Oct. 3, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery 1 
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With the win, Iowa improves to 5-0 on the season. It marks the first time Iowa has started the year 5-0 under Coach Kirk Ferentz and the first time for Iowa since 1995. Also, Iowa boasts a nine-game winning streak for the third time under Ferentz. Iowa won nine straight games in 2002. The Hawkeyes also won their final eight games in 2004 and their first game in 2005.
Today was the first-ever football game played between Iowa and Arkansas State.
Arkansas State won the toss and elected to defer, with Iowa electing to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 107 of its last 122 contests. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 109-of-128 games under Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa scored a passing touchdown on its opening possession vs. Arkansas State. Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Arizona and a field goal on its opening drive vs. Northern Iowa. Iowa did not score on its opening drives at Iowa State and at Penn State.
Arkansas State did not score on its opening possession, going three and out. Iowa has allowed just one opponent (Penn State, last week) to score on its opening drive in its last 18 games.
Iowa had two changes in its starting line-up, with WR Marvin McNutt and DB William Lowe both returning to the starting unit.
Senior WR Trey Stross had his first touchdown reception of the season; a 33-yard catch on Iowa’s opening possession. Stross for the day had four receptions for 64 yards.
Sophomore WR Marvin McNutt had his first career touchdown reception with a 41-yard catch in the first period. He added a 43-yard scoring reception in the third period. McNutt’s career long reception previously was 34 yards vs. Arizona. He ended the game against Arkansas State with four catches for 121 yards and two scores.
Iowa scored touchdowns on its opening two drives, leading 14-0 for the first time since the 2009 Outback Bowl. Iowa had scored 17 total points in the first period of its first four games. Iowa has not outscored its five opponents 31-23 in the opening period. Against ASU, Iowa had a 167-31 advantage in total offense after the first period.
Junior QB Ricky Stanzi completed 18-26 passes for a season-high 296 yards and three touchdowns, covering 33, 41 and 43 yards. Stanzi threw a career-best four touchdown passes earlier this season in a win at Iowa State. He had six pass completions over 20 yards today. Stanzi ranks ninth in career passing yards (3,071) after passing Paul Burmeister, Jake Christensen and Larry Lawrence against Arkansas State. His 22 career touchdown passes rank eighth best at Iowa.
Iowa’s defense allowed three touchdowns. Iowa has not allowed a rushing touchdown in 33 consecutive periods, dating back to the third period of a win over Penn State last November at Iowa City. Iowa collected two turnovers against Arkansas State. A third period interception by Tyler Sash was Iowa’s 10th of the season and the first thrown this season by ASU QB Corey Leonard.
Arkansas State failed to convert a fake punt in the third period. That marks the second failed fake attempt against Iowa this season, as Arizona failed to convert on a fake field goal earlier this season. Iowa has also recovered all three on-side kick attempts by its opponents.
Iowa was 1-2 in the red zone, missing a field goal today. Iowa has scored on 43 of the last 46 red zone possessions (29 TDs and 14 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 26-28 combined inside the red zone its last eight games.
Pat Angerer led all defenders with 11 tackles today (six solo). Tyler Sash finished the game with eight stops, including 1.5 for loss and an interception. Both of Adrian Clayborn’s tackles today were sacks. He also was credited with two QB Hurries.
As a unit, Iowa collected six tackles for loss today and limited Arkansas State to 80 yards rushing.
Arkansas State scored 14 points on three drives inside the Iowa red zone. ASU scored on two passing touchdowns and missed a 26-yard field goal. Iowa opponents are 9-10 in the red zone this season, with five FGs and three touchdowns.
Iowa failed to score after recovering an Arkansas State fumble in the second period, but scored a touchdown in the third period following an interception. Iowa, in five games, has scored 54 points (seven TDs, two FGs) following 15 opponent turnovers (10 interceptions, four fumbles, one blocked punt). Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 38 of its last 40 games, dating back to the 2006 campaign. Iowa has collected at least one turnover in 18 consecutive games, dating back to the final contest of the 2007 season. Last season, Iowa scored 99 points following 32 opponent turnovers.
Arkansas State scored seven points following two Iowa turnovers, including an interception return for a score. Iowa opponents have scored 23 points following nine Iowa turnovers (seven interceptions, two fumbles). Arkansas State and Arizona returned interceptions for touchdowns, Northern Iowa scored field goals following two Iowa fumbles and Penn State scored three points following an interception.
Sophomore DB Tyler Sash caused an Arkansas State fumble in the second period that was recovered by sophomore DE Broderick Binns at the Iowa 20. Sash forced his second fumble of the season. He had three interceptions and a forced fumble in the win at Iowa State. Sash had his fifth interception of the season in the third period and a 13-yard return that led to an Iowa touchdown. Sash tied for the team lead last season with five thefts. He has 10 for his career and holds the Iowa career record for interception return yards with 264.
Instant Replay was used once in the second period and twice in the third. In the second period, an Arkansas State pass was ruled complete for a touchdown, and the call on the field was upheld. In the third period, Iowa recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The play was overruled, as the ball was out of bounds. Later in the third period, the call of ASU recovering its own fumble was upheld.
Both place kickers missed short field goals today. Iowa’s Daniel Murray missed a 28-yarder from the right hash, while Arkansas State’s Josh Arauco missed a 26-yarder from the right hash.
Iowa returns to Big Ten play next week, hosting Michigan (7:12 p.m., ABC) in the Iowa homecoming. Michigan lost 26-20 in overtime today at rival Michigan State. The Hawkeyes play at Wisconsin Oct. 17 and at Michigan State Oct. 24.