Nov. 3, 2008
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IOWA HOSTS PENN STATE SATURDAY
Iowa (5-4, 2-3) returns home Saturday to face undefeated No. 2/3/3 Penn State (9-0, 5-0). Game time is 2:37 p.m. (CST) in Kinnick Stadium (70,585). The game is sold out.
ON THE TUBE
ABC (HD) will televise the game to a regional audience. Fans not in the ABC regional footprint can watch the game on ESPN (HD). The game will also be available online at ESPN360.com. Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Paul Maguire and Stacey Dales 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 1,112 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 564-509-39 (.525). That includes a 357-197-16 (.640) record in home games, a 207-310-23 (.405) record in games away from Iowa City, a 278-343-25 (.450) mark in Big Ten games and a 240-162-15 (.594) record in Kinnick Stadium.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 7-8 in games played on Nov. 8. The Hawkeyes defeated Indiana 60-0 in 1913 and 28-17 in 1969, Northwestern 14-7 in 1919, Butler 7-0 in 1924, Illinois 21-0 in 1941, Minnesota 28-6 in 1958 and Wisconsin 45-28 in 1975. Iowa lost to Michigan 107-0 in 1902, Marquette 7-0 in 1930, Wisconsin 46-14 in 1947 and 13-10 in 1997, Illinois 33-13 in 1952 and 20-16 in 1986 and Purdue 58-13 in 1980 and 27-14 in 2003.
IOWA VS. RANKED TEAMS
Saturday will be Iowa’s first game of the season against a ranked opponent. Also, Saturday will be the first time the Hawkeyes will have played a team ranked in the top ten since facing No. 1 Ohio State at Iowa City in 2006 on Sept. 20, 2006. Iowa lost 38-17 to the Buckeyes.
DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 36 of its last 44 games (.818) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The eight 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 and 22-17 in 2008), 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. Iowa’s 30-7 (.811) home record from 2003 thru 2008 ranks 17th nationally and third in the Big Ten.
THE SERIES
Saturday will be the 21st meeting between Iowa and Penn State and the Nittany Lions’ first visit to Iowa City in five years. Penn State holds a slim 11-9 advantage in the series that began with a 19-0 Iowa win in 1930. Penn State won four straight over Iowa through 1995, but the Hawkeyes have since won six of eight meetings. Iowa is 3-7 vs. Penn State in games played at Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won the last two contests in Kinnick Stadium, including a 26-14 triumph in the last game played at Iowa City Oct. 25, 2003. The Hawkeyes hold a slim 6-5 edge in the 10 meetings since the Nittany Lions joined the Big Ten.
IOWA, PENN STATE NOTES
? Saturday is Penn State’s final road game of the season.
? Iowa is one win from becoming bowl eligible. The Hawkeyes have been bowl eligible the last seven seasons, participating in bowl games six of the seven seasons.
? Saturday is Penn State’s first visit to renovated Kinnick Stadium, which completed renovations before the 2006 season.
? Iowa has played five overtime games in its history and two have come vs. Penn State at State College (the other three were at home vs. Michigan in 2005, at Syracuse in 2006 and at home vs. Michigan State in 2007). The Hawkeyes are 4-1 in overtime games, with the lone defeat coming to Michigan in 2005. The Black and Gold won both overtime contests at Penn State. Iowa’s 26-23 double overtime victory at Penn State in 2000 was Iowa’s first-ever overtime game. In 2002, the Nittany Lions rallied from a 35-13 fourth quarter deficit to send the game into overtime, only to see the Hawkeyes prevail (42-35).
? Iowa’s +59 fourth-quarter point differential is the best in the conference. The Hawkeyes’ +78 second-half point differential is second-best in the league behind Penn State (+123).
? Iowa and Penn State are two of the country’s most disciplined teams, in regards to penalties. The Nittany Lions rank second in fewest yards penalized (26.44), while the Hawkeyes rank seventh (34.78). Iowa was penalized only three times for 19 yards last week at Illinois.
? Saturday features two of the nation’s top rushing defenses. Penn State ranks 11th (99.1), while Iowa ranks 12th (100.7).
? Penn State has rushed for one more yard than Iowa in league play, 940-939. The teams rank one-two, respectively, in the conference.
? As a team, Iowa ranks third in the country in interceptions (16); North Carolina and California are tied for first with 17. The 16 thefts are the most by an Iowa team since the 2004 season (17). Nine different Hawkeyes have intercepted at least one pass this season. LB Pat Angerer leads the team with four thefts, while DB Amari Spievey has three, and FS Brett Greenwood and DB Bradley Fletcher each have two.
? Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi and WR Andy Brodell have connected for a touchdown in four of the last five games (45 yards vs. Northwestern, 31 yards at Michigan State, 34 yards at Indiana and 29 yards at Illinois).
? Iowa had a -5 turnover margin in its first two Big Ten contests, losing both (Northwestern and Michigan State). The Black and Gold had a +5 turnover margin in its last three league games (Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois).
? Iowa is tied with Kansas State and TCU for 12th in the country with the most touchdown drives of five plays or less (14).
? Iowa’s four losses have come by a combined 12 points (21-20 at Pittsburgh, 22-17 vs. Northwestern, 16-13 at Michigan State and 27-24 at Illinois). Three of the four losses were on the road.
? RB Shonn Greene is the only FBS running back in the country to rush for over 100 yards or more in nine contests this season.
? Greene has 11 rushing touchdowns, which ties Ronnie Harmon (1984) for the fifth-most by an Iowa player in a single-season. The 11 scores equals Iowa’s final team total a year ago.
? Iowa’s average starting field position the last four games has been its 36-yard line.
? LB Pat Angerer ranks second in Big Ten tackles (10.4) through five league games. His 16 tackles vs. Wisconsin ties Illinois LB Brit Miller for the most in a Big Ten game this season.
? Iowa ranks third in the nation in interceptions (16), seventh in scoring defense (13.2) and fewest yards penalized (34.78), ninth in pass efficiency defense (100.5) and red zone defense (68%), 12th in rushing defense (100.67) and 24th in total defense (301.56).
? Penn State ranks high nationally in a number of statistical categories. The Nittany Lions rank first in kickoff returns (29.0), third in red zone offense (94%), fourth in scoring defense (11.11), pass efficiency defense (95.98) and sacks allowed (.78), sixth in total defense (265.89) and eighth in scoring offense (41.78). Aaron Maybin ranks third in the country in sacks (1.22) and is tied for fourth in tackles for loss (1.72). WR Derrick Williams ranks eighth nationally in kickoff returns (31.0). QB Daryll Clark ranks 17th in the nation in passing efficiency (148.53).
? Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 29 of its last 31 games, dating back to the 2006 season.
? Iowa is tied for 12th in the country, with the most players (16) with at least one reception this season. Troy ranks first with 21, followed by Tulane with 18 and nine other teams with 17.
? Iowa kept two of the nation’s top rushers under 100 yards (Pittsburgh’s LeSean McCoy was held to 78 yards on 18 carries, while Michigan State’s Javon Ringer was limited to 91 yards on 25 attempts). The Hawkeyes have allowed only one 100-yard rusher this season – Maine’s Jhamal Fluellen (104 yards on 21 attempts) in the season-opener.
? Andy Brodell ranks fourth in the Big Ten and 29th nationally in punt return average (10.9). He has returned 31 punts this year, the most in the nation. He is one of only four Big Ten punt returners who have returned a punt for a score (Ohio State’s Ray Small, Penn State’s Derrick Williams and Michigan’s Martavious Odoms). Additionally, Brodell has posted team-high receiving yards four of the last five games (126 vs. Northwestern, 79 at Michigan State, 95 at Indiana and 81 yards at Illinois).
? Iowa punter Ryan Donahue, who is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, has recorded at least one punt over 50 yards six of the last seven contests (64 yards vs. Iowa State, 59 yards at Pittsburgh, 55 yards vs. Northwestern, 56 yards at Michigan State, 56 yards at Indiana and 51 yards at Illinois). Iowa opponents have returned only 10 punts for 55 yards this season.
? DT Matt Kroul, DT Mitch King and OL Rob Bruggeman have served as captains in each of Iowa’s games.
? 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.
? Iowa true freshmen DB William Lowe (Tuesday) and TE J.D. Griggs (Wednesday) celebrate their 19th and 18th birthdays, respectively, this week.
? Iowa will open Big Ten play at Penn State next season (Sept. 26, 2009).
GREENE NAMED MID-SEASON ALL-AMERICAN
RB Shonn Greene has been named to Sporting News Today’s inaugural Midseason All-America team. Greene, a 5-11, 235-pound junior from Sicklerville, NJ, has rushed for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He was one of six Big Ten players honored. Both all-America running backs were from the Big Ten conference; Michigan State’s Javon Ringer grabbed the other spot. Greene’s rushing total for 2008 already ranks seventh-best on Iowa’s seasonal rushing charts. He is the first Iowa running back to rush for over 100 yards in nine-straight games.
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 55-29 (.655) overall mark and a 33-20 (.623) Big Ten record the last seven seasons. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 66-53 (.555) and a 40-37 (.519) mark in Big Ten games. In 13 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 78-74 (.513). Ferentz, who boasts the second-most victories by a Hawkeye head coach, coached his 150th career game as a head coach at Indiana (Oct. 11, 2008). Forty-one of Iowa’s 119 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (18-24) 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.
PENN STATE COACH JOE PATERNO
Joe Paterno is in his 59th season on the Penn State football coaching staff, including 42 years as head coach. Paterno’s career record is 381-125-3 (.751) since taking over in 1966. He ranks first in all-time NCAA FBS career victories (Bobby Bowden 379). Paterno’s teams have appeared in 34 bowl games, winning 21, won national titles in 1982 and 1986 and posted undefeated records in 1968, 1969, 1973, 1986 and 1994. Last year, he guided the Nittany Lions to a 9-4 record and a 24-17 victory over Texas A&M in the 2007 Alamo Bowl. His teams have won as many as 11 games in 13 seasons and he has been National Coach of the Year on four occasions. In 2005, Paterno guided the Blue and White to a share of the Big Ten title and a 26-23 triumph over Florida State in the FedEx Orange Bowl.
PENN STATE WINS AT OHIO STATE, IDLE LAST WEEK
Penn State remained undefeated winning its ninth-straight game of the season with a 13-6 victory at Ohio State on Oct. 25. The win was the Nittany Lions’ first at Columbus since joining the Big Ten in 1993. QB Pat Devlin came off the bench for injured starting QB Daryll Clark in the fourth quarter to lead Penn State on two scoring drives. Defenses controlled most of the game before an Ohio Stadium-record crowd of 105,711. Penn State took advantage of two Ohio State fourth-quarter turnovers. Trailing 6-3, the Nittany Lions converted a Buckeye fumble into a touchdown to put Penn State on top 10-6. Penn State added a field goal on its next possession, increasing its cushion to 13-6. The Nittany Lions secured the victory with an interception in the end zone in the final seconds of the game. The Nittany Lions held Ohio State RB Beanie Bells to 55 yards on 22 carries. Penn State RB Evan Royster ran 19 times for a game-high 77 yards and had three receptions for 20 yards. Clark completed 12-20 passes for 121 yards. Despite playing a majority of the fourth period, Devlin did not, officially, attempt a pass. He did, however, tally the game-winning score on a one-yard QB-sneak.
LAST MEETING
Penn State snapped a five-game losing streak to Iowa with a 27-7 victory at Beaver Stadium last year. The win was the Nittany Lions’ first over the Hawkeyes, in State College, since 1994. The Nittany Lions had 489 yards total offense, including 256 yards on the ground. The Hawkeyes were only able to generate 194 yards total offense. After a scoreless first quarter, Penn State scored on a Kevin Kelly 24-yard field goal. The Nittany Lions scored 10 points in the final 1:08 of the first half on a Derrick Williams 24-yard touchdown reception and a Kelly 53-yard field goal to extend their advantage to 13-0. Penn State added two rushing touchdowns in the second half, while Iowa’s lone touchdown came on an 11-yard scoring strike from QB Jake Christensen to WR Trey Stross. The score concluded an 86-yard drive that followed an interception by Brett Greenwood. The Hawkeyes did win the turnover battle, not turning the ball over and collecting three from Penn State (two interceptions and a fumble). In addition to Greenwood’s theft, DB Charles Godfrey also had an interception, while Adam Shada recovered a PSU fumble that was caused by LB Mike Humpal. Christensen completed 16-29 passes for 146 yards and a score. Penn State held Iowa’s leading rusher, Albert Young, to 13 carries for 44 yards. Stross caught five passes for a career-high 69 yards and a score. Penn State QB Anthony Morelli completed 18-31 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown. RB Rodney Kinlaw carried the ball 28 times for a game-high 168 yards and two touchdowns. Penn State had five receivers with a team-best three receptions. Humpal recorded a game-high 12 tackles for Iowa. He was also credited with a forced fumble. DL Matt Kroul equaled a career high with 10 tackles, while DT Mitch King had seven tackles and a forced fumble. King matched a career high with two sacks.
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.
ILLINOIS 27, IOWA 24
Illinois PK Matt Eller made a 46-yard field goal with 24 seconds remaining to propel the Illini to a 27-24 victory over Iowa at Memorial Stadium. The win was Illinois’ first in six tries over the Hawkeyes. Iowa trailed 24-9 in the fourth quarter, but mounted a furious comeback to tie the game with 2:46 left. WR Andy Brodell caught a 29-yard touchdown from QB Ricky Stanzi at the 11:42 mark to make the score 24-16. It marked the fourth time in five games the two connected for a score. Later in the period, the Hawkeye defense collected its third takeaway of the game. Iowa drove 36 yards in five plays and 1:24 to score its second touchdown of the period on a RB Shonn Greene five-yard score. Down 24-22, Iowa attempted its first two-point conversion of the year and was successful. TE Allen Reisner caught the three-yard pass from Stanzi. However, Iowa’s defense was unable to stop Illinois in the closing minutes. The Illini converted two third downs to keep the chains moving and drive into field goal territory for the game-winning field goal. Mossbrucker scored Iowa’s first nine points, converting field goals of 19, 26 and 27 yards. He did miss a 30-yarder, from an angle, in the second period; only his second miss of the season. Greene rushed 21 times for 103 yards and a touchdown. He is the only FBS running back in the country to top 100 rushing yards in nine games in 2008. Stanzi completed 11-29 passes for 191 yards, and a touchdown and two interceptions. Brodell caught a team-high three passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Brodell, who leads the country in punt return attempts, returned four punts for 48 yards. Illinois QB Juice Williams completed 22-37 passes for 272 yards, and a touchdown and two interceptions. WR Arrelious Benn caught a game-high seven passes for 96 yards. Iowa held the nation’s 11th-best team in total offense to 332 yards, including only 60 rushing yards, and forced three turnovers that resulted in 11 points. DT Mitch King amassed a game and season-high 10 tackles, including two for loss, and caused his third career fumble. LB Pat Angerer was credited with nine tackles. Iowa punter Ryan Donahue, who is a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, punted five times for a 44.6 average. Two of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line and he had a long punt of 51, marking the sixth time in seven games he has had at least one punt travel over 50 yards.
EXTRA POINTS
? Iowa failed to score on its first possession of the game. Iowa has scored on its opening possession in four of nine games, collecting touchdowns against Maine, FIU and Wisconsin and a field goal against Iowa State.
? Illinois failed to score on its opening possession. All nine Iowa opponents (Maine, FIU, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin and Illinois) failed to score on their opening drives this season.
? Junior RB Shonn Greene led Iowa’s rushing game with 103 yards on 21 carries, his ninth straight game of the season with over 100 rushing yards. Greene’s season totals through nine games stand at 198 carries for 1,257 yards, which ranks seventh-best in single-season rushing. It marks the 10th 100-yard rushing game of his career. His career totals stand at 267 attempts for 1,635 yards. He now ranks 16th in career rushing yards.
? Entering the Illinois game, Iowa was 1-12 on third-down conversions 10-14 yards. Iowa converted 2-4 from that distance against the Illini.
? WR Trey Stross started his first game of the season and second of his career. He had one reception for 17 yards vs. Illinois.
? PK Trent Mossbrucker has made at least one field goal in eight of Iowa’s nine contests, including a career-best three against Illinois in a career-best four attempts. He converted from 26 and 19 yards in the second period and 27 yards in the third period. Mossbrucker has made 13-15 field goal attempts after missing a 30-yard attempt (wide left), also in the second period. His only previous miss was a blocked attempt vs. FIU and his second quarter miss at Illinois ended a streak of nine straight made attempts.
? Sophomore CB Amari Spievey had his third interception of the season in the second period, along with a 23-yard return. The theft led to Iowa’s second field goal in the second period.
? Senior CB Bradley Fletcher had his second interception of the season in the third period, his first since the opening game of the season vs. Maine.
? Iowa came up with its third turnover of the game with DB Tyler Sash recovered a fumble in the fourth period, which led to Iowa’s final touchdown and two-point conversion. The recovery is the first for Sash, a redshirt freshman. Iowa had three takeaways for the second-straight game after having three interceptions in a win over Wisconsin.
? Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 29 of its last 31 games, dating back to the 2006 season. Iowa has scored 58 points following 20 opponent turnovers in nine games.
? Iowa had its first turnover in three games when Illinois had a pass interception late in the second period. Iowa did not have any turnovers in wins over Indiana and Wisconsin. Iowa’s second turnover (fourth quarter fumble) was returned for an Illinois touchdown and the third, an interception, came in the final seconds of the game.
? Iowa scored three points following an interception in the second period, did not score following a third period theft and added a touchdown and two-point conversion after a recovered fumble in the fourth quarter.
? Iowa had one turnover in the first half, which led to three points for Illinois. The Illini returned an Iowa fumble for a touchdown in the fourth period and did not score following an interception in the final seconds.
? Iowa scored three field goals and a touchdown on its five red zone possessions, with the other ending in a missed field goal. The Hawkeyes had scored on 12 consecutive red zone trips (six touchdowns, six field goals), dating back to the Michigan State game (Oct. 4), before a missed field goal attempt in the second period.
? Illinois scored a rushing touchdown on its only red zone possession, that coming in the first period.
THE GREENE MONSTER
RB Shonn Greene, who ranks second in the Big Ten and third nationally in rushing, has rushed for over 100 yards in all nine games this year. His rushing total of 159 yards against Northwestern (Sept. 27) pushed him over 1,000 career yards. For his career, Greene has rushed 267 times for 1,635 yards (6.1 avg.) and 12 scores. The 1,635 yards ranks 16th-best in Iowa’s career annals. He has amassed 1,257 yards on 198 attempts (6.35 avg.) and 11 scores in 2008. His 6.35 average per carry is second-best in the nation (min. 175 attempts) behind Oklahoma State’s Kendall Hunter (6.70). The 1,257 rushing yards rank seventh-best in a single-season at Iowa. Greene became the 12th Hawkeye, and second-fastest, to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. His 11 rushing scores are the fifth-most by an Iowa player in a single-season. Greene’s 66 points marks the 23rd time an Iowa skill-position player scored at least 60 points in a season. Also, the 66 points equal the 22nd-most in a single-season at Iowa. His current 6.35 average per carry is the highest rushing average by an Iowa running back, in a single-season, since Tavian Banks averaged 6.5 yards on 260 attempts in 1997. In Iowa’s five conference games, he averages a Big Ten-best 150.2 yards and seven touchdowns. Also, Greene ranks 30th nationally in all-purpose yards (144.4). Greene, who is a candidate for the Doak Walker Award, is the first Iowa running back to ever rush for over 100 yards in nine-straight games. Additionally, he is the only FBS player to eclipse 100 yards rushing nine times this season. Greene has topped 100 yards rushing in a single-game 10 times in his career. He rushed 25 times for a career-high 217 yards and four touchdowns vs. Wisconsin. The 217 yards ties Nick Bell for the sixth-most rushing yards in a single-game in Iowa history. Bell rushed 31 times for 217 yards and three touchdowns vs. Wisconsin on Oct. 14, 1989. Greene’s 217 yards are the most by an Iowa running back since Albert Young totaled 202 yards on 38 carries at Northwestern on Nov. 5, 2005. Greene equaled a school record with four rushing touchdowns (12, 34, 34 and 52 yards) vs. Wisconsin. The last time the feat was accomplished was by RB Tavian Banks vs. Iowa State on Sept. 20, 1997. The four scores are the most by an Iowa player since Ed Hinkel caught four touchdowns in a 52-28 win vs. Minnesota on Nov. 19, 2005. The four touchdowns tie a Kinnick Stadium record, by an Iowa player. Additionally, Greene’s 24 points ties a school record held by eight others. 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).
STANZI DIRECTS HAWKEYE OFFENSE
After splitting time with Jake Christensen under center the first four games, Ricky Stanzi has emerged as Iowa’s starting quarterback. Stanzi has completed 99-167 (.593) passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns this season. He ranks fifth in Big Ten passing efficiency and 37th in the country (135.82). The 1,311 yards passing ranks 26th-best in Iowa’s single-season record chart. Stanzi started and played the entire game vs. Northwestern (Sept. 27), Iowa’s fifth contest of the season. The sophomore completed 21-30 passes for 238 yards and also completed a career-long 45-yard touchdown pass to WR Andy Brodell against the Wildcats. At Michigan State, Stanzi completed 15-22 passes for 158 yards and a score. At Indiana, Stanzi completed 12-20 passes for 184 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Hawkeyes to their first Big Ten win in 2008. Against Wisconsin, he completed 11-18 passes for 114 yards and a score. He completed 11-29 passes for 191 yards and a score at Illinois. Stanzi has thrown at least one touchdown pass the last five contests. Stanzi’s first start was vs. FIU (Sept. 6). He was 8-10 for 162 yards (20.3 avg.) and tossed three touchdowns (8, 23 and 59 yards) in seeing half the snaps. The native of Mentor, OH, started and played the first three quarters vs. Iowa State, completing 5-14 for 95 yards. He was 7-10 for 79 yards, including completing his first six pass attempts, at Pittsburgh. Stanzi was an efficient 9-14 for 90 yards vs. Maine in the season opener. 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 46 consecutive games, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest by an FBS player. The 46 starts is two shy of the Iowa record of 48, which was established by OL Bruce Nelson (1999-02). King has started 41 career contests, including the last 26. King, who has been named to the 2008 Lott Trophy and Lombardi and Chuck Bednarik Award Watch Lists, has 217 career tackles, 50.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. The 217 tackles rank 45th-best on Iowa’s career tackle charts. His six tackles at Indiana increased the senior’s tackle total over 200 for his career. 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. King had four tackles, including 1.5 for loss at Pittsburgh. He amassed a then-season-high eight tackles and a QB-Hurry vs. Northwestern. King was credited with seven tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack at Michigan State. He had three stops vs. Wisconsin. Last week, he amassed a game and season-high 10 tackles, including two for loss, and caused his third career fumble at Illinois. 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 225 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. The 225 career tackles ranks 40th-best in Iowa career annals. Kroul’s tackle totals vs. Northwestern pushed him over 200 career tackles. He had three tackles at Illinois. He tallied four stops at Indiana and seven vs. Wisconsin. He collected a season-best nine tackles, one shy of a career high, vs. Northwestern. He had five tackles, including 1.5 for loss and a sack vs. Maine. Kroul, who was a 2008 Draddy Trophy semifinalist, was credited with two tackles, including a sack vs. FIU, and five assists vs. Iowa State. Kroul had two tackles and a fumble recovery at Pittsburgh and collected eight stops, including 0.5 for loss at Michigan 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.
DEFENSE MAKES A STAND
Iowa’s defense did not yield a touchdown the first three contests. The first touchdown scored against Iowa’s defense was at the 6:06 mark of the first quarter in game four at Pittsburgh on Sept. 20. Iowa was the last FBS school to allow a touchdown this season. Like this year, the Hawkeye defense did not allow a touchdown until the fourth game in 2007 (at Wisconsin). Iowa did not allow a touchdown in its 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 ranks third in the nation in interceptions (16), seventh in scoring defense (13.2) and fewest yards penalized (34.78), ninth in pass efficiency defense (100.5) and red zone defense (68%), 12th in rushing defense (100.67) and 24th in total defense (301.56). Iowa’s defense has forced 56 punts, 36 three-and-outs (31.6%), blocked a field goal (Northwestern) and a punt (Wisconsin) and collected a safety (Maine).
DJK AND BRODELL LEAD HAWKEYE RECEIVERS
Sophomore Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (DJK) and senior Andy Brodell lead the Hawkeye receiving corps this year. Brodell ranks first in receptions (27), receiving yards (454) and touchdowns (4). DJK ranks second in catches (26) and receiving yards (325). Brodell averages 16.8 yards per catch and has caught four touchdowns (45-yarder vs. Northwestern, a 31-yarder at Michigan State, a 34-yarder at Indiana and a 29-yarder at Illinois, all from QB Ricky Stanzi). The native of Ankeny, IA, is also Iowa’s primary punt returner; he ranks 29th in the country, averaging 10.9 yards on 31 returns. His 31 returns are the most in the nation. Brodell returned an Iowa season-best 81-yard punt for a touchdown vs. Iowa State. The return was the 10th-longest punt return in school history. Brodell’s numbers have risen since the beginning of conference play, with 381 of his 454 yards coming during conference play. His 76.2 average in league play ranks third-best. Brodell cracked 1,000 career receiving yards with his totals from the Northwestern game (Sept. 27). The senior has now caught 85 career passes for 1,290 yards and nine touchdowns. The 85 receptions and 1,290 yards both rank 21st-best in school history. Last year he had 13 catches for 96 yards and averaged 14.4 yards on 14 punt returns before suffering a season-ending injury at Wisconsin in Iowa’s fourth game. 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. DJK averages 12.5 yards per reception and also has one touchdown (59-yard pass from Ricky Stanzi vs. FIU). DJK has also returned eight kickoffs for 165 yards. Last season, he led the Hawkeyes, catching 38 passes for 482 yards and two scores.
MOSSBRUCKER APPROACHES RECORD
True freshman PK Trent Mossbrucker has scored 60 points this season, converting 21-21 PATs and 13-15 FGs. The 60 points is two points shy of Iowa’s single-season true freshman record of 62 set by PK Nate Kaeding (2000) and four points from Iowa’s single-season freshman record of 64 set by redshirt freshman Jeff Skillett (1988). PK Rob Houghtlin scored 105 points in 1985 as a sophomore, his first year of competition at Iowa.
HAWKEYE SPECIALISTS
Place kickers Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker have shared kicking duties this season. Murray, a sophomore, has handled all kickoffs and is 9-9 on PATs and 1-3 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 vs. Iowa State and a 35-yarder at Pittsburgh. Mossbrucker, a true freshman, is Iowa’s primary field goal kicker and is 21-21 on PATs and 13-15 on field goals. He averages 1.44 field goals per game, which ties for 24th-best in the nation. Mossbrucker made seven-straight field goals before missing a 30-yarder, on an angle, last week at Illinois in the second period. He split the uprights from 33 and 35 yards vs. Maine, connected on a 26-yarder against Iowa State and converted from 26 and a career-long 39 yards at Pittsburgh. The native of Mooresville, IN, also made a 30-yarder vs. Northwestern and kicks of 25 and 33 at Michigan State. He made a 26-yard field goal at Indiana and a 35-yarder vs. Wisconsin. He converted kicks of 19, 26 and 27 yards at Illinois. His 32-yard attempt vs. FIU was blocked. Punter Ryan Donahue, a finalist for the Ray Guy Award, has punted 37 times this season. He is averaging 41.4 yards per punt, which ranks eighth in the Big Ten and 42nd nationally. Donahue has recorded at least one punt over 50 yards in six of the last seven contests (64 yards vs. Iowa State, 59 yards at Pittsburgh, 55 yards vs. Northwestern, 56 yards at Michigan State, 56 yards at Indiana and 51 yards at Illinois). Additionally, 15 of his punts have been downed inside the 20. 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. Donahue had a 41.6 average, boosted by a 59-yard punt, on seven punts at Pittsburgh. Donahue averaged 43.0 yards on three punts vs. Northwestern. He had a career-best average, 53.0, on three punts at Michigan State. Donahue punted four times for a 44.0 average, with a long of 56 yards and downing three punts inside the Indiana 15-yard line. Against Wisconsin, he kicked a season-high eight punts for a 36.8 average, placing three inside the 20. He averaged 44.6 yards on five punts, including placing two inside the 20-yard line and booming a 51-yarder at Illinois. Iowa opponents have just 10 returns for 55 yards this season. The sophomore punted 46 times for a 38.6 average through Iowa’s first seven games last year. The last five games of 2007, 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.
CONFERENCE ONLY RANKINGS
Iowa ranks first in rushing defense (102.0), field goal percentage (.889) and kickoff coverage (48.6), second in rushing offense (187.8) and fewest penalty yards (36.2), third in scoring offense (27.4), scoring defense (18.0) and red zone defense (78.6%), fourth in total defense (338.4), and fifth in pass efficiency (129.8) and punting (40.3), in conference games only. Individually, RB Shonn Greene ranks first in rushing (150.1), third in all-purpose yards (155.4) and tied for fourth in scoring (8.4), in league games only. WR Andy Brodell ranks third in receiving yards (76.2), QB Ricky Stanzi ranks fourth in pass efficiency (131.2), LB Pat Angerer ranks second in tackles (10.4) and is tied for third in interceptions (0.4), and PK Trent Mossbrucker ranks fourth in field goals (1.6) and sixth in scoring (7.8).
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 nine contests. The Hawkeyes had 11 true freshmen play a year ago. Iowa also had seven true freshmen play in 2003 and 2000. Cato has been credited with nine tackles and a forced fumble, and Prater seven tackles and two pass break-ups. Hampton has rushed 66 times for 344 yards and five touchdowns and has also returned 15 kickoffs for 323 yards (21.5). He rushed 22 times for a career-high 114 yards and three scores at Indiana. Hampton returned four kickoffs for 116 yards at Michigan State, which is the most kickoff return yardage in a single-game by a Hawkeye since C.J. Jones had 169 yards on four returns vs. USC in the 2003 Orange Bowl. Mossbrucker has connected on all 21 PATs and 13-15 FGs. Mossbrucker ranks second in team scoring with 60 points. The 60 points ties for 32nd-best in a single-season in the Iowa record books.
YOUTHFUL HAWKEYES
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. Iowa has only four senior starters on offense and three on defense. Additionally, the Hawkeyes start four sophomores and one redshirt freshman on offense and five sophomores and one redshirt freshman on defense.
QUICK HITS
? The Hawkeyes have a consecutive home sellout streak of 35 games, dating back to the 2003 season. The last Iowa game not sold out was vs. Buffalo (9/6/03).
? Iowa is in possession of two traveling trophies and will play for a third at Minnesota in the regular season finale (Nov. 22). The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 17-5 (Sept. 13) to gain possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy and beat Wisconsin 38-16 (Oct. 18) to claim the Heartland Trophy.
? Iowa, who ranks seventh in the nation in scoring defense, has allowed single-digit points or less four times this season (Maine – 3, FIU – 0, Iowa State – 5, Indiana – 9).
? RB Shonn Greene has amassed 562 yards after contact on his 198 rushing attempts.
? WR Andy Brodell has returned 31 punts for 338 yards. He is approaching Iowa’s single-season record in punt returns (40) and yardage (495), both established by Ramon Ochoa in 2003.
? Iowa had four rushing touchdowns in back-to-back games (Indiana and Wisconsin) this season. RB Jewel Hampton posted scoring runs of one, one and 10 yards and RB Shonn Greene had a 12-yard touchdown run at Indiana. Greene had all four rushing touchdowns vs. Wisconsin, scoring from 12, 34, 34 and 52 yards.
? Defensive tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King reached 200 career tackles two games apart from each other. Kroul became the 59th Iowa defensive player to reach the 200-tackle plateau vs. Northwestern (Sept. 27), while King accomplished the feat two games later at Indiana (Oct. 11).
? WR Andy Brodell cracked 1,000 career receiving yards with his totals from the Northwestern game (Sept. 27). The senior has caught 85 career passes for 1,290 yards and nine touchdowns. The 85 receptions and 1,290 yards both rank 21st in school history.
? Iowa has only allowed 10 punt returns for a total of 55 yards.
? DL Matt Kroul has 46 consecutive starts, the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest by an FBS player.
? RB Shonn Greene became the first Iowa player to rush for four touchdowns (vs. Wisconsin) in a single-game since Tavian Banks scored four vs. Iowa State on Sept. 20, 1997.
? Iowa played 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).
? In the last seven years, Iowa is 45-7 when leading at the half and 50-6 when leading after three quarters.
? Iowa’s time of possession of 38:07 at Indiana (Oct. 11) is the third highest, in a single-game, during Coach Ferentz’s head coaching tenure at Iowa. Additionally, Iowa’s 28 first downs and 51 rushing attempts against the Hoosiers rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in a single-game under Coach Ferentz.
? Maine’s nine pass completions and 83 passing yards, week one, both rank as the fourth-fewest by an opponent under Coach Ferentz.
? 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 defeated the Cyclones 17-5 on Sept. 13.
? 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 100 of its last 113 games, including 8-9 games this season. Iowa games vs. Wisconsin (10/18/08), 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 10 of those 13 games. Iowa has started the game on offense in 102 of 119 games under Kirk Ferentz.
BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has posted 41 offensive plays (16 run, 25 pass) that resulted in 20 yards or more. The Hawkeyes had a season-best seven plays (5 rush, 2 pass) result over 20 yards against Northwestern. RB Shonn Greene had touchdown runs of 34, 34 and 52 yards vs. Wisconsin. Greene has Iowa’s longest rush (52 yards — touchdown vs. Wisconsin). RB Jewel Hampton has the Hawkeyes’ longest kickoff return (40 yards at Michigan State), while WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has the longest 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 only 27 offensive plays (5 run, 22 pass) of 20 yards or more this season. The Hawkeye defense did not allow a rush more than 10 yards at Illinois last week.
IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents 61-24 in the first quarter, 66-38 in the second, 44-25 in the third and 91-32 in the fourth period.
ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averages 6.8 yards on 273 first down plays, 5.5 yards on 183 second down plays, 4.5 yards on 109 third down plays and 3.9 yards on 13 fourth down plays. The Hawkeyes averaged 5.8 yards on 32 first-down plays at Illinois last week.
AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa averages 6.7 plays, 53.4 yards and 3:00 elapsed time on 44 scoring drives. Twenty-eight of the 44 scoring drives resulted in touchdowns. Iowa had six touchdowns scoring drives vs. FIU and Indiana and five touchdown drives vs. Wisconsin. Last week at Illinois, the Black and Gold posted season-high drives in plays (15) and time of possession (6:45). Additionally, three of Iowa’s scoring drives at Illinois covered 64 yards or more. Hawkeye opponents average 8.6 plays, 54.8 yards and 3:10 elapsed time on only 22 offensive scoring drives.
IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 32-40 (80%) in the red zone (20 TD, 12 FG) this season. The Hawkeyes have scored points on 15 of the last 16 (93.8%) red zone trips (seven touchdowns, eight field goals), dating back to the Michigan State game. The Hawkeye defense has limited the opposition to 13-19 (68.4%) in the red zone, which ranks first in the conference and ninth-best in the country. Iowa State, the Hawkeyes’ third opponent, was the first team to reach the red zone against Iowa and was 0-3, including two failed attempts inside the five-yard line. Iowa’s last two opponents, Wisconsin and Illinois, each only reached the red zone once; the Badgers scored a field goal and the Fighting Illini scored a touchdown.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 58 points following 20 opponent turnovers. The Black and Gold scored 14 points following two interceptions vs. Maine, three points after two Pittsburgh miscues, three points after a Northwestern interception, a touchdown after a Michigan State interception, 10 points after an Indiana interception and fumble and 10 more points against Wisconsin after three turnovers. The Black and Gold scored 11 points after three Illinois miscues on a field goal, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. The Hawkeyes failed to score after collecting three FIU and Iowa State miscues. The Hawkeyes have turned the ball over 16 times, allowing their opponents to score 33 points. Iowa has not turned over the ball in two of their last three contests. The Black and Gold had one turnover vs. Maine and Pittsburgh, two vs. FIU and Iowa State, five vs. Northwestern, and three in road games at Michigan State and Illinois. The Cyclones tallied a field goal; the Wildcats turned Iowa miscues into 14 points, while the Spartans kicked two field goals. Illinois tallied 10 points after three Iowa miscues, scoring a field goal following an interception and returning an Iowa fumble seven yards for a score.
IOWA ON A ROLL ON THE FIELD AND IN THE CLASSROOM
Previously, the NCAA issued its annual report on the academic achievement of the 322 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics programs, and the UI and its student-athletes are on a nice roll in this competition as well. The report gives graduation information about students and student-athletes entering in 2001. This is the most recent graduating class for which the required six years of information is available. The “Graduation Success Rate” (GSR) for UI student-athletes was 86 percent – a mark that is eight points higher than the national average, two points better than Iowa’s number a year ago (84 percent) and five points better than its 2006 number (81 percent). The upward trend in the GSR for the UI is mirrored in the numbers for the Iowa football program. The NCAA reported a GSR of 75 percent for student-athletes in the sport of football – a mark that is eight points better than the national average (67 percent), two points better than last year (73 percent) and 10 points better than the UI’s 2006 number (65 percent) GSR measures graduation rates at Division I institutions and includes students transferring into the institutions. The GSR also allows institutions to subtract student-athletes who leave their institutions prior to graduation as long as they would have been academically eligible to compete had they remained. Iowa ranked third in the Big Ten Conference among its football peers behind only Northwestern (92 percent) and Penn State (78 percent). Iowa also ranked third among its peers in the Big Ten when comparing the GSR for all student-athletes – 86 percent and behind only Northwestern (97 percent) and Penn State (89 percent).
HAWKEYES EARN BIG TEN WEEKLY HONOR
Iowa has had four student-athletes earn Big Ten Player of the Week accolades this season: Andy Brodell, Karl Klug, Shonn Greene and Pat Angerer. Brodell was named Special Teams Player of the Week (Sept. 15) 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 earned Defensive Player of the Week laurels (Sept. 8) after posting career highs with nine tackles and two sacks while also forcing a fumble to help the Iowa defense post a shutout against Florida International. The sophomore defensive tackle’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. Greene was named Offensive Player of the Week Oct. 20. The junior from Sicklerville, NJ, outscored the Badgers by himself, scoring 24 points with four rushing touchdowns while rushing for 217 yards on 25 carries. His four rushing scores (12, 34, 34 and 52) and 24 points equaled school records and matched the Kinnick Stadium records, by an Iowa player. Greene’s 34-yard touchdown in the second quarter pushed him over 1,000 rushing yards for the season. He became the 12th Hawkeye, and second-fastest, to reach 1,000 yards. Greene’s 217 yards ties Nick Bell for the sixth-most rushing yards in a single-game in school history. The junior has topped the century mark eight-straight games and nine times in his career. He is the first Hawkeye to ever eclipse 100 yards in eight-straight contests. Furthermore, he is the only Football Bowl Subdivision running back to rush for over 100 yards the first eight games this season. This marks the first weekly Big Ten honor of Greene’s career. Angerer was named Defensive Player of the Week Oct. 20. The native of Bettendorf, posted career highs in tackles (16) and interceptions (2) against the Badgers. Twelve of his game-high 16 tackles came in the first half. The junior helped secure the victory with a pair of four-quarter thefts, returning them 19 yards. Both interceptions led to 10 Hawkeye points. The 16 tackles are the most by an Iowa player since Mike Humpal registered 18 vs. Michigan State in a double-overtime contest Oct. 27, 2007. This marks the first weekly conference honor of Angerer’s career.
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, ESPN Classic or the Big Ten Network. Iowa has appeared on television in its last 86 games. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001.
2008 BIG TEN SCHEDULE
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 freshmen 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 (Schulze, 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 will play its final home game of the season vs. Purdue (11 a.m., BTN).