Hawkeyes Host Florida International Saturday

Hawkeyes Host Florida International Saturday

Sept. 1, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

IOWA REMAINS AT HOME
Iowa (1-0) remains home Saturday when it hosts Florida International (0-1). Game time is 11:03 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 Ashley Russell 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. The game can also be heard on XM Satellite Radio, Channel 197.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,104 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 560-505-39 (.525). That includes a 354-196-16 (.640) 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 237-161-15 (.592) record in Kinnick Stadium.

FIVE 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. Iowa sold out last week’s season opener vs. Maine. Tickets still remain for Iowa home games vs. Florida International and Purdue (Nov. 15).

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 33 of its last 40 games (.825) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The seven Hawkeye 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.

HOME COOKIN’
Iowa plays four of its first five games, including three straight, at home in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes open with home contests against Maine (W, 46-3), Florida International (Sept. 6) and Iowa State (Sept. 13). After playing its 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 started three of its first four games away from Iowa City last season.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 2-0 in games played on Sept. 6. The Hawkeyes defeated Northern Iowa 66-0 in 1997 and Buffalo 56-7 in 2003.

THE SERIES
Saturday will be the first meeting between the two schools and will be Iowa’s first-ever contest against a current football school in the Sun Belt Conference.

FIU DROPS OPENER AT KANSAS
No. 14 Kansas defeated FIU, 40-10 in front of 52,122 fans at Lawrence, KS. It was the fourth-largest crowd ever to watch an FIU football game. The Jayhawks sprinted out to a 24-0 lead before FIU got on the board. The Golden Panthers’ first score was on a 74-yard punt return by true freshman T.Y. Hilton. It was the third-longest punt return for a score in school history. After another Kansas touchdown, FIU scored for the final time on a Dustin Rivest career-long 43-yard field goal with three seconds remaining in the first half. FIU totaled only 139 yards total offense and turned the ball over three times (2 interceptions, 1 fumble). Golden Panther QB Paul McCall completed 10-28 passes for 73 yards and two picks. A’mod Ned rushed 12 times for 43 yards, while four different receivers caught two passes. DB Robert Mitchell paced the Golden Panther defense, totaling a career-high 13 tackles, including a sack.

FIU COACH MARIO CRISTOBAL
Mario Cristobal, who is the third-youngest head coach at the FBS level, is in his second season as head coach at FIU with a 1-12 career record. Before being named head coach at FIU, Cristobal spent three seasons as tight ends/offensive line coach at the University of Miami where the Hurricanes compiled a 24-12 record and appeared in the 2004 and `05 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Cristobal also coached for three years (2001-03) as an assistant at Rutgers. He was a four-year letterwinner and member of the Miami football team (1988-92), earning all-Big East honors as an offensive tackle in 1992. Before beginning his coaching career, he signed as an undrafted rookie by the Denver Broncos (1994) and played for the Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe in 1995 and ’96.

IOWA, FIU NOTES

  • FIU Head Coach Mario Cristobal was on the Miami team that played against Iowa in 1990 and 1992. He started the contest played at Miami in 1990, but did not play in the Iowa City contest in 1992.
  • Iowa converted 41.2 percent (7-17) of its third and fourth downs last week, while FIU was only 3-18 (16.7 percent) on third and fourth downs at Kansas. Furthermore, Iowa was 3-4 (75 percent) its fourth down plays.
  • Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi (Tuesday) and TE Brandon Myers (Wednesday) celebrate their 21st and 23rd birthday, respectively, this week.
  • FIU has only two players on its roster who hail from the Midwest. Senior TE Eric Kirchenberg is from Maywood, Illinois and sophomore QB Colt Anderson hails from Omaha, NE.
  • FIU’s non-conference schedule includes road games at Kansas, Iowa and Toledo and a home date against South Florida.
  • FIU Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach Bill Legg coached at Purdue for five seasons. He served as the offensive line coach for the first three years (2003-05) and co-offensive coordinator the last two (2006-07) under Head Coach Joe Tiller.

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 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 51-25 (.671) overall mark and a 31-17 (.646) Big Ten record the last seven seasons. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 62-49 (.559) and a 38-34 (.528) mark in Big Ten games. In 13 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 74-70 (.514). 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 111 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.

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 for 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.

IOWA 46, MAINE 3
Iowa scored touchdowns on its first two possessions and never looked back en route to a 46-3 victory over Maine in Kinnick Stadium. The win was Iowa’s eighth-straight season opening triumph under Head Coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes led 14-0 after the first quarter on a one-yard scoring run by RB Shonn Greene and a four-yard touchdown reception by TE Brandon Myers. Iowa added two points on a safety after LB A.J. Edds sacked Maine QB Adam Farkes in the end zone. Field goals by Trent Mossbrucker (35 yards) and Daniel Murray (44 yards) stretched Iowa’s advantage to 22-0. Maine converted a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to make the score 22-3. It was all Iowa in the second half, outscoring Maine 24-0. Mossbrucker’s second field goal of the game (33 yards) was the only scoring of the third period. Iowa scored 10 points within 15 seconds seconds in the fourth quarter. RB Paki O’Meara scored his first career touchdown on a one-yard scoring run, giving Iowa a 32-3 cushion. Following the kickoff, Maine’s first play was intercepted by LB Pat Angerer. One play later, true freshman RB Jewel Hampton ran 19 yards for the end zone, scoring six points in his first collegiate carry. Hampton later scored from 22 yards on a fourth down play to make the final score 46-3. QBs Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi and PKs Mossbrucker and Murray shared time in the victory. Christensen was 9-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Stanzi completed 9-14 passes for 90 yards and also rushed for 22 yards on two attempts. Mossbrucker was 2-2 on FGs and 2-2 on PATs, while Murray handled all kickoffs and was 3-3 on PATs and 1-1 on FGs. Greene led Iowa’s rushers, topping 100 yards for the second time in his career, totaling 109 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. Hampton had 72 yards and two scores on nine attempts. Christensen and Stanzi found 10 different receivers, with Myers leading the pack with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. WR Andy Brodell amassed a game-high 123 all-purpose yards (62 punt returns, 21 kickoff returns, 24 run and 16 receiving). The 24-yard run was Iowa’s longest rush from scrimmage. Defensively, DE Adrian Clayborn, Angerer and Edds led the Hawkeyes. Clayborn had eight tackles. Edds had seven stops, including two for loss, while Angerer had five and his first career theft.

IOWA, MAINE NOTES

  • Iowa improved its record in season-opening games to 87-31-2 (.733), including an 8-2 (.800) mark under Coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes have won eight straight season-opening games, dating back to a neutral-site loss to Kansas State in 2000.
  • With the 46-3 triumph over Maine, Iowa has averaged 40.9 points and a winning margin of 35.4 in its last eight season-opening victories.
  • The 46 points marked only the third time in history Iowa scored exactly 46 points in a game (Sept. 28, 1929, 46-0; Oct. 5, 1929, 46-0; Oct. 5, 1940, 46-0).
  • Iowa held Maine to 83 yards passing, marking the first time a Hawkeye opponent was held under 100 yards passing since Iowa’s defense held Syracuse to 79 yards last year (Sept. 8, 2007).
  • The Hawkeyes collected two takeaways vs. Maine and converted the Black Bear miscues into 14 points. Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 21 of its last 23 games, dating back to the 2006 season.
  • Iowa was 7-8 in the red zone. The Black and Gold have scored 18 touchdowns and three field goals on their last 23 red zone possessions over the last five games, dating back to last season.
  • Andy Brodell had five punt returns for 62 yards (15.2 avg.).
  • Iowa played seven true freshmen. They are: DB Shaun Prater, TE Brad Herman, DB William Lowe, WR DeMarco Paine, PK Trent Mossbrucker, RB Jewel Hampton and DB David Cato.
  • Seven Iowa players started for the first time in their careers vs. Maine. They are: OL Rob Bruggeman, RB Shonn Greene, FB Brett Morse, DE Adrian Clayborn, DE Christian Ballard, DB Amari Spievey and LB Jeremiha Hunter.
  • QB Ricky Stanzi completed his first career pass in the second quarter with a seven-yard toss to RB Paki O’Meara.
  • Iowa was three of four on fourth down conversions, scoring touchdowns on two of the four attempts.
  • Iowa scored a touchdown on its first possession on a one-yard plunge by RB Shonn Greene on fourth down. The touchdown was Greene’s third career score. Iowa’s first drive consisted of nine running plays and one pass. The Hawkeyes failed to score any points on their first possession in all 12 games last season. The last time Iowa score on its first possession was a touchdown vs. Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl.
  • RB Shonn Greene rushed 22 times for 109 yards and a touchdown vs. Maine. It marked the first time since Iowa’s double overtime win vs. Michigan State (10/27/07) an Iowa running back topped 100 yards rushing. RB Albert Young tallied 179 yards on 34 carries. Greene rushed for a career-high 116 yards on 18 attempts in Iowa’s 2005 season opener vs. Ball State (9/3/05).
  • QB Jake Christensen completed 9-15 passes for 122 yards and a score vs. Maine. He passed Randy Duncan, who was the game’s honorary captain, and Scott Mullen to move into 11th place on Iowa’s all-time passing list. Christensen has now completed 230-527 passes for 2,676 yards and 20 touchdowns.
  • Maine failed to score on its opening possession as its scoring threat was thwarted by DB Bradley Fletcher’s interception in the red zone on the 14 yard-line. Fletcher returned his third career interception five yards.
  • Only one play was reviewed by instant replay. A Maine incomplete pass on the sidelines that was ruled incomplete on the field was confirmed by replay.

STRONG DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
Iowa’s defense held Maine to 83 passing yards, collecting two interceptions (DB Bradley Fletcher and LB at Angerer) and a safety (LB A.J. Edds) and forced the Black Bears to punt seven times. Additionally, Maine’s nine pass completions and 83 passing yards both rank as the fourth-fewest by an opponent under Coach Ferentz. Maine’s average starting field position was its own 16-yard line, starting inside the 20-yard line on five of its 12 offensive possessions. Also, Iowa’s punter Ryan Donahue pinned the Black Bears on their own three-yard line on his only punt of the game. Iowa’s two place kickers were perfect making all eight kicks (5-5 PATs and 3-3 FGs).

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.

HAWKEYE QBs SHARE TIME
Quarterbacks Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi saw about the same amount of playing time in the season opener. Christensen was 9-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Stanzi completed 9-14 passes for 90 yards and also rushed for 22 yards on two attempts. The duo combined for 212 yards passing against the Black Bears. Christensen started all 12 games a year ago, completing 198-370 passes for 2,269 yards. The 2007 sophomore threw 17 touchdowns and only six interceptions. Christensen threw three touchdowns or more in three games last year (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. For his career, he has completed 230-420 passes for 2,676 yards and 20 scores. The 2,676 yards rank 11th-best in a career at Iowa, only 267 yards behind 10th-place Paul Burmeister (2,943). Stanzi saw limited time in two games last season (Syracuse and Purdue) as a redshirt freshman. His first completion was a seven-yard pass to RB Paki O’Meara in the second quarter vs. Maine last week.

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 38 consecutive games, while King has started 33 career contests, including the last 18. King, who has been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy and Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists, has 176 career tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks. He had two tackles, including one for loss in the 2008 season opener vs. Maine. 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, has 185 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He had four tackles, including 0.5 for loss in the 2008 season opener vs. Maine. 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
Six of Iowa’s top seven 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 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 are 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 started the 2008 season on the sidelines after suffering a broken foot in mid-August. He missed last week’s season opener and his return is doubtful for Saturday’s contest vs. FIU. Brodell’s career numbers stand at 59 receptions, 905 receiving yards and five touchdowns. 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. In his first game back from injury, Brodell amassed a game-high 123 all-purpose yards (62 punt returns, 21 kickoff returns, 24 run and 16 receiving) vs. Maine. The 24-yard run was Iowa’s longest rush from scrimmage against the Black Bears. Stross enters his junior season with 29 career receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns. He missed last week’s opener and is questionable vs. FIU. Myers, who stepped in for the injured Moeaki after four games, produced 21 catches for 208 yards and five scores last season. Myers led all receivers last week with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. In 2007, 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). Last week, Sandeman caught one pass for 25 yards, while Chaney, Jr. caught two balls for 189 yards.

HAWKEYE SPECIALISTS
Place kickers Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker shared place kicking duties in Iowa’s season opener vs. Maine. Murray, who is a sophomore, handled all kickoffs and was also 3-3 on PATs and converted his only field goal attempt of 44 yards, which was only three yards from his career long. Mossbrucker, who is a true freshman, was also perfect against the Black Bears, splitting the uprights from 33 and 35 yards and making both PAT attempts in his first collegiate game. Last season, Murray was 7-10 on field goals and 16-18 on PATs, scoring 37 points. Punter Ryan Donahue only needed to punt once vs. Maine. His 36-yard directional kick was downed on the three-yard line, which ultimately resulted in Iowa’s defense collecting a safety two plays later. The sophomore 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.

TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2008
Iowa had seven true freshmen see action in the season opener: DB Shaun Prater, TE Brad Herman, DB William Lowe, WR DeMarco Paine, PK Trent Mossbrucker, RB Jewel Hampton and DB David Cato. The Hawkeyes had 11 true freshmen play a year ago. Iowa also had seven true freshmen play in 2003 and 2000.

IOWA NOTES

  • Iowa has the fourth-fewest total number of seniors (13) on its roster in the nation. Central Michigan and Toledo each have 10 seniors, North Carolina has 11, while Central Florida, Fresno State and UTEP have 12. Also with 13 seniors are Illinois, Indiana and LSU.
  • DL Matt Kroul has 38 consecutive starts, a streak that ties for second-best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin OL Kraig Urbik, 40; Purdue OL Sean Sester, 38).
  • OL Wes Aeschliman, who stands 6-foot-8, is among a group that is 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 sold out all six home games in 2007. The Hawkeyes have a consecutive home sellout streak of 31 games, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Iowa game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03).
  • The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one takeaway in 21 of their last 23 games, dating back to the 2006 season.
  • In the last seven years, Iowa is 41-6 when leading at the half and 47-4 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 93 of its last 105 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 95 of 111 games under Kirk Ferentz.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa posted six offensive plays (3 run, 3 pass) that resulted in 20 yards or more vs. Maine. WR Andy Brodell had Iowa’s longest rush (24 yards), while RB Jewel Hampton had Iowa’s longest rushing score (22 yards). Hampton also had the Hawkeyes’ longest kickoff return vs. Maine (26 yards). WR Colin Sandeman had the longest catch (25 yards), which is also a career long. Iowa’s defense allowed only two offensive plays (1 run, 1 pass) of 20 yards or more vs. Maine. The Black Bears registered a 21-yard run and a 37-yard reception.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa outscored Maine 14-0 in the first quarter, 8-3 in the second, 3-0 in the third and 21-0 in the fourth last week.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averaged 7.3 yards on 35 first down plays, 5.6 yards on 21 second down plays, 4.1 yards on 13 third down plays and 7.8 yards on four fourth down plays vs. Maine.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averaged 7.4 plays, 46.8 yards and 2:54 elapsed time on eight scoring drives vs. Maine. Iowa had three 10-play scoring drives that were all over four minutes in time of possession against the Black Bears. Maine scored only once, going 63 yards on eight plays in 1:33.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 7-8 (87.5%) in the red zone (5 TD, 2 FG) vs. Maine. Iowa’s lone red zone possession it did not convert vs. Maine was on a failed fourth down conversion late in the fourth quarter when the Hawkeyes were running out the clock. Iowa has scored 18 touchdowns and a three field goals on its last 23 red zone possessions the last five games, dating back to last season. Iowa’s defense did not allow Maine one red zone possession.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored 14 points following two interceptions vs. Maine. Maine did not score after intercepting Iowa QB Jake Christensen on the three-yard line. In fact, the Hawkeyes scored two points, defensively, on a safety two plays after the theft on a LB A.J. Edds sack in the end zone.

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 78 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 opened vs. Maine (W, 46-3), 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.

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.

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 127 players, and includes 16 seniors, 19 juniors, 38 sophomores, 18 redshirt freshmen and 36 true freshmen.

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 127 players includes 59 players from Iowa. The roster includes 15 players from Illinois; 13 from Ohio; seven from New Jersey; four from Texas and Florida; four from Missouri, Minnesota and Nebraska; three from Indiana; two from Pennsylvania and one from Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, Montana, 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.

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.

ON THE HORIZON
Iowa remains home for its final non-conference home game of the season vs. Iowa State (Sept. 13, 11:05 a.m., BTN). The Hawkeyes close out the non-conference schedule on the road at Pittsburgh (Sept. 20, TBD).