Aug. 21, 2008
OPENING KICKOFF
Iowa opens the 2008 season Saturday, Aug. 30, vs. Maine. Game time is 11:05 a.m. at Kinnick Stadium (70,585) in Iowa City. A sellout is expected, but tickets do remain.
ON THE TUBE
The Big Ten Network (HD) will televise the game to a national cable audience. Mike Crispino, Anthony Herron and JB Long 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 1,103 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.
VARSITY CLUB DAY
Five former University of Iowa student-athletes and one former coach will be inducted into the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame Saturday. It’s Iowa’s 20th Hall of Fame Class. The new class includes: Gary Morris (Swimming 1957-59), Kay Stormo (Cross Country 1978-81 and Track 1979-82), Marv Cook (Football 1985-88), Lincoln McIlravy (Wrestling 1993-95, 1997), Andrea Wieland (Field Hockey 1987-88, 1990, 1992) and Tom Davis (Basketball Coach 1987-1999). The induction ceremony banquet/dinner will be held August 30 in the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center – Coral Ballroom at 6:30 p.m., preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. The banquet/dinner is open to the public. For more information please call the Varsity Club office at (319) 335-9438.
HAWKEYE REUNIONS/HONORS
Iowa will hold two team reunions, honor three individuals and recognize women’s athletics prior to Saturday’s game vs. Maine. The 1958 football Big Ten and Rose Bowl Championship team, the 1998 men’s gymnastics Big Ten champions and NCAA runner-up squad and the 35th anniversary of women’s athletics will be recognized. Dr. John Albright will be honored as an honorary letterwinner, while Gen. Donald Kutyna (retired AF) and William Quinby will be given lifetime achievement awards.
UI TO CELEBRATE “SPIRIT OF IOWA”
The UI Department of Athletics, Gazette Communications and the Hawkeye Radio Network have teamed up to celebrate the spirit of Iowa and Iowans by offering victims of the natural disasters that ripped apart portions of the state of Iowa this past spring and the community heroes that responded to the needs of their neighbors complimentary tickets to the first two Hawkeye football home games. Two game tickets will be provided to either the Maine or Florida International (Sept. 6) game to individuals who provide the UI Athletics Ticket Office a copy of their completed disaster assistance application received from FEMA after the individual has applied for FEMA support.Also, a pair of game tickets to either the Maine or Florida International contests will be provided to individuals nominated by their peers as “Community Heroes”. The official nomination form is available online at hawkeyesports.com, kcrg.com, gazetteonline.com, and at the following locations: The Gazette, KCRG-TV, the UI Athletics Ticket Office, the UI Sports Marketing Office, the UI Athletics Hall of Fame, and the Official Iowa Hawk Shop locations in Old Capital Mall in Iowa City and on U.S. Highway 6 in Coralville.
FOUR HOME GAMES SOLD OUT
Iowa’s home contests vs. Iowa State (Sept. 13), Northwestern (Sept. 27), Wisconsin (Oct. 18) and Penn State (Nov. 8) at Kinnick Stadium have reached sellout status. Tickets still remain for Iowa home games vs. Maine (Aug. 30), Florida International (Sept. 6) and Purdue (Nov. 15).
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).
HOME COOKIN’
Iowa will play four of its first five games, including three straight, at home in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes open with home contests against Maine (Aug. 30), Florida International (Sept. 6) and Iowa State (Sept. 13). After playing their final non-conference game at Pittsburgh (Sept. 20), the Hawkeyes return to Iowa City to open league play against Northwestern (Sept. 27). This season marks only the second time in 10 years, under Coach Ferentz, the Hawkeyes will play their conference opener at home (Penn State in 2001). Conversely, Iowa played three of its first four games away from Iowa City last season.
SEASON OPENERS
Iowa is 86-31-2 (.731) in season-opening games, including posting a 7-2 mark under Coach Ferentz. Iowa has averaged 40.1 points and a winning margin of 34.3 in its last seven season-opening victories (Northern Illinois 16-3 in 2007; Montana 41-7 in 2006; Ball State 56-0 in 2005; Kent State 39-7 in 2004 and 51-0 in 2001; Miami, OH 21-3 in 2003; Akron 57-21 in 2002). Iowa’s last season-opening loss came to Kansas State (27-7) in the 2000 Eddie Robinson Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 1-1 in games played on Aug. 30. The Hawkeyes beat Miami (OH) 21-3 in Iowa City in 2003, but were edged by Tennessee 23-22 in the Kickoff Classic at East Rutherford, NJ, in 1987.
THE SERIES
The season opener vs. Maine will be the first meeting between the two schools.
SCOUTING MAINE
Maine has been picked to finish fourth in the CAA North Division in its pre-season conference poll. This season marks the fifth-straight season and the seventh time overall, the Black Bears will play a Division I FBS opponent. Maine returns 21 players who started at least one game during the 2007 campaign, which yielded a 4-7 overall record and fourth place finish in the CAA North Division. Maine won three of its final four contests in 2007. Senior defensive end Jovan Belcher has been named the 2008 Preseason CAA Defensive Player of the Year. In addition to Belcher’s pre-season honor, three other Black Bears earned pre-season all-conference recognition: center Ryan Canary, running back Jhamal Fluellen and linebacker Andrew Downey. Sophomore QB Adam Farkes started six games a year ago as a redshirt freshman, completing over 50 percent of his passes for 836 yards and seven touchdowns.
MAINE COACH JACK COSGROVE
Jack Cosgrove enters his 16th season as Maine’s head coach. Cosgrove, who served under Ferentz as offensive coordinator from 1990-92 in Orono, is 80-90 (.471) overall and 54-68 (.443) in conference play. He has coached in more games than any other football head coach in the program’s history (170). He has taken part in over 300 games as either a player or coach (assistant and head), and is tied for first in program history for career wins (80). Cosgrove was tabbed as the 2001 American Football Monthly I-AA National Coach of the Year and earned conference Coach of the Year accolades twice (1996 and 2001). He has coached 12 all-Americans and has gone 13 straight seasons with at least one Black Bear being named to an all-league first team. He led Maine to a share of the 2001 and 2002 conference championships and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA playoffs both years. In 2002, the Black Bears posted an 11-2 record, which set a school record for wins in a season. Cosgrove was a two-time second team all-conference quarterback for the Black Bears. A 1978 graduate, he still ranks as the eighth all-time leading passer in Maine history with 2,836 yards.
IOWA, MAINE NOTES
Kirk Ferentz’s first head coaching position was with Maine (1990-92). After coaching for three seasons with the Black Bears, Bill Belichick and the Cleveland Browns hired Ferentz as a position coach.
Maine has only one player on its roster who hails from the Midwest. True freshman wide receiver Michael Ryce is from Harvey, Illinois.
Maine assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Robb Smith was a graduate assistant on Ferentz’s staff at Iowa from 1999-2001. Smith earned his master’s degree in communication studies from Iowa in 2002.
Former Hawkeye Anthony Herron (1997-2000) will be the color analyst for Iowa’s first two games on the Big Ten Network. While at Iowa, he finished his career with 172 tackles and 10 sacks. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten his senior season after recording 64 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles.
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), enters his 10th 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 50-25 (.667) overall mark and a 31-17 (.646) 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 Black 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.
IOWA COACHING STAFF
With the retirement of long-time assistant coach Carl Jackson, who coached the Hawkeye running backs, the Iowa coaching staff has some changes heading into the 2008 season. The addition to the staff is Erik Campbell, who is now Iowa’s wide receivers and tight ends coach. Campbell coached wide receivers at Michigan the previous 13 years and was the assistant head coach there the last five seasons. Campbell was named by CBS Sports.com as the top wide receivers coach in college football this past summer. Assignment changes on the Iowa staff include Lester Erb moving from wide receivers to running backs; Eric Johnson from tight ends to assistant linebacker coach; and Darrell Wilson coaching all linebacker positions after previously working with just the outside linebackers. Erb and Wilson will continue to work with the Hawkeye special teams.
COVETING THE BALL
Iowa broke the school record for fewest turnovers in a season (13) in 2007. 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 was tops in the conference, with Michigan State, and tied four other teams for third in the country. The Hawkeyes’ six lost fumbles and seven intercepted passes thrown in 2007, tied for 12th and 11th nationally, respectively.
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 BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 50 lettermen from 2007, including 25 on offense, 22 on defense and three specialists. The 50 lettermen are 16 more than the 34 of a year ago. The Hawkeyes return seven starters on offense, five on defense and their place kicker and punter. The lettermen breakdown includes seven three-year lettermen, nine two-year lettermen and 34 one-year lettermen. The total roster has 116 players, and includes 18 seniors, 20 juniors, 37 sophomores, 17 redshirt freshmen and 24 true freshmen.
STARTERS RETURNING
Iowa returns seven starters on offense, five on defense and two specialists. The returning starters on offense include: quarterback Jake Christensen, center Rafael Eubanks, guards Bryan Bulaga and Dan Doering, tackle Seth Olsen, tight end Brandon Myers and wide receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (plus part-time starters guard Julian Vandervelde, tight end Tony Moeaki and receivers Andy Brodell and Trey Stross). The defensive starters returning include: tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King, linebacker A.J. Edds, safeties Harold Dalton and Brett Greenwood (plus part-time starter DB Bradley Fletcher). Punter Ryan Donahue and place kicker Daniel Murray also return.
RETURNING WITH HONORS
Iowa returns five players who earned all-Big Ten honors a year ago. That list includes DT Mitch King, who was a first team honoree by the coaches and second team selection by the media. P Ryan Donahue, DT Matt Kroul, OL Seth Olsen and OL Rafael Eubanks earned honorable mention accolades.
CHRISTENSEN LEADS IOWA OFFENSE
QB Jake Christensen directed Iowa’s offense for the first time last season. The Hawkeyes opened the 2007 season with a new quarterback for the first time since 2004. Christensen started all 12 games, completing 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. Christensen enters his junior season having completed 221-405 passes for 2,554 yards and 19 scores. The 2,554 yards rank 13th-best in a career 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 (Northern Illinois). In his third career start, Christensen completed 23-32 passes for 278 yards and a career-high four touchdowns vs. Syracuse. 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. Christensen helped lead Iowa past 18th-ranked Illinois, completing 19-25 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions. Joining Christensen on the QB depth chart are sophomore Ricky Stanzi and redshirt freshman Marvin McNutt. Stanzi saw limited action in two games last season, while McNutt redshirted.
KING AND KROUL ANCHOR DEFENSIVE LINE
A pair of seniors, Matt Kroul and Mitch King, will anchor Iowa’s defensive line. Last season, the duo combined for 132 tackles, including 16.5 for loss. King and Kroul are Iowa’s two most experienced defensive starters. Kroul has started 37 consecutive games, while King has started 32 career contests, including the last 17. King, who has been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy and Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists, enters his final season with 174 career tackles, 39.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. Last year, the Burlington, IA, native ranked seventh in team tackles (58), first in tackles for loss (14.5) and QB hurries (5) and second in pass break-ups (7). King, who was tabbed first team all-conference as a junior, registered a career-high 10 stops at Iowa State. Kroul, an honorable mention all-league honoree last season, enters his senior year with 181 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. The native of Mount Vernon, IA, ranked fourth in team tackles (74) a year ago. Kroul was credited with seven stops in four contests last season, including equaling a career single-game best with 10 tackles at Penn State.
EXPERIENCED RECEIVERS RETURN
Seven of Iowa’s top eight receivers return for 2008, including its top receiver from a year ago, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Other wide outs returning include Paul Chaney, Jr., Trey Stross, Colin Sandeman and Andy Brodell and tight ends Tony Moeaki and Brandon Myers. Johnson-Koulianos led the Black and Gold in receptions (38), receiving yards (482) and kickoff returns (22-551-23.7). Additionally, he ranked 10th in Big Ten all-purpose yards (98.1) in league games only his freshman campaign. The native of Campbell, OH, posted a career-high eight catches for 119 yards in Iowa’s victory at Northwestern last season. After suffering through injuries last season and this pre-season, Brodell, Stross and Moeaki should be back. Moeaki and Brodell suffered season-ending injuries in Iowa’s Big Ten opener at Wisconsin. Prior to injury, Moeaki was named the John Mackey Tight End of the Week and rivals.com Big Ten Player of the Week after posting career highs in receptions (8), receiving yards (112) and touchdowns (3) in Iowa’s triumph over Syracuse. The native of Wheaton, IL, has accumulated 33 receptions for 422 yards and six touchdowns in two and a half seasons of action. Moeaki has been named to the 2008 John Mackey Award Watch List, but will start the 2008 season on the sidelines. Moeaki is expected to miss Iowa’s first two games after suffering a broken foot in mid-August. Brodell’s career numbers stand at 58 receptions, 889 receiving yards and five touchdowns entering his senior campaign. Last year he had 13 catches for 96 yards and averaged 14.4 yards on 14 punt returns before suffering a season-ending injury at Wisconsin. Brodell had a break-out season his sophomore year in 2006, ranking first on the team in yards (724) and yards per catch (18.6) and third in receptions (39). His 724 yards rank 21st-best in Iowa single-season history. The native of Ankeny, IA, caught seven passes for 159 yards and a touchdown in the 2006 regular season finale and six passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns vs. Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl. The 159 yards against the Longhorns was an Alamo Bowl record. He 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) tied an Iowa bowl record with four others. Stross enters his junior season with 29 career receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns. Myers, who stepped in for the injured Moeaki after four games, produced 21 catches for 208 yards and five scores last season. Sandeman caught four balls for 55 yards and returned 12 punts for 92 yards (7.7), while Chaney, Jr. had 19 receptions for 210 yards and a score and 13 kickoff returns for 234 yards (18.0).
SPECIALISTS RETURN
The Hawkeyes had a new punter and place kicker last season. Ryan Donahue handled Iowa’s punting duties, while Daniel Murray kicked field goals and extra points. Donahue punted 46 times for a 38.6 average through Iowa’s first seven games last year. Following 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. Furthermore, the 86 punts is a Big Ten single-season record. 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. Murray was 7-10 on field goals and 16-18 on PATs in 2007, scoring 37 points.
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 to see 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.
IOWA LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Iowa’s Leadership Council for the 2008 season includes four seniors, four juniors, three sophomores, two redshirt freshman and one true freshman. A member of the incoming freshman class will be named soon. Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Council for this season includes seniors Rob Bruggeman, Mitch King, Matt Kroul and Seth Olsen; juniors Pat Angerer, Jake Christensen, A.J. Edds and Tony Moeaki; sophomores Adrian Clayborn, Jacody Coleman and Brett Greenwood and redshirt freshmen Marvin McNutt and Tyler Nielsen.
IOWA NOTES
DL Matt Kroul enters the 2008 season with 37 consecutive starts, a streak that ranks third-best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin OL Kraig Urbik, 39; Purdue OL Sean Sester, 38).
OL Wes Aeschliman, who stands 6-foot-8, is among a group that rank as the third tallest college football players in the nation. OL Alejandro Villanueva of Army is the tallest at 6-foot-10, followed by 6-foot-9 OL Derek Hoke, OT from Utah State.
Iowa tied Penn State for fifth in the Big Ten with 4-4 league records in 2007. It marked Iowa’s 48th first-division finish in the conference, including six of the last seven seasons.
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 2007 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.
The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one takeaway in 20 of their last 22 games, dating back to the 2006 season.
The Hawkeyes did not record a turnover in five games in 2007 (Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State).
In the last six years, Iowa is 40-6 when leading at the half and 46-4 when leading after three quarters.
Iowa has been bowl eligible the last seven seasons, with the Hawkeyes participating in bowl games six of the seven seasons.
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 in 2007. 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. 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 in 2007.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa outscored its 2007 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 2007.
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 had two touchdown scoring drives of 10 plays or more vs. Indiana, Minnesota and Western Michigan. Hawkeye opponents, in 2007, 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) in 2007. The Hawkeyes scored 13 touchdowns and a field goal on their last 15 red zone possessions the last four games of 2007. Hawkeye opponents were 26-38 (68.4%) in the red zone, a percentage that was tops in the Big Ten in 2007.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored 37 points following 21 turnovers in 2007. Hawkeye opponents scored 19 points following only 13 Iowa turnovers. Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State did not record a takeaway.
FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH
The University of Iowa is one of only three Division I institutions (Oklahoma State and Alabama) with four football alumni as head coaches (Bret Bielema – Wisconsin; Bob Stoops — Oklahoma; Mike Stoops – Arizona; Chuck Long – San Diego State). Iowa is the only school with all four coaches among the 40 youngest Division I coaching fraternity.
HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
All Iowa football games this season will be televised on either, ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or the Big Ten Network. Iowa has appeared on television in its last 77 games. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
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. Iowa will not play Michigan or Ohio State for the second consecutive season in 2008, but those two teams will re-join the Hawkeye schedule in 2009. Illinois and Purdue come off Iowa’s schedule in 2009 and 2010.
PAIR OF HAWKEYES MAKE ALL-SUN BOWL TEAM
Former Hawkeyes P Jason Baker and DT Jared DeVries were named to the 75-player 75th Anniversary All-Sun Bowl Team. The Sun Bowl, which played its first game in 1938, is the nation’s second-oldest bowl game. DeVries played in the 1995 and 1997 Sun Bowls. He had three tackles, two for loss, a sack and recovered a fumble that led to an Iowa touchdown in the 1995 game that the Hawkeyes won 38-18 over Washington. The native of Aplington, IA, amassed nine stops, two for loss and a sack in Iowa’s 1997 Sun Bowl against Arizona State. Baker had eight punts for 391 yards (48.9 avg.) against Arizona State, including a long punt of 76 yards in the first quarter, which is the second-longest punt in Sun Bowl history. He posted three punts of 50 yards or better (50, 57 and 76) and landed four punts inside the 20-yard line. The native of Fort Wayne, IN, was named the 1997 Sun Bowl John Folmer Most Valuable Special Teams Player. Both are still playing in the NFL; Devries for the Detroit Lions and Baker for the Carolina Panthers.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 116 players includes 47 players from Iowa. The roster includes 14 players from Illinois; 13 from Ohio; seven from New Jersey; five from Texas and Florida; four from Minnesota, Missouri and Nebraska; three from Indiana; two from Pennsylvania and one from Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, New York, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
MORE THAN ONE
Thirteen high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leaders are Iowa City West (Iowa) with four and Cretin-Derham Hall (Minnesota) and Cedar Rapids Washington (Iowa) with three. Ten other schools have two players on the roster, including five from the state of Iowa.
THE NAME GAME
Iowa has two players named Murphy (Jayme and Nick, no relation) and Prater (Shane and Shaun, Iowa’s first set of twins since Aaron and Evan Kooiker in the mid-1990’s). Kyle and Tyler are the most popular first names. There are four Kyle’s (Calloway, Haganman, Spading and Steinbrecher) and four Tyler’s (Blum, Gerstandt, Nielsen and Sash). There are three players named Andrew (Schulz, Brodell and Kuempel) and Michael (Daniels, Morio and Sabers). There are two named Adam (Gettis and Robinson), Austin (Postler and Signor), Bradley (Fletcher and Herman), Brett’s (Greenwood and Morse), Daniel (Doering and Murray), David (Blackwell and Cato), James (Ferentz and Vandenberg), Joe (Conklin and Gaglione), Jeff (Brinson and Tarpinian), John (Wienke and Gimm), Jordan (Bernstine and McLaughlin), Nick (Kuchel and Murphy) and Shaun/Shonn (Prater and Greene).
THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Sophomore WR Paul Chaney, Jr. and true freshman WR Shane Prater are the lightest Hawkeye players at 170 pounds. Senior OL Wesley Aeschliman is the heaviest at 318 pounds. A total of nine Hawkeye players are listed over 300 pounds. The tallest player, at 6-8, is Aeschliman, while the shortest players, at 5-9, are Chaney, Jr. and sophomore WR Brian Mungongo. The average Hawkeye player is 6-2 and weighs 233 pounds. That is one inch taller and the exact same weight as the average Iowa player in 2007.
WATCHING FROM ABOVE
Iowa’s coaches in the press box are Lester Erb (running back 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), Erik Campbell (receivers and tight ends), Phil Parker (defensive backs), Reese Morgan (offensive line), Darrell Wilson (linebackers and special teams), Rick Kaczenski (defensive line) and Eric Johnson (assistant linebackers) on the sidelines.
ROSE BOWL EXPERIENCE
Three 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. 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 every Iowa football game 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 2008 campaign.
ON THE HORIZON
Iowa remains home the next two weekends for games against Florida International (Sept 6, 11:05 a.m., BTN) and Iowa State (Sept. 13, 11:05 a.m., BTN).
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