Iowa Hits the Road

Sept. 15, 2008

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IOWA HITS THE ROAD
Iowa (3-0) hits the road for its first road contest of the year when it plays at Pittsburgh (1-1) Saturday. Game time is 11:02 a.m. (CDT) at Heinz Field (65,065) in Pittsburgh. A crowd of 55,000 is expected.

ON THE TUBE
ESPN2 (HD) will televise the game to a national cable audience. Pam Ward and Ray Bentley 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 1,106 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 562-505-39 (.526). That includes a 356-196-16 (.641) 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 239-161-15 (.594) record in Kinnick Stadium.

HAWKEYE HUDDLE IN PITTSBURGH
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association invite all fans to the “Hawkeye Huddle” from 9-11 a.m. (EDT) Saturday. The “Hawkeye Huddle” will be held at the Doubletree Hotel Pittsburgh City Center, located at One Bigelaw Square in Pittsburgh. The free reception features refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Herky, and the Iowa cheerleaders.

BRODELL EARNS BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
Andy Brodell became Iowa’s second football player to earn a Big Ten Player of the Week accolade in as many weeks (DE Karl Klug). Brodell was named Special Teams Player of the Week after returning a fourth-quarter punt 81 yards for a touchdown to give the Hawkeyes a 14-point cushion (17-3) over Iowa State. The punt return for a score was the first of his career. The 81-yard return is the longest of his career, besting a 78-yard return vs. Syracuse (Sept. 9, 2007). Brodell’s return marked Iowa’s first punt return for a touchdown since Jovon Johnson returned one 90 yards vs. Ball State (Sept. 3, 2005). Furthermore, the 81-yard return is the 10th-longest in school history. The Big Ten honor is the first of Brodell’s career.

Klug posted career highs with nine tackles and two sacks while also forcing a fumble to help the Iowa defense post a shutout against Florida International (Sept. 6). 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 earned his first weekly honor.

HY-VEE CY-HAWK SERIES UPDATE
Iowa owns the early lead in the fifth annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk Series, 3-2. Iowa State defeated the Hawkeyes, 3-0, last Friday in volleyball to earn two points. However, Iowa’s football team downed the Cyclones, 17-5, to earn three points. The next event in the series is women’s soccer (Sept. 21) at Ames. The remaining 10 events are worth two points each.

HOME COOKIN’
Iowa plays four of its first five games, including three straight, at home in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes opened with home contests against Maine (W, 46-3), Florida International (W, 42-0) and Iowa State (W, 17-5). After playing its final non-conference game at Pittsburgh, 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.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 4-3 in games played on Sept. 20. The Hawkeyes defeated North Dakota State 59-0 in 1947, Northern Illinois 57-3 in 1986, Iowa State 63-20 in 1997 and Arizona State 21-2 in 2003. Iowa lost to Oregon State 42-14 in 1969, Syracuse 10-7 in 1975 and Nebraska 57-0 in 1980.

THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will be the fourth meeting between Iowa and Pitt. The Panthers lead the series, 2-1. Pitt won the last meeting 26-14, Sept. 26, 1952. The first two contests were held in Iowa City, with Pitt winning the first game 20-0 (Oct. 3, 1931). Iowa won the second 34-17 (Oct. 13, 1951). These two schools are scheduled to play again in Iowa City on Sept. 3, 2011.

IOWA VS. THE BIG EAST
Iowa has only played eight games against teams currently in the Big East Conference. The Hawkeyes are 5-3 against the Big East (Cincinnati, 1-0; Pittsburgh, 1-2; Syracuse, 3-1). Iowa recently beat Syracuse in a home-and-home series the last two seasons.

PITT DOWNS BUFFALO, IDLE LAST WEEK
Pitt rebounded from its season-opening loss to Bowling Green with a 27-16 victory over Buffalo Sept. 6. The Panthers have had two weeks to prepare for the Hawkeyes as they were idle Saturday. Against Buffalo, Pitt took a slim 10-9 lead into half. The Panthers outscored the Bulls 17-7 in the second half on the shoulders of RB LeSean McCoy’s second and third touchdown runs of the game. McCoy collected scoring runs of one, two and three yards, while totaling a team-high 93 yards on 20 carries. QB Bill Stull completed 22-33 passes for 241 yards. Defensively, LB Scott McKillop was named Big East Defensive Player of the Week after collecting a game-high 15 tackles, including one for loss, two QB hurries and a pass break-up. McKillop helped preserve the win when his second QB hurry resulted in an interception with 1:26 left.

PITTSBURGH HEAD COACH DAVE WANSTEDT
Dave Wanstedt has compiled a 17-20 (.459) record in four seasons as Pitt’s head coach. Wanstedt returned to his alma mater in 2005 after serving 16 seasons in the National Football League. From 1989-92, he was the defensive coordinator for Dallas, earning a Super Bowl ring (1990). Wanstedt was named the Chicago Bears head coach in 1993. He led the Bears for seven seasons (1993-98). He was named the 1994 NFC Coach of the Year. In 1999, he moved to Miami, where he was an assistant coach for one season (1999) and then was promoted to head coach (2000-04). Wanstedt was on Pitt’s coaching staff for four seasons (1975-78) after graduating from Pitt in 1974. He served as a graduate assistant (1975-76) and coached the receivers and special teams (1977-78).

IOWA, PITT NOTES
? Iowa has outscored its opponents 105-8 through three games, including a 60-3 margin in the first half.
? Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz served as a graduate assistant offensive line coach at Pittsburgh during the 1980 season. That Pitt team (coached by Jackie Sherrill) finished with an 11-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking.
? Andy Brodell ranks first in the Big Ten and eighth nationally in punt return average (23.0). He is one of two Big Ten punt returners who have returned a punt for a score (Ohio State’s Ray Small).
? Iowa ranks in the Big Ten’s top five in 21 statistical categories, including leading the conference in scoring defense (2.7), punt returns (17.7), passing defense efficiency (80.6), PAT kicking (1.000) and red zone defense (0-3).
? Iowa quarterbacks have only been sacked twice in three games, while Pitt has been sacked six times in two contests.
? Iowa LB A.J. Edds (Thursday) celebrates his 21st birthdays this week.

RETURNING HOME
Iowa has two players from Pennsylvania on its roster, including starting linebacker Jeremiha Hunter from York and DL Thomas Nardo from Lancaster. Also, Defensive Line Coach Rick Kaczenski hails from Erie and Director of Football Operations Bill Dervrich is from Quakertown.

DEFENSE MAKES A STAND
Iowa’s defense didn’t yield a touchdown for the third-straight contest. The Hawkeye defense did not allow a touchdown until the fourth game last season (at Wisconsin). Iowa has held Iowa State without a touchdown the last 10 quarters, dating back to the second quarter of Iowa’s win in 2006. Iowa has not allowed a touchdown in the first three games. It is believed to be the first time since the 1923 and 1924 seasons that the Hawkeyes started consecutive seasons not allowing a touchdown in their first three contests. In 1923, Iowa topped Oklahoma A&M 20-0, Knox 44-3 and Purdue 7-0, all at home. In 1924, Iowa beat SE Oklahoma 43-0, Ohio State 0-0 and Lawrence 13-5, all at home. Iowa’s defense is tops in the nation in scoring defense (2.67) and red zone defense (0-3, 0.0%), third in pass efficiency defense (80.5), tied for 21st in sacks (2.67), 26th in total defense (254.3), 27th in rushing defense (88.7) and 29th in passing defense (165.7). Iowa’s defense has allowed only six points, 497 yards passing, collected eight turnovers (7 interceptions and 1 fumble), eight sacks, 19 TFLs and a safety (LB A.J. Edds) and forced the opposition to punt 19 times. Additionally, Maine’s nine pass completions and 83 passing yards, week one, both rank as the fourth-fewest by an opponent under Coach Ferentz.

BALL HAWKS
The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one takeaway in 23 of their last 25 games, dating back to the 2006 season. Furthermore, Iowa has collected three takeaways the last two weeks (vs. FIU and vs. Iowa State). Iowa has eight takeaways through three contests, the second-most in the Big Ten (Minnesota – 9). The Black and Gold have won their last six games, dating back to last year, when they had a positive turnover margin. Iowa has had a +1 margin in each of its three wins this season.

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 53-25 (.679) overall mark and a 31-17 (.646) Big Ten record the last seven seasons. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 64-49 (.566) and a 38-34 (.528) mark in Big Ten games. In 13 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 76-70 (.521). 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 113 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 17, IOWA STATE 5
Two fourth-quarter touchdowns lifted the Hawkeyes to a 17-5 victory over in-state rival Iowa State Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa regained possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy and starts the season 3-0 for the second time in three years. PK Trent Mossbrucker scored the first half’s only points on a 26-yard field goal on Iowa’s first offensive possession. A majority of the third period was contested in Iowa’s territory. Iowa State ran 23 plays, to Iowa’s seven. The Cyclones opened the second half with a 12-play, 60-yard drive that consumed 7:22, which resulted in no points. Hawkeye SS Tyler Sash intercepted Iowa State QB Austen Arnaud on the goal line to thwart the scoring threat. Two possessions later, the Cyclones tied the game on a 43-yard field goal. QB Ricky Stanzi started his second-straight game for the Hawkeyes, completing 5-14 passes for 95 yards. QB Jake Christensen was inserted into the lineup late in the third quarter and provided a spark. The junior led the Hawkeyes to the game’s only offensive touchdown, driving 65 yards, in six plays, in 2:29. The drive culminated with a RB Shonn Greene five-yard scoring run, his third of the season, to give Iowa a 10-3 margin. Christensen finished the contest, completing 4-5 passes for 27 yards. Iowa’s Andy Brodell pushed the Hawkeye lead to 17-3, returning a punt a career-long 81 yards for a touchdown, which is the 10th-longest punt return in school history. The Hawkeye defense held again, stopping an Iowa State drive inside the five-yard line late in the contest. Iowa State turned the ball over on downs. It marked the third time in the game it failed to score inside the red zone, twice inside the five yard-line. Iowa took an intentional safety with seconds remaining to make the final score 17-5. Greene rushed 20 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. It marked the third time this season, and fourth time in his career, he topped 100 yards rushing. TE Allen Reisner caught a career-high three passes for 65 yards. Defensively, Iowa intercepted three passes, had eight pass break-ups and two tackles for loss. Sash collected a game and career-high 12 tackles, including a sack and an interception. LB A.J. Edds was credited with 10 tackles, the second time in his career he totaled double-digit stops. Other Hawkeyes collecting thefts were FS Brett Greenwood and CB Amari Spievey.

EXTRA POINTS
? The home team has won the last five games in the series. Iowa improves to 37-19 in games against Iowa State, including a 22-12 advantage in home games. Iowa has won 19 of the last 26 meetings, including four of the last six.
? Iowa starts the season 3-0 for the second time in three years. The Hawkeyes won their first four in 2006.
? The Hawkeyes collected three takeaways (three interceptions). The last time Iowa collected three interceptions in a game was at Northwestern last season (Nov. 3, 2007). Iowa won that game 28-17 in Evanston, IL.
? Pat Angerer started his first career game at linebacker Saturday.
? Andy Brodell gave the Hawkeyes a 17-3 lead in the fourth period after returning a punt 81 yards for a touchdown. The punt return for a score was the first of his career. The 81-yard return is the longest return of his career, besting a 78-yard punt return vs. Syracuse (Sept. 9, 2007). Brodell’s return marked Iowa’s first punt return for a touchdown since Jovon Johnson returned a punt 90 yards vs. Ball State (Sept. 3, 2005). Furthermore, the 81-yard return is the 10th-longest in school history.
? Iowa scored three points on its first possession on a PK Trent Mossbrucker 26-yard field goal from the left hash mark. The Hawkeyes have scored on all three of their opening possessions this season. Iowa tallied touchdowns vs. Maine and FIU.
? Iowa State failed to score on its opening possession. All three Iowa opponents (Maine, FIU and Iowa State) failed to score on their opening drives this season.
? Iowa led 3-0 after the first quarter. The Hawkeyes have not allowed any first-period points through three contests, outscoring their opponents 38-0.
? Saturday marked the second-straight game between Iowa and Iowa State that a first-half touchdown was not scored by either team. Last season in Ames, the Cyclones led 12-0 at half (four field goals).
? Iowa State PK Grant Mahoney finished the game 1-4 on field goals. Last season, Iowa State PK Bret Culbertson converted 5-6 to lead the Cyclones to a 15-13 triumph at Jack Trice Stadium.
? TE Tony Moeaki saw action for the first time this season late in the third quarter vs. Iowa State. He missed the first two games due to injury. He caught one pass for four yards in limited action.

THE GREENE MONSTER
Shonn Greene rushed nine times for 101 yards and a score in the first quarter vs. FIU (Sept. 6). 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, who ranks fourth in Big Ten rushing, has rushed for over 100 yards in Iowa’s first three games (Maine, FIU and Iowa State). He has amassed 359 yards on 55 attempts (6.5 avg.) and three scores. He totaled 109 rushing yards on 22 carries vs. Maine, 130 yards on 13 attempts vs. FIU and 120 yards on 20 carries vs. Iowa State. It marked the first time the Hawkeyes had a 100-yard rusher in three-straight contests since the last three games of the 2005 campaign. RB Albert Young rushed for 202 yards at Northwestern (Nov. 5), 127 yards at Wisconsin (Nov. 12) and 103 yards vs. Minnesota (Nov. 19).

HAWKEYE SIGNAL CALLERS
Quarterbacks Jake Christensen and Ricky Stanzi saw about the same amount of playing time in Iowa’s first two contests. However, Stanzi took a majority of the snaps in last week’s contest vs. Iowa State. Christensen has completed 21-32 passes for 248 yards and two scores, while Stanzi has completed 22-38 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns. Stanzi ranks third in Big Ten passing efficiency (150.1). Stanzi, who started and played the first three quarters, was 5-14 for 95 yards vs. Iowa State last week. Christensen, who played the final quarter, was an efficient 4-5 for 27 yards and engineered Iowa’s lone touchdown drive. Against FIU, Stanzi was 8-10 for 162 yards (20.3 avg.) and three touchdowns (8, 23 and 59 yards). Christensen was also effective, 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 242-437 passes for 2,802 yards and 21 scores. The 2,802 yards rank 11th-best in a career at Iowa, only 141 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 40 consecutive games, while King has started 35 career contests, including the last 20. King, who has been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy and Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists, has 181 career tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. He had two tackles, including one for loss vs. Maine. King totaled three stops, including a sack and 1.5 for loss vs. FIU and two assists vs. Iowa State. 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 in 2007. Kroul, an honorable mention all-league honoree last season, has 192 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. He had five tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack vs. Maine. Kroul was credited with two tackles, including a sack vs. FIU and five assists vs. Iowa State. 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.

HAWKEYE SPECIALISTS
Place kickers Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker have shared place kicking duties through three games. Murray, who is a sophomore, handled all kickoffs in both contests and is 8-8 on PATs and 1-2 on field goal attempts. He made a 44-yarder vs. Maine, which was only three yards from his career long, but missed a 50-yarder into the wind last week vs. Iowa State. Mossbrucker, who is a true freshman, is 5-5 on PATs and 3-4 on field goals. He split the uprights from 33 and 35 yards vs. Maine and 26 yards against Iowa State. 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 seven times this season. 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 vs. FIU, with both punts downed inside the 20-yard line. He punted four times for a 37.5 average, including booming a 64-yarder, vs. Iowa State last week. 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.

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 35 of its last 42 games (.833) 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.

TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2008
Iowa has had seven true freshmen see action this season: DB Shaun Prater, TE Brad Herman, DB William Lowe, WR DeMarco Paine, PK Trent Mossbrucker, RB Jewel Hampton and DB David Cato. All saw action in the season opener. Prater, Mossbrucker, Hampton and Cato have competed in all three contests. 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 40 consecutive starts, a streak that ties for second-best in the Big Ten (Wisconsin OL Kraig Urbik, 42; Purdue OL Sean Sester, 40).
? 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 33 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 43-6 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 95 of its last 107 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 97 of 113 games under Kirk Ferentz.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 17 offensive plays (7 run, 10 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). Also, WR Andy Brodell returned a punt a career-long and team season-best 81 yards vs. Iowa State. Iowa’s defense has allowed eight offensive plays (1 run, 7 pass) of 20 yards or more this season. Iowa State posted passing plays of 20, 21 and 21 last week.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 38-0 in the first quarter, 22-3 in the second and 42-2 in the fourth. Both Iowa and its opponents have tallied three third-period points.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 7.2 yards on 88 first down plays, 6.0 yards on 60 second down plays, 5.1 yards on 36 third down plays and 4.8 yards on six fourth down plays.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 6.8 plays, 55.3 yards and 2:48 elapsed time on 16 scoring drives. Twelve of the 16 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 average 6.0 plays, 32.5 yards and 1:14 elapsed time on only two offensive scoring drives.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 12-15 (80%) in the red zone (9 TD, 3 FG) this season. The Hawkeyes have scored 22 touchdowns and four field goals on their last 30 red zone possessions the last six games, dating back to last season. The Hawkeye defense has not allowed a red-zone score through three games. In fact, Iowa State was the Hawkeyes’ first opponent to reach the red zone and was 0-3, including two failed attempts inside the five-yard line.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 14 points off turnovers through three games. The Black and Gold scored 14 points following two interceptions vs. Maine. The Hawkeyes failed to score after collecting three FIU and Iowa State miscues. The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over five times this season, once vs. Maine, twice vs. FIU and three times vs. Iowa State. The Cyclones are the only team that was able to score following the takeaways, scoring only a field goal.

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 80 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 (W, 17-5). Iowa’s lone non-conference road game is at Pittsburgh. 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), 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 returns home to open league play against Northwestern next Saturday (11:05 a.m., ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPN Classic). The Hawkeyes will play their first conference road contest the following week, Oct. 4 at Michigan State (11:05 a.m. CDT, TBD).