Iowa vs. Northwestern - Quotes

Oct. 15, 2011

Iowa scored 24 fourth-quarter points and beat Northwestern 41-31 in front of a sellout crowd at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa and Northwestern combined for 72 points. The last time these two opponents combined for 72 points was 2002, in an Iowa 62-10 victory.

Iowa improves to 47-23-3 all-time against Northwestern, including a 24-9 mark in Iowa City. Iowa is 9-4 under Ferentz in its first Big Ten home game.

THIRTY-ONE OR MORE

Iowa has scored 31 points or more in five of its first six games. The last time the Hawkeyes accomplished this was 2002.

MILLER GETS FIRST SCORE

Sophomore DB Tanner Miller had his first career interception in the opening period, returning the theft 98-yards for a touchdown. The return is the second interception return for a touchdown this season by the Hawkeyes, as DB Shaun Prater had an 89-yard touchdown return in Iowa’s win over Tennessee Tech. Iowa had four interception returns for touchdowns in 2010.

The 98-yard return ties the Iowa school record for longest interception return. Adam Shada had a 98-yard return vs. Purdue (10/07/06). Miller also collected a personal-best eight tackles in the victory.

MCNUTT TIES TOUCHDOWN RECORD

Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. tied the Iowa career record for touchdown receptions with a 35-yard touchdown in the fourth period. The record of 21 is shared with Tim Dwight (1994-97) and Danan Hughes (1989-92). McNutt, Jr. had six receptions for 87 yards against Northwestern and now has 123 receptions for 2,119 yards. McNutt, Jr. now ranks tied for 10th in career receptions and fifth in career yards. He has at least 100 yards receiving in three of six games in 2011. For the season, McNutt, Jr. has 35 receptions for 573 yards (16.4 avg.) and five scores.

Career Receiving Leaders (min. 1,000 yards)

DAVIS SCORES AGAIN

Junior WR Keenan Davis scored on a 47-yard pass reception in the second quarter, giving him a touchdown reception in four of Iowa’s last five games. The 47-yard reception is the longest of his career and marks the second longest offensive play for Iowa this season. Davis ended the game with five catches for a team-high 109 yards and a score.

• QUICK HITS
• Senior Tyler Nielsen moved from his normal position at outside linebacker to play middle linebacker against Northwestern. He responded with a team and career-best 12 tackles. His previous high of 10 tackles came against Wisconsin in 2010.
• Iowa’s average starting field position was its own 40-yard line, while Northwestern’s average starting field position was its own 27-yard line.
• Iowa and Northwestern combined for 24-first half points. The team’s doubled that scoring output in the second half, combining for 48 points. In the final quarter, the two combined for 38 points (Iowa, 24 points).
• The game featured three runs of 17 straight points. Iowa scored the first 17 points before Northwestern tied the game in the second half. Iowa responded with 17 straight points in the fourth quarter.
• Senior DE Broderick Binns had the third forced fumble of his career in the fourth period and junior DT Steve Bigach recovered the loose ball for his first career recovery. Binns also had three tackles, including two for loss and a sack, and had three QB hurries. Bigach also had five tackles, including a sack.
• Senior Jordan Bernstine finished tonight’s game equaling a career high with eight total tackles.

STARTING ON OFFENSE

Northwestern won the toss and deferred to the second half, with Iowa electing to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 129 of its last 149 contests. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 132-of-155 games under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa games vs. Iowa State (9/10/11), Minnesota (11/27/10), Wisconsin (10/23/10), Ohio State (11/14/07), 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 the 20 games.

OPENING DRIVE

Iowa scored points on its opening possession for the third time in six games, collecting an early field goal. Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Iowa State and ULM.

Northwestern did not score on its first possession. Iowa has allowed three of six opponents to score on their opening drive, all collecting field goals. Iowa has allowed 13 first-quarter points in six games. Iowa has allowed 11 opponents to score on their opening drive in its last 45 games.

IN THE RED ZONE

Iowa was 4-5 inside the red zone tonight, scoring two one-yard rushing touchdowns and connecting on two field goals. Iowa advanced inside the 20 on its last play of the game. Iowa entered tonight’s game ranked 11th in the country in red zone offense. The Hawkeyes have scored on 128 of the last 140 red zone possessions (84 TDs and 44 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 109-121 combined inside the red zone in its last 35 games.

Northwestern was 2-4 in the red zone tonight, scoring a passing and rushing touchdown. The Wildcats were intercepted by the Iowa defense and punted on their other two red zone possessions.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS

Iowa forced two turnovers tonight, scoring on both takeaways. Tanner Miller returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown, tying a school record previously established by Adam Shada vs. Purdue in 2007. Mike Meyer connected on a field goal after a fumble recovery in the fourth quarter.

Iowa has scored 30 points in six games following 11 opponent turnovers (five fumbles, six interceptions).

The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 61 of its last 68 games, dating back to 2006.

Northwestern did not score after intercepting James Vandenberg in the second quarter. Iowa opponents have scored 14 points following eight Iowa turnovers in 2011.

MEYER ADDS TO TOTAL

Sophomore PK Mike Meyer made a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 40-yard kick in the fourth quarter, improving to 11-13 on the season. He is 21-21 on PAT kicks. He has made 25-30 career field goals.

NEW TO THE LINE-UP

Two Hawkeyes started for the first time in their career vs. Northwestern. Junior OLB Tom Donatell and junior DT Steve Bigach both started for the Iowa defense. Senior LB Tyler Nielsen started at middle linebacker after starting Iowa’s first five games at outside linebacker.

OUT OF ACTION

Sophomore LB James Morris and senior DL Tom Nardo both missed the Northwestern game due to injury, while sophomore LB Anthony Hitchens missed his second straight game.

VANDENBERG ON TARGET

Junior QB James Vandenberg had touchdown passes of 47-yards in the second period and 35-yards in the fourth quarter.

He has 12 touchdown passes in six games. Six of the 11 have been over 20 yards. He had three scoring strikes in wins over Pittsburgh and Louisiana-Monroe. For the night he completed 14-22 passes for 224 yards.

COKER LEADS GROUND GAME

Sophomore RB Marcus Coker led the Iowa rushing attack with 22 carries for 124 yards (5.6 avg.). He scored on a one-yard run to give Iowa a 24-17 advantage early in the fourth period and added another one-yard scoring run in the final minutes.

Coker surpassed 100 rushing yards for the third time this season and for the fifth time in his career.

Coker surpassed 100 yards rushing twice as a freshman. He rushed 33 times for 219 yards against Missouri and rushed 22 times for 129 yards in a win at Indiana.

IN STANT REPLAY

Instant replay was used twice in the fourth period. A Northwestern pass completion was ruled a touchdown on the field, and the call was upheld.

An Iowa rushing play that was ruled a touchdown, was overturned, giving Iowa the ball at the Northwestern one.

NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE

Iowa is home next weekend, hosting Indiana (11 a.m., BTN) for homecoming game No. 100. Iowa travels to Minnesota Oct. 29 (TBA).