Nov. 22, 2008
With the 55-0 win at Minnesota Iowa improved to 8-4 during the regular season, winning five of its last six games. The Hawkeyes earned a tie for fourth place in the Big Ten with a 5-3 league record, including a 24-23 victory over league champion Penn State. Iowa won eight games during the regular season for the first time since 2004 and the fourth time in 10 seasons under Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz has guided the Hawkeyes to seven first division finishes, including league titles in 2002 and 2004.
Iowa won all three “trophy” games this season, winning the Cy-Hawk Trophy from Iowa State (17-5), the Heartland Trophy from Wisconsin (38-16) and Floyd of Rosedale from Minnesota (00-00). Iowa’s holds all three traveling trophies for the first time since 2004.
With the Iowa win, here are series notes:
The series now stands at Minnesota leading, 59-41-2, with Iowa winning the last two meetings and seven of the last eight. Minnesota now leads 39-33-2 with Floyd of Rosedale at stake.
This is Iowa’s largest margin of victory in the series, with the previous best 51 points (61-10 in 1983).
This marks Iowa’s most points against Minnesota since the 61 points in 1983 and the second most by Iowa in the 102 games in the series. It is also Iowa’s highest ever scored against the Gophers in Minneapolis.
The 55 points are the most Iowa has scored in the Metrodome while compiling an 8-6 record in the facility.
Iowa’s First shutout in the series since 31-0 in Iowa City in 1997. Iowa’s last shutout over Minnesota was a 7-0 win in 1956. The shutout marks the first for Iowa under Ferentz against a Big Ten Conference team.
Iowa’s margin of victory against Minnesota is the largest for the Hawkeyes in a road game since a 64-0 win at Northwestern in 1981.
Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 101 of its last 116 contests. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 103-of-122 games under Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa did not score on its first possession of the game. Iowa scored on its opening possession in six of 12 games, collecting touchdowns against Maine, Florida International, Wisconsin, Penn State and Purdue and a field goal against Iowa State.
Minnesota failed to score on its opening possession. All 12 Iowa opponents (Maine, FIU, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Michigan State, Indiana, Wisconsin, Illinois, Penn State, Purdue and Minnesota) failed to score on their opening drives this season.
Iowa’s margin of victory against Minnesota is the largest for the Hawkeyes in a road game since a 64-0 win at Northwestern in 1981.
With Shonn Greene’s rushing totals against Minnesota, which included 22 rushes for 144 yards and two scores Green has accomplished the following:
Established an Iowa single season rushing record with 1,729 yards on 278 rushing attempts. Greene entered the game as the leading rusher in the nation.
Tied Iowa’s single season record for rushing touchdowns with 17 (Tavian Banks, 1997).
Rushed for over 100 yards in all 12 games this season and now has 13 games with over 100 rushing yards.
Raised his career rushing totals to 357 attempts for 2,107 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ranks 11th in career rushing yards.
Greene is the only running back in the nation to surpass 100 rushing yards in every game.
With his rushing totals in wins over Wisconsin and Purdue, Greene became just the third Iowa running back to gain over 200 yards in two games in a season.
Greene becomes the first Hawkeye running back to lead the Big Ten in rushing (Big Ten games) since Albert Young in 2005.
Iowa PK Daniel Murray tied a career-best of two made field goals with kicks of 35 and 29 yards in the first half. Murray made two field goals in three games during the 2007 season, against Wisconsin, Purdue and Michigan State. Murray converted a season-long 45-yard field goal in Iowa’s 22-17 win over Purdue Nov. 15. Murray is 5-7 on field goals this season, including making the game-winner from 31 yards against No. 3 Penn State on Nov. 8.
True freshman PK Trent Mossbrucker established an Iowa single-season freshman scoring record by hitting all seven of his PAT attempts against Minnesota. Mossbrucker increased his season total to 70 points (31-33 PAT, 13-15 FG). He broke the record previously held by Jeff Skillett, who had 64 points in 1988.
Senior TE Brandon Myers had a three-yard touchdown reception in the second period, his fourth of the season to tie WR Andy Brodell for the team lead. Myers ended the game with four catches for 46 yards and established career-bests this season with 30 catches for 386 yards.
Sophomore DB Amari Spievey had an interception and 57-yard return for a touchdown late in the second period. The interception was the fourth of the season for Spievey. The return for a score is the first by an Iowa player since Adam Shada had a 98-yard return for a touchdown against Purdue (10/07/06) in Kinnick Stadium.
Iowa collected three turnovers against Minnesota, two interceptions and a fumble. The interceptions raise Iowa’s total to 20 on the year. Iowa entered today’s contest tied for second in the country in passes intercepted, three behind Boston College. The Hawkeyes have recorded at least one takeaway in 32 of their last 34 games, dating back to the 2006 season.
Iowa scored 21 points following its three takeaways against Minnesota. Iowa has scored 82 points this season following 27 opponent turnovers.
Iowa did not have a turnover against Minnesota, marking its third game of the season with no turnovers. Minnesota entered the game against Iowa leading the nation with 30 takeaways (16 fumbles, 14 interceptions) and fourth in turnover margin (+15).
Iowa’s 24 points in the second quarter are the most by the Hawkeyes in one period this season. Iowa previously scored 21 points in the fourth period vs. Maine and the first period vs. Florida International. The 24 points are the most in a period since Iowa scored 24 in the fourth period of a 52-28 win over Minnesota in 2005.
Senior DL Matt Kroul started his 49th consecutive game today, which is the longest active streak in the Big Ten and third-longest among FBS players. The 49-straight starts set an Iowa record, breaking the previous mark of 48, which was held by OL Bruce Nelson (1999-02). Kroul was credited with two tackles against the Gophers, including an assisted tackle for loss.
Iowa’s defense had two interceptions and 115 returns yards. Tyler Sash had a 58 yard return and Amari Spievey had a 57 yard return for a touchdown. The 58 yard return by Sash ranks as the 11th-longest interception return by an Iowa player and Spievey’s 57-yard returns ties as the 12th longest.
QB Ricky Stanzi completed 15-28 passes for 255 yards and three touchdowns, all to different receivers. Stanzi has thrown 13 scoring passes this season, completing 137-235 passes for 1,809 yards, with seven interceptions. The 255 yards are a career best and the three touchdowns match a career-best.
Iowa had its longest scoring drive of the season, by yards and elapsed time, in the second period when the Hawkeyes drove 91 yards for a touchdown on 12 plays and 6:56 elapsed time. The previous best was 90 yards against Northwestern (eight plays) and 6:45 in time at Illinois. Iowa’s longest drive by plays is 15, at Illinois.
The Iowa defense allowed Minnesota just seven rushing yards and 134 yards total offense. The rushing yards are the second fewest for Iowa under Kirk Ferentz and the 134 yards total offense rank as the third lowest allowed by a Ferentz-coached Iowa team.
In the redzone, Iowa was 7-7, collecting two field goals and five touchdowns. Minnesota did not reach the redzone.
WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had a career-high 181 receiving yards on seven catches, including a 29-yard scoring catch. The 181 yards ranks as the eighth most receiving yards for an Iowa player in a single game. Johnson’s previous best was 119 yards on a career-best eight receptions in a win at Northwestern in 2007.
Today was the final regular season game for 16 Iowa seniors: OL Wesley Aeschliman, DL Tyler Blum, WR Andy Brodell, OL Rob Bruggeman, DB Bradley Fletcher, DB Drew Gardner, DT Mitch King, DT Matt Kroul, LB Gavin McGrath, FB Jordan McLaughlin, TE Brandon Myers, DL Anton Narinskiy, FB Jared Oberland, OL Seth Olsen, OL Austin Postler and TE Michael Sabers.
LB Pat Angerer led the Iowa defense with nine tackles, including six solo stops and 1.5 tackles for loss. In 12 games Angerer leads Iowa with 101 tackles.
In the last seven years, Iowa is 47-7 when leading at the half and 52-6 when leading after three quarters.
One play was reviewed by Instant Replay. A WR Andy Brodell reception was upheld by replay.