Hawkeyes Travel to Northwestern Saturday

Nov. 8, 2010

Complete Release in PDF Format

HAWKEYES VISIT NORTHWESTERN
Iowa (7-2, 4-1) travels for a second straight week, visiting Northwestern (6-3, 2-3) Saturday. Kickoff is 11 a.m. at Ryan Field (47,130). The game is sold out. The crowd of over 47,000 is expected to be the largest for an Iowa at Northwestern game since 1985 (47,276).

ON THE TUBE
ESPN (HD) will televise the contest. Dave Pasch, Chris Spielman and Bob Griese will call the action. The game is also available online at espn3.com.

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 122 and XM channel 143.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is 13th in both the Associated Press rankings and the USA Today coaches poll. The Hawkeyes are also 13th in the BCS rankings. Around the Big Ten, Wisconsin is ranked 6/5 (AP/Coaches), Ohio State is 8/7 and Michigan State is 10/10. Penn State and Michigan are receiving votes. Non-conference opponent Arizona is ranked 18/19.

IOWA IN THE BCS RANKINGS
Iowa is 13th in the BCS rankings. Iowa was ranked in each of the eight BCS rankings in 2009, including an all-time high of fourth on Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. Iowa ended last season ranked 10th in the Dec. 6 final poll. Iowa was also ranked in the BCS top 25 seven weeks in 2004 and eight weeks in both 2002 and 2003. Iowa was ranked once during the 2006 season. Prior to this season, Iowa appeared in the BCS top 25 on 32 occasions. The BCS rankings are a combination of the Harris Interactive poll, the USA Today coaches’ poll and computer rankings. Iowa is 14th in the computer rankings, 13th in the coaches’ poll and 12th in the Harris poll.

HAWKEYE WIN STREAK
Iowa has won 22 of its last 26 games and 24 of 29, dating back to the middle of the 2008 season. Iowa had a 22-5 stretch from the 2001 Alamo Bowl through the 2003 season. Iowa posted a 22-2-2 mark between 1956-58. Iowa is 13-3 in its last 16 Big Ten games. Iowa’s school record of 20 straight wins occurred between 1920-23.

IOWA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
With the 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State (10/30/10), Iowa has recorded a victory over a top-five ranked team in each of the last three seasons. Iowa defeated fourth-ranked Penn State (21-10) on the road in 2009 and defeated the third-ranked Nittany Lions (24-23) in Kinnick Stadium in 2008. Iowa has defeated three ranked teams this season, including Penn State (#20), Michigan (#24) and Michigan State (#5). The two Hawkeye losses have been at the hands of ranked teams (#18 Arizona and #10 Wisconsin). The three wins over ranked teams are the most for Iowa since posting a 3-1 record vs. ranked opponents in 2004.

FERENTZ EARNS CAREER WIN NO. 100
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz, in his 15th season as a college head coach, holds a career record of 100-78 (.562). Win No. 100 came last weekend with the 18-13 victory at Indiana. Ferentz, who also coached at Maine for three seasons, is 88-57 (.607) as the Hawkeye head coach.

FERENTZ ON BOBBY DODD WATCH LIST
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is one of seven coaches on the official Watch List for the 2010 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. Ferentz is in his 12th year with the Hawkeyes and has guided the 2010 squad to a 7-2 record and is 13th in this week’s Associated Press poll. He has a career record of 100-78. Ferentz has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (2002, 04, 09) and was National Coach of the Year in 2002. The Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award was first given in 1976 when it went to Georgia’s Vince Dooley. Iowa’s head coach has never won the award.

HAWKEYE HUDDLE IN EVANSTON
The National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association are sponsoring a “Hawkeye Huddle” Friday, Nov. 12 prior to the Iowa at Northwestern game the following day. The Huddle will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Goose Island Wrigleyville, 3535 North Clark St. in Chicago. Admission to the Hawkeye Huddle is free and includes cash refreshments, snacks, Hawk Shop door prizes, Hawkeye D.J., cheerleaders and Herky. Fans can visit www.hawkeyesports.com/iclub for additional information.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,138 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 586-513-39 (.532). That includes a 370-200-16 (.645) record in home games, a 216-313-23 (.412) record in games away from Iowa City, a 289-345-25 (.458) mark in Big Ten games and a 253-164-15 (.603) record in Kinnick Stadium.

THREE HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORS
Three members of the Iowa football program were named to the ESPN Academic All-District Seven first team. Those players are senior OL Julian Vandervelde, senior LB Jeff Tarpinian and junior LB Tyler Nielsen. Each of the three Hawkeye players will now have their name placed on the national ballot for ESPN Academic All-America honors. Vandervelde is a native of Davenport who has earned all-District recognition for the third straight season. He was a first team selection in 2008 and earned second team honors last season. He carries a 3.46 GPA and is majoring in English and Religious Studies. Vandervelde has started all nine games for the Hawkeyes, who are ranked 13th in the current BCS rankings. He has started 33 games throughout his career, including 14 straight. He has earned academic all-Big Ten recognition in each of the past three seasons. Tarpinian is a native of Omaha, Neb. He is majoring in Accounting and has a 3.58 GPA. He has also earned academic all-Big Ten honors in each of the past three seasons. Tarpinian has been hampered by injuries in 2010, but has started three games. He returned to limited action in Iowa’s 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State after missing two games. He had 35 tackles, including 2.5 QB sacks. His forced fumble led to a touchdown against Arizona. Nielsen, a native of Humboldt, holds a 3.56 GPA and is a Management major. He has earned academic all-Big Ten recognition in each of the past two seasons. Nielsen has started eight games at outside linebacker for the nationally-ranked Hawkeyes. He is third on the team with 42 tackles. Nielsen has recorded 4.5 tackles for loss and four pass break-ups. He had an interception in Iowa’s 35-7 win over Iowa State. He was injured in Iowa’s win over Michigan State and is out indefinitely. Under Coach Kirk Ferentz the last 12 seasons, 17 Iowa football student-athletes have combined to earn academic all-District and all-America recognition on 31 occasions.

HAWKEYES ON AWARD LISTS
Senior DE Adrian Clayborn, senior QB Ricky Stanzi, senior TE Allen Reisner and junior DB Tyler Sash are on reduced lists for national honors at their respective positions. Stanzi is one of 16 semifinalists for the 2010 Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, one of 16 semifinal candidates for the Maxwell Award and one of 15 candidates remaining on the Watch List for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award for the top senior quarterback in the nation. Stanzi, in nine games, has completed 157-230 attempts for 2,212 yards and 20 touchdowns, with only three interceptions. He leads the Big Ten and is third nationally in pass efficiency. Stanzi was a semifinal candidate for the O’Brien Award in 2009 as well. Clayborn is one of 12 semifinal candidates for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award and one of 16 semifinalists for the Chuck Bednarik Award. In nine games he has 40 tackles, including six tackles for loss and 2.5 QB sacks. He also had a blocked field goal at Michigan and a forced fumble vs. Wisconsin. Clayborn has 26 consecutive starts and has started 33 games in his career. Reisner is one of 22 tight end candidates named to the 2010 John Mackey Award mid-season watch list. The award goes annually to the nation’s best collegiate tight end. Reisner has started every game this year. He has 29 receptions for 304 yards (10.5 average) and two touchdowns. Former Iowa tight end Dallas Clark won the Mackey Award in 2002. Sash is one of 10 semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which goes annually to the top collegiate defensive back. He currently ranks fifth in career interceptions (13) at Iowa. Sash is the Iowa record holder and ranks fourth all-time in Big Ten history with 392 interception yards.

MEYER NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Freshman PK Mike Meyer was named Big Ten Conference Special Teams Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 18-13 win at Indiana. Meyer converted four of five field goals, connecting from 23, 27, 27 and 42 yards. The 42-yard kick is a career long and cut Iowa’s deficit to 13-12 in the fourth quarter. Meyer has made 9-11 field goal attempts this season, including seven in a row before missing a 22-yard attempt at Indiana. Meyer is the first Hawkeye to make as many as four field goals in a game since 2005, when Kyle Schlicher made 4-5 attempts in a 34-17 win at Purdue. Schlicher set Iowa’s record for field goals in game when he made all five attempts in a 29-27 win at Minnesota as a sophomore in 2004. Meyer is the second true freshman to make four field goals in a game under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Nate Kaeding was a perfect 4-4 in field goal attempts in a 26-23 (2 OT) win at Penn State in 2000. Meyer is the sixth Hawkeye to earn Big Ten honors this season.

HAWKEYES EARN WEEKLY HONORS
Several Iowa players have earned weekly honors this season:

  • Freshman Mike Meyer was named Big Ten Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after connecting on 4-5 field goal attempts in Iowa’s 18-13 win at Indiana.
  • Senior punter Ryan Donahue was named national Punter of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards after averaging 60.5 yards on two punts vs. Wisconsin.
  • Junior DB Shaun Prater was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State. Prater collected a career-high 10 tackles and had an interception and 42 yard return vs. the Spartans. Iowa held MSU to 31 net rushing yards and one touchdown. The Big Ten honor is the first for Prater.
  • Senior QB Ricky Stanzi was named Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 38-28 win at Michigan. Stanzi completed 17-24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. The Big Ten honor is the first for Stanzi.
  • Senior DE Adrian Clayborn was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 24-3 win over Penn State Oct. 2. Clayborn collected 10 tackles in the win, including a quarterback sack for minus 15 yards and three tackles for loss. Iowa held Penn State to 54 net rushing yards and just three points. The Big Ten honor is the third for Clayborn. He earned the recognition for special teams in Iowa’s 2009 win at Penn State and he was defensive Player of the Week in Iowa’s 2009 win at Michigan State. Clayborn earned honorable mention recognition for his position from the College Football Performance Awards for his play against Penn State as well.
  • Junior DL Mike Daniels was named Big Ten Conference co-defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 45-0 win over Ball State. Daniels recorded career bests in tackles and tackles for loss in Iowa’s shutout victory over Ball State. Daniels had four solo tackles and two assists, including four tackles for loss (-20) and one QB sack (-7). The Hawkeye defense held Ball State to just 112 yards total offense (56 rushing, 56 passing). The Big Ten Player of the Week honor is the first for Daniels, who was also named national defensive Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.
  • 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. O’Meara 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. He also had four rushing attempts for 34 yards in the second half in earning his first Big Ten Player of the Week honor.
  • Senior QB Ricky Stanzi earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his play against Ball State, Michigan, Wisconsin and Michigan State. He had three touchdown passes and no interceptions in each of the four games.
  • Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 38-28 win over Michigan. He had four receptions for 70 yards and three touchdowns. Johnson-Koulianos became Iowa’s career leader in receiving yards in the Iowa win.
  • Junior DB Shaun Prater earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his defensive backfield play in Iowa’s 24-3 win over Penn State. Prater collected Iowa’s only turnover vs. Penn State, returning his interception in the closing minutes 33 yards for his first career touchdown. He also collected four tackles. He also earned honorable mention recognition for his efforts in Iowa’s 37-6 win over Michigan State (10 tackles, one interception).
  • Sophomore RB Adam Robinson earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 35-7 win over Iowa State. Robinson rushed for a career-best 156 yards on 14 carries and scored on a 39-yard run. Robinson also had a 75-yard run to set up another Hawkeye touchdown and surpassed 1,000 career rushing yards.
  • Senior TE Allen Reisner earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 35-7 win over Iowa State. Reisner had three receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown. His two-yard scoring reception gave Iowa a 21-0 advantage in the second period and his 55-yard catch, the longest of his career, led to Iowa’s final score.
  • Freshman PK Mike Meyer earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 35-7 win over Iowa State. A true freshman walk-on, Meyer has handled Iowa’s kickoff duties all season games. Against Iowa State, he averaged 68.3 yards on six kicks, with three touchbacks.
  • Sophomore DB Micah Hyde earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his defensive backfield play in Iowa’s 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State. Hyde had five tackles and a 66-yard return for a touchdown.
  • Junior TE Brad Herman earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State. Herman had three receptions for 80 yards, matching his career-high in catches and reaching a career-best in receiving yards.
  • Iowa had eight players named Big Ten Players of the Week in 2009 (four on defense, one offense and three special team winners).

IOWA TOUGH ON DEFENSE
Iowa ranks fifth nationally in rushing defense (85.2), sixth in scoring defense (14.3), eighth in total defense (294.6) and 14th in pass efficiency defense (109.61). The Iowa defense was the last unit in the nation to allow a rushing touchdown this season, that coming in Iowa’s sixth game. The Hawkeyes are third in turnover margin (+1.3). Six Iowa opponents have scored one touchdown or less, including two who scored no touchdowns. In its most recent win, the Hawkeye defense held Indiana to 100 yards and 16 points below its season averages. Iowa has allowed only one 100-yard rusher this season (Michigan QB Denard Robinson). Iowa also allowed just one player to rush for 100 yards or more in both 2009 and 2008.

IOWA EFFICIENT ON OFFENSE
Iowa ranks third in the nation in pass efficiency (172.87) and the Hawkeyes are 34th in scoring offense (32.3). The Hawkeyes are 35th in passing offense (250.8), 42nd in total offense (409.8) and 50th in rushing offense (159.0). Iowa scored 30 or more points in three consecutive Big Ten Conference games (Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State) for the first time since 2005. Iowa has been guilty of just six turnovers (three lost fumbles, three interceptions). Only Oregon State, with four, has fewer turnovers than the Hawkeyes. Iowa has not lost a fumble in last five games.

POSITIVE TURNOVER RATIO
Iowa leads the Big Ten and is third nationally with a plus 1.3 turnover ratio. Iowa has been guilty of just six turnovers in nine games, including just two turnovers in five Big Ten games. The six turnovers ranks second in the nation (Oregon State, four). Iowa’s opponents have had 100 possessions, and just three have started in Iowa territory. Arizona had two possessions start in Iowa territory and Iowa State started one possession on Iowa’s end of the field. Four of Indiana’s 10 possessions were five plays or less.

LIVE BLOGGING FROM NORTHWESTERN
Hawkeye fans not able to attend the Northwestern game 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. Over 1,000 fans participated in last week’s blog.

INJURY SETBACKS
Iowa sophomore running back Jewel Hampton and junior linebacker Bruce Davis suffered season-ending knee injuries during Iowa’s 34-27 loss at Arizona. Both have had surgery to repair the damage. Hampton rushed 91 times for 463 yards and seven touchdowns as a freshman in 2008 before missing 2009 due to injury. He rushed 20 times for 84 yards and a touchdown against Iowa State and had a four-yard touchdown reception at Arizona prior to his season-ending injury. In addition, LB Jeff Tarpinian missed Iowa’s opening game and games vs. Michigan and Wisconsin before returning to limited action the last two weeks. He did not start vs. Penn State and was limited to just a few plays on defense. Tarpinian led Iowa in tackles (32) through five games. Senior FB Brett Morse did not play at Michigan, ending his starting streak at 18 consecutive starts, but returned vs. Wisconsin. RB Adam Robinson, Iowa’s leading rusher, and OL Adam Gettis, did not play at Indiana. Redshirt freshman OL Nolan MacMillan has missed Iowa’s last three games after starting the first six. Senior LB Jeremiha Hunter started the first seven games before missing the Michigan State contest. Hunter has 33 career starts after returning to the line-up at Indiana. OLB Tyler Nielsen, who started the first eight games and ranked third in tackles, was injured vs. Michigan State and is out indefinitely. Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker underwent a medical procedure in late September and has missed seven games. While he has not returned to the practice field, Parker attended Iowa’s home win over Michigan State but did not travel to Indiana last weekend. He is expected to be with the team this week.

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 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. He is one of seven candidates for the 2010 Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year Award. 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 was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year in 2002, 2004 and 2009. Ferentz guided Iowa to Big Ten titles in 2002 and 2004. 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 an 84-38 (.689) overall mark and a 50-27 (.649) Big Ten record the last nine plus seasons. Ferentz has guided the Hawkeyes to eight first division finishes, including a second-place finish in 2009. The Hawkeyes are bowl eligible for the 10th straight season. Ferentz, at Iowa, holds an overall record of 88-57 (.607) and a 53-40 (.570) mark in Big Ten games. In his 15th season as a college head coach, he holds a career mark of 100-78 (.562). Fifty-three of Iowa’s 145 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (25-28) and 44 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (19-25). Ferentz joined the Iowa staff after serving as assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. He was 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 at Iowa. Iowa appeared in eight bowl games during the time Ferentz was an Iowa assistant. 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 10 straight Iowa teams to bowl eligibility and the Hawkeyes have finished in the Big Ten’s first division eight of the past nine seasons.

COACHING RECOGNITION
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times (2002, 2004 & 2009) and he was named National Coach of the Year in 2002. Ferentz joins Michigan’s Bo Schembechler (four) and Iowa’s Hayden Fry (three) and Penn State’s Joe Paterno (three) as the only coaches to be honored in more than two seasons.

NORTHWESTERN COACH PAT FITZGERALD
Pat Fitzgerald is in his fifth season as a collegiate head coach, all at Northwestern. His record stands at 33-26 (.559). Fitzgerald led his team to an 8-5 record a year ago. The Wildcats played in the 2009 Outback Bowl. The Wildcats are 23-12 since the start of the 2008 season. Fitzgerald, who was a two-time first team all-American linebacker with the Wildcats (1995-96), began his coaching career as a defensive graduate assistant at Maryland (1998) and Colorado (1999). In 2000, Fitzgerald coached linebackers and special teams at Idaho before returning to his alma mater in 2001. The native of Orland Park, IL, coached the Wildcats’ defensive backs in 2001 before coaching the linebackers four years (2002-05). Fitzgerald won the Bronco Nagurski and Chuck Bednarik awards, as the nation’s top defensive player, and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, in 1995 and 1996. He became the first two-time winner of both the Nagurski and Bednarik awards. Fitzgerald earned his first career Big Ten victory against Iowa (21-7) on Nov. 4, 2006 in Iowa City.

IOWA, NORTHWESTERN NOTES

  • Iowa and Northwestern both rank among the national leaders in pass efficiency; Iowa is third (172.87) and Northwestern ranks 11th (159.98). Individually, Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi is third (175.13) and Northwestern’s Dan Persa is 10th (161.0).
  • Iowa and Northwestern are among national leaders in turnover margin. Iowa ranks third (+1.3) and Northwestern is 23rd (.67). Iowa’s six turnovers are second lowest in the nation behind Oregon State (four).
  • Saturday’s contest is Northwestern’s first sellout of the season at Ryan Field (47,130). The previous largest crowd this season at Ryan Field was 41,115 for the Michigan State game.
  • In winning 17-10 last year, Northwestern started four drives on Iowa’s side of the field, and recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. This season, just three of 100 opponent drives have started in Iowa territory.
  • Northwestern took advantage of four turnovers in its win a year ago in Iowa City (two interceptions, two fumbles). Iowa, through nine games in 2010, has just six turnovers.
  • Iowa QB Ricky Stanzi and Northwestern QB Dan Persa were both injured when the teams met last season. Stanzi suffered an ankle injury in the second period and missed Iowa’s final two games. Persa suffered a hand injury and did not finish the game.
  • The Iowa roster includes 14 players from the state of Illinois, including DL Scott Covert (Lake Forest), PK Ryan Donahue (Evergreen Park), TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (Johnsburg); OL Adam Gettis (Frankfort), LB Dakota Getz (Macon), TE Brad Herman (Metamora), DL Martin Hopkins (Chicago), LB Matthew Meyers (Plainfield); FB Brett Morse (Willowbrook), LB Terrance Pryor (South Holland), LS Andrew Schulze (Woodridge), DL Louis Trinca-Pasat (Chicago); QB John Wienke (Tuscola) and OL Markus Zusevics (Arlington Heights).
  • There are no Iowans on the Northwestern roster.
  • Jason White (Nov. 12) is the only Hawkeye with a birthday this week.

NORTHWESTERN WON IN IOWA CITY
Northwestern took advantage of four Hawkeye turnovers in the second period and held Iowa scoreless after the first quarter in taking a 17-10 win in Iowa City. The loss was Iowa’s first of the season and marked Northwestern’s third straight win in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa started fast, using a 74-yard pass from Ricky Stanzi to Marvin McNutt to take a 7-0 lead on the third play of the game. After the Iowa defense forced a three and out, the Hawkeyes increased their advantage to 10-0 on a 39-yard field goal by Daniel Murray on their following possession. The game changed in the second period when Iowa forced a Wildcat punt and took possession at the Iowa six-yard line. Stanzi fumbled when sacked in the end zone, and Northwestern recovered for a touchdown. Stanzi suffered an ankle injury on the play and did not return to action. Northwestern collected its second pass interception on Iowa’s next possession and drove 46 yards for the go-ahead touchdown with 5:20 left in the half. It appeared for a moment that Iowa regained the lead just two plays later when Brandon Wegher appeared to score on a 64-yard run. That play was nullified by a holding call and the half ended with Northwestern leading 14-10. Iowa drove to the Northwestern 29 midway through the third period, but a 46-yard Murray field goal attempt was just left. The Wildcats added a field goal with 13:29 to play to end the scoring. The Iowa defense played a solid game, allowing Northwestern just 239 yards total offense. Northwestern reached the Iowa red zone just once, but the Wildcats held almost a nine minute advantage in time of possession. LB Pat Angerer led the Hawkeye defense with a career-high 17 tackles. Jeremiha Hunter added 10 tackles and Joe Conklin collected his first career interception. Stanzi completed 4-9 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown before his injury. James Vandenberg completed 9-27 attempts for 82 yards and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had six receptions for 63 yards. Wegher led Iowa’s ground game with 63 yards on 19 carries and Ryan Donahue averaged 47 yards on five punts.

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 46-22-3 advantage in the series that began with a 12-6 Iowa victory in 1897. The teams have split the last 10 meetings, but Northwestern has won the last two games and four of the last five. Northwestern holds a three-game winning streak in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes snapped a two-game losing streak to the Wildcats with a 28-17 triumph in 2007 on their last visit to Ryan Field. The visiting team has won the last four meetings. Iowa holds a 23-13-3 advantage in games played in Evanston, where the teams have split the last four meetings. Four of the last five meetings overall have been decided by nine points or less. Iowa won 21 consecutive games over Northwestern prior to a 31-20 Wildcat win in 1995 in Evanston. The Wildcats hold an 8-5 advantage since snapping that Hawkeye win streak.

IOWA RALLIES PAST INDIANA
Iowa led for most of the game, but had to rally in the fourth quarter for an 18-13 win at Indiana, earning Coach Kirk Ferentz career win No. 100. Iowa drove to a field goal on its first possession of the game and added another three-pointer in the second period, but still found the score tied 6-6 at halftime. The Hoosiers answered both of Iowa’s first half field goal drives with a field goal of their own. Iowa took a 9-6 advantage with 5:33 remaining in the third period on a 27-yard field goal by Mike Meyer, who had connected from 23 and 27 yards in the first half. The Hoosiers answered again, taking the lead with 42 seconds remaining in the quarter on a one-yard run by QB Ben Chappell. The Hawkeyes responded with another field goal, as Meyer connected on a career-long 42-yard kick with 8:33 remaining to cut the Iowa deficit to a single point. Iowa regained possession with 3:42 remaining in the game and took just three plays to drive 88 yards for the winning score. QB Ricky Stanzi completed consecutive passes to WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for 21 and 15 yards. Stanzi then hit WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. down the middle for a 52-yard touchdown and the winning margin with 2:50 left in the game. Iowa’s two-point pass attempt was incomplete. Still, the Hawkeyes had to hold off one last Indiana scoring threat. The Hoosiers started from their own 41 after a 28 yard KO return and quickly moved to a first down at the Iowa 18. After three straight incompletions and a timeout with 35 seconds remaining, Chappell’s final pass into the end zone was incomplete and Iowa had its third straight win over the Hoosiers. Stanzi was again outstanding for Iowa, completing 22-33 passes for 290 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. McNutt, Jr. led Iowa receivers with six catches for 126 yards and Johnson-Koulianos had 72 yards on six receptions. Freshman RB Marcus Coker, in his first career start, rushed 22 times for 129 yards to lead the ground game. The Iowa defense limited Indiana to 222 passing yards, nearly 100 yards below its season average. DB Micah Hyde and DB Shaun Prater each collected 10 tackles, while freshman LB James Morris added nine stops. Iowa collected a season-high nine pass break-ups, including two each by Hyde, Morris and LB Jeremiha Hunter. Meyer was named special teams Player of the Week in the Big Ten and is the first Hawkeye with four field goals in a game since 2005.

INDIANA EXTRA POINTS

  • Iowa engineered another fourth quarter comeback over Indiana. The Hawkeyes have outscored the Hoosiers 51-0 combined in the fourth quarter the last three meetings, dating back to 2008.
  • Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos became Iowa’s career leader in pass receptions with a six-yard catch in the first period, giving him 158 in his career. The previous career leader was Kevin Kasper (1997-00) with 157. He ended the game with six receptions for 72 yards. Johnson-Koulianos improved his career totals to 163 catches for 2,440 yards and 15 touchdowns. He became Iowa’s career leader in receiving yards (surpassing Tim Dwight, 2,271) in the win at Michigan. Johnson-Koulianos is tied for fourth on the career list with 15 touchdown receptions.
  • WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. caught six balls for a game-high 126 yards, including the game-winning 52-yard reception with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter. He is tied for ninth in career touchdown receptions with 13.
  • True freshman RB Marcus Coker started for the first time. He started in place of RB Adam Robinson, who missed his first game of the season. Iowa also started a true freshman at running back against Indiana last season, and Robinson also missed that game. Coker reached career bests in carries (22) and yards (129), surpassing 100 yards for the first time in his career.
  • The game marked the third straight year Iowa has had a freshman running back gain over 100 rushing yards against Indiana. In 2008, Jewel Hampton rushed 22 times for 114 yards and last season Brandon Wegher rushed 25 times for 118 yards. Both Hampton and Wegher scored three touchdowns against the Hoosiers.
  • Senior QB Ricky Stanzi completed 22-33 passes for 290 yards. Stanzi improved his career totals to 478-792 for 6,585 yards and 51 touchdowns. Iowa is 25-6 with Stanzi as its starting quarterback. He has at least one touchdown pass in the last 18 games he has played.
  • Mike Meyer made field goals of 23 and 27 yards in the first half before missing from 22 yards. He added a 27-yarder in the third period and a career-long 42 yard kick in the fourth. Meyer had made seven straight since missing his first attempt of the season. He made more than one field goal in a game for the first time in his career and the five attempts are a career-high. He has made 9-11 field goals, including both attempts from 40 yards and beyond.
  • Iowa has just six turnovers in nine games and has no turnovers in four games. Iowa’s turnover Saturday was its first since a pass interception in the first period of the 24-3 win over Penn State, Oct. 2.
  • Senior DB Brett Greenwood had his team-leading fourth interception of the season in the first period on a pass deflected by LB James Morris. Greenwood is now tied for seventh in career interceptions with 11. He is tied with Plez Atkins and Brad Quast. Greenwood also surpassed 200 career tackles vs. Indiana with his six tackles today. He now has 205 career stops. Greenwood was also credited with two pass break-ups.
  • P Ryan Donahue had two punts for 97 yards (48.5 avg.). He had a long punt of 53 yards and one downed inside the 20 yard line. Instant Replay was used in the third period. The ruling on the field, an Indiana touchdown, was upheld. It was also used on an Indiana incomplete pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter, which was upheld after review to preserve the victory for Iowa.

PENN STATE RALLIES PAST WILDCATS
Northwestern built a 21-0 advantage in the first half, only to see Penn State rally for a 35-21 win, which was career victory No. 400 for Penn State Coach Joe Paterno. The Wildcats built the 21-0 advantage on drives of 74, 64 and 66 yards. QB Dan Persa scored on runs of six and four yards for the first two scores and then connected with Drake Dunsmore on a nine-yard scoring strike. Penn State got on the scoreboard just before half, completing a 91-yard scoring drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass with just three seconds remaining in the second quarter. The Nittany Lion defense took control in the third period, as Northwestern ran just 10 offensive plays in the period while Penn State scored 21 points in the quarter to take the lead. Penn State scored touchdowns on five straight possessions, with three of the five covering 79 yards or more. Northwestern drove 63 yards on its first drive of the final quarter, but turned the ball over on downs at the Penn State nine with just over eight minutes remaining. Northwestern’s final drive ended at the Penn State 37 in the final two minutes, again on a failed fourth down attempt. Persa led the Wildcats with 25 rushing attempts for 109 yards. He completed 16-25 passes for 201 yards while running the offense that had no turnovers. Jeremy Ebert had six receptions for 111 yards as he was one of eight Wildcats with at least one reception. Defensively, Brian Peters and Nate Williams each collected 11 tackles, with Williams having two tackles for loss. Vince Browne added 10 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

QB Ricky Stanzi

  • Is a semifinal candidate for the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. vHas completed 157-230 passes (.683) for 2,212 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2010, with only three interceptions. Stanzi has at least one touchdown pass in the last 18 games he has played and three scoring strikes in five games.
  • Ranks first in the Big Ten and third in the nation in passing efficiency (175.13). Is also third in passing yards (245.8) and fifth in total offense (246.0).
  • Ranks fifth (tie) on Iowa’s single season list with 20 touchdown passes this season and 17 TD passes in 2009 ties for 10th best.
  • Ranks third in career scoring passes (51) behind Chuck Long (74) and Drew Tate (61).
  • Completed 22-33 passes for 290 yards and a touchdown at Indiana, with one interception
  • Completed 11-15 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns in win over Michigan State, with no interceptions
  • Completed 25-37 passes for 258 yards and three touchdowns vs. Wisconsin, with no interceptions
  • Completed 17-24 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns at Michigan to earn Big Ten Conference offensive Player of the Week honors.
  • Completed 16-22 passes for 227 yards and a touchdown vs. Penn State.
  • Completed 19-25 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns in win over Ball State, with no interceptions.
  • Completed 171-304 attempts for 2,417 yards in 2009. Season yardage total ranks 11th best in school history.
  • Ranks fifth in career passing yards (6,585), completions (478) and attempts (792), and fourth in total offense (6,589).
  • Has led Iowa to a 25-6 record as a starter, including a 14-3 record in Kinnick Stadium and a 14-5 record in Big Ten games.
  • His 25 wins as Iowa’s starting quarterback ties as sixth best among active FBS quarterbacks.

WR DERRELL-JOHNSON-KOULIANOS

  • Ranks first in Iowa career receiving yards (2,440) and receptions (163) and is tied for fourth in touchdowns (15).
  • Has led Iowa in receiving in each of the past three seasons, becoming just the third receiver to accomplish that feat. Had 45 receptions for 750 yards in 2009.
  • Leads team in receiving in 2010 with 36 receptions for 569 yards and eight touchdowns.
  • Eight touchdowns this season ties as fourth best for single season at Iowa.
  • Six receptions for 72 yards in win at Indiana, including 15 and 21 yard receptions on game-winning touchdown drive.
  • Five receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown vs. Wisconsin.
  • Four receptions for 70 yards and personal-best three touchdowns in win at Michigan.
  • Four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown in win over Penn State.
  • Averaged 31.5 yards on 12 KO returns in 2009, including a 99-yard return for a touchdown at Ohio State. In nine games this season is averaging 27.5 yards on 13 KO returns.
  • Ranks second in the Big Ten in KO returns (27.5) and is seventh in all-purpose yards (107.7).
  • Totaled over 1,000 all-purpose yards in his first three seasons, including a career-best 1,128 yards in 2009 and 969 yards to date in 2010.
  • 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.

DE Adrian Clayborn

  • Is a semifinal candidate for the Rotary Lombardi Award and Chuck Bednarik Award.
  • Named to numerous preseason all-America teams after being named Most Valuable Player in Iowa’s win over Georgia Tech in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl.
  • One of 12 semifinal candidates for the 2010 Rotary Lombardi Award.
  • Has started 26 consecutive games and has 33 career starts.
  • Recorded four tackles and a QB pressure in win at Indiana.
  • Recorded five tackles vs. Wisconsin, including one QB sack and a forced fumble.
  • Blocked third kick of his career with blocked field goal in win at Michigan.
  • Named Big Ten defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 tackles in 24-3 win over Penn State, including three tackles for loss and a QB sack.
  • Has recorded 40 tackles in 2010, with six tackles for loss, 2.5 QB sacks and four QB pressures.
  • Key member of Iowa defensive unit that ranks fifth nationally in rushing defense (85.2), sixth in scoring defense (14.3) and eighth in total defense (294.6).
  • Completed junior season as one of the Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss, quarterback sacks and forced fumbles.

DB Tyler Sash

  • Ranks fifth in career interceptions with 13.
  • Six tackles in win at Indiana.
  • Led team with career-high 13 tackles vs. Wisconsin, including five solo stops and a tackle for loss.
  • Interception and pitch to Micah Hyde led to 66-yard touchdown return vs. Michigan State.
  • Interception and 36-yard return led to touchdown in win at Michigan. Also had 37-yard return of blocked field goal and seven tackles against the Wolverines.
  • Holds Iowa career record and ranks fourth all-time in Big Ten history with 392 interception return yards.
  • Led Iowa with six interceptions in 2009, a total that ties as sixth best in a single season.
  • Tied Iowa’s single-game record with three interceptions in a win at Iowa State.
  • His 203 interception return yards in 2009 established a single-season record.
  • Ranks second with 54 tackles in 2010 and has 192 career tackles. Has helped Iowa’s defense rank fifth in rushing defense (85.2), sixth in the nation in scoring defense (14.3) and eighth in total defense (294.6).

WR Marvin McNutt, JR.

  • Has 34 receptions for team-leading 588 yards and five touchdowns in 2010, averaging 17.3 yards per catch.
  • Has 13 career touchdown receptions to tie for ninth on career list.
  • Six receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown in win at Indiana, including 52-yard scoring reception in final minutes for winning margin.
  • Two receptions for 39 yards, including 22-yard scoring reception, vs. Michigan State
  • Seven receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown vs. Wisconsin.
  • Four receptions for 78 yards in 38-28 win at Michigan, with a long of 34 yards.
  • Four receptions for 93 yards in 24-3 win over Penn State.
  • Had 34 receptions for 674 yards in 2009, his first year as a wide receiver. Caught game-winning pass on the final play of Iowa’s win at Michigan State.
  • Had eight touchdown receptions in 2009, which ties for the fourth best total in school history.
  • In 2009, McNutt (674) and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (750) combined to give Iowa two receivers with over 600 yards for just the ninth time in school history. Both have over 450 yards in 2010 through eight games.

DB Brett Greenwood

  • Leads the Big Ten and is tied for 16th in the nation with four interceptions.
  • Fourth interception of the season came in 18-13 win at Indiana. Also had six tackles vs. Hoosiers to raise career total to 205 tackles.
  • Third interception of the season came in 37-6 win over Michigan State. Also had three tackles vs. Spartans.
  • Second interception of the season vs. Wisconsin led to Iowa field goal. Also had six tackles vs. Badgers.
  • Tied for seventh in career interceptions with 11. Four of his career interceptions have come against Iowa State.
  • Has 43 career starts.

RB Adam Robinson

  • Did not see action in win at Indiana due to injury. Is expected to return to action at Northwestern.
  • Became the 40th Iowa player to rush for over 1,000 career yards with his play against Iowa State.
  • Season totals include 806 yards and 10 touchdowns on 172 carries, rushing for over 100 yards in five of eight games. Seven career games with over 100 rushing yards.
  • Had 32-yard scoring reception in win over Michigan State for first career touchdown reception.
  • Career totals include 353 carries for 1,640 yards and 15 touchdowns, to rank 17th in career rushing.
  • Ranks third in the Big Ten and 16th in the nation in rushing yards per game (100.8).
  • Ranks third in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards (132.5) and fifth in scoring (8.2).
  • Rushed 20 times for 69 yards and had 32-yard scoring reception vs. Michigan State.
  • Rushed 23 times for 114 yards and a touchdown vs. Wisconsin.
  • Career-high 31 carries for 143 yards in 38-28 win at Michigan, along with 61 yards on four pass receptions.
  • 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.
  • Had 952 all-purpose yards in 2009, which ranks fifth best for an Iowa freshman.
  • His 156 rushing yards vs. Iowa State in 2010 are a career high.
  • Rushed 22 times for 115 yards and two touchdowns in win over Ball State.
  • Has scored two touchdowns or more in five of eight games in 2010.

DT Mike Daniels

  • Leads Iowa in both tackles for loss (11-56) and QB sacks (4-31). Ranks fifth in the Big Ten and T-47th nationally in tackles for loss (1.22).
  • Recorded a QB sack inside the Iowa 10-yard line in win at Indiana.
  • Two of his five tackles in win over Michigan State were for loss.
  • Named co-defensive Player of the Week in the Big Ten for his play vs. Ball State. Also named national defensive Player of the Week by College Football Performance Awards.
  • Has recorded 33 tackles while starting five of nine games.

LB Jeremiha Hunter

  • Has 238 career tackles (75 solo, 163 assists) to become the 62nd Hawkeye player to reach 200 career stops (ranks T-33rd). Has 33 career starts, but missed Michigan State game to injury.
  • Returned to action with eight tackles and two pass break-ups in win at Indiana.
  • Recorded nine tackles vs. Wisconsin.
  • Recorded career-best 13 tackles in 38-28 win at Michigan.
  • Leads team in tackles through nine games in 2010, recording 17 solo stops and 42 assists.
  • Had fumble recovery that led to an Iowa touchdown in win over Ball State, the fifth recovery of his career.
  • Recovered fumble vs. Arizona to stop scoring opportunity and turnover led to first Iowa touchdown.
  • Leads the Big Ten with two fumble recoveries and is tied for 10th in tackles per game.

FRESHMEN MAKE THEIR MARK
Iowa has used nine true freshmen this season and that group made its mark in Iowa’s 18-13 win at Indiana. James Morris started at middle linebacker and recorded nine tackles and two pass break-ups. Playing mostly on special teams, the group of Anthony Hitchens, Don Shumpert, Christian Kirksey and Tanner Miller combined to record six tackles. Mike Meyer made 4-5 field goal attempts and added two tackles on kick coverage. TE C.J. Fiedorowicz added a four-yard kickoff return. On offense, RB Marcus Coker started for the first time and led the Hawkeyes with 129 rushing yards on 22 carries. Redshirt freshman Shane DiBona started at outside linebacker and recorded three tackles and redshirt freshman Brad Rogers had two rushing attempts for nine yards. Coker and Rogers rank second and fourth, respectively, in rushing yards through nine games.

STANZI AMONG VETERAN RETURNING QBS
With 25 wins as Iowa’s starting quarterback, senior Ricky Stanzi ranks sixth among FBS signal callers in victories. Stanzi trails the following: Andy Dalton, TCU (39), Kellen Moore, Boise State (34), Tyrod Taylor, Virginia Tech (30), Terrell Pryor, Ohio State (27), Colin Kaerpernick, Nevada (27).

STANZI IN A CLUB OF HIS OWN
In leading Iowa to a 24-3 win over Penn State, Iowa senior QB Ricky Stanzi improved to 3-0 as a starting quarterback against the Nittany Lions. Stanzi is the only opposing quarterback to ever start three games against Penn State and lead his team to wins in all three games. Iowa won 24-23 in 2008 on a last second field and won 21-10 a year ago at Penn State. Stanzi played every offensive down in all three wins. Stanzi has led Iowa to a 25-6 record as the starting quarterback, which ranks second all-time among Iowa signal callers in career victories. Last week’s win at Indiana garnered Stanzi his 14th conference victory to tie Matt Sherman, Matt Rodgers and Drew Tate for second in school history behind Chuck Long’s 24.

TOP HAWKEYE PERFORMERS

  • Senior TE Allen Reisner has 29 receptions for 304 yards and two touchdowns. He was recently one of 22 tight ends named to the mid-season Watch List for the John Mackey Award. Reisner had four receptions in the opening game, three catches (66 yards) in the win over Iowa State and five catches for 53 yards against Ball State. He added three receptions for 29 yards vs. Penn State and two receptions for 15 yards at Michigan. Reisner had five receptions in the first period against Ball State. His career high in yards is 66 yards vs. Iowa State earlier this season. He matched his career best with five receptions for 39 yards vs. Wisconsin.
  • Senior punter Ryan Donahue is averaging 45 yards on 36 punts through nine games to rank third in the Big Ten and 19th in the nation. He has a long of 71 yards in 2010, 16 of his punts have been downed inside the 20 and opponents are averaging just four yards on 17 returns. The 71-yard punt is his fourth longest and the 13th longest in school history.
  • Senior LB Jeff Tarpinian has 36 stops in six games, including 12 at Arizona and 11 in the win over Iowa State. Tarpinian missed Iowa’s opening game due to injury before starting for the first time against Iowa State. He added a team-best nine tackles in the win over Ball State before playing just a few plays in the win over Penn State due to injury. He did not play vs. Michigan and Wisconsin. He collected three tackles in a return to limited action against Michigan State and also saw limited action at Indiana.
  • Senior DT Karl Klug has 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 QB sacks. Klug has registered 39 tackles, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble through nine games. He forced a fumble and had eight tackles at Michigan and had six tackles and two pass break-ups vs. Wisconsin.
  • Junior DE Broderick Binns had his first career interception in the loss at Arizona. He returned the theft 20 yards for a touchdown that tied the score at 27-27 in the fourth period. Binns has recorded 21 tackles in eight games after missing Iowa’s season-opening win.
  • Senior DE Christian Ballard has played both end and tackle throughout the season, recording 29 tackles. He has three tackles for loss, a QB sack and two pass break-ups. Ballard recorded six tackles in a win over Penn State and five stops in the win at Indiana.
  • True freshman PK Mike Meyer scored the first point of his career with a PAT in the first period against Ball State. It was his first PAT attempt after he had handled just KO duties in Iowa’s first three games. Meyer was 6-6 on PAT kicks and added a 25-yard field goal, while also missing a 37-yard field goal from the left hash mark on his first career attempt in the second period. He made his only field goal attempt and two PAT kicks in the win over Penn State. He connected from 30 yards in the closing minutes of the win at Michigan. Meyer had a 40-yard field goal vs. Wisconsin and a 37-yard field goal against Michigan State. He made 4-5 field goal attempts in the win at Indiana, including a career-long 42-yard kick in the fourth quarter. He was named Big Ten special teams Player of the Week. He is tied for second on the team in scoring with 48 points and has made 9-11 field goal attempts.
  • Sophomore DB Micah Hyde had the first interception of his career in the win over Ball State and he added his second in Iowa’s win at Michigan. He also forced a fumble later in the second period vs. Ball State, with the recovery made by Iowa LB Jeremiha Hunter. He scored his first career touchdown with a 66-yard return for a touchdown against Michigan State, after taking a pitch from DB Tyler Sash. He added a career-best 10 tackles, along with two pass break-ups, in the win at Indiana and has 49 tackles for the season.
  • Junior DB Shaun Prater had his second interception of the season in the win over Penn State, returning the theft 33 yards for Iowa’s final touchdown. He had his third interception and a 42 yard return in the win over Michigan State. He had a career-high 10 tackles, including seven solo stops, in the win at Indiana. Prater also has a recovered fumble and has collected 48 tackles. Prater is tied for second in the Big Ten with three interceptions.

IOWA GETS DEFENSIVE POINTS
Iowa’s defense has recorded three interception returns for touchdowns. Those have been by DE Broderick Binns vs. Arizona (20 yards), DB Shaun Prater vs. Penn State (33) and DB Micah Hyde vs. Michigan State. Hyde had a 66-yard return after DB Tyler Sash made the interception vs. the Spartans. Hyde’s return ranks as the ninth longest in school history. Iowa has had at least one pass interception return for a touchdown in each of the last three seasons and in six of the last seven years. Last season, safety Tyler Sash had an 86-yard return for a touchdown in a home win over Indiana. In 2008, DB Amari Spievey returned an interception 57 yards for a touchdown in a win at Minnesota.

IOWA FEATURES RETURN GAME
Through nine games, Iowa leads the Big Ten Conference in kickoff returns (25.9) and ranks second in punt returns (11.0). Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is averaging 27.5 yards on 13 KO returns, which is second best in the Big Ten and ranks 20th nationally. He was second in the Big Ten in kick returns a year ago. Johnson-Koulianos leads Iowa with 36 pass receptions for 569 yards and eight touchdowns. He has 969 all-purpose yards. Senior WR Colin Sandeman is averaging 8.3 yards on 15 punt returns to rank third in the Big Ten and 42nd in the nation. He was also second in the Big Ten in punt returns in 2009. Sandeman also has 16 pass receptions for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

IOWA LEADERSHIP GROUP
Iowa’s Leadership Group for the 2010 season includes seven seniors, four juniors, two sophomores, two redshirt freshmen and one true freshman. Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Group for this season includes seniors Adrian Clayborn, Brett Greenwood, Karl Klug, Brett Morse, Ricky Stanzi, Jeff Tarpinian and Julian Vandervelde; juniors Broderick Binns, Marvin McNutt, Tyler Nielsen and Tyler Sash; sophomores Greg Castillo and James Vandenberg; redshirt freshmen Shane DiBona and Brett Van Sloten; and first-year freshman James Morris.

HAWKEYES EARN FIRST CAREER START
Thirteen Iowa players have started for the first time this season, including OL James Ferentz, OL Nolan MacMillan, OL Markus Zusevics, DL Mike Daniels, DB Micah Hyde, LB Bruce Davis, LB Tyler Nielsen, LB Jeff Tarpinian, FB Brad Rogers, LB James Morris, LB Shane DiBona, OL Josh Koeppel and RB Marcus Coker. 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. Iowa had 12 players start all 13 games in 2009.

NEW FACES ON THE FIELD
Iowa has played nine true freshmen, including TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, LB James Morris, LB Christian Kirksey, DB B.J. Lowery, DB Tanner Miller, PK Mike Meyer, RB Marcus Coker, DB Anthony Hitchens and WR Don Shumpert. Iowa played just three true freshmen in 2009. The Hawkeyes played seven true freshmen in 2000, 2003 and 2008. In addition to the true freshmen, others who have seen the first action of their career this season include P Eric Guthrie, DL Joe Forgy, QB John Wienke, FB Jacob Reisen, TE Zach Furlong, DL Joe Gaglione, 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, TE Zach Derby, WR Joe Audlehelm, OL Drew Clark and LB Dakota Getz.

HAWKEYES TO WATCH
Nine Hawkeye players were named to 20 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), senior TE Allen Reisner (Mackey) 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.

HAWKEYE NOTES

  • Dating back to 2008, Iowa has won nine of its last 11 games away from Iowa City, with both losses to ranked teams. A six-game win streak was snapped in the overtime loss at eighth-ranked Ohio State last November and Iowa lost at 18th-ranked Arizona earlier this season. 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 had won 10 straight games over the last four seasons with a trophy on the line before the 31-30 loss to Wisconsin. That 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 and the Cy-Hawk (Iowa State) the last three years. Iowa has won the Heartland Trophy (Wisconsin) in 2008 and 2009. The streak included wins in the 2009 Outback and 2010 FedEx Orange bowls.
  • Iowa’s roster includes 21 players who played quarterback in high school. That list includes seven members of the normal starting line-up, including QB Ricky Stanzi, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., FB Brett Morse, LB Jeff Tarpinian, DB Micah Hyde and DB Brett Greenwood.
  • 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.
  • 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 JOINS ANOTHER TOP 20
Iowa has 77 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ties as the 15th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (102); USC (97); Ohio State (95); Texas (94); Oklahoma (93); LSU (89); TCU (89); Georgia (87); Virginia Tech (87); Florida (86); Auburn (82); Utah (82); West Virginia (81); Wisconsin (79); IOWA (77); Boston College (77); Alabama (76); Texas Tech (76); Miami, FL (75); and Penn State (73).

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.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa had three passing plays and one rushing play of at least 20 yards against Indiana, plus a 22-yard KO return, four field goals over 20 yards. Iowa has had 29 pass plays, eight rushing plays, 13 KO returns, one punt return, a blocked punt return, a blocked field goal return, five interception returns and nine field goals of at least 20 yards. Indiana had one pass play of at least 20 yards, but no rushing plays. Iowa’s opponents have had 16 passing plays, only three rushing plays and 21 KO returns of 20 yards or more.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa holds scoring advantages in the first (78-27), second (93-33), third (54-21) and fourth (66-48) quarters. Iowa has posted one shutout (Ball State), allowed Penn State just three points, Michigan State six points and Eastern Illinois and Iowa State seven points. Only Wisconsin (14) and Indiana (7) have scored in the third quarter.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averaged 8.2 yards on first down, 6.4 yards on second down and 5.8 yards on third down against Indiana, and had no fourth down attempts. In nine games, Iowa is averaging 7.0 yards on 272 first down plays, 5.6 yards on 184 second down plays, 6.8 yards on 112 third down plays and -1.2 yards while converting 2-5 fourth down attempts.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s five scoring drives vs. Indiana averaged 7.4 plays, 73.4 yards and 3:24 in elapsed time. Iowa’s 43 scoring drives in nine games have averaged 7.3 plays, 62.8 yards and 3:37 in elapsed time. Iowa’s opponents have 20 scoring drives, averaging 9.2 plays, 67.3 yards and 3:44 in elapsed time.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 3-4 in the red zone vs. Indiana, collecting three field goals and missing one field goal attempt. For the season, Iowa is 32-37 in the red zone, scoring 12 rushing touchdowns, 13 passing touchdowns and seven field goals. Iowa lost a fumble in the red zone and ended the game in the red zone against Eastern Illinois, had a missed field goal vs. Ball State and Indiana and a fumbled snap on a potential field goal attempt vs. Wisconsin. Iowa has scored on 95 of the last 106 red zone possessions (64 TDs and 31 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 76-86 (.884) combined inside the red zone its last 25 games. Iowa opponents are 18-27 in the red zone, with seven passing touchdowns, six rushing touchdowns and five field goals.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored three points following on interception against Indiana. For the season, Iowa has scored 88 points following 20 opponent turnovers, which includes 14 points following two blocked kicks. Iowa has six turnovers (three fumbles, three interceptions) in nine games, allowing only seven points following those turnovers. Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in 52 of its last 57 games, dating back to the 2006 campaign.

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
Iowa returns home Saturday, Nov. 20 to host Ohio State (2:36 p.m., ABC/ESPN) in its final home game. The Hawkeyes close the regular season Nov. 27 at Minnesota (time and TV, TBA).