currently sits in seventh place (3,409 yards). Kahlil Hill is sixth with 3,966 all-purposes yards.
? Iowa’s defense limited Indiana to 73 yards rushing. The Hawkeyes have held three opponents under 75 yards rushing (Northern Illinois 21 yards and Syracuse 24 yards).
? TE Allen Reisner became the 11th true freshman to see game action this season. The 11 true freshmen are the most that have seen action under Kirk Ferentz in a single season. Iowa had seven true freshmen play in 2000 and 2003.
? Iowa has not scored on its opening drive in any game this year. Indiana did not score on its first possession against the Hawkeyes. Only one opponent (Iowa State, field goal) scored on their first possession.
? DB Charles Godfrey thwarted an Indiana scoring threat, intercepting his team-leading third pass of the season in the end zone. He has recorded five career thefts.
? Iowa challenged an Indiana fumble that was recovered and returned by QB Kellen Lewis for 71 yards and a touchdown. The call was upheld after further review.
? Iowa place kickers missed two field goals (25 and 42) and an extra point.
TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2007
Iowa has had 11 true freshmen play this season: DT Cody Hundertmark, DB Cedric Everson, DE Christian Ballard, LB Jacody Coleman, DB Diauntae Morrow, LB Dezman Moses, WR Colin Sandeman, DB Jordan Bernstine, RB Jevon Pugh, TE Allen Reisner and OL Bryan Bulaga.
The 11 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.
FRESH FACES
Iowa has had 29 first-year student-athletes see game action either on offense, defense or special teams through five games. In addition to the 11 true freshmen, 18 redshirt freshmen have seen the field in 2007.
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 1,000 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.
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.
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 nine seniors, 11 juniors, 11 sophomores, 11 redshirt freshmen and five true freshmen. Only three seniors (two running backs and one fullback) are listed on the offensive depth chart.
HAWKEYES HAVE NEW SIGNAL CALLER IN 2007
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 five games. 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 completed 23-32 passes for 278 yards and a career-high four touchdowns. 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 at Iowa State, completing 12-23 passes for 118 yards. In the Big Ten opener at Wisconsin, he completed 17-37 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown. The native of Lockport, IL, posted personal bests in completions (24), attempts (42) and yards (308) in Iowa’s loss to Indiana last week. He also threw for three touchdowns.
For the season, Christensen has completed 88-163 passes for 1,006 yards and nine touchdowns.
SENIOR DUO LEAD HAWKEYE BACKFIELD
Iowa has two experienced senior running backs leading its rushing attack in 2007, Albert Young and Damian Sims. Young ranks sixth in Iowa career rushing with 2,561 yards. He needs only one yard to tie Tony Stewart for fifth (2,562). 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. Wisconsin limited Young to 33 yards on 10 carries. Young rushed for a game-high 94 yards on 15 carries (6.3 avg.) and had three catches for 44 yards vs. Indiana. 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 topped 2,000 career all-purpose yards (2,013) with his totals at Wisconsin. He carried the ball only seven times for 27 yards and had two receptions for eight yards against the Badgers. Sims only had seven rushing attempts for 38 yards and two receptions for 11 yards vs. the Hoosiers. For the season, Sims has rushed 54 times for 282 yards and a touchdown.
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 1,287 yards, ranks 24th in career rushing and is 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.
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 did not record any statistics at Wisconsin as he was injured in the first quarter and did not return. He suffered a hand and elbow injury and is expected to miss 2-3 more games.
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.
TRIPLE PLAY
Iowa’s top three leading receivers the last two games have been redshirt freshmen: Paul Chaney, Jr., James Cleveland and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.
Johnson-Koulianos has had 10 receptions for 113 yards and two touchdowns the last two weeks. He had four catches for 45 yards and a touchdown at Wisconsin and a team-best six catches for 68 yards and a score vs. Indiana. Johnson-Koulianos also amassed 132 yards in kickoffs returns the last two weeks, including a 44-yarder in Madison.
Johnson-Koulianos ranks second in team receiving (14 receptions, 164 yards and two touchdowns). He also has shined returning kickoffs, as he ranks 32nd in the country, averaging 27.6 yards in nine returns.
Cleveland caught four passes for 77 yards at Wisconsin and had five receptions for 62 yards vs. Indiana. Chaney Jr. had four receptions for 22 yards at Wisconsin and two receptions for 22 yards vs. Indiana. Chaney, Jr. had his first career reception at Wisconsin. He also returned his first punts last week vs. Indiana after WR Colin Sandeman left the game due to an injury. Chaney, Jr. returned three punts for 57 yards, including a career-long 33-yarder. He did not play in the first two games of the season due to injury. Cleveland ranks third in team receptions (13) and first in receiving yards (205).
KLINKENBORG ANCHORS LINEBACKING CORPS
Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg is in his final season after a stellar junior campaign. Klinkenborg was not able to play vs. Indiana last week due to a head injury he suffered in Iowa’s game at Wisconsin the previous week. The senior is questionable for Saturday’s contest at Penn State. He collected a team-best nine tackles in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois. Klinkenborg was credited with a team-best 11 stops at Iowa State. The senior recorded a game-high eight tackles, including a sack and a forced fumble at Wisconsin. He ranks second in team tackles (32) and ranks seventh in the league for tackles per contest (8.0).
Klinkenborg has registered double-digit tackles 10 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 Sept. 10, 2006, 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.
At Wisconsin, the senior collected four tackles, including a sack for 14 yards loss and forced his third career fumble. He tallied three tackles vs. Indiana.
Iwebema ranks second on the team and 64th nationally in sacks (4.0) and is tied for second on the team in tackles for loss (4.5). For his career, the senior has amassed 15 sacks, 19.5 tackles for loss and forced three fumbles.
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. Against Wisconsin, he was credited with five tackles. He did not play vs. Indiana due to a concussion injury he suffered in the previous week’s game at Wisconsin.
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
? The Hawkeyes have not turned the ball over in three of five contests this season (Northern Illinois, Iowa State and Wisconsin).
? Iowa started 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 were 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.
? Junior WR Andy Brodell suffered a severe hamstring tear in Iowa’s game at Wisconsin and is expected to miss the remainder of the season.
? In the last six years, Iowa is 39-6 when leading at the half and 44-4 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 26 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 33 games in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The Hawkeyes’ five losses came to Indiana (38-20 in 2007), 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 (.821, 23-5) boast the 16th-best home winning percentage in the nation over the last five years (2003-07).
IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 89 of its last 97 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 91 of 103 games under Kirk Ferentz.
IOWA OPENED BIG TEN PLAY ON ROAD
Iowa began its quest for a 12th Big Ten championship at Wisconsin (L, 17-13). This year marked the eighth time in nine years, including the last six, the Hawkeyes opened league play away from Iowa City. Iowa’s lone conference home opener, under Coach Ferentz, came in 2001 when it defeated Penn State.
Next season, the Hawkeyes open the Big Ten schedule at home for the first time since 2001, vs. Northwestern.
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 15 offensive plays (12 pass, 3 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. The Hawkeyes posted three passing plays and one run over 20 yards at Wisconsin. Iowa amassed a season-high five offensive plays that resulted in 20 yards or more vs. Indiana. 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 at Iowa State and a 44-yard return against the Badgers.
Hawkeye opponents have registered 11 offensive plays of 20 yards or more. Northern Illinois collected two big passing plays. Syracuse and Iowa State registered only one each. Wisconsin registered passing plays of 29 and 22 yards and a run of 30 yards, which is the first big run Iowa’s defense has yielded all season. Indiana had four big passing plays and a 71-yard offensive fumble return for a touchdown.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 14-13 in the first quarter, 44-30 in the second and 20-7 in the third quarter. Hawkeye opponents own a 23-13 scoring advantage in the fourth period.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 5.3 yards on 147 first down plays, 4.6 yards on 112 second down plays, 4.0 yards on 80 third down plays and 4.8 yards on nine fourth down plays. The Hawkeyes gained 38 yards on five fourth down plays vs. Indiana last week.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 7.2 plays, 50.5 yards and 2:53 elapsed time on 17 scoring drives. Iowa’s defense and special teams have provided its offense with excellent field position through four games as seven of its scoring drives have amassed 40 yards or less. 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. Iowa had two 10-play touchdown scoring drives (65 and 75 yards) vs. Indiana.
Hawkeye opponents have recorded 15 scoring drives, averaging 8.1 plays, 54.2 yards and 3:30 elapsed time. Syracuse did not score in week two.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 11-16 (68.8%) in the red zone (8 TD, 3 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. The Hawkeyes were 1-2 inside the 20-yard line at Wisconsin, making a field goal and having another one blocked. Iowa scored two passing touchdowns and missed a field goal attempt inside the red zone vs. Indiana.
Hawkeye opponents are 9-15 (60.0%) in the red zone. Iowa’s red zone defense ranks second in the Big Ten behind Ohio State (42.9%). Indiana tallied three touchdowns and had a pass intercepted in the end zone on its four red zone possessions. The Hawkeyes held the Badgers to 2-4 inside the 20-yard line. Iowa’s defense limited 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 20 points following 10 turnovers. The Hawkeyes collected three thefts vs. Northern Illinois, but failed to score. Against Syracuse, Iowa converted one interception into seven points. The Hawkeyes turned three Badger turnovers (two fumbles and one interception) into three points. Iowa scored a touchdown after recovering an Iowa State fumble. The Hawkeyes scored three points following two Indiana miscues.
Hawkeye opponents have scored only three points following only five Iowa turnovers. Indiana converted a field goal after intercepting a pass on Iowa’s 33-yard line. Syracuse intercepted Iowa quarterbacks twice, but failed to score. Northern Illinois, Iowa State and Wisconsin did not record a takeaway.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Iowa has appeared on television in its last 70 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 aired on ABC to a split-national audience. The Black and Gold’s homecoming game vs. Indiana was televised on the Big Ten Network (HD). Iowa’s contest at Penn State Saturday will be televised nationally at 2:35 p.m. Fans in the Big Ten market can watch the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions on ABC, while the rest of the country will get the game on ESPN2. The Hawkeyes’ next home contest vs. Illinois will be televised to a national cable audience on ESPN2 at 11:05 a.m. All times listed are central time.
HAWKEYES TO PLAY 12
The 2007 Hawkeyes will play six home games in Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 29-6 (.829) record the last seven 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, but fell to Indiana last week. Other Iowa home games include Illinois, Michigan State, Minnesota and Western Michigan. The Hawkeyes’ only true road non-conference contest was at intra-state rival Iowa State. 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.
HAWKEYES NAMED TO WATCH LISTS
OL Rafael Eubanks, LB Mike Klinkenborg, DE Kenny Iwebema and TE Tony Moeaki were 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 entertain Illinois Oct. 13 (11:05 a.m., ESPN2) and then travel to Purdue Oct. 20 (TBA).
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