Hawkeye secondary is second to none

Aug. 4, 2009

IOWA CITY, Iowa — The defensive secondary at the University of Iowa is second to none — in the Big Ten Conference at least.

That’s the opinion of ESPN.com college football writer Adam Rittenberg, who ranks the Hawkeyes ahead of No. 2 Northwestern and No. 3 Ohio State.

“Three starters return from a unit that helped Iowa lead the Big Ten in takeaways (32) and allow the fewest passing touchdowns (nine) in 2008,” Rittenberg writes. “Junior Amari Spievey is the league’s best cover corner, and he’ll be joined by safety Tyler Sash, who shared the league lead in interceptions with teammate Pat Angerer last fall. Bradley Fletcher will be missed and depth is a mini concern, but the back four will anchor Iowa’s D.”

Last season Sash had interception returns of 58 and 48 yards and Spievey took one back 57 yards for a touchdown at Minnesota.

Sash (strong safety), Spievey (right corner), Brett Greenwood (free safety) and Jordan Bernstine (left corner) are listed as starters in the Hawkeye secondary as preseason camp begins. In 2008, those four combined for 201 tackles, 19 pass break-ups and 12 interceptions.

To read the entire article on ESPN.com (posted Aug. 3), click HERE.

Iowa will hold its first practice Friday, Aug. 7. The Hawkeyes open the season Saturday, Sept. 5, against Northern Iowa with an 11 a.m. kickoff inside Kinnick Stadium.

2009 Iowa Football Season Ticket Application (v3a)