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Hawkeyes Host Tennessee Tech in Season Opener

Aug. 26, 2011

Complete Release in PDF Format

HAWKEYES OPEN AT HOME
Iowa (0-0) hosts Tennessee Tech (0-0) Saturday, Sept. 3 in Kinnick Stadium (70,585) to open the 2011 season. Game time is 11:01 a.m. The game is sold out.

ON THE TUBE
BTN (HD) will televise the contest. Tom Werme, former Hawkeye Danan Hughes and Stacy Paetz 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.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is listed among teams receiving votes in both the USA Today coaches poll and the Associated Press preseason rankings. Iowa is ranked 28th in the Sporting News’ preseason rankings. Tennessee Tech is listed among teams receiving votes in the Sports Network/Fathead.com FCS preseason rankings. Around the Big Ten, Wisconsin is ranked 11/10 (AP/Coaches), Nebraska is 10/11, Ohio State is 18/16, Michigan State is 17/17 and Penn State is 25/RV. Northwestern, Michigan and non-conference opponent Pittsburgh are all listed among teams receiving votes in both rankings.

FRY FEST ACTIVITIES ON FRIDAY
The third annual FryFest will take place Friday, Sept. 2. A complete schedule of events can be found at fryfest.com. Dan Gable, former Iowa wrestling coach and Olympic champion, will be honored throughout the festivities. The World’s Largest Hawkeye Tradeshow and Tailgate Party (10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Coralville Marriott Exhibit Hall) is Friday, and other events will be held throughout the day in conjunction with the tradeshow. An autograph session with the 2011 Hall of Fame class is set from 4-5 p.m. and Gable will sign autographs between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. Activities will take place throughout the day at the Iowa River Landing, concluding with a pep rally (5:30 p.m.) and an outdoor concert featuring Josh Turner (8:30 p.m.).

VARSITY CLUB WEEKEND
Five former University of Iowa student-athletes and a former coach will be inducted into the National Iowa Varsity Club Athletics Hall of Fame Sept. 3. It is Iowa’s 22nd Hall of Fame class. The Varsity Club will also be presenting the Letterwinner of the Year Award and welcoming two Honorary Letterwinners. The new class includes: Keith McCanless (Gymnastics 1967-69), Sherwyn Thorson (Football 1959-61, Wrestling 1960, 62), Tim Dwight (Football 1994-97, Track and Field 1996-99), Mary Koboldt (Field Hockey 1982-85), Joe Williams (Wrestling 1994, 96-98) and Duane Banks (Baseball Coach 1970-97). In addition, Lynn Mawe (Golf 1983-86) and Dave Triplett (Football 1970-71) will be presented with Letterwinner of the Year Awards. The Varsity Club will be welcoming Pat Baird and Gary Hughes as Honorary Letterwinners. The induction ceremony banquet/dinner will be held Sept. 3 in the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Convention Center – Coral Ballroom, at 6:30 p.m., preceded by a reception at 5:30 p.m. The Induction banquet/dinner is open to the public. For more information please call the Varsity Club office at (319) 335-9438.

REUNION WEEKEND
Several Hawkeye athletic programs will be holding reunions over the course of the Sept. 2-3 weekend, in conjunction with Iowa’s opening football game. Those include field hockey, which will recognize the 1986 field hockey team that won the NCAA Championship. Other reunions include the 2001 softball squad that made an appearance in the College World Series, and women’s golf, which will recognize the 1991 Big Ten championship squad.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa has posted a 2-1 record when playing on Sept. 3. Iowa defeated Central Michigan 52-21 in 1994 and Ball State 56-0 in 2005. The Hawkeyes lost at Hawai’i 27-24 in 1988.

SEASON OPENERS
Iowa is 89-31-2 (.733) in season-opening games, including a 10-2 mark under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has averaged 38.2 points and a winning margin of 31.5 in its last 10 season-opening victories (Eastern Illinois 37-7 in 2010; Northern Iowa 17-16 in 2009; Maine 46-3 in 2008; Northern Illinois 16-3 in 2007; Montana 41-7 in 2006; Ball State 56-0 in 2005; Kent State 39-7 in 2004 and 51-0 in 2001; Miami, Ohio 21-3 in 2003; Akron 57-21 in 2002). Iowa’s winning streak in season opening games ranks fourth longest among Big Ten teams, trailing only Nebraska, 25, Wisconsin 12 and Ohio State 11). Iowa’s last season-opening loss came against eighth-ranked Kansas State (27-7) in the 2000 Eddie Robinson Classic at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Iowa’s most recent home opening loss was to fifth-ranked Nebraska (42-7) in 1999.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,142 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 587-516-39 (.531). That includes a 370-201-16 (.644) record in home games, a 217-315-23 (.412) record in games away from Iowa City, a 289-348-25 (.455) mark in Big Ten games and a 253-165-15 (.602) record in Kinnick Stadium.

HAWKEYE GAMEDAY LIVE
The UI Department of Athletics will be introducing a new-and-improved “Hawkeye Gameday Live” page each Saturday for Hawkeye fans. The page will feature game information such as notes, rosters, TV and radio information, etc.; live stats and blog, and twitter and facebook feeds. It’s the one-stop-shop for the ultimate Hawkeye fan who wants to check stats of their favorite player and participate in the conversation during the football game. Check the front page of hawkeyesports.com each Saturday for access to “Hawkeye Gameday Live”.

#HAWKEYES AND TWITTER
Hawkeye fans join the twitter conversation each game by including #Hawkeyes in your gameday tweets. By including #Hawkeyes in your tweets, in addition to showing your Hawkeye pride you will help the #Hawkeyes trend. Also, if you are not already following @TheIowaHawkeyes and @HawkeyeFootball, visit twitter.com and follow both feeds. Also, Hawkeye fans are encouraged to tweet their photos on gameday to @theiowahawkeyes.

IOWA LEADERSHIP GROUP
Iowa’s Leadership Group for the 2011 season includes four seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and one redshirt freshman. A member of the incoming freshman class will be added this fall. Permanent team captains are named at the conclusion of each season. The Leadership Group includes seniors Broderick Binns, Mike Daniels, Marvin McNutt, Jr. and Tyler Nielsen; juniors Greg Castillo, James Ferentz, Micah Hyde, Riley Reiff and James Vandenberg; sophomores Marcus Coker, Casey Kreiter, James Morris and Brett Van Sloten; and redshirt freshman Brandon Scherff.

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, 2007 and 2010. Iowa has sold out Kinnick Stadium 49 of the last 51 games heading into the 2011 season. In addition, Iowa has sold its allotment of tickets to road games at Iowa State, Penn State, Minnesota and Nebraska.

THE SERIES
This is the first meeting between the two teams. Iowa is 1-0 against current members of the Ohio Valley Conference, opening the 2010 season with a 37-7 win over Eastern Illinois. Tennessee Tech is playing its first opponent from the Big Ten Conference.

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 49 of its last 60 games (.817) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season. Iowa recorded a school-record 22-game home winning streak between 2002-05, which ended with an overtime loss to Michigan. Iowa is 17-4 at home since the start of the 2008 season.

COACH Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz (pronounced FAIR-rintz, rhymes with parents) is in his 13th 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. 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 85-41 (.675) overall mark and a 50-30 (.625) Big Ten record the last 10 seasons. Ferentz has guided the Hawkeyes to nine first division finishes, including a second-place finish in 2009. Iowa was bowl eligible in 2010 for the 10th straight season. The Hawkeyes are 6-3 in bowl games under Ferentz. His six bowl wins tie as third most among all-time Big Ten coaches and he has led Iowa to three straight bowl victories. At Iowa, Ferentz holds an overall record of 89-60 (.597) and a 53-43 (.552) mark in Big Ten games. In his 16th season as a college head coach, he holds a career mark of 101-81 (.555). Fifty-seven of Iowa’s 149 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (26-31) and 46 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (20-26). 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, Mich., and attended high school in Pittsburgh, Pa. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English Education from 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 SIXTH IN LONGEVITY
Now in his 13th season as Iowa’s head football coach, Kirk Ferentz ranks sixth in longevity among FBS head coaches. Ferentz is second among Big Ten coaches and nationally ranks behind Penn State’s Joe Paterno, Frank Beamer of Virginia Tech, Larry Blakeney of Troy, Pat Hill of Fresno State and Mack Brown of Texas.

TECH COACH WATSON BROWN
Watson Brown is in his fifth year as the head coach at Tennessee Tech, his 27th year as a college head coach and his 39th season as a college coach. Brown holds an 18-27 record at Tennessee Tech and a career mark of 111-178 (.384). Brown has served as an assistant coach at Texas Tech, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State and Oklahoma. He previously served as the head coach at Alabama-Birmingham, Austin Peay, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati and Rice. Brown is a native of Cookeville, Tenn., and a 1973 Vanderbilt graduate, where he was a standout quarterback (1969-72). He is a member of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. His brother, Mack, is the head coach at Texas.

TECH HAS VETERAN TEAM
Tennessee Tech returns 21 starters from the 2010 season, plus three specialists. The Golden Eagles posted a 5-6 overall record a year ago and were 4-4 (sixth) in the Ohio Valley Conference. The Golden Eagles return their entire offensive starting line-up from last season and nine starters on defense. They have 52 returning lettermen. Tech featured a balanced offense last season, averaging 157.4 rushing yards per game and 157.5 passing yards. The Tech defense allowed opponents 378.8 yards per game, including 193.9 rushing yards per game. The Golden Eagles began last season with consecutive losses at Arkansas (44-3) and Texas Christian (62-7) before winning four of their last six games.

IOWA/TECH NOTES

  • Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz will coach game No. 100 as the Hawkeye head coach in the opening contest. The Hawkeyes were victories in game No. 50 under Ferentz (56-7 over Buffalo, 9/6/03) and in game No. 100 (35-0 over Syracuse, 9/8/07).
  • Iowa is 21-1 in its last 22 non-conference home games.
  • Iowa is opening the season against a member of the Ohio Valley Conference for the second straight season. The Hawkeyes defeated Eastern Illinois 37-7 to open the 2010 season.
  • Iowa and Tennessee Tech played one common foe a year ago. Both teams defeated Eastern Illinois, with the Hawkeyes winning 37-7 in Iowa City and the Golden Eagles winning 34-20 in Cookeville.
  • This is the fourth straight season Iowa has opened its schedule against an FCS opponent. Iowa defeated Maine 46-3 to open the 2008 season, defeated Northern Iowa 17-16 to open the 2009 campaign and last season opened with a 37-7 win over Eastern Illinois.
  • Tech assistant Steven Brown (QBs and RBs) is the son of Tech Coach Watson Brown. As a collegiate player, Steven played for his father at both Alabama-Birmingham and Tennessee Tech.
  • There are no players from Tennessee on the Iowa roster and there are no Iowans on the Golden Eagle roster.

GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
Iowa will play three of its first four games in Kinnick Stadium. Following the opening game, Iowa travels to Iowa State (Sept. 10, 11 a.m., FSN). Iowa then hosts Pittsburgh (Sept. 17, 11 a.m. ESPN/ESPN2) and Louisiana-Monroe (TBA) to close the non-conference slate. The Hawkeyes open Big Ten play at Penn State Oct. 8. This season marks the 10th time in Kirk Ferentz’ 13 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes will open the conference season on the road. Iowa returns home to host Northwestern and Indiana before a road game at Minnesota. The second half of the conference slate has Iowa hosting Michigan and Michigan State before traveling to Purdue and Nebraska. Six of Iowa’s 2011 opponents competed in bowl games last season. The Hawkeyes do not face Big Ten opponents Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin in 2011 and 2012.

DIVISION CHAMPS TO MEET IN BIG TEN TITLE GAME
The Big Ten Conference will stage its first conference football championship game Dec. 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The prime time contest will be televised by FOX to a national audience. The Big Ten’s Legends Division includes Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern. The Leaders Division includes Illinois, Indiana, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue and Wisconsin.

HAWKEYES BY THE NUMBERS
Iowa returns 37 lettermen from 2010, including 17 on offense, 18 on defense and two specialists. The 37 returning lettermen are 11 less than a year ago. The Hawkeyes return five starters on both offense and defense and two specialists. The lettermen breakdown includes six three-year lettermen, 11 two-year lettermen and 20 one-year lettermen. The total roster has 114 players, and includes 18 seniors, 20 juniors, 22 sophomores, 19 redshirt freshmen and 35 true freshmen. Among the returning starters, only Hyde on defense and Ferentz, McNutt, Jr., Reiff and Zusevics started every game in 2010.

STARTERS RETURNING
Iowa’s five returning starters on offense include: center James Ferentz, tackle Riley Reiff, wide receiver Marvin McNutt, Jr., tackle Markus Zusevics and running back Marcus Coker. The returning defensive starters include: end Broderick Binns, tackle Mike Daniels, linebacker Tyler Nielsen and backs Micah Hyde and Shaun Prater. PK Mike Meyer and PK Trent Mossbrucker, also return. Among the returning starters, only Hyde on defense and Ferentz, McNutt, Jr., Reiff and Zusevics started every game in 2010.

FIRST TIME STARTERS
Based on Iowa’s depth chart for the opening game, as many as eight Hawkeyes could be in the starting line-up for the first time when Iowa meets Tennessee Tech. That list could include senior TE Brad Herman, junior FB Jonathan Gimm or redshirt freshman Matt Meyers, junior WR Keenan Davis, junior OL Matt Tobin or redshirt freshman OL Brandon Scherff on offense, senior DL Thomas Nardo or sophomore Dominic Alvis, sophomore LB Christian Kirksey and junior DB Collin Sleeper on defense, and punter Eric Guthrie on special teams.

IOWAN CALLING THE SIGNALS
Junior QB James Vandenberg is slated to be Iowa’s starter in the opening contest. Vandenberg is a native of Keokuk and is set to become the first native Iowan to open the season as Iowa’s starting quarterback since 2001. The most recent Iowa native to hold that position was Kyle McCann of Creston. McCann led Iowa to victory in the 2001 Alamo Bowl, the first bowl win for Coach Kirk Ferentz. Two native Iowans have led the Hawkeyes to Rose Bowl wins, including Kenny Ploen (Clinton) during the 1956 season and Randy Duncan (Des Moines) during the 1958 season. Both were first team All-Americans. St. Ansgar native Matt Sherman led Iowa to a pair of bowl wins (1996 Alamo and 1997 Sun Bowl), while Iowa City native Paul Burmeister was Iowa’s quarterback in the 1993 Alamo Bowl. Additional Iowa natives who passed for over 1,500 yards, but never led Iowa in a bowl game, include Gary Snook (Iowa City, 1963-65), Ed Podolak (Atlantic, 1966-68, who ended his Iowa career as a prolific running back), Phil Suess (Des Moines, 1977-80), Randy Reiners (Ft. Dodge, 1996-99), Tom McLaughlin (Dubuque, 1975-77), Al DeMarco (Mason City, 1947-48) and Glen Drahn (Elkader, 1948-50).

RETURNING WITH HONORS
Iowa returns five players who earned All-Big Ten honors a year ago. Among those returning, DB Shaun Prater was a first team selection by both league coaches and media. WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., and Riley Reiff were second team selections. DT Mike Daniels and DB Micah Hyde earned honorable mention recognition. In addition, Hyde was the Defensive Player of the Game in Iowa’s 27-24 Insight Bowl win over 12th-ranked Missouri and RB Marcus Coker was the Offensive Player of the Game. Coker rushed 33 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns, while Hyde scored the winning touchdown on a 72-yard interception return in the fourth quarter and recorded six tackles.

AMONG CAREER LEADERS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., is tied for fourth in career touchdown receptions (16) and is 16th in receiving yards (88-1,546). Junior DB Micah Hyde has 142 interception return yards, which ranks 10th among Iowa’s career interception leaders. Hyde also has two touchdown returns. Among Iowa’s career leaders, only Tom Knight (three) and Plez Atkins (two) have more than one touchdown return.

COKER AMONG IOWA’S TOP FRESHMEN
RB Marcus Coker started for the fourth time in Iowa’s Insight Bowl win over Missouri to close the 2010 season. Coker set Iowa bowl records for rushing attempts (33) and rushing yards (219) in the win. He scored on touchdown runs of one and 62 yards and was named Offensive Player of the Game. His season totals included 114 carries for 622 yards and three touchdowns, while playing in just seven games. Coker rushed for over 100 yards in his first career start (22-129) and had 21 carries for 90 yards at Minnesota. His rushing total ranks fourth best for an Iowa freshman.

DIBONA OUT OF ACTION
Sophomore linebacker Shane DiBona suffered an achilles injury during preseason practice and will likely miss the 2011 season. DiBona underwent successful surgery at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics following the injury and is expected to make a full recovery. The surgery was performed by Dr. Ned Amendola, director of the UI Sports Medicine Center. After a redshirt season in 2009, the Duxbury, Mass. native saw action in all 13 games a year ago, with two starts. He recorded six solo tackles and seven assists.

NEW PREP FOR COACHING STAFF
Along with the addition of Nebraska to the schedule, Iowa will face several other teams that the Hawkeyes have not played under the current coaching staff. Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Pittsburgh all have new head coaches. Iowa is also playing Purdue for the first time since Danny Hope took over as the Boilermaker head coach and the Hawkeyes have never met Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe.

IOWA UNDER THE LIGHTS
Iowa’s only night game of the season will take place Oct. 15 when the Hawkeyes host Northwestern (6 p.m., BTN HD). Iowa was 2-1 in night games a year ago, winning at home against Penn State and defeating Missouri in the Insight Bowl, while losing at Arizona. Iowa is 8-1 in night games over the last four seasons. Iowa games against Tennessee Tech, Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Indiana and Nebraska will all start at 11 a.m. Game times for six additional Hawkeyes games will not be set until the season is underway.

HAWKEYES TO WATCH
A number of Iowa players have been named to preseason all-Big Ten and All-America teams over the summer. Those named to preseason Watch Lists include the following:

RETURNING STAT LEADERS
Iowa returns just two players who led the team in statistical categories in 2010. PK Mike Meyer led the team in scoring with 73 points, hitting 14-17 field goal attempts and 31-33 PAT attempts. WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. led the Hawkeyes in receptions (53), receiving yards (861) and touchdown receptions (8).

DEPTH CHART INCLUDES EIGHT WALK-ONS
Iowa’s depth chart includes seven players who originally joined the program as a walk-on. That includes two players on defense (DL Thomas Nardo and DB Tom Donatell), and three on offense (OL Matt Tobin, RB Jason White and WR Steven Staggs) and specialists (P Eric Guthrie, PK Mike Meyer and LS Casey Kreiter).

COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS
Iowa’s defense has ranked among national leaders in causing turnovers in recent seasons. Over the last three seasons Iowa has collected 63 interceptions, a total that ranks second in the nation over that span (Florida, 68). In addition, in each of the last four seasons, Iowa has had more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed.

IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 124 of its last 143 games. Iowa games vs. Minnesota (11/27/10), Wisconsin (10/23/10), 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 19 games. Iowa has started the game on offense in 126 of 149 games under Kirk Ferentz, including 12 of 13 games in 2010 and 11 of 13 games in 2009. Iowa scored on its first possession in eight games and Iowa’s opponents scored on their first drive in seven games in 2010.

IOWA FOOTBALL AND THE NFL

  • For the second straight year, Iowa had six players selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, and for the second straight year that list included a first round selection (DE Adrian Clayborn).
  • Iowa was one of eight schools to have as many as six players selected in the 2011 NFL Draft.
  • Only two schools, USC (16) and Florida (13), have had more players selected in the past two seasons.
  • During the first two weeks of NFL training camps, the Iowa football program was represented by 44 players on NFL rosters, while another five Hawkeyes with previous NFL experience were listed as free agents.
  • All 11 members of Iowa’s starting defensive unit in 2008 were either drafted in the last three NFL drafts or signed to NFL free agent contracts following the drafts.
  • Over the past 12 years, 98 of 114 (86%) of Iowa’s senior starters have been drafted in the NFL or signed NFL free agent contracts.

IOWA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS IN 2010
Iowa posted a 4-3 record while facing seven ranked opponents in 2010, the most for a Kirk Ferentz coached Hawkeye team. Iowa played six ranked teams in 1999 and 2003. The four wins over ranked teams are the most for Iowa since posting a 4-2 record vs. six ranked opponents in 2003. Three of Iowa’s seven opponents were ranked in the top 10, while Missouri was 12th. Iowa lost to No. 10 Wisconsin (31-30), defeated No. 5 Michigan State (37-6) and lost to No. 7 Ohio State (20-17), all in Kinnick Stadium. In 2009, Iowa defeated No. 4 Penn State and No. 9 Georgia Tech, while losing at No. 8 Ohio State in overtime. 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. Along with defeating Michigan State, Iowa defeated Missouri (#12), Penn State (#20) and Michigan (#24). Along with losses to Wisconsin and Ohio State, Iowa lost at No. 18 Arizona. In Big Ten play, Iowa’s eight opponents posted an overall record of 62-34 during the regular season. Iowa did not play Illinois and Purdue.

IOWA VS. BOWL TEAMS
Eight of Iowa’s 13 opponents in 2010 earned bowl invitations. Iowa’s 13 opponents posted a 92-71 (.564) overall record. Wisconsin (Rose) and Ohio State (Sugar) earned BCS bowl bids, while Arizona, Michigan State, Penn State, Michigan, Northwestern and Missouri played in the post-season.

HAWKEYE NOTES FROM 2010

  • Iowa ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (17.0), sixth in rushing defense (101.5), 25th in total defense (332.1) and 24th in pass efficiency defense (115.1). The Iowa defense was the last unit in the nation to allow a rushing touchdown last season, that coming in Iowa’s sixth game.
  • The Hawkeyes ranked seventh in the nation in turnover margin (+1.0) and tied for 11th with 19 pass interceptions. Iowa had four interception returns for touchdowns.
  • Iowa’s defense has had at least one pass interception returned for a touchdown in each of the last three seasons and in six of the last seven years.
  • Six Iowa opponents scored one touchdown or less, including two who scored no touchdowns. For the second straight season, eight of Iowa’s 12 regular season opponents scored 17 points or less.
  • Iowa has gone 34 straight games in holding its opponent to two touchdown passes or fewer.
  • For the third straight season, in 2010, Iowa allowed only one individual opponent to rush for over 100 yards.
  • Iowa ranked 11th in the nation in pass efficiency (155.72) and the Hawkeyes were 50th in scoring offense (28.9). The Hawkeyes were 49th in passing offense (234.5), 57th in total offense (382.9) and 70th in rushing offense (148.4). Iowa scored 30 or more points in three consecutive Big Ten Conference games (Michigan, Wisconsin, Michigan State) for the first time since 2005. Iowa scored 30 or more points in six games overall, matching the second highest number of games under Kirk Ferentz. Iowa scored 30 or more points in nine games in 2002.
  • Iowa had just 11 turnovers (five lost fumbles, six interceptions), which ranked second in the nation. Iowa lost just two fumbles in eight Big Ten games, both in the regular season finale at Minnesota.
  • Iowa was 8-0 in 2010 when rushing for over 120 yards and 0-5 when the rushing total was less than 120 yards.
  • Iowa ranked sixth in fewest penalty yards per game (37.4) and tied for 19th in fewest penalties per game (4.9).
  • On special teams, Iowa ranked sixth in the nation in punt return defense (3.9 average on 21 returns) and 12th in KO returns (25.3).
  • Iowa’s opponents had 142 possessions, and just seven started in Iowa territory. Arizona and Minnesota had two possessions start in Iowa territory and Iowa State, Northwestern and Ohio State started one possession on Iowa’s end of the field.
  • Iowa’s 100 first half points in 2010 led the Big Ten Conference.

IOWA TO MEET NEBRASKA ON FRIDAY
Iowa’s regular season finale will be played on Friday, Nov. 25 at Nebraska, the day after Thanksgiving. That contest will be televised by ABC (11 a.m. CT) to a national audience. Iowa and Nebraska will also meet in Kinnick Stadium on the Friday following Thanksgiving to end the 2012 regular season.

IOWA ADDS TROPHY GAME WITH NEBRASKA
When Iowa and Nebraska resume their series in November, the two teams will be playing “The Heroes Game”, with the winner claiming the Heroes Trophy. The trophy game between the Hawkeyes and Cornhuskers is the latest trophy game for the Hawkeyes, who also play trophy games with Iowa State (Cy-Hawk Trophy), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale) and Wisconsin (Heartland Trophy).

HAWKEYE FOOTBALL NOTES

  • Dating back to 2008, Iowa has won 10 of its last 14 games away from Iowa City, with two of the four losses coming at the hands of ranked teams. A six-game streak was snapped in the overtime loss at eighth-ranked Ohio State in November, 2009. The road winning streak was the longest for Iowa since winning all five of its road games during the 2002 regular season. That streak was six straight games away from home, including the 2001 Alamo Bowl.
  • Iowa had won 10 straight trophy games over the last four seasons before splitting four trophy games in 2010. Iowa kept the Cy-Hawk Trophy with a win over Iowa State and earned the Insight Bowl trophy with a win over Missouri. Iowa lost the Heartland Trophy to Wisconsin and Floyd of Rosedale to Minnesota. The 10-game win streak in trophy games 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 won the Heartland Trophy (Wisconsin) in 2008 and 2009. The streak included wins in the 2009 Outback and 2010 FedEx Orange bowls.
  • 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 has defeated a team ranked in the top five in each of the last three seasons.

IOWA PROGRAM NOTES

  • Iowa was bowl eligible in 2010 for the 10th straight season. The Hawkeyes played in their ninth bowl game since 2001. Iowa played in the 2001 Alamo Bowl, 2003 Orange Bowl, 2004 Outback Bowl, 2005 Capital One Bowl, 2006 Outback Bowl, 2006 Alamo Bowl, 2009 Outback Bowl, 2010 Orange Bowl and 2010 Insight Bowl.
  • Iowa has posted a 6-3 bowl record under Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz is tied for third on the all-time list of Big Ten coaches with six bowl victories.
  • Four of Iowa’s six bowl wins under Kirk Ferentz have been in January. Under Ferentz, the Hawkeyes have bowl wins over teams from the Southeastern (three), Big 12 (two) and Atlantic Coast conferences.
  • Iowa is one of four programs in the nation to win a bowl game at the conclusion of each of the last three seasons, with two of the three being January bowl wins. Among Big Ten teams, only Penn State (1993-96), Michigan (1997-2000) and Ohio State (2002-2005) have won four straight bowl games in as many seasons.
  • Iowa has defeated a team ranked in the top five in the nation, in the Associated Press rankings, in each of the past three seasons (Penn State in 2008 and 2009, Michigan State in 2010).
  • Iowa earned Big Ten Conference championships in 2002 and 2004 and placed second in 2009.
  • Iowa has ranked in the top 10 in the final Associated Press and CNN/USA Today coaches polls in four of the past nine seasons, including a ranking of seventh in both polls at the conclusion of the 2009 season. Iowa ranked eighth in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the Hawkeyes were also 20th in 2008.
  • Iowa established a school record with 11 wins in 2002 (11-2) and matched that record in 2009. In 2009, Iowa won 10 regular season games for just the fourth time in school history.
  • Iowa won 10 or more games in three consecutive years (2002-04) for first time in school history.
  • Iowa compiled an eight-year record of 78-36 (.684), 2002-10, third best in the Big Ten. The 78 victories rank as the 18th best total in the nation.
  • Iowa posted a 46-26 Big Ten record from 2002-10, which ranks second among league teams over that span.
  • 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), Iowa’s Hayden Fry (three) and Penn State’s Joe Paterno (three) as the only coaches to be honored in more than two seasons.
  • Iowa has had national award winners in: Robert Gallery (2003 Outland, Top Lineman); Brad Banks (2002 Davey O’Brien, Top Quarterback; 2002 Associated Press National Player of the Year); Dallas Clark (2002 Mackey, Top Tight End); Nate Kaeding (2002 Groza, Top Kicker); Shonn Greene (2008 Doak Walker, Top Running Back). Iowa is one of three football programs (joining Oklahoma and Texas) to have five different individual players earn national Player of the Year honors at their position since 2002.

IOWA PLAYS THEM CLOSE
Iowa has not lost a football game by more than nine points in its last 43 games, a streak that currently ranks as the longest in the nation (31-6, at Purdue, 10/20/07. In addition, The Hawkeyes have not lost a game by more than a touchdown in their last 39 games (28-19, Western Michigan, 11/17/07).

HAWKEYES THIRD IN BOWL APPEARANCES
Iowa ranks third in Big Ten bowl appearances. Ohio State has received a conference-best 42 bowl bids, followed by Michigan (40) and the Hawkeyes (25). Wisconsin ranks fourth with 22. Iowa (14-10-1, .580), Penn State (27-14-2, .651) and Purdue (8-7, .533) are the only Big Ten teams with a winning percentage in bowl games. Iowa was one of eight Big Ten Conference teams to participate in a bowl game following the 2010 season. The Big Ten had two teams compete in BCS games for the 10th time in 13 seasons. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has qualified 23 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. Seven different Big Ten programs have played in BCS bowl games. The Big Ten sent eight teams to bowl games for the third time (2003 & 2007). Big Ten Conference teams posted a 4-3 record in bowl games following the 2009 season and a 3-5 mark in 2010.

IOWA AMONG TOP 20 IN WINS, 2002-10
Iowa has 78 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ranks as the 18th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (106); USC (100); Ohio State (99); Oklahoma (98); Texas (95); LSU (92); TCU (92); Virginia Tech (91); Georgia (88); Florida (88); Auburn (86); West Virginia (85); Utah (84); Wisconsin (81); Boston College (80); Alabama (79); Texas Tech (79); IOWA (78); Miami, FL (76); and Penn State (74).

ROSE BOWL EXPERIENCE
Four members of the Iowa coaching staff have coached or played in the Rose Bowl. Kirk Ferentz coached in two Rose Bowl games while on the Iowa staff. Norm Parker and Phil Parker both coached in the Rose Bowl while on the staff at Michigan State. Erik Campbell played in one Rose Bowl during his Michigan career and coached in four others while on the Wolverine coaching staff.

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 113 players includes 43 players from Iowa. The roster includes 16 players from Illinois; 11 from Ohio; five from Maryland; four from Florida and Texas; three from Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin; two from Minnesota, Nebraska; one from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New York and South Dakota; and one from Australia and Canada.

MORE THAN ONE
Nine high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leader is Iowa City High (Iowa) with four, while three players attended DeMatha Catholic in the Washington, D.C. area and Solon, Iowa HS. Those with two include Assumption HS in Davenport, Iowa; Cretin-Derham Hall HS in St. Paul, Minn., Hazelwood East HS in the St. Louis area; Humboldt, Iowa HS; Mount Pleasant, Iowa HS and Glenville, Ohio HS.

BROTHER ACT
Iowa has three sets of brothers on the roster. That includes A.J. and Zach Derby from Iowa City, Nick and Tyler Nielsen from Humboldt and Broderick and Marcus Binns from St. Paul, Minnesota. A.J. and Zach’s father, John, was an Iowa linebacker (1988-91).

DAD IN THE NFL
The father of DB Tom Donatell and the father of DB Greg Castillo are coaches in the NFL. Ed Donatell is the defensive secondary coach for the San Francisco 49’ers and Juan Castillo is the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

THE NAME GAME
John, Jordan and Marcus are the most popular first name on the Iowa roster. That includes Jordan (Bernstine, Canzeri, Cotton, Lomax, Walsh); John (Chelf, Lowdermilk, Wienke), Jonathan (Gimm) and Jonny (Mullings); Marcus (Binns, Coker, Collins, Grant), Mark (Weisman) and Markus (Zusevics). There are three named James (Ferentz, Morris, Vandenberg) and a Jim (Poggi). There are three Joe’s (Audlehelm, Forgy and Gaglione); three Mike’s (Daniels, Hardy and Meyer); and Thomas (Nardo) Tom (Donatell) and Tommy (Gaul). There are two named Adam (Cox and Gettis); Austin (Blythe and Vier); Brad (Herman and Rogers); Brandon (Boerm and Scherff); Casey (Kreiter and McMillan); Jacob (Hillyer and Reisen); Jake (Duzey and Rudock); Kyle (Anderson and Steinbrecher); Matt (Meyers and Tobin); Riley (McMinn and Reiff); and Steve/Steven (Bigach and Staggs).

THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Freshman PK Marshall Koehn is the lightest Hawkeye player at 160 pounds. Redshirt freshmen DL Carl Davis and OL Brandon Scherff are the heaviest at 310 pounds. A total of six Hawkeye players are listed at 300 pounds or more. The tallest players, at 6-7, are redshirt freshman OL Andrew Donnal, sophomore TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, freshman DE Riley McMinn, sophomore OL Brett Van Sloten and redshirt freshman TE Austin Vier. The shortest players, at 5-8, are redshirt freshman De’Andre Johnson and senior WR Joe Audlehelm. The average Hawkeye player is 6-1 and weighs 203 pounds. That is one inch shorter and 30 pounds lighter than the average Iowa player in 2010.

IOWA STATS ON THE INTERNET
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of every Iowa football game are available live on the Internet. The statistical program allows viewers to read the play-by-play action just moments after it takes place, and to view all individual and team statistics while the game is in progress. The program can be accessed through hawkeyesports.com and then clicking on the GT link. This feature is available for all games during the 2011 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 travels to Iowa State Saturday, Sept. 10 (11 a.m., FSN) for its only non-conference road game. The Hawkeyes and Cyclones will meet in the annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series and battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy. The Hawkeyes return to Kinnick Stadium to host Pittsburgh on Saturday, Sept. 17 (11 a.m., ESPN/ESPN2).

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