Sept. 19, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 
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Iowa’s win makes the Hawkeyes 3-0 for the second straight season. Iowa has tied the series against Arizona (6-6) and defeats a Pac-10 team for the first time since a 21-2 win over 16th-ranked Arizona State in 2003 in Kinnick Stadium.
Today’s game was a sellout (70,585). Iowa has sold out 38 of its last 39 home games, dating back to the 2003 season.
Iowa held the ball for 12:43 of the first period, as Arizona had no first downs in the opening period. The Wildcats tied the score in the first period on an interception return. Iowa had a season best 37:56 in time of possession, including a touchdown drive of over eight minutes in the fourth quarter. The 37:56 is the third-longest time of possession under Coach Ferentz. Iowa had the ball for 41:53 vs. Kent State (2004) and 38:27 vs. Michigan (2002).
Iowa had 19 first downs compared to only eight for the Wildcats.
Iowa defense held Arizona to 148 rushing yards, with 58 yards coming on one play. Arizona entered the game averaging 305.5 rushing yards per game, fifth best in the NCAA through two games. Wildcat RB Nic Grigsby (11 carries for 75 yards) entered the contest averaging 162.5 rushing yards per game. The Hawkeye defense held Arizona to only 105 yards passing on 25 attempts.
Iowa was 4-4 in the red zone against Arizona today. Iowa has scored on 42 of the last 44 red zone possessions (29 TDs and 13 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 23-24 combined inside the red zone its last five games. Arizona converted on both red zone possessions, scoring a touchdown and making a 20-yard field goal.
Redshirt freshman RB Adam Robinson had a 43-yard run in the second period, Iowa’s longest run from scrimmage in three games. The previous long was a 28-yard run by Paul Chaney, Jr. against Northern Iowa. Robinson completed the scoring drive with his second one-yard touchdown run of the day. A second big play on the drive was a 34-yard completion from QB Ricky Stanzi to WR Marvin McNutt. The reception is the longest of McNutt’s career; he had a 23-yard reception at Iowa State.
Robinson ended the day with 18 rushes for 101 yards, the first 100-yard game of his career. True freshman Brandon Wegher (17-46) led Iowa’s rushing game in the win at Iowa State. Robinson added the second and third scores of his career against Arizona today.
WR Paul Chaney had Iowa’s longest punt return of the season, a 24-yard return in the third period that led to an Iowa field goal. Chaney also had three rushing attempts for 16 yards and three pass receptions for 22 yards.
DB Tyler Sash had his fourth interception of the season in the third period, along with a 41-yard return. Sash tied Iowa’s school record with three interceptions in the win at Iowa State. He tied for the team lead last season with five interceptions and totaled 147 return yards. He also had two interceptions in Iowa’s win over South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl. Sash has collected seven interceptions in Iowa’s last five games (Minnesota – – 1; South Carolina – – 2; UNI – – 0; ISU – – 3; Arizona – – 1).
Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 36 of its last 38 games, dating back to the 2006 campaign. On the day, Iowa scored three points following the lone Arizona turnover. Iowa did not score in game one after collecting one Northern Iowa turnover. Last season, Iowa scored 99 points following 32 opponent turnovers.
Junior punter Ryan Donahue had punts of 50 and 51 yards in the second period and added punts of 62 and 58 yard in the third period. He has at least one punt over 50 yards in 12 of Iowa’s last 14 games. He is on the Ray Guy Watch List this season. Donahue averaged 51 yards on five punts, including downing two of the punts inside the 20-yard line today. Arizona had one punt return for four yards.
Junior QB Ricky Stanzi completed 20-32 for 205 yards. He now ranks 14th in career passing yards (2,403) after passing Nathan Chandler and Ed Podolak vs. Iowa State.
DL Adrian Clayborn had six tackles, including a sack, forcing his first career fumble and collecting a career-high three QB Hurries. LB Jeremiha Hunter recorded a team-best seven tackles. LB Pat Angerer had six tackles and matched a personal best with two pass break-ups.
Junior PK Daniel Murray connected on field goals of 20 and 40 yards today. Murray made two field goals in a game for the fifth time in his career and the first time since Iowa’s win at Minnesota last season. Murray is 3-4 on field goals this season after making one of two in the win over Northern Iowa. He was also 3-3 on PATs against Arizona to remain perfect on the season.
Arizona won the toss and elected to defer, with Iowa electing to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 105 of its last 120 contests. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 107-of-126 games under Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening possession vs. Arizona. Iowa did not score on its opening drive at Iowa State after opening the Northern Iowa game in week one with a field goal. Iowa, last season, scored on its first possession in seven of 13 games, including six touchdowns. The touchdown drive to open the game is Iowa’s first since an opening touchdown drive vs. South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl.
Arizona did not score on its first possession. Iowa has not allowed the opponent to score on its first drive in 16 consecutive games.
Arizona scored its first points on a 38-yard interception return. Iowa opponents have scored 13 points following five Iowa turnovers (three interceptions, two fumbles). Northern Iowa scored field goals following two Iowa fumbles in week one. Iowa State did not score following two interceptions last week.
Instant replay was used once in the first period and once in the third. On Iowa’s opening drive, a fumble at the goal line was confirmed as called on the field, an Iowa touchdown. In the third period, replay was used to confirm a call on the field, that a long pass by Arizona was incomplete.
Three Iowa players started for the first time in their career. Those players were junior TE Allen Reisner, junior WR Colin Sandeman and sophomore DB Shaun Prater. Sandeman had career-best in both receptions and yards (five catches for 47 yards).
Iowa begins Big Ten play next week, traveling to Penn State. Iowa and Penn State will play on ABC national television, with the start time set for 7:12 p.m. CT. The Hawkeyes host Arkansas State Oct. 3 (11 a.m., TBA) in their final non-conference game.