Hawkeyes Will Host Iowa State Saturday

Sept. 6, 2010

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HAWKEYES HOST IOWA STATE
Iowa (1-0) hosts Iowa State (1-0) Saturday, Sept. 11 in Kinnick Stadium (70,585) as the in-state rivals renew the Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk series and battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. Game time is 2:36 p.m. The game is sold out. Saturday’s game will be the second event in the seventh annual Hy-Vee Cy-Hawk series, as the volleyball programs meet Friday evening in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The series is tied, 3-3.

ON THE TUBE
ABC (HD) will televise the contest to a regional audience. Fans not in the ABC regional footprint can view the game on ESPN2 (HD). Ron Franklin and Ed Cunningham 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. The game can also be heard on Sirius channel 113 and XM channel 195.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is ranked ninth in the Associated Press preseason poll and 10th in the ESPN/USA Today coaches poll. The Associated Press ranking was the highest preseason ranking for Iowa in the initial AP poll of the season since the Hawkeyes were also ninth in 1988. Iowa was ranked fourth in the 1985 preseason AP rankings. Iowa is also ranked fifth by About.com and Playboy, sixth by Sports Illustrated, eighth by Blue Ribbon Yearbook and nationalchamps.net; 10th by Lindy’s, 12th by Athlon’s and 13th by Sporting News. Eastern Illinois is ranked 18th in the FCS in the Sports Network poll and 16th in the initial FCS coaches poll. Eastern Illinois concluded the 2009 season in the FCS playoffs and was ranked 19th in the final Sports Network rankings and 15th in the FCS coaches poll. Around the Big Ten, Ohio State is ranked 2/2 (AP/USA Today Coaches’ Poll), Wisconsin is 12/12 and Penn State is 19/14. Iowa opponents Arizona, Michigan State and Northwestern are listed among teams receiving votes.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 2-4 when playing on Sept. 11. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State 31-28 in 1993 and 17-10 in 2004. Iowa lost to Ohio State 52-21 in 1971, lost to Illinois 24-6 in 1976, lost to Nebraska 42-7 in 1982 and lost to Iowa State 17-10 in 1999.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,130 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 580-511-39 (.531). That includes a 366-199-16 (.643) record in home games, a 214-312-23 (.411) record in games away from Iowa City, a 285-344-25 (.455) mark in Big Ten games and a 249-163-15 (.601) record in Kinnick Stadium.

CY-HAWK TROPHY
When Iowa resumed its football series with Iowa State in 1977, the Des Moines Athletic Club donated a trophy to be awarded to the winner of the annual in-state battle. The Hawkeyes hold a 22-11 advantage since 1977 when the Cy-Hawk Trophy was first awarded. The Cy-Hawk Trophy currently resides in Iowa City as a result of Iowa’s 35-3 victory in Ames last season.

O’MEARA EARNS BIG TEN HONOR
Senior RB Paki O’Meara was named Big Ten Conference special teams Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 37-7 win over Eastern Illinois. The Cedar Rapids (Washington HS) native blocked an Eastern Illinois punt in the first period and returned the block for a 42-yard touchdown. His score gave Iowa a 21-0 advantage. O’Meara also had four rushing attempts for 34 yards in the second half in earning his first Big Ten Player of the Week honor. Eight Hawkeyes were honored by the Big Ten Conference during the 2009 season.

LIVE BLOGGING FROM KINNICK STADIUM
Hawkeye fans not able to attend the Iowa State game Sept. 11 can log on to hawkeyesports.com and have a chance to be interactive. The Iowa Sports Information staff will be blogging live from the press box during the game. Iowa fans can log on to hawkeyesports.com and click on the blog story and follow along. Fans will have the opportunity to submit questions and comments, answer quick polls and get up-to-the-minute information about the game and Hawkeyes. Two tickets to the Ball State game (Sept. 25) will be awarded to one lucky fan who signs up for an e-mail reminder. hawkeyesports.com averaged over 1,000 unique readers per week throughout the 2009 season, featuring as many as 2,000 reader comments.

TICKET UPDATE
Iowa has sold all tickets for its seven home games. Iowa has issued over 59,000 season tickets, which includes more than 10,000 student tickets. The Iowa record for average home attendance is 70,585, set in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Iowa has sold out Kinnick Stadium 43 of the last 45 games. In addition, Iowa has sold its allotment of tickets to road games at Arizona, Michigan, Northwestern and Minnesota.

COACH Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz (pronounced FAIR-rintz, rhymes with parents) is in his 12th season as head football coach at the University of Iowa. His latest contract extension, signed in 2010, runs through the 2020 season. Ferentz was named the 2009 Dave McClain Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year. He was one of 15 semi-finalists for the 2009 George Munger Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the College Coach of the Year. He was the 2009 AFCA Region Three Coach of the Year and was one of 10 finalists for the Liberty Mutual national Coach of the Year. Ferentz was honored as the 2002 Associated Press and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year and was the AFCA Regional Coach of the Year that season, as well. He has been named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2009. Ferentz has guided Iowa to Big Ten titles twice in the last eight years. Iowa has made two BCS bowl appearances, including a 24-14 win in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl. Iowa has played in six January bowl games and has four January bowl victories (2004 Outback Bowl, 2005 Capital One Bowl, 2009 Outback Bowl and 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl). Iowa has posted a 71-31 (.696) overall mark and a 42-22 (.656) Big Ten record the last nine seasons. Ferentz has guided the Hawkeyes to eight first division finishes, including a second-place finish in 2009. His Hawkeye teams are 5-3 in bowl games. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 82-55 (.599) and a 49-39 (.557) mark in Big Ten games. In 14 seasons as a college head coach his career mark is 94-76 (.553). Ferentz boasts the second-most victories by a Hawkeye head coach (Hayden Fry, 143 wins). Fifty of Iowa’s 137 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (24-26) and 39 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (16-23). Ferentz joined the Iowa staff after serving as assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. 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. Kirk received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the Neag School of Education at the University of Connecticut in May, 2009. He was inducted into the Upper St. Clair High School Hall of Fame in September, 2002 and the Western Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in May, 2003.

FERENTZ NAMED COACH OF THE YEAR
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz was named the Dave McClain Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in 2009. Ferentz was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual national Coach of the Year award and was one of 15 semi-finalists for the George Munger Award, presented by the Maxwell Football Club to the College Coach of the Year. The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) named Ferentz its 2009 Region Three Coach of the Year. Ferentz was also the league Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2004. He was the Associated Press and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year in 2002. Ferentz has led nine straight Iowa teams to bowl eligibility and the Hawkeyes have finished in the Big Ten’s first division eight of the past nine seasons.

IOWA STATE HEAD COACH PAUL RHOADS
Paul Rhoads is in his second season as head coach at Iowa State. Rhoads is a Nevada, IA native who attended Ankeny HS. Rhoads led ISU to a 7-6 record in his first season, including an Insight.com Bowl win over Minnesota. His record as a head coach is 8-6 after a season-opening win over Northern Illinois. Rhoads re-joined the ISU staff after serving as the defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2008. Rhoads served as the defensive coordinator at Pittsburgh for eight seasons (2000-07), helping the Panthers earn the 2004 Big East title. Rhoads previously served on the staff at Iowa State for five seasons, serving as inside linebacker coach (1995) and secondary coach (1996-99) under Dan McCarney. Rhoads has also served as an assistant coach at Pacific (1992-94) and he was a graduate assistant at Ohio State (1991), under John Cooper, and at Utah State (1989-90), under former Drake Coach Chuck Shelton. Rhoads played football at Missouri Western (1986-88), where he earned his bachelor’s degree before earning his master’s degree from Utah State.

THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will mark the 58th game in the series. Iowa holds a 38-19 advantage in the series that began with a 16-8 ISU win in 1894. The Hawkeyes have won 20 of the last 27 meetings, including the last two games, three of the last four and five of the last seven. The Hawkeyes won 15 straight games in the series (1983-1997). Iowa holds a 22-12 advantage in games played at Iowa City, including three straight wins since ISU’s victory in 2002. The teams did not meet between 1935 and 1976. Iowa holds a 22-11 advantage since the series resumed in 1977.

IOWA WON 2009 MEETING
Iowa collected six turnovers and featured a balanced offense in taking a 35-3 win at Iowa State last Sept. 12. The Hawkeyes scored 35 straight points after trailing 3-0 in the first period. Iowa did not allow Iowa State a touchdown for the third straight season (14 quarters overall). Iowa had five pass interceptions in the game and turned four of the six ISU turnovers into 28 points. After taking the early lead, ISU attempted an onside kick, but Iowa recovered the ball and had good field position for its initial scoring drive. QB Ricky Stanzi drove Iowa 41 yards in four plays, completing the drive with a one-yard pass to FB Brett Morse, the first of his four TD passes, a career high. DB Tyler Sash tied a school record with three pass interceptions. His second of the day, in the second period, led to Iowa’s second touchdown, an 18-yard reception by Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Iowa held a 14-3 advantage at halftime. LB Jeremiha Hunter recovered an ISU fumble early in the third period to set up another Iowa score. Iowa capped a 48-yard drive with a seven-yard pass from Stanzi to TE Allen Reisner. RB Brandon Wegher added a one-yard scoring run late in the third period and WR Keenan Davis had a 10-yard scoring reception with six minutes remaining to end the scoring. DB Brett Greenwood had Iowa’s other two pass interceptions. Iowa gained 426 yards total offense, 191 rushing and 235 passing. Stanzi completed 18-34 passes for 197 yards and four scores, with two interceptions. Wegher led Iowa on the ground with 15 rushes for 101 yards. A total of 12 receivers had at least one reception. Sash added 10 tackles (eight solo), two for loss and a forced fumble to go with his three interceptions, which he returned 63 yards. Sash was named co-Defensive Player of the Week in the Big Ten. DE Broderick Binns added a career-best nine tackles and Greenwood added two pass break-ups.

IOWA CRUISES TO OPENING WIN
Iowa scored touchdowns on its first three offensive possessions and added a blocked punt return for a score in opening the season with a 37-7 home win over Eastern Illinois. Iowa gained 435 yards total offense, while allowing the Panthers just 157 net yards. Iowa drove 65 yards in six plays to start the game, collecting the first points on a two-yard run by RB Adam Robinson. Robinson added a four-yard scamper for a touchdown later in the first period for a 14-0 Iowa advantage. Senior Paki O’Meara gave Iowa’s special teams a lift with a blocked punt. O’Meara, who was tabbed the conference’s special teams Player of the Week, was able to recover the blocked kick and scored on a 42-yard return. Iowa’s final points of the first half came in the second period when Robinson added a six-yard touchdown run and the Hawkeyes led 28-7 at the break. Iowa lost two fumbles in the second half, one of those from inside the EIU five-yard line. The Hawkeyes added a safety in the third period and scored the final points when QB Ricky Stanzi completed a one-yard scoring strike to FB Brett Morse. Sophomore PK Trent Mossbrucker added all five PATs. Robinson led Iowa’s ground game with 24 attempts for 109 yards and he also had 43 yards on three receptions. Robinson surpassed 100 yards for the third time in his career while matching a career-rushing best. Stanzi completed 13-20 passes for 229 yards, with no interceptions. WR Colin Sandeman (4-59) and TE Allen Reisner (4-39) led Iowa receivers, as 10 Hawkeyes had at least one reception. Senior tackle Karl Klug and junior LB Tyler Nielsen led the Iowa defense with six tackles each and both had 1.5 tackles for loss. DE Adrian Clayborn added four tackles, including one tackle for loss and DT Mike Daniels and DE Lebron Daniel each had one of Iowa’s two QB sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

• Iowa collected 435 total yards of offense, while Eastern Illinois was held to 157 yards with 81 yards coming on its scoring drive that included a 36-yard run on a fake punt in the second quarter.
• Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive, while Eastern Illinois did not. Last season, Iowa scored on its initial possession in four of 13 games.
• Iowa allowed just two opponents (Indiana, game nine, and Penn State, game four, both in 2009) to score on their opening drive in its last 27 games.
• Last season, Iowa scored the first points of the game in eight of 13 contests. Also in 2009, Iowa scored 35 straight points at Iowa State, 21 at Penn State and 20 at Wisconsin.
• Iowa true freshmen to play against Eastern Illinois included TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, LB James Morris, LB Christian Kirksey, DB B.J. Lowery, DB Tanner Miller and K Michael Meyer.
• Iowa players starting for the first time vs. Eastern Illinois were OL James Ferentz, OL Nolan MacMillan, OL Markus Zusevics, DL Mike Daniels, DB Micah Hyde, LB Bruce Davis and LB Tyler Nielsen.
• Iowa’s 21 points in the first period are the most since scoring 28 points in the fourth quarter of a home win over Indiana last season. Iowa had not scored 21 points in the opening period of a game since a 42-0 win over Florida International in 2008.
• Sophomore RB Adam Robinson rushed for a career-high three touchdowns, all in the first half. The three scores are the most for an Iowa player since Brandon Wegher scored 18 points in a 2009 win over Indiana. Robinson, who scored five touchdowns in 2009, led Iowa’s ground game with 24 attempts for 109 yards, which equals a career high. He also matched a personal best with three receptions (43 yards). Robinson rushed for 834 yards and five touchdowns a year ago on 181 carries to lead the team in rushing. Robinson rushed for over 100 yards for the third time in his career and first since Iowa’s win at Michigan State last season. His career totals include 943 yards on 205 attempts.
• Senior QB Ricky Stanzi completed 18-23 passes for 229 yards and one touchdown and no interceptions. He completed his first nine passes. Stanzi improved his career totals to 339-585 for 4,602 yards and 32 touchdowns.
• Junior TE Brad Herman had three receptions for 57 yards. Prior to opening day, Herman had just one career reception. Three Iowa tight ends combined for eight receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. Herman, Reisner and Zach Derby all had career highs in receptions.
• Senior RB Paki O’Meara recorded a blocked punt and 42-yard return for a touchdown in the opening period. O’Meara scored two rushing touchdowns in 2008. The blocked punt is the first for Iowa since Adrian Clayborn had a block and touchdown return in a 2009 win at Penn State.
• Several players who are projected to contribute for Iowa this season missed the opening game, including OL Adam Gettis, PK Daniel Murray, LB Jeff Tarpinian, DB Shaun Prater, RB Jewel Hampton and DE Broderick Binns.
• Eastern Illinois had five of 10 drives last only three plays. Eastern Illinois also had just six first downs, the second lowest allowed by Iowa under Kirk Ferentz (Syracuse, five first downs, 2007).

IOWA STATE TOPS NIU
Iowa State opened the season with a 27-10 home win over Northern Illinois on Sept. 2. The Cyclones scored the first 17 points of the game and led 17-0 at halftime. Northern Illinois rallied with a third period field goal and a touchdown with 8:51 remaining to cut the deficit to seven points. Iowa State answered with a 10-play, 73-yard scoring drive to increase the advantage to 24-10 with 5:05 to play and added a field goal for the final margin. The ISU offense gained 403 yards total offense while the defense held NIU to 249 net yards. Both teams had three turnovers. Iowa State’s offense was led by QB Austen Arnaud and Alexander Robinson. Arnaud completed 27-36 passes for 265 yards and gained 45 rushing yards on 14 carries. Robinson led the ground game with 19 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Robinson had scoring runs of 63 and five yards, while Arnaud had a two-yard score for the first points of the game. A.J. Klein led Iowa State’s defense with 15 tackles, while Jake Knott added nine stops and two interceptions. Iowa City native Michael O’Connell added seven tackles.

IOWA/ISU NOTES

• For just the second time ever, Iowa and Iowa State are meeting after recording a bowl victory the previous season. Iowa defeated Georgia Tech 24-14 in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl, while the Cyclones defeated Minnesota 14-13 in the Insight.com Bowl. Following the 2004 season, Iowa defeated LSU 30-25 in the 2005 Capital One Bowl and Iowa State defeated Miami, OH 17-13 in the Independence Bowl.
• Iowa has not allowed Iowa State to score a touchdown in the last 14 periods, dating back to the 2007 meeting. Iowa won 17-5 in 2008 and 35-3 in 2009.
• Iowa currently has possession of all three traveling trophies. The Hawkeyes last season won at Iowa State (Cy-Hawk) and Wisconsin (Heartland) and defeated Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale) in Iowa City.
• Saturday marks the 13th time, since the renewal of the series in 1977, that both teams enter the game with undefeated records. This is the second straight season the teams have met in the second game of the year.
• Special teams have played a key role in recent meetings. Iowa used an 81-yard punt return by WR Andy Brodell in 2008 to take a 17-3 lead late in the game. Iowa State, in 2007, won 15-13 in Ames by scoring all 15 points on field goals, the last coming on the final play of the game.
• Both Iowa and Iowa State were guilty of turnovers in first game victories. Iowa lost two fumbles in the second half of its win over Eastern Illinois. While the Hawkeyes did not collect a turnover, they did score a touchdown on a blocked punt. The Cyclones were guilty of three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) against Northern Illinois, but the ISU defense collected two interceptions.
• Iowa won three of five games against Iowa State during the time that ISU Coach Paul Rhoads was a Cyclone assistant coach.
• ISU assistant Bob Elliott is a former Hawkeye football player (1972, 1974-75) and a former Hawkeye assistant coach (eight seasons). He was most recently an assistant coach at San Diego State before rejoining the Cyclone staff prior to this season.
• ISU assistant Bill Bleil was the offensive line coach at Northwestern in 1990 and 1991. Iowa defeated the Wildcats in each of those seasons. Bleil is a native of Remsen and ISU assistant Courtney Messingham is a Waterloo native.
• Iowa’s roster of 121 players includes 54 from the state of Iowa.

IOWA VS. THE BIG 12
Iowa holds an all-time record of 68-65-3 (.507) against current members of the Big 12 Conference, having met all but Baylor at least once. Iowa State is the only Big 12 opponent on the Hawkeye schedule this season.

ISU VS. THE BIG TEN
Iowa State is 24-79-2 (.223) vs. the Big Ten. The Cyclones have not played Indiana, Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State or Purdue. The Cyclones defeated Minnesota 14-13 in the Insight Bowl a year ago.

A GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
Iowa will play four of its first five games in Kinnick Stadium. Following the opening contest, the Hawkeyes host Iowa State (Saturday, 2:30 p.m., ABC). Iowa travels to Arizona (Sept. 18, 9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) for its only non-conference road game before hosting Ball State. The Hawkeyes open the Big Ten schedule against Penn State (Oct. 2, 7 p.m., ABC/ESPN) in a prime-time contest at Kinnick Stadium. This season marks just the third time in Ferentz’ 12 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes will open the conference season at home. After an open week, Iowa travels to Michigan before home games against Wisconsin and Michigan State. The Hawkeyes play at Indiana and Northwestern before hosting Ohio State in the home finale. The final game of the regular season is at Minnesota the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For the second straight season, Iowa does not play Illinois or Purdue. Eight of Iowa’s 2010 opponents competed in bowl games at the conclusion of last season, posting a 4-4 record. Of the eight bowl participants, Ohio State, Penn State and Northwestern played in January bowl events. Iowa’s regular season strength of schedule a year ago ranked 27th strongest in the nation. Iowa’s 12 opponents compiled a 77-61 (.558) record. Including its Orange Bowl win, Iowa was 8-2 against bowl eligible opponents.

HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 46 lettermen from 2009, including 20 on offense, 22 on defense and four specialists. The 46 lettermen are two less than the number from 2009. The Hawkeyes return six starters on offense, eight on defense and their kicker and punter. The lettermen breakdown includes 15 three-year lettermen, 12 two-year lettermen and 19 one-year lettermen. The total roster has 121 players, and includes 26 seniors, 21 juniors, 25 sophomores, 16 redshirt freshmen and 33 true freshmen. The first game depth chart included 19 seniors, 14 juniors, 12 sophomores, five redshirt freshmen and two true freshmen. Just two Division I programs, Hawaii (31) and Louisville (27), have more returning seniors than Iowa, while Texas-El Paso also returns 26 seniors and Ohio State returns 25.

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 45 of its last 54 games (.833) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. The nine 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, 22-17 in 2008 and 17-10 in 2009), 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, which ended in the overtime loss to Michigan. Iowa’s 44-9 (.830) home record from 2002 thru 2009 ranked as the 11th-best winning percentage in the nation and second in the Big Ten to Ohio State. Iowa was 6-1 at home in 2009, with wins over Northern Iowa, Arizona, Arkansas State, Michigan, Indiana and Minnesota and a loss to Northwestern. Iowa is 13-2 at home since the start of the 2008 season.

HAWKEYES EARN FIRST START
Iowa players who started for the first time vs. Eastern Illinois were OL James Ferentz, OL Nolan MacMillan, OL Markus Zusevics, DL Mike Daniels, DB Micah Hyde, LB Bruce Davis and LB Tyler Nielsen. Returning players who started every game last season include P Ryan Donahue K Daniel Murray, FB Brett Morse, DE Adrian Clayborn, DT Karl Klug, DT Christian Ballard, DE Broderick Binns, and SS Tyler Sash. Murray and Binns did not play in the opening game. Iowa had 12 players start all 13 games in 2009.

NEW FACES ON THE FIELD
Iowa played six true freshmen against Eastern Illinois, including TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, LB James Morris, LB Christian Kirksey, DB B.J. Lowery, DB Tanner Miller and K Michael Meyer. Iowa played just three true freshmen in 2009. The Hawkeyes played seven true freshmen in 2008. Iowa also had seven true freshmen play in 2003 and 2000. In addition to the true freshmen, others who saw the first action of their career against Eastern Illinois included DL Thomas Nardo, DB Tom Donatell, LB Shane DiBona, FB Brad Rogers, DL Steve Bigach, OL Conor Boffeli, OL Matt Tobin, OL Casey McMillan, OL Brett Van Sloten, OL Woody Orne, DE Dominic Alvis and TE Zach Derby.

STARTERS RETURNING
Iowa returns six starters on offense, eight on defense and three specialists. The returning starters on offense include: guard Julian Vandervelde, tackle Riley Reiff, receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, quarterback Ricky Stanzi, running back Adam Robinson and fullback Brett Morse (plus part-time starter WR Marvin McNutt). The defensive starters returning include: ends Adrian Clayborn and Broderick Binns, tackles Christian Ballard and Karl Klug, linebacker Jeremiha Hunter and backs Brett Greenwood, Tyler Sash and Shaun Prater. Punter Ryan Donahue and place kicker Daniel Murray also return, along with PK Trent Mossbrucker, who used 2009 as a redshirt season after lettering as a freshman in 2008.

RETURNING WITH HONORS
Iowa returns 11 players who earned all-Big Ten honors a year ago. Among those returning, DE Adrian Clayborn and DB Tyler Sash were first team selections by both league coaches and media. WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and DB Brett Greenwood were second team selections. Those earning honorable recognition included DT Christian Ballard, DT Karl Klug, P Ryan Donahue, RB Adam Robinson, DE Broderick Binns, QB Ricky Stanzi and PK Daniel Murray. In addition, Clayborn was the MVP of Iowa’s FedEx Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech and was named national Defensive Performer of the Year by College Football Performance Awards. Clayborn and Sash are two of four returning defensive players who earned first team all-Big Ten honors a year ago.

HAWKEYES TO WATCH
Eight Hawkeye players have been named to 19 different preseason “Watch Lists” for individual national awards. Those players include junior DE Broderick Binns (Ted Hendricks, Rotary Lombardi), senior DE Adrian Clayborn (Walter Camp, Ted Hendricks, Chuck Bednarik, Rotary Lombardi, Bronko Nagurski), senior punter Ryan Donahue (Ray Guy), senior WR Johnson-Koulianos (Paul Hornung, Fred Biletnikoff), senior DT Karl Klug (Outland Trophy), senior PK Daniel Murray (Lou Groza), junior DB Tyler Sash (Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik, Lott Trophy, Bronko Nagurski) and senior QB Ricky Stanzi (Maxwell, Davey O’Brien, Manning). Iowa is one of three programs (joining Oklahoma and Texas) to have five different individual players earn national Player of the Year honors at their position since 2002.

IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 114 of its last 131 games. Iowa had started on offense in 10 straight games before winning the toss and deferring against Indiana last season. Iowa games vs. Ohio State (11/14/09), Indiana (10/31/09), Purdue (11/15/08), Penn State (11/08/08), Wisconsin (10/10/08), 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 13 of those 17 games. Iowa started the game on offense in 116 of 137 games under Kirk Ferentz, 11 of 13 games in 2009 and the first game this season.

RETURNING STAT LEADERS
Iowa returns several players who enter the 2010 season having already entered their name in the Iowa record books:

• Senior QB Ricky Stanzi ranks ninth in single-season touchdown passes (17 in 2009) and sixth in career scoring passes (32). A year ago, he completed 171-304 attempts for 2,417 yards. His season yardage total ranks 11th best and his career total of 4,602 passing yards ranks sixth. He is seventh in career completions (339), eighth in attempts (585) and sixth in total offense (4,594). Stanzi has led Iowa to a 19-4 record as a starter, including an 11-2 record in Kinnick Stadium and a 10-4 record in Big Ten games. His 19 wins as Iowa’s starting quarterback ranks eighth among active Division I quarterbacks.
• Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos has led Iowa in receiving in each of the past three seasons, becoming just the third receiver to accomplish that feat. He had 45 receptions for 750 yards a year ago. His career totals include 128 receptions for 1,875 yards and seven touchdowns. He ranks seventh in both career receptions and yards. He also averaged 31.5 yards on 12 KO returns a year ago, including a 99-yard return for a touchdown at Ohio State. He has totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards in each of his three seasons, including a career-best 1,128 yards in 2009. He has matched Jim Gibbons (1955-57) and Tim Dwight (1995-97) as a receiving leader in three seasons. No Hawkeye has led the team in receiving four years. vJunior DB Tyler Sash led Iowa with six interceptions in 2009, a total that ties as sixth best in a single season. He tied Iowa’s single-game record with three interceptions in a win at Iowa State. His 203 return yards in 2009 are a single-season record and his career total of 350 returns yards is a school record. He has 11 career interceptions, which ties for sixth best. His total return yards rank fifth best all-time, in the Big Ten Conference, for all games.
• Junior WR Marvin McNutt had eight touchdown receptions in 2009, which ties for the fourth best total in school history. In his first season as a wide receiver, McNutt had 34 receptions for 674 yards, including the game-winner on the final play of Iowa’s win at Michigan State. McNutt (674) and Johnson-Koulianos (750) combined to give Iowa two receivers with over 600 yards for just the ninth time in school history.
• Senior PK Daniel Murray led Iowa in scoring with 89 points in 2009, making 19-26 field goal attempts and 32-33 PATs. His career totals include 32-45 field goals and 62-65 PATs. His 89 points last season tie as 11th best for a single season and he is 13th in career scoring (158 points).
• Sophomore RB Adam Robinson led Iowa’s rushing attack with 834 yards in 2009, despite missing all of two games and portions of others. The yardage is the most ever for an Iowa freshman. He rushed for over 100 yards in wins over Arizona and Michigan State. Robinson gained 952 all-purpose yards, a total that ranks fifth best among Iowa freshmen. With 109 rushing yards against Eastern Illinois, Robinson has 943 career rushing yards and could become the 40th Iowa player to gain over 1,000 career rushing yards.
• Sophomore RB Jewel Hampton rushed 91 times for 463 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman in 2008 before missing last season due to injury. His rushing total ranks fifth best for an Iowa freshman and his seven touchdowns tied a freshman record that was eclipsed last season by Brandon Wegher. Hampton totaled 1,000 all-purpose yards in 2008, third best among Iowa rookies. He is expected to see his first action of the season against Iowa State.

STANZI AMONG VETERAN RETURNING QBS
With 19 wins as Iowa’s starting quarterback, senior Ricky Stanzi ranks eighth among returning signal callers in victories. Stanzi trails the following: Andy Dalton, TCU (30), Kellen Moore, Boise State (26), Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech (23), Case Keenum, Houston (23), Colin Kaerpernick, Nevada (20), Josh Nesbitt, Georgia Tech (20) and Terrell Pryor, Ohio State (20).

HAWKEYE NOTES

• Iowa has won nine straight games over the last three seasons with a trophy on the line. The current streak began with a win over Minnesota in 2007 for possession of Floyd of Rosedale. Iowa also won the battle for Floyd in both 2008 and 2009, along with earning the Cy-Hawk (Iowa State) and Heartland (Wisconsin) trophies the last two seasons. The streak includes wins in the 2009 Outback and 2010 FedEx Orange bowls.
• Dating back to 2008, Iowa has won seven of its last eight games away from Iowa City. A six-game streak was snapped in the overtime loss at eighth-ranked Ohio State. The streak included wins at Minnesota, Iowa State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Michigan State, along with a victory over South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl. The road winning streak was the longest for Iowa since the Hawkeyes won all five of their road games during the 2002 regular season. That streak was six straight games away from home, including the 2001 Alamo Bowl. Iowa’s five road opponents last season were a combined 26-9 (.743) at home. Outside of the game against Iowa, those five teams were 25-5 (.833) at home.
• Iowa’s 2009 win at No. 4/5 ranked Penn State marked Iowa’s first road win over a team ranked in the top five since 1990. That season the Hawkeyes scored a 54-28 win at fifth-ranked Illinois. Iowa concluded the 2009 season with a neutral site win over ninth-ranked Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl.
• For the second straight year, Iowa will face two teams that have former Hawkeye players as their head coach. Bret Bielema (1989-92) is the head coach at Wisconsin and Mike Stoops (1981, 1983-84) is the head coach at Arizona. Iowa defeated Arizona 27-17 last Sept. 19 in Iowa City and defeated Wisconsin 20-10 Oct. 17 in Madison. Both Stoops and Bielema led their teams to bowl games in 2009.
• Iowa, in 2009, won four games by three points or less for the first time ever in a single season. Iowa was 4-1 in 2009 when trailing after three periods and 1-1 when tied after three quarters. Iowa blocked two field goal attempts in the final seconds of a win over Northern Iowa and scored on the final play in a win at Michigan State. The Hawkeyes lost at Ohio State in overtime.
• Iowa played four games under the lights in 2009 and won all four. Iowa won at Penn State (21-10 on ABC national) in its first night contest. The Hawkeyes defeated Michigan 30-28 in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 10, also on ABC national television. The 15-13 win at Michigan State (Oct. 24) was televised by the Big Ten Network. Iowa defeated Georgia Tech 24-14 in the Orange Bowl, with FOX televising to a national audience. Iowa has won six straight night games since a 2006 home loss to Ohio State.

IOWA JOINS ANOTHER TOP 20
Iowa has 71 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ties as the 16th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (93); USC (92); Texas (90); Ohio State (88); Oklahoma (87); LSU (82); Georgia (83); Virginia Tech (80); TCU (80); Florida (81); West Virginia (76); Utah (75); Boston College (73); Auburn (73); Wisconsin (72); IOWA (71); Texas Tech (71); Miami, FL (70), Penn State (68) and California (68).

BEST DECADE FOR IOWA FOOTBALL
Iowa’s football record in the 2000 decade was 80-45 (.640), a record that ranks as the best decade in Iowa football history, based on total wins. Iowa posted a record of 77-40-4 (.652) during the 1980’s and the Hawkeyes were 62-53-2 (.538) in the 1990’s. Part of the Hawkeye success is due to the stability in the program, as Iowa has had just two head coaches since 1979. Hayden Fry took over prior to the 1979 season and coached through the 1998 season, posting a record of 143-89-6. Current Coach Kirk Ferentz replaced Fry, leading the program for the last 11 seasons. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry. In a January, 2010 release, espn.com ranked Big Ten programs over the last decade in the following order: Ohio State, Iowa, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Northwestern, Minnesota, Michigan State, Illinois and Indiana. Factors such as Big Ten titles, BCS bowl appearances, bowl record and number of losing seasons played a role in the rankings.

DEPTH CHART INCLUDES 11 WALK-ONS
Iowa’s depth chart includes 11 players who originally joined the program as a walk-on. That includes five players on offense, three on defense and three specialists. The list includes OL Matt Tobin, OL Kyle Haganman, OL Josh Koeppel, RB Paki O’Meara, WR Don Nordman, DL Thomas Nardo, DB Brett Greenwood, DB Nick Nielsen, P Eric Guthrie, PK Michael Meyer and LS Andrew Schulze.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
All Iowa football games this season will be televised on either ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU or the Big Ten Network. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001. Iowa has appeared on television in its last 104 games. Iowa will play night games against Arizona (9:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) and Penn State (7 p.m., ABC/ESPN) and late afternoon games (2:30 p.m. CT) against Iowa State and Michigan (ABC).

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 121 players includes 54 players from Iowa. The roster includes 14 players from Illinois; 13 from Ohio; five from Minnesota and Missouri; four from Florida; three from Maryland and Wisconsin; two from Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Texas; one from Georgia, Kansas, Massachusetts and Montana and one from Australia and Canada.

IOWA FOOTBALL WITH Kirk Ferentz
The weekly television replay show, featuring Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz, is a 30-minute program, which includes Iowa football highlights and weekly features about the University of Iowa football program. Gary Dolphin, the radio play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, hosts the show. Consult local listings for day and time.

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.

AFTER THIS
The Hawkeyes travel to Arizona Sept. 18 (9:36 p.m. CT, ESPN) for their only non-conference road game. Iowa will host Ball State Sept. 25 (time and TV TBA) and opens Big Ten Conference play against Penn State Oct. 2 (7:12 p.m., ABC/ESPN).