Dec. 18, 2007
HAWKEYES LOOK TO 2008
The Iowa football squad is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2008 season. The 2007 Hawkeyes finished the season with a 6-6 overall record. Iowa finished tied for fifth in the Big Ten with a 4-4 mark. After starting the season with a 2-4 record, Iowa won four of its last six and just missed being selected for a bowl game. The Hawkeyes could return as many as 18 out of 24 starters (includes two kicking starters) for the 2008 campaign. Iowa was bowl eligible for the seventh straight season and finished in the Big Ten’s upper division for the sixth time in seven years. Nine starters return on offense, but the two losses are big as running back Albert Young and fullback Tom Busch are gone. Six, and possibly seven starters return on defense. Gone will be linebackers Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal, ends Bryan Mattisons and Kenny Iwebema and backs Adam Shada and Charles Godfrey. Senior Devan Moylan is petitioning for an extra year after sitting out most of the 2007 season with an injury. First team all-Big Ten defensive tackle Mitch King is Iowa’s leading returnee on defense. Over 50 lettermen (only 37 last year) will be on Iowa’s spring roster.
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,103 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 559-505-39 (.524). That includes a 353-196-16 (.639) record in home games, a 206-307-23 (.406) record in games away from Iowa City, a 276-340-25 (.450) mark in Big Ten games and a 236-161-15 (.591) record in Kinnick Stadium.
THREE HAWKEYES TO PLAY IN ALL-STAR GAMES
DB Charles Godfrey will represent Iowa in the Senior Bowl played Jan. 26 in Mobile, AL. LB Mike Humpal will make the trip to Hawaii to play in the Hula Bowl Jan. 12 in Honolulu. DE Kenny Iwebema will play in the East-West Shrine Game in Houston, TX on Jan. 19.
More players could be named to all-star games at a later date.
DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 32 of its last 39 games (.821) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The Hawkeyes’ seven losses came to Western Michigan (28-19 in 2007), Indiana (38-20 in 2007), Michigan (23-20 in overtime in 2005), Ohio State (38-17 in 2006), Northwestern (21-7 in 2006), Wisconsin (24-21 in 2006) and Iowa State (36-31 in 2002). Iowa recorded a school-record 22-game home winning streak between 2002-05.
The Hawkeyes (.813, 26-6) boast the 17th-best home winning percentage in the nation over the last five years (2003-07).
WHAT IF…
Iowa’s offense isn’t making any excuses, but… at least 11 players who appeared on the spring, or early fall, two-deep are either off the roster or were injured for a significant amount of time. The Iowa offense could have looked much different with some of the following names on the two-deep: WR Andy Brodell, OL Dace Richardson, OL Rob Bruggeman, OL Bryan Bulaga, OL Alex Kanellis, TE Tony Moeaki, WR Colin Sandeman, WR Dominique Douglas, WR Anthony Bowman, WR Trey Stross and RB Shonn Greene.
HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC HONORS
LB Mike Klinkenborg and DB Adam Shada were named to CoSIDA’s first academic all-America team. Both senior starters are repeat selections to the elite first unit. They were both first-team all-district selections during their sophomore seasons. Klinkenborg is a native of Rock Rapids, IA. He has a 3.95 GPA in elementary education. He was Iowa’s third leading tackler in 2007 with 79 stops. Shada, from Omaha, NE, had 56 tackles in his final season with the Hawkeyes. He has a 4.0 GPA in finance. He was named to the honorable mention all-Big Ten team. Both Klinkenborg and Shada are three-time members of the academic all-Big Ten team.
Junior DL Anton Narinskiy was also a first team academic all-district honoree along with Klinkenborg and Shada. The district honor is the first for Narinskiy.
Eighteen Hawkeyes earned academic all-Big Ten recognition: OL Rob Bruggeman, LB A.J. Edds, LB Bryon Gattas, DB Brett Greenwood, LB Mike Humpal, LB Mike Klinkenborg, DL Matt Kroul, DE Bryan Mattison, LB Gavin McGrath, FB Brett Morse, DB Jayme Murphy, PK Daniel Murray, DL Anton Narinskiy, LS Daniel Olszta, TE Mike Sabers, DB Adam Shada, LB Jeff Tarpinian and OL Julian Vandervelde. To be eligible for Academic all-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letterwinners in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a career grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better.
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), completed his ninth season as Iowa’s head football coach. Ferentz guided Iowa to Big Ten titles twice in the last six 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 50-24 (.676) overall mark and a 31-16 (.660) Big Ten record the last six seasons.
Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 61-49 (.555) and a 38-34 (.528) mark in Big Ten games. In 12 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 73-70 (.510). Ferentz, who boasts the second-most victories by a Hawkeye head coach, coached his 100th game as Iowa’s head coach vs. Syracuse (Sept. 8, 2007).
Thirty-seven of Iowa’s 110 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (18-20) and 35 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (13-22).
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.
COVETING THE BALL
Iowa broke the school record for fewest turnovers in a season (13). The previous school record was 15 (nine interceptions and six fumbles), established in 1963 (eight games).
Iowa ranked first in the Big Ten and 20th in the country in turnover margin (+8). The Hawkeyes had no turnovers in five games in 2007 (Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State). Iowa committed only 13 turnovers (seven interceptions and six fumbles), which is tops in the conference with Michigan State and ties four other teams for third in the country. The Hawkeyes’ six lost fumbles and seven intercepted passes thrown in 2007, ties for 12th and 11th nationally, respectively. The Hawkeyes finished the 2006 campaign with a -11 turnover margin.
SOLID DEFENSIVE PLAY
The Hawkeye defensive unit collected 21 turnovers (14 interceptions and seven fumbles), 27 sacks, blocked five field goal attempts, registered 66 tackles for loss and yielded only 24 touchdowns. Iowa ranked 13th in the country in scoring defense (18.8), 20th in turnover margin (+8), 29th in rushing defense (122.0) and 32nd in pass efficiency defense (115.7).
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 didn’t allow a touchdown in four games (Northern Illinois, Syracuse, Iowa State and Illinois) in 2007. The last time the Hawkeyes accomplished that feat was in 1984 when they shutout Michigan, allowed three points to Northwestern and Purdue and six to Hawai’i.
Iowa blocked two field goals in a game twice in 2007. DE Kenny Iwebema blocked two field goal attempts in Iowa’s win vs. Syracuse (Sept. 8). LB Bryon Gattas and DE Bryan Mattison each blocked a field goal vs. Western Michigan (Nov. 17). DT Adrian Clayborn had Iowa’s other blocked field goal in 2007 (at Northwestern).
HAWKEYES EARN ALL-BIG TEN HONORS
DT Mitch King earned first team all-Big Ten accolades by the coaches and second team honors by the media. CB Charles Godfrey was recognized on the second team by the coaches and was an honorable mention honoree by the media. DE Bryan Mattison and LB Mike Humpal were second team selections by the media and honorable mention honorees by the coaches. Other Hawkeyes receiving honorable mention honors include: P Ryan Donahue, DE Matt Kroul, CB Adam Shada, RB Albert Young, DE Kenny Iwebema, OL Seth Olsen and OL Rafael Eubanks. Senior FB Tom Busch was Iowa football’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
MOEAKI TO REDSHIRT
TE Tony Moeaki sat out most of the 2007 season due to medical reasons.
Moeaki, a 6-4, 255-pound junior from Wheaton, IL, was injured in the Wisconsin contest (Sept. 22) and did not return. He suffered an elbow and hand injury. Moeaki will apply for a medical hardship for the 2007 season and is expected to have two years of eligibility remaining.
Moeaki had been having a breakout season, prior to his injuries. In Iowa’s 35-0 win over Syracuse, the receiver had eight receptions for 112 yards and three touchdowns, which earned him rivals.com Big Ten Player of the Week and John Mackey Tight End of the Week accolades. All were career highs. He hauled in 14 passes for 170 yards in 2007. He was on the John Mackey Watch List, an award which goes to the top tight end in college football.
KLINKENBORG EARNS SCHOLARSHIP
LB Mike Klinkenborg was selected as a 2007 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete. He is the recipient of an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship and, as a National Scholar-Athlete, was one of 15 finalists for the prestigious Draddy Trophy.
Klinkenborg attended the Football Foundation’s Annual Awards Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City, Dec. 4.
Klinkenborg, a 6-2, 240-pounder from Rock Rapids, IA, was a second team all-Big Ten selection in 2006 and earned honorable mention laurels in 2007. The senior was a member of Iowa’s leadership council in 2007 and was a first-team Academic all-American in 2006 and 2007. He is majoring in elementary education and has a 3.95 grade-point average.
Klinkenborg becomes the fifth Iowa player to win this prestigious scholarship. Other recipients are John Hendricks (1968), Bobby Elliott (1975), Mike Flagg (1987) and Derek Rose (1998).
TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2007
Iowa had 11 true freshmen play in 2007: 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 had 31 first-year student-athletes see game action either on offense, defense or special teams in 2007. In addition to the 11 true freshmen, 20 redshirt freshmen saw the field.
The Hawkeyes ranked third in the country in playing the most true and redshirt freshmen; North Carolina played 38 and Florida 33. Iowa tied for eighth nationally in playing 11 true freshmen.
DONAHUE FINISHES STRONG
Punter Ryan Donahue punted 46 times for a 38.6 average through Iowa’s first seven games. Since the Hawkeyes’ contest at Purdue, the redshirt freshman raised his punting average to 41.1 on 86 kicks. The last five games he punted 40 times for a 44.0 average and downed eight inside the 20. Donahue had long kicks of 82 (Michigan State), 76 (Northwestern), 68 (Purdue) and 54 (Minnesota and Western Michigan) the last five contests.
Donahue broke two school punting records in 2007. The native of Evergreen Park, IL, established school records for punts in a single-season (86) and punt yardage (3,533). The previous records were held by Dave Holsclaw in 1978, 85 punts for 3,107 yards.
The redshirt freshman was named Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week Oct. 29, after averaging 51.6 yards on eight punts vs. Michigan State. Four of his eight punts eclipsed 50 yards, including an 82-yarder that is the second longest in school history. Donahue also earned freshman honorable mention all-American accolades by The Sporting News.
IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for 2007 included 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 HAD NEW SIGNAL CALLER IN 2007
Iowa opened the 2007 season with a new quarterback for the first time since 2004. 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. Christensen started all 12 games in 2007. The 6-1 sophomore saw action in five games, including one start, in 2006. Christensen completed 23-35 passes for 285 yards and two touchdowns his freshman year, including 19-30 for 256 yards and two scores in his first start in the Hawkeyes’ 24-14 victory over Northern Illinois.
For 2007, Christensen completed 198-370 passes for 2,269 yards. The sophomore threw 17 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Christensen threw three touchdowns or more in three games in 2007 (Syracuse, Indiana and Western Michigan). He was 4-2 as a starter in home games and 13 of his 17 touchdown passes came in Kinnick Stadium. His passing yardage total (2,269) ranks 12th-best in a single-season at Iowa.
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. 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. He also threw for three touchdowns. At Penn State, he completed 16-29 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. He helped lead Iowa past ranked-Illinois, completing 19-25 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown and no interceptions. At Purdue, he completed 17-40 passes for 177 yards. Christensen was 5-15 for 53 yards and a score vs. Michigan State. Twenty-three of his passing yards against the Spartans came on a touchdown pass to WR Paul Chaney, Jr. in the first overtime. At Northwestern, he completed 21-36 passes for 299 yards and a score. The 299 yards was the second-highest passing total of the season (308 vs. Indiana). He also posted a career-long 53-yard pass to WR Trey Stross against the Wildcats. Against Minnesota, he completed 14-25 passes for 157 yards and a touchdown. He completed 20-37 passes for 249 yards and three scores in the regular season finale vs. Western Michigan.
SENIOR DUO LED HAWKEYE BACKFIELD
Iowa had two experienced senior running backs leading its rushing attack in 2007, Albert Young and Damian Sims. Young, who was tabbed the team’s co-MVP, finished his career third in Iowa rushing with 3,173 yards on 660 attempts. His 92 yards rushing vs. Minnesota (Nov. 10) pushed him over 3,000 yards rushing in his career. He also finished with over 4,000 all-purpose yards (4,121), which ranks sixth in Iowa annals.
Young carried the ball 206 times for a team-best 968 yards and six touchdowns, also a team best, in 2007. Young’s 968 rushing yards rank 16th-best in a single-season at Iowa. He ranked seventh in Big Ten rushing yardage (80.7) this year.
Young rushed for a game-high 144 yards on 23 carries in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois. 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. The senior had a team-best 44 yards on 13 attempts at Penn State. Young carried the ball 25 times for a game-best 99 yards in Iowa’s win over Illinois. The native of Moorestown, NJ, rushed for a team-best 44 yards on only seven attempts at Purdue. Young posted season bests in carries (34) and rushing yards (179) in Iowa’s double overtime triumph over Michigan State. The 179 yards is his second-highest rushing total and rank 21st-best for a single game in Iowa annals. It also marked the 12th time in his career that he surpassed the 100-yard plateau. He posted 25 career touchdowns (23 rushing), which ties Ladell Betts for third in an Iowa uniform (Sedrick Shaw and Tavian Banks – 33). Young scored 150 points, which ranks 13th in Hawkeye career scoring.
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. In Iowa’s victory over ranked-Illinois, Sims had 45 rushing yards on 11 attempts. At Purdue, he carried the ball 11 times for 39 yards. At Northwestern, Sims rushed for only 30 yards, but rushed for two crucial second-half scores (two and eight yards). Sims rushed for two touchdowns in a game three times in his career (vs. Purdue and at Indiana in 2006 and at Northwestern in 2007). The senior rushed seven times for 58 yards, boasting an 8.3 average in Iowa’s win over Minnesota.
Sims rushed 100 times for 499 yards and three touchdowns in his final campaign.
Sims’ rushing totals from a year ago helped him eclipse 1,000 yards rushing in his career. He finished his career with 1,504 yards, ranks 19th 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.
HUMPAL PUTS UP CAREER NUMBERS
Linebacker Mike Humpal ranked fifth in the Big Ten in tackles (123), which also ranked 25th nationally. He was tabbed the team’s co-MVP.
He registered a career-high 18 tackles vs. Illinois (Oct. 13) besting his previous high by five stops. The senior equaled his personal best two weeks later vs. Michigan State, collecting 10 of his game-high 18 tackles in the first half. At Northwestern, playing hurt, he collected 11 tackles and returned his third interception of the season eight yards. Humpal, who missed most of the second half due to injury, totaled six tackles in Iowa’s win over Minnesota.
Humpal, who was a second team all-league honoree and named to the rivals.com second all-Big Ten squad his senior year, amassed 197 career tackles, only three shy of reaching the 200-tackle plateau. His 123 tackles in 2007 rank 26th in Iowa single-season history.
The native of New Hampton, IA, tallied double-digit tackles in a team-best seven times in 2007, including five of the last eight. He collected his first career sack in the third period and finished the contest with a career-high 2.5 tackles for four yards lost in Iowa’s win over the Illini. He also recovered his first career fumble in the fourth quarter against Illinois.
Humpal ranked third on the team in tackles for loss (5.5), second in interceptions (3) and forced fumbles (2).
His performance against the Illini won him Bronko Nagurski and Master Football Coaches National Defensive Player of the Week laurels. He was also tabbed the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
KLINKENBORG ANCHORED LINEBACKING CORPS
Linebacker Mike Klinkenborg ranked third in team tackles (79). He was honored on the CoSIDA Academic All-District VII team for the third consecutive year. Klinkenborg, who was not able to play three games due to an injury suffered in the Wisconsin game, returned for Iowa’s game at Purdue (Oct. 20) and started. In his first action since Sept. 22, Klinkenborg amassed seven tackles (six solo) and intercepted his first career pass. The following week vs. Michigan State, he totaled five assists before another injury. Klinkenborg played with a cast on his right hand at Northwestern and was still able to amass nine tackles and a pass break-up. Klinkenborg registered 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 became the 58th Hawkeye to eclipse the 200-tackle career plateau with his totals in Iowa’s win over Minnesota. The senior amassed a game and season-high 13 tackles. In the regular season finale, he shared game high tackle honors with teammate DB Bradley Fletcher, each collecting 13 stops. Klinkenborg, who earned honorable mention all-Big Ten laurels his senior year, finished his career with 224 tackles, which ranks 40th on Iowa’s career tackle chart.
Klinkenborg, who is a 2007 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, registered double-digit tackles 12 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) in 2006. 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.
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.
IOWA NOTES
? Iowa tied Penn State for fifth in the Big Ten with 4-4 league records. This season marked Iowa’s 48th first-division finish in the conference.
? The Hawkeyes played five teams (Purdue, Illinois, Wisconsin, Penn State and Indiana) that played in bowl games this season.
? Iowa sold out all six home games in 2007. The Hawkeyes have a consecutive home sellout streak of 30 games, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Iowa game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03).
? After starting the season 2-4, Iowa won three straight and four of its last six games.
? Iowa threw only seven interceptions in 2007 (six by Jake Christensen and one by Ricky Stanzi). The seven picks are the second-fewest thrown by an Iowa team. Iowa’s 2002 team established the school record for fewest interceptions (5).
? The Hawkeyes scored 13 touchdowns and a field goal on their last 15 red zone possessions over the last four games in 2007.
? Honored on the 2007 Sporting News Freshman all-Big Ten team were WR James Cleveland, OL Bryan Bulaga, DB Brett Greenwood, PK Daniel Murray and P Ryan Donahue. Iowa had the most players recognized on the team. Recognized on the Rivals.com all-Big Ten team were DT Mitch King (first team) and LB Mike Humpal (second team).
? The Hawkeyes had their consecutive takeaway streak of 19 snapped in their regular season finale vs. Western Michigan.
? Iowa overcame 14-point first-half deficits in back-to-back games (Michigan State and Northwestern). Iowa rallied to defeat Michigan State (34-27) in double overtime in Iowa City and Northwestern (28-17) in Evanston.
? Iowa ranked 13th in the nation in scoring defense (18.8), 20th in turnover margin (+8), 29th in rushing defense (122.0), 32nd in pass efficiency defense (115.7), 37th in punt returns (10.6). Individually, LB Mike Humpal ranked 25th nationally in tackles (10.3), DE Bryan Mattison ranked 24th in sacks (0.75) and CB Charles Godfrey ranked 24th in interceptions (0.42).
? DE Bryan Mattison, whose father is the co-defensive coordinator for the Florida Gators, ranked first in team sacks (9.0), second in tackles for loss (11.5) and sixth in tackles (61). His nine sacks ranked 24th in the country and are a single-season high for the senior. Also, his four forced fumbles ranked sixth nationally. Mattison’s 11 tackles for loss equal a season high, also recorded his junior year.
? CB Charles Godfrey finished his career with 193 tackles.
? RB Albert Young, FB Tom Busch, DE Bryan Mattison and LB Mike Humpal were Iowa’s captains the last six contests of 2007. Young was the only Hawkeye named captain all 12 games.
? Iowa had three players garner Big Ten Player of the Week honors in 2007: P Ryan Donahue, DE Ken Iwebema and LB Mike Humpal. Donahue was named the Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week Oct. 29, after averaging 51.6 yards on eight punts. Four of his eight punts eclipsed 50 yards, including an 82-yarder that is the second longest in school history. Iwebema was named the league’s Special Teams Player of the Week Sept. 10, after blocking two field goals in Iowa’s 35-0 shutout of Syracuse. Humpal was named Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 15, after notching a career-best 18 tackles, including his first career sack and recovering his first career fumble in Iowa’s 10-6 triumph over Illinois.
? FS Brett Greenwood intercepted an Illinois pass at the goal line to seal Iowa’s 10-6 victory over the then-18th-ranked Illini on Oct. 13. The play was nominated for the NCAAs weekly Pontiac Game Changing Performance Award.
? The Hawkeyes did not record a turnover in five games in 2007 (Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State).
? Iowa started the 2007 season with three of its first four games away from Iowa City. The Hawkeyes concluded the year with four of six in Kinnick Stadium, including three of the last four.
? In the last six years, Iowa is 40-6 when leading at the half and 46-4 when leading after three quarters.
? Iowa played its regular season finale vs. Western Michigan. The last time Iowa finished the season with a non-conference game was at Iowa State (2001), a contest that was rescheduled due to the 9/11 attacks. Prior to 2001, the Hawkeyes’ last non-league regular season ender came at Hawai’i (1984).
? Iowa has been bowl eligible the last seven seasons, with the Hawkeyes participating in bowl games six of the seven seasons.
? Iowa opened its 2007 conference schedule on the road (at Wisconsin) for the eighth time in nine years under Coach Ferentz. Iowa’s lone conference home opener, under Coach Ferentz, came in 2001 when it defeated Penn State. The Hawkeyes open the 2008 Big Ten schedule at home for the first time since 2001, vs. Northwestern.
? 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 LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 92 of its last 104 games. Iowa games vs. Minnesota (11/10/07), at Northwestern (11/3/07), vs. Michigan State (10/27/07), at Penn State (10/6/07), 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 nine of those 12 games. Iowa has started the game on offense in 94 of 110 games under Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa started on defense four times in 2007 (Minnesota, Northwestern, Michigan State and Penn State).
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa posted 42 offensive plays (31 pass, 11 run) that resulted in 20 yards or more. The Hawkeyes had a season-high six offensive plays, all passes, amass 20 yards or more at Northwestern. WR Trey Stross caught a 53-yard pass from QB Jake Christensen at Northwestern, Iowa’s longest of the season and Stross’ career best. The Black and Gold registered three rushing plays over 20 yards vs. Michigan State. RB Damian Sims’ 30-yard run against the Spartans in week nine is Iowa’s longest rush of the year. The Hawkeyes collected four passing plays that went for 20 yards or more vs. Syracuse. Iowa had two big offensive plays vs. Northern Illinois, at Penn State and vs. Illinois. The Hawkeyes posted three passing plays and one run over 20 yards at Wisconsin. Iowa amassed five offensive plays that resulted in 20 yards or more vs. Indiana. Iowa had four plays result in 20 yards or more against Purdue, Michigan State and Minnesota. The Hawleyes had five big plays against Western Michigan. WR Andy Brodell recorded a career-long 56-yard punt return vs. Northern Illinois in week one. WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had a career-long 65-yard kickoff return on the final play at Iowa State and a 51-yard return against the Boilermakers.
Hawkeye opponents registered 41 offensive plays (37 pass, four run) of 20 yards or more. Northern Illinois, Illinois and Minnesota 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 was the biggest run Iowa’s defense yielded in 2007. Indiana had four big passing plays and a 71-yard offensive fumble return for a touchdown. Penn State posted five offensive plays that resulted in 20 yards or more, including two for touchdowns. The Boilermakers amassed five passing plays over 20 yards, including touchdown passes for 22 and 33 yards. Michigan State had four passes and one rush over 20 yards. The Wildcats totaled four passes over 20 yards. Western Michigan posted an opponent-season-high seven big plays (six pass, one run).
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa outscored its opponents 57-27 in the third quarter. Hawkeye opponents owned a 44-31 scoring advantage in the first period, 70-64 edge in the second and 49-37 advantage in the fourth quarter. Iowa outscored Michigan State 14-7 in its only overtime contest of the season (Oct. 27).
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averaged 5.1 yards on 337 first down plays, 5.3 yards on 269 second down plays, 3.8 yards on 187 third down plays and 4.7 yards on 16 fourth down plays in 2007.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averaged 7.6 plays, 53.9 yards and 2:49 elapsed time on 36 scoring drives (does not include overtime possessions) in 2007. 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 touchdown scoring drives of 10 plays or more vs. Indiana, Minnesota and Western Michigan. All three touchdown drives vs. Western Michigan amassed 70 yards or more.
Hawkeye opponents recorded 43 scoring drives that averaged 8.9 plays, 56.5 yards and 3:31 elapsed time.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 30-38 (78.9%) in the red zone (23 TD, seven FG). The Hawkeyes scored 13 touchdowns and a field goal on its last 15 red zone possessions the last four games of 2007. Iowa tallied touchdowns on all three red zone possessions vs. Syracuse and Minnesota. 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. The Hawkeyes scored a touchdown on its only trip inside the 20-yard line at Penn State. Iowa posted a touchdown and a field goal in three red zone trips vs. Illinois. The Hawkeyes’ third red zone possession against the Illini resulted in a lost fumble. Iowa was 2-3 at Purdue collecting two field goals and having its third red zone possession stall with an interception on the two-yard line. The Hawkeyes were a perfect 4-4 inside the 20 vs. Michigan State and Northwestern. Iowa scored three touchdowns on four red zone possessions against Western Michigan.
Hawkeye opponents were 26-38 (68.4%) in the red zone, a percentage that was tops in the Big Ten in 2007. Western Michigan was 4-5 in the red zone. Northwestern was 2-3 inside the 20. Minnesota scored a touchdown on its only red zone trip. Both the Boilermakers and Spartans were 3-4 inside the red zone. Illinois converted a field goal and had a pass intercepted at the goal line in its loss at Iowa. Penn State tallied a touchdown and a field goal on two red zone possessions. 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 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 scored 37 points following 21 turnovers in 2007. The Hawkeyes collected three turnovers vs. Northern Illinois, two vs. Illinois and one vs. Michigan State and Minnesota, but failed to score off those turnovers. 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. Iowa turned three takeaways at Penn State and at Northwestern into seven points. The Hawkeyes converted a Purdue interception into three points.
Hawkeye opponents scored 19 points following only 13 Iowa turnovers. Indiana and Purdue both converted field goals after collecting a Hawkeye turnover in Iowa territory. Syracuse intercepted Iowa quarterbacks twice and recovered a fumble, but failed to score. Illinois and Minnesota were unable to score on the Hawkeyes after collecting a takeaway. Iowa entered the regular season finale, allowing only six points off turnovers, but Western Michigan converted three Hawkeye miscues into 13 points. Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State did not record a takeaway.
TELEVISION SCHEDULE
Iowa has appeared on television in its last 77 games. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
All Iowa games in 2007 were 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 was televised nationally on ABC/ESPN2. Hawkeye contests against Illinois, Purdue, Michigan State and Northwestern were broadcast to a national cable audience by ESPN2. Iowa concluded the regular season with back-to-back contests (Minnesota and Western Michigan) televised on the Big Ten Network.
HAWKEYE SLATE
The 2007 Hawkeyes played six home games in Kinnick Stadium, where they have posted a 32-7 (.821) 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 were 4-2 in home games in 2007. Iowa topped Syracuse, Illinois, Michigan State and Minnesota, but lost to Indiana and Western Michigan. The Hawkeyes’ only true road non-conference contest was at intra-state rival Iowa State. Iowa traveled to conference foes Wisconsin, Penn State, Purdue and Northwestern.
Iowa did not play Michigan or Ohio State in 2007 and will also not play those two teams in 2008.
2008 SCHEDULE
Iowa will open the 2008 season with four of its first five games at Kinnick Stadium, including the first three. The Hawkeyes open vs. Maine (Aug. 30), followed by Florida International (Sept. 6) and Iowa State (Sept. 15). Iowa’s lone non-conference road game is at Pittsburgh (Sept. 20). The Hawkeyes open their Big Ten schedule at home, for the first time since 2001, against Northwestern (Sept. 27). Remaining Iowa home dates include: Wisconsin (Oct. 18), Penn State (Nov. 8) and Purdue (Nov. 15). The Hawkeyes will also travel to Michigan State (Oct. 4), Indiana (Oct. 11), Illinois (Nov. 1) and Minnesota (Nov. 22). Iowa will have a “bye” Oct. 25.
Complete Release in PDF Format 
|
|
|
Click HERE for the Big Ten Network home page.