Iowa to Play Iowa State Saturday

Sept. 8, 2008

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IOWA TO PLAY IOWA STATE
Iowa (2-0) remains home Saturday when it hosts in-state rival Iowa State (2-0). Game time is 11:03 a.m. at Kinnick Stadium (70,585) in Iowa City. The game is sold out. Saturday’s football game will be the second event in the fifth annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series. The Cyclones and Hawkeyes compete in volleyball, at Ames, in the first event Friday night.

BLACKOUT SATURDAY
Fans are encouraged to wear black clothing to Kinnick Stadium Saturday for Iowa’s annual “Blackout” event.

ON THE TUBE
The Big Ten Network (HD) will televise the game to a national cable audience. Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis and Charissa Thompson 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 1,105 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 561-505-39 (.525). That includes a 355-196-16 (.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 238-161-15 (.593) record in Kinnick Stadium.

Karl Klug EARNS BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
After missing most of last season due to injury, DE Karl Klug posted career highs with nine tackles and two sacks while also forcing a fumble to help the Iowa defense post a shutout against FIU. The sophomore defensive end’s second sack forced a fumble that was recovered by Iowa on FIU’s final drive. The Hawkeyes limited the Golden Panthers to 56 rushing yards and 4-15 on third downs. Iowa posted its fifth shutout in Kirk Ferentz’s 10 seasons as head coach and its second straight dominant defensive outing, after holding Maine to a field goal on Aug. 30. Klug earns his first weekly honor.

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 34 of its last 41 games (.829) 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 (W, 42-0) and Iowa State. 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.

CY-HAWK TROPHY
When Iowa resumed its football series with Iowa State in 1977, the Des Moines Athletic Club donated a trophy to be awarded to the winner of the annual in-state battle. The Hawkeyes hold a 20-11 advantage since 1977 when the Cy-Hawk Trophy was first awarded. The Cy-Hawk Trophy currently resides in Ames as a result of Iowa State’s 15-13 victory in Ames last season. Iowa has won three of the last five meetings.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 4-1 in games played on Sept. 13. The Hawkeyes defeated Indiana 16-7 in 1980, Iowa State 43-7 in 1986 and 40-21 in 2003 and Tulsa 54-16 in 1997. Iowa lost to Illinois 27-12 in 1975.

THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will mark the 56th game in the series. Iowa holds a 36-19 advantage in the series that began with a 16-8 ISU win in 1894. The Hawkeyes have won 18 of the last 25 meetings, including three of the last five. The teams did not meet between 1935 and 1976 and Iowa holds a 20-11 advantage since the series resumed in 1977. Iowa holds a 21-12 advantage in games played in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones 27-17 in the last meeting at Kinnick Stadium in 2006. The Hawkeyes won 15 straight games in the series (1983-1997).

IOWA VS. THE BIG 12
Iowa holds an all-time record of 66-63-3 (.511) against current members of the Big 12 Conference, having met all but Baylor at least once. Iowa State is the only Big 12 opponent on the Hawkeye schedule this season.

ISU VS. THE BIG TEN
Iowa State is 23-77-2 (.235) vs. the Big Ten, but has not played Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State or Purdue.

IOWA STATE TOPS KENT STATE
Iowa State recovered four fumbles and blocked two punts en route to a 48-28 victory over Kent State last Saturday in Ames. The Cyclones built a 21-7 cushion after the first quarter following two scoring runs and a touchdown pass. Kent State closed to within 28-21 at halftime on touchdown passes of 11 and 29 yards. However, Iowa State out-scored the Golden Flashes 20-7 in the second half to win 48-28. The Cyclones won despite being out-gained in total offense, 410-374. QB Austen Arnaud completed 12-15 passes for 166 yards and a score and also rushed eight times for 25 yards and a touchdown. QB Phillip Bates carried the ball eight times for a team-best 83 yards, while WR R.J. Sumrall caught four passes for a career-high 104 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa State’s defense recorded nine tackles for loss, including three by DL Kurtis Taylor. Additionally, DB Leonard Johnson had five kickoff returns for 147 yards (29.4 avg.) for the Cyclones.

IOWA STATE HEAD COACH GENE CHIZIK
Gene Chizik has compiled a 5-9 (.357) career record in the start of his second season as Iowa State’s head coach. Prior to being named the Cyclones’ 31st head coach, Chizik served two seasons (2005-06) as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas. He was also the defensive coordinator and secondary coach at Auburn from 2002-04. At one point, he had a personal 29-game winning streak in two-plus years as defensive coordinator at Auburn and Texas. Chizik helped bring Texas its first national championship (2005) since 1970. Additionally, he assisted Middle Tennessee State winning the Ohio Valley Conference title (1990) as its defensive line coach. Chizik also coached defensive units at Central Florida (1998-2001) and Stephen F. Austin (1992-97).

IOWA, ISU NOTES
? Saturday marks the 11th time, since the renewal of the series in 1977, that both teams enters the game with undefeated records (not counting season openers). ? The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one takeaway in 22 of their last 24 games, dating back to the 2006 season. ? Iowa State has forced 10 opponent turnovers, while Iowa has forced five after two weeks. The Cyclones have a +6 turnover margin, while the Hawkeyes are +2. ? Iowa’s offense averages 44.0 points, while Iowa State averages 46.0 points after two games. ? Iowa quarterbacks have only been sacked once, while Iowa State has been sacked twice. ? The Hawkeyes have out-scored their first two opponents 57-3 in the first half and 88-3 overall. ? Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi averaged 20.3 yards on his eight pass completions vs. FIU. ? Iowa LB Pat Angerer has intercepted a pass in each of the first two contests. ? Iowa DB Chris Rowell (Wednesday) and DB Brett Greenwood (Sunday, Sept. 14) both celebrate their 21st birthdays, this week.

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 52-25 (.675) overall mark and a 31-17 (.646) Big Ten record the last seven seasons. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 63-49 (.563) and a 38-34 (.528) mark in Big Ten games. In 13 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 75-70 (.517). 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 112 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.

LAST MEETING
Iowa State place kicker Bret Culbertson converted five field goals, including a 28-yarder with one second remaining, to lift the Cyclones to a 15-13 victory over Iowa at Jack Trice Stadium a year ago. The Cyclones scored field goals on their first four possessions in the first half to grab a 12-0 halftime advantage. Iowa was unable to move the ball in the first half, generating only 59 yards total offense. The Hawkeyes got on the board early in the third period after recovering an Iowa State fumble in Cyclone territory. Iowa drove 41 yards in seven plays. The drive resulted in a touchdown on QB Jake Christensen’s 11-yard run, on a fourth-and-one, to trim the deficit to 12-7. PK Austin Signor kicked a 36-yard field goal on Iowa’s next possession to cut Iowa State’s lead to two with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter. Two possessions later, the Hawkeyes drove to the Cyclone 15-yard line, but Signor’s field goal attempt from the right hash mark was blocked. However, Iowa’s defense forced the Cyclones to a three-and-out and drove down the field again to set up another field goal attempt. This time, Signor converted from 41 yards to give Iowa a 13-12 advantage, its first lead of the game, with 3:38 to play. Iowa State QB Bret Meyer connected with WR Phillip Bates on a 38-yard pass on a second-and-13 to put the Cyclones in field goal range. After two running plays, Culbertson came on to attempt his sixth field goal of the game. He split the uprights to give the Cyclones the victory and possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Christensen completed 12-23 passes for 118 yards. RB Albert Young rushed for a team-high 60 yards on 14 attempts, while RB Damian Sims had 45 yards rushing on 12 carries. TE Tony Moeaki (26 yards) and WR Andy Brodell (22 yards) each had three receptions. Meyer completed 21-29 passes for 157 yards to lead Iowa State. WR R.J. Sumrall had a game-high seven catches for 62 yards, while RB J.J. Bass rushed 25 times for 80 yards. Defensively, Iowa linebackers Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal each collected a game-best 11 tackles. The 11 stops for Humpal were a career high. DT Mitch King was credited with a career-high 10 stops, while LB A.J. Edds recorded a then-career-best eight stops. Safety Harold Dalton had a fumble recovery to help set up Iowa’s third period touchdown.

IOWA 42, FIU 0
Iowa’s two quarterbacks combined for four touchdown passes en route to a 42-0 shutout over Florida International at Kinnick Stadium. QB Ricky Stanzi started his first career game, completing 8-10 passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns (8, 23, 59 yards) in only a half of football. He also rushed five times for 30 yards. QB Jake Christensen also had an efficient game, completing 8-12 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Iowa’s offense racked-up 512 yards total offense (271 passing and 241 rushing), marking the first time a Hawkeye team eclipsed 500 yards since recording 546 yards (364 passing and 182 running) at Minnesota (Nov. 18, 2006). The Hawkeyes sprinted out to a 21-0 advantage after one period. Running backs Shonn Greene (11 yards) and Paki O’Meara (17 yards) each found the end zone, while Stanzi connected with WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for a career-long 59-yard scoring strike. The 59-yard play was Iowa’s longest pass since QB Jake Christensen connected with WR Trey Stross for 53 yards at Northwestern a year ago (Nov. 3, 2007). Iowa scored touchdowns on its first two second-quarter possessions. Stanzi connected with TE Brandon Myers for 23 yards and WR Colin Sandeman for eight yards to give the Black and Gold a 35-0 halftime lead. After a scoreless third quarter, Sandeman caught his second career score from Christensen on a 23-yard pass to give the Hawkeyes the 42-0 victory. Greene finished the contest rushing 13 times for 130 yards and a score. In fact, the junior had over 100 yards after the first period, marking the second-straight contest the Hawkeyes had a 100-yard rusher. Johnson-Koulianos finished the game with 131 all-purpose yards (90 receiving, 35 kickoff returns and six rushing). Sandeman finished with 31 yards on two catches – both went for touchdowns. Iowa’s defense collected six sacks and three turnovers (two interceptions and one fumble). Leading the charge was LB Jeremiha Hunter and DL Karl Klug, who both posted career numbers. Hunter had a game-high 10 tackles, while Klug had nine stops, two sacks and a forced fumble.

EXTRA POINTS
? Iowa’s defense did not allow a touchdown for the second-straight contest. The Hawkeye defense did not allow a touchdown until the fourth game last season (at Wisconsin). Saturday’s shutout was Iowa’s first since a 35-0 win vs. Syracuse last season (Sept. 8, 2007). The shutout is also Iowa’s fifth during Coach Ferentz’s 10-year tenure. ? Iowa scored over 40 points in consecutive games to start the season. The last time Iowa scored 40 points or more in consecutive contests was the second and third games of the 2003 season (56 vs. Buffalo and 40 at Iowa State). ? Sophomore Ricky Stanzi started the game at quarterback; Jake Christensen started the previous 13 contests behind center, dating back to last season. QB Marvin McNutt saw his first career action in the fourth period. ? Iowa has scored a touchdown on its first possession on an 11-yard run by RB Shonn Greene. Greene rushed three times for 36 yards on the 50-yard scoring drive. The touchdown was the fourth of his career. Greene also scored a touchdown on Iowa’s first offensive possession vs. Maine. ? FIU failed to score on its opening possession. Both Iowa opponents (Maine and FIU) failed to score on their opening drives. ? Redshirt freshman Tyler Sash started his first career game at strong safety. Sash finished the contest with four tackles. ? WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos caught a career-long 59-yard touchdown pass from QB Ricky Stanzi on Iowa’s second offensive drive. Johnson-Koulianos’ previous long was a 32-yard reception at Northwestern last season (Nov. 3, 2007). ? LB A.J. Edds returned his second career interception 38 yards in the first quarter. The 38-yard return is Iowa’s longest interception return since LB Mike Humpal returned a theft 28 yards vs. Northern Illinois last season (Sept. 1, 2007). Edds also had two tackles in the contest. ? RB Shonn Greene scampered a career-long 35 yards in the first period to help spearhead another touchdown drive for Iowa. Greene’s previous longest rushing attempt was 32 yards vs. Ball State (Sept. 3, 2005). Greene rushed nine times for 101 yards in the first quarter. ? TE Brandon Myers’ 23-yard touchdown reception from QB Ricky Stanzi is a career-long scoring catch. The scoring reception is the seventh of his career and second of the year; he had a four-yard touchdown vs. Maine. Myers later had a career-long 28-yard catch from QB Jake Christensen in the third quarter. Myers finished the contest with three catches for 60 yards and a score. ? LB Pat Angerer recorded his second interception in as many weeks in the second period. Angerer returned the theft 12 yards.

THE GREENE MONSTER
Shonn Greene rushed nine times for 101 yards and a score in the first quarter Saturday vs. FIU. It marked the first time an Iowa running back amassed over 100 yards rushing in a quarter since Fred Russell had 108 yards and a touchdown on eight carries in the first period at Minnesota (Nov. 16, 2002). Greene has rushed for over 100 yards in Iowa’s first two games this season (Maine and FIU). He has amassed 239 yards on 35 attempts (6.8 avg.) and two scores. He totaled 109 rushing yards on 22 carries vs. Maine and 130 on 13 attempts vs. FIU. It marked the first time the Hawkeyes had back-to-back games with a 100-yard rusher since the last two games of the 2005 campaign. Albert Young rushed 26 times for 127 yards at Wisconsin (Nov. 12, 2005) and 21 times for 103 yards vs. Minnesota (Nov. 19, 2005). Damian Sims also had eight carries for 104 yards against the Golden Gophers in that same game.

DEFENSE MAKES A STAND
Iowa’s defense has allowed only three points, 245 yards passing, collected five turnovers (four interceptions and one fumble), seven sacks, 17 TFLs and a safety (LB A.J. Edds) and forced the opposition to punt 15 times through two games. Additionally, Maine’s nine pass completions and 83 passing yards, week one, 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.

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 Iowa’s first two contests. Christensen has completed 17-27 passes for 221 yards and two scores, while Stanzi has completed 17-24 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns through two games. Last week against FIU, Stanzi was an efficient 8-10 for 162 yards (20.3 avg.) and three touchdowns (8, 23 and 59 yards). Christensen was also efficient, completing 8-12 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown. Against Maine, Christensen completed 9-15 passes for 122 yards and a touchdown, while Stanzi completed 9-14 passes for 90 yards and also rushed for 22 yards on two attempts. 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 238-432 passes for 2,775 yards and 21 scores. The 2,775 yards rank 11th-best in a career at Iowa, only 168 yards behind 10th-place Paul Burmeister (2,943). Stanzi saw limited time in two games last season (Syracuse and Purdue) as a redshirt freshman.

KING AND KROUL ANCHOR DEFENSIVE LINE
A pair of seniors, Matt Kroul and Mitch King, 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 39 consecutive games, while King has started 34 career contests, including the last 19. King, who has been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy and Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists, has 179 career tackles, 42 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He had two tackles, including one for loss vs. Maine and three stops, including a sack and 1.5 for loss vs. FIU. 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 187 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He had five tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack vs. Maine and two tackles, including a sack vs. FIU. 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., Colin Sandeman, 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 the first two games this season and his return is questionable for Saturday’s contest vs. Iowa State. Brodell’s career numbers stand at 61 receptions, 920 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. He had two catches for 15 yards and three punt returns for 41 yards vs. FIU last week. Stross enters his junior season with 29 career receptions for 461 yards and five touchdowns. He missed the first two games and is questionable vs. Iowa State. 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 vs. Maine with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. He added three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown vs. FIU. 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). Sandeman has caught three passes for 56 yards and two scores, while Chaney, Jr. has two receptions for 19 yards through two games.

HAWKEYE SPECIALISTS
Place kickers Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker shared place kicking duties through two games. Murray, who is a sophomore, handled all kickoffs in both contests and is 6-6 on PATs and converted his only field goal attempt of 44 yards vs. Maine, which was only three yards from his career long. Mossbrucker, who is a true freshman, is 5-5 on PATs and 2-3 on field goals. He split the uprights from 33 and 35 yards in his first collegiate game against Maine, however his 32-yard attempt vs. FIU was blocked. Last season, Murray was 7-10 on field goals and 16-18 on PATs, scoring 37 points. Punter Ryan Donahue has only punted three times this season, once vs. Maine and twice vs. FIU. 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 vs. Maine. He punted twice last week vs. FIU, with both punts downed inside the 20-yard line. 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. All seven, except Lowe, played in game two vs. FIU. The Hawkeyes had 11 true freshmen play a year ago. Iowa also had seven true freshmen play in 2003 and 2000.

IOWA NOTES
? DL Matt Kroul has 39 consecutive starts, a streak that ties for second-best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin OL Kraig Urbik, 41; Purdue OL Sean Sester, 39). ? 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 will play teams that have three of the four youngest head coaches in the country in Kinnick Stadium this season (FIU – Mario Cristobal; Northwestern — Pat Fitzgerald; Wisconsin – Bret Bielema). ? Iowa has the sixth-fewest total number of seniors (13) on its roster in the nation. Alabama and Middle Tennessee have nine. Central Michigan and Toledo each have 10 seniors, North Carolina, Minnesota and Arizona have 11, while Central Florida, Fresno State, Illinois and UTEP have 12. Also with 13 seniors are Indiana, Kent State, Virginia Tech and LSU. ? The Hawkeyes have a consecutive home sellout streak of 32 games, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Iowa game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03). ? In the last seven years, Iowa is 42-6 when leading at the half and 48-4 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 94 of its last 106 games, including both games this season. 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 96 of 112 games under Kirk Ferentz.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 13 offensive plays (5 run, 8 pass) that resulted in 20 yards or more this season. RB Shonn Greene has Iowa’s longest rush (35 yards vs. FIU), while RB Jewel Hampton had Iowa’s longest rushing score (22 yards vs. Maine). WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has the Hawkeyes’ longest kickoff return (35 yards vs. FIU) and catch (59 yards – touchdown vs. FIU). Iowa’s defense has allowed five offensive plays (1 run, 4 pass) of 20 yards or more this season. The Golden Panthers of FIU posted passing plays of 20, 21 and 22 last week.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 35-0 in the first quarter, 22-3 in the second, 3-0 in the third and 28-0 in the fourth.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 8.2 yards on 67 first down plays, 6.4 yards on 43 second down plays, 4.5 yards on 24 third down plays and 6.6 yards on five fourth down plays.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 6.6 plays, 53.6 yards and 2:44 elapsed time on 14 scoring drives. Eleven of the 14 scoring drives resulted in touchdowns. Iowa had three 10-play scoring drives that were all over four minutes in time of possession vs. Maine. Hawkeye opponents have scored only once. Maine tallied a field goal on a 63-yard, eight-play drive that consumed 1:33.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 10-12 (83.3%) in the red zone (8 TD, 2 FG) this season. The Hawkeyes have scored 21 touchdowns and a three field goals on their last 27 red zone possessions the last six games, dating back to last season. The Hawkeye defense has not allowed a single red zone possession through two contests.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored 14 points following two interceptions vs. Maine. The Hawkeyes failed to score after collecting three FIU miscues. The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over three times this season, once vs. Maine and twice vs. FIU, but neither opponent was able to capitalize.

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 79 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 (W, 42-0) and Iowa State. 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. 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; redshirt freshmen Marvin McNutt and Tyler Nielsen and true freshman James Ferentz.

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.

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 closes out the non-conference schedule on the road at Pittsburgh (Sept. 20, 11:05 a.m., ESPN/2). The Hawkeyes return home the following week to open league play against Northwestern (11 a.m., TBD).