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Iowa Hosts ULM Saturday in Non-Conference Battle

Sept. 19, 2011

Game Notes

HAWKEYES HOST ULM
Iowa (2-1) is home for the second straight week, closing its non-conference schedule by hosting ULM (1-2) Saturday in Kinnick Stadium (70,585). Game time is 11:01 a.m. The game is sold out. Iowa has defeated Tennessee Tech 34-7 and Pittsburgh (31-27) in Iowa City, while dropping a 44-41 triple overtime contest at Iowa State. ULM opened the season with a loss at Florida State (34-0), defeated Grambling State (35-7) at home and lost at TCU (38-17).

ON THE TUBE
BTN (HD) will televise the contest to a national audience. Kevin Kugler, Danan Hughes and Stacey 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. The game can also be heard on Sirius channel 117 and XM channel 196.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa has posted a 5-5 record when playing on Sept. 24. Iowa defeated Coe College 17-0 in 1904, Kansas State 28-7 in 1955, Oregon State 22-12 in 1960, Ohio State 20-14 in 1983 and Iowa State 10-3 in 1988. The Hawkeyes lost to UCLA 41-25 in 1949, Oregon State 17-3 in 1966, Arizona 41-7 in 1977, at Oregon 40-18 in 1994 and at Ohio State 31-6 in 2005.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,145 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 589-517-39 (.531). That includes a 372-201-16 (.645) record in home games, a 217-316-23 (.411) record in games away from Iowa City, a 289-348-25 (.455) mark in Big Ten games and a 255-165-15 (.603) record in Kinnick Stadium.

COACH TO CURE MD
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye coaching staff will be taking part in the Coaches to Cure MD awareness this weekend when Iowa hosts ULM at Kinnick Stadium. The event is being held to increase awareness of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Coach Ferentz and members of the Iowa staff will be wearing a Coach to Cure MD patch Saturday as part of the effort to raise awareness.

VANDENBERG IS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Junior QB James Vandenberg was named Big Ten Conference offensive Player of the Week for his play in leading Iowa to a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh. The Big Ten honor is the first for Vandenberg and Iowa’s first Player of the week honor in 2011. Vandenberg (6-3, 212) is a native of Keokuk, Iowa and the first native Iowan to start at quarterback for the Hawkeyes since 2001. He led Iowa’s second half rally against Pittsburgh, rushing for one touchdown and throwing three touchdown passes in the final 17 minutes. His final pass was a 22-yard scoring strike to WR Kevonte Martin-Manley with 2:51 remaining, giving Iowa its final 31-27 advantage. He had touchdown passes of 14 and 25 yards earlier in the fourth period. His totals against Pitt included 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He completed 10 consecutive passes during one stretch of the second half and completed 17 of his last 20 attempts in reaching career-bests in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns. He had a one-yard touchdown plunge in the third period and a 15 yard rush on Iowa’s game-winning drive. Vandenberg’s 399 passing yards ties as the seventh best single-game total in school history, while the 31 completions rank fourth best and the 48 attempts tie as the seventh highest total.

HYDE EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION
Junior DB Micah Hyde earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s 31-27 win over Pittsburgh. Hyde returned to the cornerback position after playing safety in Iowa’s first two games. Hyde collected two interceptions against Pittsburgh, the second coming with 1:41 remaining in the game to end Pitt’s final possession. Hyde also had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops. Hyde is the first Hawkeye player with two interceptions in a game since Tyler Sash had three in a 2009 win at Iowa State. Hyde has six career interceptions and had touchdowns on two interception returns a year ago.

HAWKEYE GAMEDAY LIVE
The UI Department of Athletics is 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, one redshirt freshman and one true freshman. 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; redshirt freshman Brandon Scherff and true freshman Jake Rudock.

THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will be the first football game between the two schools.

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 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 in 2002 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 87-42 (.674) overall mark and a 50-30 (.625) Big Ten record the last 10-plus seasons. Ferentz has guided Iowa 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 91-61 (.599) 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 103-82 (.557). Fifty-nine of Iowa’s 152 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (27-32) 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 while 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.

ULM COACH TODD BERRY
Todd Berry is in his second year as the head coach at ULM, with a record of 6-9, including a 5-7 mark in his first season against one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the nation. He is in his 10th year as a head coach with a 35-69 (.337) record. He was the ULM offensive coordinator for two seasons. He previously served as the head coach at Army (2000-2003) and Illinois State (1996-99). He led the Redbirds to the national semi-finals in 1999. He spent three years as the offensive coordinator at UNLV, was the quarterback coach at Miami, FL in 2006 and was the offensive coordinator at East Carolina for four seasons. He has also been an assistant coach at Tulsa, his alma mater, Tennessee, Oklahoma State, Tennessee-Martin, Mississippi State and Southeast Missouri State.

IOWA/ULM NOTES

  • Coach Kirk Ferentz coached game No. 150 as Iowa’s head coach in Iowa’s 34-7 win over Tennessee Tech. The Hawkeyes were also victorious 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 has not played football against a school from Louisiana since a last-second 30-25 win over LSU in the 2005 Capital One Bowl. Iowa’s only other contest against a team from Louisiana was a 19-12 loss to Centenary College in 1930.
  • Iowa is 2-0 against current members of the Sun Belt Conference, defeating Florida International in 2008 and Arkansas State in 2009.
  • ULM has played just one Big Ten opponent, holding a 0-3 record vs. Minnesota.
  • ULM holds a 2-2 record against teams from Iowa, including 1-0 vs. Northern Iowa, 0-1 vs. Iowa State and 1-1 vs. Drake.
  • ULM’s two losses have been to nationally ranked opponents on the road, including #5/6 Florida State and #23/23 TCU. The Warhawks are the only team in the nation to open each of the last four seasons against a ranked opponent (Auburn, Texas, Arkansas, Florida State).
  • Iowa lists 15 freshmen and sophomores on its depth chart this week, with five of those listed as starters. ULM lists 20 freshmen and sophomores, including nine starters.
  • ULM linebacker R.J. Young is in his first season with the Warhawks after previously playing and graduating from Arizona. Young recorded one solo tackle and two assists when Arizona defeated Iowa 34-27 last season in Tucson.
  • Iowa’s roster does not have any players from Louisiana, and there are no Iowans on the ULM roster.
  • ULM assistant Tony Gilbert was the recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Arkansas State in 2009 when Iowa defeated ASU 24-21 in Iowa City.
  • ULM defensive coordinator Tony Reffett was on the team at Texas-El Paso when Iowa defeated UTEP 69-7 in 1986.

IOWA IN NCAA STATS
As a team, Iowa ranks eighth in the nation in turnover margin (+5), turnovers gained (eight) and net punting (42.4). Individually, PK Mike Meyer is tied for sixth in field goals per game (2.3), DB Micah Hyde is tied for sixth with two interceptions, LB Christian Kirksey is tied for 22nd in tackles (10.3) and LB James Morris is tied for 26th (10.0), P Eric Guthrie is 17th in punting (44.4), WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. is 19th in receiving yards per game (104.3) and QB James Vandenberg is tied for 25th in total offense (283.0) and ranked 29th in passing offense (275.0).

IOWA RALLIES PAST PITT
Iowa rallied in the final 18 minutes for a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh, posting the largest comeback in school history. With Iowa trailing 24-3 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, junior QB James Vandenberg and the Iowa offense took over the game. The Hawkeyes scored their first touchdown with 1:16 left in the period, cutting the deficit to 24-10. Following a Panther field goal, Iowa scored the final 21 points of the game on three touchdown passes. Vandenberg scored on a one-yard rush with 1:16 left in the third period, then connected with WR Keenan Davis on a 14-yard scoring pass with 9:55 remaining. Vandenberg connected with redshirt freshman WR Kevonte Martin-Manley for a 25-yard touchdown with 6:19 remaining and completed the rally with a 22-yard scoring strike to Martin-Manley with 2:51 to play. DB Micah Hyde secured the Iowa win with his second interception with 1:41 left in the game. For the game, Vandenberg completed 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He completed 17 of his last 20 attempts. Davis led Iowa’s receivers with 10 receptions for 129 yards. Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. added eight receptions for 112 yards and Martin-Manley added 76 yards on four receptions. RB Marcus Coker rushed 23 times for 86 yards and had five receptions for 15 yards. The Hawkeye defense came to life in the second half as well. Pitt’s last four possessions included just 15 plays for 60 yards and the Panthers did not have a third or fourth down conversion in the fourth quarter. LB James Morris led the Iowa defense with 13 tackles, while Hyde had 10 tackles to go with his two interceptions. DE Broderick Binns had a fumble recovery for the second straight game and DB Shaun Prater forced two fumbles. The Iowa defense recorded three turnovers, six tackles for loss and four QB sacks.

IOWA COMEBACKS
Iowa’s rally for a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh is believed to be the largest comeback for a win in Hawkeye history, as the Hawkeyes trailed by 21 points (24-3) with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter. Following is a list of previous Iowa rallies that are believed to be the largest in school history:

  • Iowa rallied from an 18-point deficit in a 34-31 win over Oregon in 1949 in Iowa City. Iowa trailed 24-6 with 2:30 left in the third quarter against the Ducks.
  • Iowa rallied from a 17-0 first half deficit for a 30-27 win at Minnesota in 1986, winning on a 37-yard field goal with one second remaining.
  • Iowa rallied from a 17-0 first half deficit for a 37-30 home win over Michigan State in 1996. Iowa rallied to tie the game at 23 and 30 before scoring the winning touchdown early in the fourth period.
  • Iowa rallied from a 14-point deficit for a 42-24 win over Indiana in 2009 at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes trailed 21-7 in the third period when an 86-yard interception return sparked Iowa’s rally.

EXTRA POINTS

  • Iowa erased a 21-point third-quarter deficit to rally to beat Pittsburgh, 31-27. The Hawkeyes trailed 24-3 with 3:11 left in the third quarter, but rallied to score 28 points the last 16:16 to win 31-27.
  • Iowa scored 21 fourth-quarter points, the most fourth-quarter points scored since posting 28 in a 42-24 triumph over Indiana on Oct. 31, 2009.
  • Iowa has scored 31 points or more its first three games: Tennessee Tech (34), Iowa State (41) and Pittsburgh (31).
  • Iowa improves to 23-1 in its last 24 non-conference home games (Western Michigan, 2007). The Hawkeyes have won 51 of their last 62 games in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season.
  • The 81 offensive plays by the Hawkeyes against Pittsburgh are the most, for Iowa, since running 81 offensive plays at Northwestern in 2005.
  • Senior defensive tackle Tom Nardo started for the first time in his career. Dominic Alvis started at end after starting the opening two games at tackle. In addition, free safety Tanner Miller started for the first time, while Micah Hyde started at cornerback after starting the opening two games at safety. Jordan Bernstine started at strong safety, earning the first start of his career.
  • Junior QB James Vandenberg completed 31-48 attempts for 399 yards and a career-high three touchdowns, with one interception. He scored his second rushing touchdown of the season on a one-yard run in the third period.
  • The 399 passing yards passing ties Chuck Long for seventh best in a single-game in the Iowa record books. Long passed for 399 yards on 19-26 passing against Northwestern on Oct. 26, 1985. The 31 pass completions rank fourth in school history behind Chuck Hartlieb (44 vs. Indiana in 1988), Scott Mullen (36 vs. Indiana in 1999) and Drew Tate (32 vs. Florida in 2006). The 31 completions and 48 pass attempts rank as the third most by a Kirk Ferentz coached team at Iowa and the 48 attempts tie as the seventh most in a single game at Iowa. The 399 yards passing are the second most by an Iowa team under Coach Ferentz and ties as ninth highest total in school history.
  • Vandenberg had career bests in completions, attempts, yards and touchdowns. His previous single-game passing bests were 20-33 for 233 yards and two touchdowns in the 2009 overtime loss at Ohio State in his first career start.
  • Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. grabbed eight passes for 112 yards against Pitt. McNutt, Jr. surpassed 100 career receptions in the game and now has 106 receptions for 1,859 yards. The eight receptions is a career high. McNutt previously had seven receptions for 155 yards at Indiana in 2010.
  • McNutt is now tied with Quinn Early (1984-87) for 15th in career receptions. His 1,859 yards ranks 10th all-time at Iowa.
  • Junior Keenan Davis had a career bests in receptions and yards (10-129), with one touchdown. Two weeks ago at Iowa State, he had five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown.
  • Redshirt freshman Kevon Martin-Manley had four receptions for 76 yards and two scores. All four receptions and both touchdowns came in the fourth period. Martin-Manley scored on touchdown catches of 25 and 22 yards, including the game winner.
  • Iowa wide receivers Marvin McNutt, Jr. (8-112) and Keenan Davis (10-129) each had over 100 receiving yards. The last time Iowa had a pair of receivers top the century mark in receiving yards, in a game, was in a 42-24 home win over Indiana in 2009. McNutt, Jr. had four receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Derrell Johnson-Koulianos had three catches for 117 yards and a score.
  • DL Dominic Alvis caused a fumble in the first period, which was recovered by senior DL Broderick Binns. Binns recovered a fumble for the second straight week and now has four in his career. He also had a pass break-up, giving him a pass break-up in three of Iowa’s last five games. Binns’ totals vs. Pittsburgh included five tackles (four solo), a sack for a loss of six yards, a pass break-up and a fumble recovery.
  • Junior DB Micah Hyde came up with his first interception of the season in the second period. He added his second theft of the game, and sixth of his career, in the fourth quarter. Hyde had two touchdown returns on interceptions in 2010. Hyde finished the contest with 10 total tackles (nine solo).
  • Sophomore PK Mike Meyer made a 22-yard field goal in the second quarter, improving to 7-7 on the season, before missing from 40 yards in the second period and 50 yards in the third. He made all four attempts against Iowa State. He is 11-11 on PAT kicks in three games and has made 21-26 career field goals.
  • Senior Eric Guthrie punted six times for 273 yards for a 45.5 average, including a long of 50 yards. He has had punts over 50 yards in consecutive weeks after a career-long kick of 59 yards at Iowa State.
  • James Morris led the Hawkeye defense, matching a career-high with 13 tackles (six solo). Christian Kirksey added eight tackles and Anthony Hitchens equaled a personal best with seven stops (six solo). All three are sophomores who played as true freshmen last season.
  • True freshman DB John Lowdermilk saw his first career action on Iowa’s special teams, becoming the eighth true freshman to play this season.

ULM FALLS TO SECOND RANKED FOE
ULM started fast with 17 first-quarter points, but No. 23 TCU rallied for a 38-17 win last Saturday in Fort Worth. ULM lost its second road game to a ranked opponent. The Warhawks drove 74 yards for a field goal on their opening drive, then added passing touchdowns of 22 and 37 yards on their next two possessions and led 17-14 after the first period. TCU added a second period score that left ULM trailing 21-17 at the break. TCU scored on a 94-yard KO return to start the third period and added another touchdown later in the period after recovering a ULM fumble at its own 28-yardline. The only scoring in the final period was a TCU field goal. After ULM covered 74, 52 and 78 yards on its opening three drives, the Warhawks had no possession gain more than 31 yards in the final three periods. QB Kolton Browning led ULM by completing 24-37 passes for 194 yards and a touchdown, while Cody Wells completed all five of his pass attempts for 38 yards and a score. Brent Leonard had 13 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown, while Jyruss Edwards gained 56 yards on nine carries to lead the rushing attack. Darius Prelow had nine tackles to lead the ULM defense, while Vincent Eddie and Nate Brown each collected eight stops.

DOMINANT AT HOME
Iowa has won 51 of its last 62 games (.823) 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 19-4 (.826) at home since the start of the 2008 season and 23-1 in its last 24 non-conference home games.

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

OL Riley Reiff

  • First team preseason All-America by Playboy
  • Second team preseason All-America by Consensus Draft Services
  • Third team preseason All-American by Phil Steele’s College Football and Athlon Sports
  • Started at left tackle in first three games in 2011 and has started 24 consecutive games

WR Marvin McNutt, JR.

  • Second team All-Big Ten in 2010
  • Fourth team preseason All-America by Phil Steele’s College Football
  • 53 receptions for 861 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010, averaging 16.2 yards per catch. Receiving yardage ranks 10th-best for single season
  • 18 career touchdown receptions third on career list. Career totals include 106 receptions for 1,859 yards to rank 10th in career yards and 15th (tie) in career receptions
  • Eight touchdown receptions in both 2009 and 2010
  • Six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns in opening win over Tennessee Tech
  • Earned honorable mention from College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Tennessee Tech
  • Four receptions for 61 yards at Iowa State, including 29-yard reception that led to an Iowa touchdown and 24-17 fourth quarter advantage
  • Career-high eight receptions for 112 yards in win over Pittsburgh

DB Shaun Prater

  • First team All-Big Ten in 2010 by both league coaches and media
  • Second team preseason All-America by Lindy’s, Athlon Sports and GoDaddy.com
  • Tied for second in the Big Ten and tied for 40th nationally with four interceptions in 2010
  • Ranked fifth on the team with 68 tackles, while playing in 12 of 13 games
  • Has 89-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Tennessee Tech, the second of his career
  • Earned honorable mention recognition from College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Tennessee Tech
  • Recorded five solo tackles and two assists at Iowa State
  • Recorded two forced fumbles and three tackles in win over Pittsburgh
  • Has seven career interceptions and ranks seventh at Iowa with 173 career interception return yards

DT Mike Daniels

  • Honorable mention All-Big Ten
  • Second on team in tackles for loss (11-56) and QB sacks (4-31) in 2010
  • Named Big Ten co-Defensive Player of the Week for his play vs. Ball State in 2010. Also named national Defensive Player of the Week by College Football Performance Awards
  • Recorded six solo tackles, one assist and two QB pressures at Iowa State
  • Recorded five tackles in opening win, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a QB sack
  • Recorded three tackles in win over Pittsburgh, including a QB sack in the fourth quarter

DB Micah Hyde

  • Defensive Player of the Game, 2010 Insight Bowl
  • Recorded three tackles and a pass break-up in opening game after moving from cornerback to safety
  • Recorded six solo tackles, one assists and two pass break-ups at Iowa State
  • Moved to cornerback and recorded two interceptions and 10 tackles in win over Pittsburgh
  • Earned defensive back honorable mention recognition from College Football Performance Awards for his play in win over Pittsburgh

COKER LEADS RUSHING ATTACK
Sophomore RB Marcus Coker leads the Iowa rushing attack, with 69 carries for 267 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed a career-high 35 times for 140 yards at Iowa State, scoring on runs of one and four yards. He is fifth in the Big Ten in rushing yards per game (89.0) after gaining 86 yards on 23 carries in the win over Pittsburgh. As a true freshman in 2010, Coker started for the fourth time in Iowa’s Insight Bowl win over Missouri. He 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. He is the Sports Illustrated preseason selection for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. His season totals in 2010 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) in a win at Indiana. His rushing total a year ago ranks fourth best for an Iowa freshman.

VANDENBERG STEPS IN AT QB
Junior James Vandenberg has stepped into the starting role as Iowa’s quarterback, leading Iowa to a comeback win over Pittsburgh. He completed 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns against Pitt, with the three scoring passes coming in the fourth period. He was named Big Ten Conference offensive Player of the Week after reaching career-high marks in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns. He also scored on a one-yard run and completed 17 of his last 20 passes in the second half. In three games Vandenberg has completed 60-97 (.619) passes for 8256 yards and seven touchdowns, with one interception. He leads the Big Ten in passing yards (275.0) and is fourth in pass efficiency (155.1) and total offense (283.0). Vandenberg was 16-28 for 207 yards at Iowa State, with two touchdowns. He led a fourth quarter touchdown drive and added the two-point conversion to give Iowa a 24-17 lead late in the game. He then led the Hawkeyes to 17 points in the three overtime periods. Vandenberg is 3-2 as Iowa’s starting quarterback, with the two losses both coming in overtime (at Iowa State, 2011 and at Ohio State, 2009). He is 25th in the nation in total offense and 29th in passing offense.

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Sophomore PK Mike Meyer has made 7-9 field goal attempts and is 11-11 in PAT kicks. He is tied for sixth nationally in field goals per game (2.3). Meyer leads the Big Ten in field goals per game, ranks second in field goal percentage (77.8%) and kick scoring (10.7) and fourth in total scoring. He made a 22-yard field goal in the win over Pitt before missing from 40 and 50 yards. Meyer had a career-best 50-yard field goal at Iowa State, while also connecting from 42, 20 and 34 yards. Meyer made four field goals in a game for the second time in his career, as he made 4-5 in an 18-13 win at Indiana in 2010. Meyer leads Iowa in scoring with 32 points and has made 21-26 (.808) career field goal attempts.

KIRKSEY LEADS IN TACKLES
Sophomore LB Christian Kirksey leads the Iowa defense with 31 tackles (20 solo). Kirksey ranks second in the Big Ten in tackles and is tied for 22nd in the nation. He is 12th nationally in solo tackles. Kirksey has 20 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and one QB sack. He led the Hawkeyes with 11 solo tackles and two assists at Iowa State, while also causing and recovering an Iowa State fumble on the same play. He recorded 10 tackles (six solo stops) against Tennessee Tech in his first game as a starter and had eight stops in the win over Pittsburgh.

TOP HAWKEYE PERFORMERS

  • Senior Eric Guthrie has taken over the punting duties in 2011 and is averaging 44.4 yards on 13 punts. Guthrie has four punts inside the 20 and opponents have averaged just 5.2 yards on five returns. He had a career-long 59-yard punt at Iowa State, where he averaged 46.8 yards on four punts, and a 50-yard kick vs. Pittsburgh.
  • Senior DL Mike Daniels has collected 15 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss and two QB sacks. He also has two QB pressures.
  • Junior WR Keenan Davis has recorded career bests in catches and yards in each of the last two games. He led Iowa receivers with 10 receptions for 129 yards and a touchdown against Pittsburgh. He collected five receptions for 95 yards and a touchdown at Iowa State, including a 23-yard scoring catch in the second overtime period. Davis has 17 receptions for 254 yards and two touchdowns in three games as a starter and he is averaging 20.7 yards on three KO returns. Davis has eight of Iowa’s plays that have gained over 20 yards, include six of 16 plays from scrimmage and two of seven KO returns.
  • Sophomore LB James Morris has collected 30 tackles, including 10 tackles and a pass interception in Iowa’s opening win. Morris had seven solo tackles at Iowa State and matched his career high with 13 tackles in the win over Pittsburgh.
  • Senior DB Jordan Bernstine has played well in two games, while missing the Iowa State game due to illness. Bernstine started for the first time in his career in the win over Pittsburgh, recording five solo stops, two tackles for loss and a QB sack among his eight tackles. He also has averaged 22.4 yards on five KO returns.
  • Redshirt freshman WR Kevonte Martin-Manley leads the team with three touchdown receptions. He had scoring catches of 25 and 22 yards in the win over Pittsburgh, scoring Iowa’s last two touchdowns in the fourth quarter rally. He also had a touchdown at Iowa State. For the season, he has eight receptions for 99 yards.

AMONG CAREER LEADERS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., ranks third in career touchdown receptions (18) and is 10th in receiving yards and 15th in career catches (106-1,859). Senior DB Shaun Prater has 173 career interception return yards and junior DB Micah Hyde has 142 yards. Prater ranks seventh among Iowa’s career interception leaders and Hyde is 11th. Prater and Hyde each have two touchdown returns. Among Iowa’s career leaders, only Tom Knight (three) and Plez Atkins (two) have more than one touchdown return.

THREE HAWKEYES OUT OF ACTION
Sophomore LB Shane DiBona, true freshman RB Mika’il McCall and sophomore LB Dakota Getz will miss the remainder of the 2011 season. DiBona suffered an achilles injury during preseason practice. He underwent successful surgery at the UI Hospitals and Clinics following the injury and is expected to make a full recovery. 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. McCall suffered a broken bone in his right leg in Iowa’s opening win over Tennessee Tech. He had rushed for 61 yards on nine carries before suffering the injury. Getz, who missed Iowa’s opening win due to injury, suffered a major knee injury on the opening kick of the Iowa State game and is expected to miss the rest of the season.

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 10 WALK-ONS
Iowa’s depth chart includes 10 players who originally joined the program as a walk-on. That includes four on offense (OL Matt Tobin, FB Matt Meyers, RB Jason White, WR Steven Staggs), three on defense (DL Thomas Nardo, OLB Tom Donatell, DB Collin Sleeper), and three 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-plus seasons Iowa has collected 67 interceptions, a total that ranks second in the nation over that span (Florida, 69). The Hawkeyes have had an interception return for a touchdown in each of the last four years, including four last season. Iowa has had an interception return for a score in nine of the last 11 seasons and 9-13 seasons under Kirk Ferentz. Iowa had six non-offensive touchdowns in 2010 and had an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown in the opening win this season.

IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started on offense in 126 of its last 146 games, including wins over Tennessee Tech and Pittsburgh this season. Iowa games vs. Iowa State (9/10/11), 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 20 games. Iowa has started the game on offense in 128 of 152 games under Kirk Ferentz, including 12 of 13 games in 2010 and 11 of 13 games in 2009.

FERENTZ JOINS CHALLENGE
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa State Coach Paul Rhoads have joined forces with the Iowa Mentoring Partnership for the 2011 Coaches’ Challenge. The Coaches’ Challenge runs from Aug. 1-Nov. 21 and is a competition between Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas to see which state can recruit the most mentors. For three years, Kansas and Nebraska have competed in a “Coaches Mentoring Challenge”, with Bo Pelini (Nebraksa), Bill Snyder (Kansas State) and Turner Gill (Kansas) taking part in the competition. Ferentz and Rhoads have joined the competition this season. According to The National Mentoring Partnership, there are 15 million children in the nation in need of caring and quality mentors. In Iowa, it is estimated that nearly 5,000 young people are currently in need of a mentor. Many of these children and youth are young men who would strongly benefit from a positive male role model. The Iowa Mentoring Partnership, an initiative of the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service, upholds the commission’s mission to “improve lives, strengthen communities and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering” by supporting quality mentoring services and by working to close the mentoring gap in our state. The Iowa Mentoring Partnership currently supports a network of more than 80 local, certified mentoring programs. Any new mentor application received between Aug. 1-Nov. 21 will count towards the score of the respective state, with cumulative totals updated each month. To find out more information or join the Coaches’ Challenge, visit www.iowamentoring.org or call 1-800-308-5987.

GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
Iowa plays three of its first four games in Kinnick Stadium, closing the non-conference schedule this weekend by hosting Louisiana-Monroe (11 a.m., BTN). Iowa is one of two Big Ten Conference teams (Ohio State) to play two non-conference games against teams from BCS conferences. 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.

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.
  • The Iowa football program was represented by 33 players on opening day NFL rosters. As many as eight additional former Hawkeyes with NFL experience are listed as free agents, on injured reserve or on practice squads.
  • Iowa ranks eighth nationally (second among Big Ten teams) in number former players currently active in the NFL, behind Miami, FL, USC, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio State, Georgia and LSU.
  • 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
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 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 15 games away from Iowa City, with two of the five losses coming at the hands of ranked teams and two of the five coming in overtime. 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’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, including home wins over Penn State (2008) and Michigan State (2010).

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. Iowa’s .667 (6-3) winning percentage in bowl games in the BCS era ranks as the best in the Big Ten Conference.
  • 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 (8-0, 2002) is one of two Big Ten teams to post a perfect mark in conference play since 1998 (BCS era).
  • 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 46 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 42 games (28-19, Western Michigan, 11/17/07).

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa had eight pass plays against Pittsburgh that covered at least 20 yards, plus a field goal and one KO return of at least 20 yards. In three games, Iowa has 15 pass plays and one rushing play, along with two interception returns, five KO returns and seven field goals, of at least 20 yards. Iowa’s opponents have eight passing plays, three rushing plays, one punt return, one interception return and 11 KO returns of 20 yards or more.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents in the second (30-10) and fourth (29-17) quarters, but has been outscored in the third quarter (21-20) and tied in the first (10-10) period. Iowa was outscored in three overtime periods (20-17) at Iowa State.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averaged 8.2 yards on 39 first down plays, 5.3 yards on 26 second down plays and 1.7 yards on 15 third down plays in the win over Pittsburgh. Iowa took a team loss of six yards on its only fourth down play to end the game. In three games, Iowa is averaging 6.2 yards on 99 first down plays, 6.3 yards on 74 second down plays and 4.1 yards on 38 third down plays. Iowa is 0-1 on fourth down conversions.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s five scoring drives against Pittsburgh averaged 8.2 plays, 69.4 yards and 3:35 in elapsed times. In three games, Iowa’s 15 scoring drives have averaged 8.3 plays, 60.6 yards and 3:46 in elapsed time. Iowa has nine touchdown drives, with four of those covering over 80 yards. Iowa’s opponents have 10 scoring drives, averaging 7.9 plays, 55 yards and 3:06 in elapsed time. The above scoring drive figures do not include overtime.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 3-3 in the red zone against Pittsburgh, collecting a field goal and two touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). In three games, Iowa is 11-12 (91.6%) in the red zone, with four rushing touchdowns, three passing touchdowns and four field goals. Iowa has scored on 117 of the last 128 (.914) red zone possessions (77 TDs and 40 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 98-109 (.899) combined inside the red zone its last 32 games. Pittsburgh was 3-3 in the red zone, with one passing touchdown and two field goals. Iowa opponents are 10-14 (71.4%) in the red zone, with three rushing touchdowns, five passing touchdowns and two field goals.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa failed to score after collecting three turnovers (two interceptions, one fumble) against Pittsburgh. The Hawkeyes have scored 20 points following eight opponent turnovers (four fumbles, four interceptions). The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 59 of its last 65 games, dating back to 2006. Pittsburgh did not score points following one interception. Iowa’s three opponents have scored seven points following three Iowa turnovers this season. Iowa had just 11 turnovers (five fumbles, six interceptions) in 13 games last season, allowing 28 points following those turnovers.

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.

AMERICA NEEDS FARMERS
The University of Iowa Athletics Department is working with the Iowa Farm Bureau on efforts to help consumers understand the challenges and opportunities today’s farmers embrace, and to do so under the banner, “America Needs Farmers,” the initiative undertaken by former UI football coach Hayden Fry during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s and embraced by the Hawkeyes’ current head coach Kirk Ferentz. To learn more, visit AmericaNeedsFarmers.org.

AFTER THIS
Iowa has an open week on the schedule following the final non-conference game this weekend. Iowa opens Big Ten play Oct. 8 at Penn State (TBA).

AMERICA NEEDS FARMERS
The University of Iowa Athletics Department is working with the Iowa Farm Bureau on efforts to help consumers understand the challenges and opportunities today’s farmers embrace, and to do so under the banner, “America Needs Farmers,” the initiative undertaken by former UI football coach Hayden Fry during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s and embraced by the Hawkeyes’ current head coach Kirk Ferentz. To learn more, visit AmericaNeedsFarmers.org.

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