Sponsored by US Cellular
Open Search
Football

Hawkeye Host Michigan State Saturday

Nov. 7, 2011

Game Notes vs. Michigan State

IOWA HOSTS MICHIGAN STATE
Iowa (6-3, 3-2) hosts Michigan State (7-2, 4-1) Saturday in the final home game of the season. Game time is 11:01 a.m. (CT) in Kinnick Stadium (70,585). A limited number of tickets remain and can be purchased online at hawkeyesports.com or by calling 1-800-IA-Hawks. The Hawkeyes have defeated Tennessee Tech (34-7), Pittsburgh (31-27), Louisiana-Monroe (45-17), Northwestern (41-31), Indiana (45-24) and 13th-ranked Michigan (24-16), all in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa was defeated, 44-41 in three overtimes, at Iowa State, at Penn State 13-3 and at Minnesota, 22-21. Michigan State owns wins over Youngstown State (28-6), Florida Atlantic (44-0), Central Michigan (45-7), Ohio State (10-7), #11/10 Michigan (28-14), #4/4 Wisconsin (37-31) Minnesota (31-24). The Spartans have lost to Notre Dame (31-13) and #13/13 Nebraska (24-3), both on the road.

IOWA BOWL ELIGIBLE AGAIN
With its sixth win of the season last Saturday, the Iowa football team is bowl eligible for the 11th straight season under Coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff. The Hawkeyes have appeared in nine bowl games since 2001, including a win over 12th-ranked Missouri in the 2010 Insight Bowl. Iowa won the Outback Bowl over South Carolina following the 2008 season and concluded the 2009 campaign with a win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl. Iowa is one of four programs in the nation to conclude each of the past three seasons with a bowl win and the three-game bowl win streak is an Iowa record. The Hawkeyes have posted a 6-3 record in bowl games under Ferentz, including wins in four of six January bowl games.

ON THE TUBE
ESPN2 (HD) will televise the contest to a national cable audience. Beth Mowins and Mike Bellotti will call the action. The contest can also be viewed on espn3.com.

RADIO BROADCAST
Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, with color commentator Ed Podolak and sideline reporter Rob Brooks. The Hawkeye Radio Network includes more than 40 stations throughout the state. The game can also be heard on Sirius channel 113 and XM channel 197.

HOME FINALE FOR IOWA SENIORS
Senior members of the Iowa football program will be introduced Saturday during pregame ceremonies. The Iowa seniors include RB Jason White, DB Jordan Bernstine, P Eric Guthrie, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., DB Kyle Steinbrecher, DB Shaun Prater, TE Brad Herman, LB Tyler Nielsen, LB Terrance Pryor, OL Markus Zusevics, DL Lebron Daniel, OL Woody Orne, OL Adam Gettis, DL Tom Nardo, WR Joe Audlehelm, DL Broderick Binns, DL Mike Daniels and DL Joe Forgy. Additional senior members of the program include senior student managers Ben Dolan, Andrew Flynn, Blaine Mateer and Todd Dunford; senior athletic training students Sara Smith, Jon Piche and Joe McDermott; and senior student videographers Michael Witt, Derek Ambrose, Grant Ridpath and Dan Bettenhausen.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,151 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 593-519-39 (.532). That includes a 376-201-16 (.648) record in home games, a 217-318-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 292-350-25 (.457) mark in Big Ten games and a 259-165-15 (.607) record in Kinnick Stadium.

IN THE RANKINGS
Iowa is listed among teams receiving votes in both the Associated Press rankings and the coaches poll. Michigan State is ranked 13th in both polls. Iowa, this weekend, is playing its second straight ranked opponent after defeating 13th-ranked Michigan last week. The Hawkeyes also close the season at No. 19/17 Nebraska. Around the Big Ten this week, Penn State is 12/12 (AP/Coaches), Wisconsin is 16/14, Nebraska is 19/17 and Michigan is 22/21. Ohio State is also listed among teams receiving votes in both polls. In the fourth BCS rankings, Penn State is 12th, followed by Michigan State (17), Wisconsin (18), Nebraska (19) and Michigan (24).

WINNING AT HOME
Iowa has won 55 of its last 66 games (.846) 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 23-4 (.852) at home since the start of the 2008 season and 24-1 (.960) in its last 25 non-conference home games. Iowa has won 12 straight non-conference home games since the final game of 2007. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 at home this season.

HAWKEYE GAMEDAY LIVE
The UI Department of Athletics has a new-and-improved “Hawkeye Gameday Live” page each Saturday for Hawkeye fans. The page features 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.

NIELSEN EARNS DEFENSIVE HONOR
College Sports Madness named Iowa LB Tyler Nielsen as its national defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s win over 13th-ranked Michigan. In addition, he received honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards. The senior from Humboldt, Iowa had a career-high 13 tackles, including seven solo stops. He also forced and recovered a Michigan fumble that led to an Iowa field goal. Nielsen was credited with two tackles for loss and also had a QB pressure. Nielsen’s pressure came in the final minute as Iowa held the Wolverines out of the end zone on four straight plays from the 3-yard line.

MCNUTT CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL AWARD
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., is a finalist for the FRS Receiving Performance of the Year for his play in Iowa’s 45-24 win over Indiana on Oct. 22. McNutt won the fan voting during the week following Iowa’s win over the Hoosiers. The St. Louis, Mo., native had six receptions for 184 yards against Indiana, recording touchdown receptions of 80, 24 and 29 yards. All-Star Performances of the Year is a four-month competition that lets fans determine which individual performances reign supreme during the 2011 college football season. Each top weekly vote-getter proceeds to the finals, which runs Jan. 16-22, and the winners will be revealed during the All-Star Football Challenge special airing at 6 p.m. (CT) Feb. 3 on ESPN2. Fans can vote Jan. 16-22 at 20.

MEYER IS GROZA SEMIFINALIST
Sophomore PK Mike Meyer is one of 20 semifinal candidates for the 2011 Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl Committee. Meyer has handled all PAT and field goal attempts for the Hawkeyes this season. He has made all 34 of his PAT attempts and 13-17 field goal attempts, with two of the four missed kicks hitting the left upright. He leads Iowa in scoring with 73 points. He earned Lou Groza Award “Stars of the Week” recognition and was named national Placekicker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play at Iowa State. Meyer connected on all four field goal attempts and was 3-3 on PAT kicks. Meyer had a career-best of 50 yards at Iowa State and five of his 13 field goals are at least 40 yards. He has 146 career points to rank 16th in career scoring.

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

  • RB Marcus Coker was named national Running Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play at Minnesota. Coker rushed 32 times for 252 yards and two scores against the Gophers.
  • WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. was named Big Ten co-offensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s win over Indiana. McNutt, Jr. had six receptions for 184 yards and three touchdowns (80, 24 and 29 yards). He became Iowa’s career leader in touchdown receptions (24) with the 80-yard reception.
  • QB James Vandenberg was named honorable mention Quarterback of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s win over Indiana. Vandenberg completed 12-16 passes for 253 yards and a career-high four touchdowns vs. the Hoosiers. Vandenberg has 16 touchdown passes in seven games.
  • Sophomore DB Tanner Miller was named national Defensive Back of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s win over Northwestern. Miller collected the first interception of his career in the first quarter and returned the theft 98 yards for a touchdown. Miller recorded a career-high eight tackles in the game, including five solo stops. The 98-yard return ties Iowa’s record for longest interception return. Miller was also nominated for the GEICO Play of the Year. Fans vote for the GEICO Play of the Year, with the winner being announced on GEICO Best of College Football 2011 (Nov. 25, 1:30 p.m. ET, CBS).
  • Junior DB Micah Hyde earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Award for his play at Penn State. Hyde had his third interception of the season in the second half, stopping a PSU drive inside the Iowa red zone. Hyde was also credited with eight tackles, including one tackle for loss, and two pass break-ups.
  • Senior DL Tom Nardo was named Big Ten Conference defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 45-17 win over Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 24. The Big Ten honor is the first for Nardo. Nardo recorded a career-high 12 tackles (six solo, six assists), including two tackles for loss and a shared QB sack.
  • Junior QB James Vandenberg earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Louisiana-Monroe. Vandenberg completed 21-32 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa’s 45-17 win. His scoring strikes covered 13, 17 and 23 yards and he scored on a one-yard run.
  • Senior P Eric Guthrie received honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Louisiana-Monroe. Guthrie averaged 48 yards on his two punts vs. ULM. He has at least one punt of 50 yards or more in three straight games.
  • 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. He led Iowa’s second half rally against Pittsburgh, rushing for one touchdown and throwing three touchdown passes in the final 17 minutes. His totals against Pitt included 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception.
  • QB James Vandenberg was one of eight quarterbacks named by the Manning Award as its “Stars of the Week” following Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh. The award was established by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in 2004. Vandenberg has also been nominated for the Quarterback Performance of the Year honor, which is also based on fan voting.
  • QB James Vandenberg earned honorable mention recognition for quarterbacks from the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh.
  • 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 collected two interceptions, 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.
  • Sophomore PK Mike Meyer was named national Placekicker of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s 44-41 three-overtime loss at Iowa State. Meyer was also one of three kickers to earn “Stars of the Week” recognition from the Lou Groza Collegiate Place Kicker Award. Meyer made all four field goal attempts, connecting from 42, 20, 50 and 34 yards. The 50-yard kick is a career best and the 34-yard effort came in the third overtime period.
  • Sophomore LB Christian Kirksey earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his play at Iowa State. He had a career-high 13 tackles at Iowa State, including 11 solo stops, two tackles for loss and a QB sack. He also caused and recovered an Iowa State fumble while making a tackle and had one pass break-up.
  • Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his play in wins over Tennessee Tech and Indiana. McNutt, Jr. had six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns in the opening win and added six catches for 184 yards and three scores in the win over Indiana.
  • Senior DB Shaun Prater earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards for his play against Tennessee Tech. Prater had an 89-yard touchdown return in Iowa’s win, the fifth longest on school history.

MCNUTT, JR. SETS SCORING RECORD
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. set the Iowa record for career touchdown receptions with an 80-yard touchdown in the first quarter of Iowa’s 45-24 win over Indiana (Oct. 22). He added two more scores against the Hoosiers and had one touchdown reception in a loss at Minnesota. McNutt has 25 career scoring receptions, breaking the previous mark of 21, held by Tim Dwight (1994-97) and Danan Hughes (1989-92). McNutt had seven receptions for 101 yards at Minnesota and added a career-high nine receptions for 101 yards in Iowa’s win over Michigan. His career totals stand at 145 receptions for 2,505 yards. McNutt ranks sixth in career receptions and second in career yards. He has at least 100 yards receiving in five of eight games in 2011 and is just 212 yards from becoming Iowa’s career leader in yardage. He had 184 receiving yards (six catches) vs. Indiana, the eighth best single-game total at Iowa. For the season, McNutt has 57 receptions for 959 yards and nine scores. He is averaging 16.8 yards per reception and has 14 catches of 20 yards or more. His 959 yards ranks fifth best for a single season and he ranks 13th in the nation in receiving yards per game (106.6). McNutt had eight receiving touchdowns in both 2009 and 2010. The Iowa record for touchdown receptions in a season is 11.

PASSING THE CENTURY MARK
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and sophomore RB Marcus Coker could give Iowa a 1,000-yard receiver and 1,000-rusher in the same season for just the second time ever. Coker has rushed for 1,101 yards in nine games, while McNutt has 959 receiving yards. The two have combined for 21 touchdowns. In 2000, RB Ladell Betts rushed for 1,090 yards and five touchdowns, while WR Kevin Kasper totaled 1,010 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. An Iowa running back has gained over 1,000 rushing yards in 17 seasons (seven times under Kirk Ferentz), while just three Hawkeye receivers have totaled over 1,000 receiving yards in one season.

HAWKEYES EARN MIDSEASON RECOGNITION
Fourteen Hawkeye players were named to Phil Steele’s College Football midseason all-Big Ten team. Senior DB Shaun Prater was the only Iowa player named to the first team. Those earning second team recognition included sophomore RB Marcus Coker and senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. on offense, senior DE Broderick Binns and sophomore LB James Morris on defense, and senior punter Eric Guthrie and sophomore PK Mike Meyer. Third team recognition was given to junior WR Keenan Davis, junior center James Ferentz, junior tackle Riley Reiff on offense and senior tackle Mike Daniels, sophomore linebacker Christian Kirksey, junior cornerback Micah Hyde and senior safety Jordan Bernstine on defense. Iowa and Wisconsin led all teams with 14 players named to the three teams.

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.

IOWA IN NCAA STATS
As a team, Iowa is fourth nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (33.1), seventh in fewest turnovers (nine), tied for ninth in red zone defense (71%), tied for 14th in fewest penalties per game (4.4), 17th in net punting (39.5), 21st in red zone offense (89%) and 26th in punt return defense (5.3). Individually, RB Marcus Coker is sixth in rushing yards per game (122.3), WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., is 13th in receiving yards per game (106.6), LB James Morris is 13th in tackles per game (10.5), QB James Vandenberg is 16th in pass efficiency (154.8) and PK Mike Meyer is tied for 23rd in field goals per game (1.4). All Iowa team and individual statistical rankings, both in the Big Ten and the NCAA, can be found as a side bar within the weekly game notes.

IOWA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Iowa is playing its second straight ranked opponent in Michigan State as the Spartans are ranked 13th in both the Associated Press and coaches poll. Last week, Iowa defeated Michigan 24-16 when the Wolverines were ranked 13th in both polls. Iowa closes the regular season at Nebraska, which is also in the rankings. 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 ranked 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.

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 a 91-44 (.674) overall mark and a 53-32 (.624) 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 is bowl eligible for the 11th 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 95-63 (.601) and a 56-45 (.554) mark in Big Ten games. In his 16th season as a college head coach, he holds a career mark of 107-84 (.560). Sixty of Iowa’s 158 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (27-33) and 47 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (21-26). 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.

IOWA STAFF HAS STAYED TOGETHER
The Iowa coaching staff (nine full-time assistants and head strength and conditioning coach) has 110 years of combined years of service under Coach Kirk Ferentz, which ranks fifth in the nation behind Joe Paterno (Penn State), Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Missouri), Frank Beamer (Murray State/Virginia Tech) and Jim Grobe (Elon/Wake Forest).

MICHIGAN STATE COACH MARK DANTONIO
Mark Dantonio is in his fifth season on the Spartan sidelines and his eighth season as a college head coach. Dantonio has amassed a 58-38 (.604) overall mark and a 40-21 (.656) record at Michigan State. The Spartans posted an 11-2 record a year ago, earning a share of the Big Ten title with a 7-1 league record. Michigan State made its second appearance in the Capital One Bowl (loss to Alabama) under Dantonio. Dantonio led Michigan State to a 7-6 record and an invitation to the Champs Sports Bowl (lost to Boston College) in his first season. In 2008, the Spartans ended the year in the Capital One Bowl (lost to Georgia), compiling a 9-4 overall record. In 2009, MSU ended the season 6-7 after an Alamo Bowl loss to Texas Tech. Prior to becoming Michigan State’s 24th head football coach, he was the head coach at Cincinnati for three seasons (2004-06). Dantonio led Cincinnati to two bowl appearances. Dantonio had Big Ten and Michigan State ties before being named MSU’s head coach. From 1995-2000, he served as secondary coach at Michigan State and was promoted to associate head coach in 2000. After six seasons as an assistant coach in East Lansing, he was named Ohio State’s defensive coordinator for three seasons (2001-03). The Buckeyes boasted a 32-6 mark during his three seasons in Columbus. He helped guide the Buckeyes to three bowl appearances, including winning the 2002 national championship. A native of Zanesville, Ohio, Dantonio was a three-year letterman as a defensive back at South Carolina (1976-78).

THE SERIES
Iowa holds a 22-18-2 advantage in the series that began with a 21-7 Michigan State win in 1953. The Hawkeyes have won the last two meetings, four of the last five and nine of the last 13, with the four losses coming at East Lansing. The home team has won 11 of the last 12 games, including 10 straight before Iowa won in East Lansing in 2009. The first meeting between the two teams, a 21-7 Michigan State win at Iowa City on Sept. 26, 1953, marked MSU’s first game as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Iowa holds a 13-8-1 advantage in games played at Iowa City, including the last seven games in Kinnick Stadium. MSU’s last win in Kinnick Stadium came by a 17-14 margin in 1989. The two teams did not meet in 2005 and 2006. The Spartans are visiting Iowa City for the second straight season, with Iowa winning 37-6 a year ago. Kirk Ferentz recorded his first Big Ten win as Iowa’s head coach when the Hawkeyes topped Michigan State (21-16) in Iowa City, in 2000. The teams have played one overtime contest, with Iowa winning in two OTs at home in 2007.

HAWKEYES WON IN 2010
Iowa was sharp in all phases of the game in taking a 37-6 win over fifth-ranked Michigan State in Kinnick Stadium Oct. 30, 2010. The Hawkeyes took the opening kick and scored on a 12-play, 80-yard drive. QB Ricky Stanzi connected with WR Colin Sandeman on a 3-yard scoring strike. Iowa drove 64 yards on its second possession, adding a 37-yard field goal by PK Mike Meyer. The Hawkeye defense added Iowa’s next score, as DB Micah Hyde scored on a 66-yard return. DB Tyler Sash came up with the interception, then pitched the ball to Hyde, who scored Iowa’s third defensive touchdown of the season to put Iowa on top 17-0 in the first quarter. Iowa’s second interception came on Michigan State’s next possession, as DB Shaun Prater returned the theft 42 yards to the MSU 43. Iowa scored soon after on a 32-yard pass from Stanzi to RB Adam Robinson. Robinson added a 2-yard touchdown run later in the second period and Iowa led 30-0 at halftime. DB Brett Greenwood collected Iowa’s third interception to start the third period. After exchanging punts, the Hawkeyes added their final score on a 22-yard scoring strike from Stanzi to WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. MSU’s only points came on a 6-yard pass on the first play of the fourth quarter and the two-point conversion attempt failed. Stanzi completed 11-15 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns. Robinson rushed for 69 yards on 20 carries. Herman (3-80) and fellow tight end Allen Reisner (4-36) led Iowa receivers. The Hawkeye defense was superb all day, allowing Michigan State just 31 net rushing yards and 258 yards total offense. Prater added a career-high 10 tackles to go with his interception and was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week. LB James Morris, earning his first career start as a true freshman, added nine tackles.

IOWA STOPS 13TH-RANKED MICHIGAN
Iowa took the lead with a touchdown on its opening drive and led start-to-finish in defeating 13th-ranked Michigan 24-16 in Kinnick Stadium. Iowa’s sixth victory of the year wasn’t secure until DB B.J. Lowery knocked away Michigan’s final pass attempt in the end zone on the final play of the game. Michigan had reached a first-and-goal at the Iowa 3-yard line with 16 seconds remaining, but failed to score in four plays. After stopping Michigan on three plays to open the game, the Hawkeyes drove 76 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 advantage. RB Marcus Coker scored from the 4-yard line after QB James Vandenberg had completed consecutive passes to Keenan Davis (44 yards) and Marvin McNutt, Jr. Michigan answered with a touchdown drive, but Iowa maintained a 7-6 advantage when the snap for the PAT attempt was fumbled. Iowa increased its advantage to 14-6 in the second quarter, as a 1-yard pass from Vandenberg to TE Brad Herman capped a 78 yard scoring drive. LB Tyler Nielsen had a QB sack and caused a fumble that led to Iowa’s final score of the first half. Nielsen recovered the Michigan fumble after forcing the ball loose and PK Mike Meyer added a 42-yard field goal for a 17-6 advantage. The Wolverines threatened to score late in the half, but LB Christian Kirksey came up with an interception after a deflection. Michigan closed its deficit to 17-9 in the third period on a 32-yard field goal. But Iowa came right back when Coker ran 13 yards for a touchdown with 10:42 left in the game. Vandenberg completed two throws to McNutt on third downs to keep the drive alive. Michigan scored its final points with 7:53 to play, completing a 57-yard drive with a 7-yard touchdown pass from Denard Robinson to Kevin Koger. The Wolverines began their final drive at their own 18 with just 2:15 to play. Michigan moved to the Iowa three with 16 seconds left, but had no timeouts remaining. Michigan attempted four straight pass plays, but all were incomplete, with Lowery knocking away the final attempt on the last play. Coker led Iowa’s ground game with 132 yards on 29 carries, scoring two touchdowns for the fourth straight game. McNutt led Iowa receivers with a career-best nine catches for 101 yards. Vandenberg was again efficient, completing 14-21 attempts for 171 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions. Senior DB Jordan Bernstine had a career-best 15 tackles to lead the Iowa defense. Nielsen collected a career-best 13 tackles, including seven solo stops. He had two tackles for loss, along with the forced and recovered fumble. LB James Morris and DL Tom Nardo each had eight stops.

MICHIGAN STATE DEFEATS MINNESOTA
Michigan State scored the only 10 points of the fourth quarter to rally for a 31-24 win over Minnesota at East Lansing. Minnesota led most of the first three quarters, as MSU did not take its first lead until scoring on a 2-yard pass from QB Kirk Cousins to Todd Anderson with five seconds left in the second quarter. Minnesota responded with a touchdown with 9:40 remaining in the third quarter, to take a 24-21 advantage. A 40-yard field goal by MSU’s Dan Conroy with 14:49 remaining in the game tied the score. The Spartans scored the winning points on a 35-yard run by RB Le’Veon Bell with 10:58 remaining. Minnesota moved across midfield on two of its final drives, but could get no closer than the Spartan 45-yard line. Minnesota held a slight advantage in total offense (415-402) and held nearly a nine minute advantage in time of possession. Michigan State’s defense came up with two interceptions. William Gholston led the MSU defense with 14 tackles and a forced fumble and Isaiah Lewis added 12 tackles. Trenton Robinson had both interceptions. Cousins led the Spartan offense, completing 23-34 passes for 296 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.

PLAYING IN FRONT
Iowa has won three of its last four games and in that four-game stretch has trailed for just 2:48 in those four games. In wins over Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan, Iowa scored the first points of the game and never trailed. In the 22-21 loss at Minnesota, Iowa took a 7-0 advantage with 5:06 left in the first half and did not trail until Minnesota scored the final points of the game with 2:48 to play. Iowa scored on its opening drive in the win over Michigan and led the rest of the way. Iowa also never trailed in wins over Tennessee Tech and Louisiana-Monroe, and trailed for just 11:12 in the triple overtime loss at Iowa State. Iowa never led in the loss at Penn State and led for just the final 2:51 in a home win over Pittsburgh.

HIGH SCORING FOURTH QUARTER
Iowa’s 24 points in the fourth quarter of the 41-31 win over Northwestern matched the highest scoring quarter of the season. Iowa scored 24 points in the second quarter in the 34-7 season-opening win over Tennessee Tech. Iowa has not scored more than 24 points in any quarter since the 2009 season, when it scored 28 points in the final quarter of a 42-24 win over Indiana. Iowa, twice, scored 21 points in a quarter during the 2010 season and added 21 points in the second quarter of the most recent win over Indiana.

IOWA EFFICIENT IN FOURTH
Iowa’s offense was efficient in the fourth quarter of a 41-31 win over Northwestern on Oct. 15. The Hawkeyes scored points on four straight drives after the score was tied at 17 and ended the game at the Wildcat 15-yard line. Iowa drove 64 yards in 11 plays to take a 24-17 lead and later moved 71 yards in just three plays for a 14-point advantage. The Hawkeyes added a field goal after a Northwestern fumble and added their final points on a 24-yard drive after recovering an on-side kick.

EFFICIENCY CONTINUED . . .
Iowa scored touchdowns on all five first half possessions in the win over Indiana and added a field goal on its first drive of the third quarter. Dating back to the Northwestern game the previous week, Iowa scored on 10 of 11 possessions in the two games, with the only non-scoring drive coming at the conclusion of the Northwestern game when Iowa reached the Wildcat 15-yard line as time expired in the 41-31 win. Against Indiana, Iowa’s opening drive took over seven minutes and covered 69 yards. The Hawkeyes ended the second period with a 53-yard drive that took just four plays and 44 seconds.

IOWA COMEBACKS
Iowa’s rally for a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh (Sept. 17) 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.
  • Iowa’s rally ties as the second largest this season among FBS teams. Houston rallied from a 27-point deficit to take a win over Louisiana Tech, while Nebraska rallied from 21 points down to defeat Ohio State.

TEN IS BIGGEST LOSS
Iowa’s 13-3 loss at Penn State marked the first Iowa loss by more than nine points in 48 games, dating back to a 31-6 loss at Purdue on Oct. 20, 2007. Iowa had not lost a game by more than a touchdown in 43 games, dating back to a 28-19 loss to Western Michigan on Nov. 17, 2007. Both streaks ranked as the longest in the nation. In the loss at Penn State, Iowa failed to score a touchdown for the first time since that 2007 loss at Purdue.

HAWKEYES TO WATCH
A number of Iowa players were named to preseason all-Big Ten and All-America teams. 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 nine games in 2011 and has started 30 consecutive games

WR Marvin McNutt, JR.

  • Second team All-Big Ten in 2010
  • Fourth team preseason All-America by Phil Steele’s College Football
  • Fifty-seven receptions for 959 yards and nine touchdowns in 2011, to rank fourth best in a season in yards and touchdowns and 11th best in receptions
  • Fifty-three receptions for 861 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010, averaging 16.2 yards per catch. Receiving yardage ranks 10th best for single season
  • Twenty-five career touchdown receptions is Iowa’s career record, with nine scores in 2011 and eight in both 2009 and 2010
  • Career totals include 145 receptions for 2,505 yards to rank second in career yards and sixth in career receptions
  • Tied for 14th in career scoring with 150 points
  • 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
  • Eight receptions for 112 yards in win over Pittsburgh
  • Seven receptions for 100 yard and two touchdowns in win over ULM
  • Four catches for 73 yards at Penn State to surpass 2,000 career receiving yards
  • Six receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in win over Northwestern
  • Career-bests of 184 yards and three touchdowns vs. Indiana on just six receptions
  • Big Ten offensive Player of the Week vs. Indiana, with scoring receptions of 80, 24 and 29 yards
  • Seven receptions for 101 yards at Minnesota, including 25th career touchdown reception
  • Career-best nine receptions for 101 yards in win over Michigan

RB Marcus Coker

  • Leads Iowa rushing attack with 211 carries for 1,101 yards and 12 touchdowns, to rank tied for fourth in touchdowns, 11th in yards and 15th in carries, for a single season
  • First Iowa running back since Shonn Greene (2008) to rush for over 1,000 yards
  • Thirteenth Iowa running back to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season, the fifth under Coach Kirk Ferentz
  • Leads Big Ten and ranks sixth nationally in rushing yards per game (122.3)
  • Has rushed for over 100 yards in six games in 2011 and eight career games
  • Current streak of four straight games with two touchdowns
  • Rushed 29 times for 132 yards and two touchdowns in win over Michigan
  • Rushed 33 times for career-best 252 yards and two scores at Minnesota
  • Rushing total of 252 yards at Minnesota ranks as third best single-game total in school history
  • Named national Running Back of the Week by College Football Performance Awards vs. Minnesota
  • Has rushed 61 times for 384 yards and four TDs (6.3 avg.) in last two games
  • One of four running backs in Iowa history with more than one game with over 200 rushing yards
  • Had 23 carries for 139 yards and two scores in win over Indiana
  • Rushed 22 times for 124 yards and two scores in win over Northwestern
  • Rushed for 113 yards and two scores on 18 carries against Louisiana-Monroe
  • Rushed a career-high 35 times for 140 yards at Iowa State, scoring two touchdowns
  • Career totals include 325 carries for 1,723 yards and 15 touchdowns to rank 15th in career rushing yards and touchdowns and 20th in career attempts
  • Set Iowa bowl records for rushing attempts (33) and rushing yards (219) as a true freshman in 2010 Insight Bowl win over Missouri
  • Scored on touchdown runs of one and 62 yards in Insight Bowl and was named Offensive Player of the Game
  • Sports Illustrated preseason selection for Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year
  • Freshman season totals in 2010 included 114 carries for 622 yards and three touchdowns, while playing in just seven games
  • Rushing total in 2010 ranks fourth best for an Iowa freshman

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 in 2010, while playing in 12 of 13 games
  • Had 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
  • Recorded six tackles in win over ULM
  • Four solo tackles and a forced fumble at Minnesota
  • Three tackles in win over Michigan
  • Ranks second in Big Ten and 22nd nationally with three forced fumbles
  • Has seven career interceptions and ranks seventh at Iowa with 173 career interception return yards

DT Mike Daniels

  • Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2010
  • 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
  • Three tackles vs. ULM, including a shared QB sack, as defense allowed just 59 net rushing yards
  • Eight tackles at Penn State, including a tackle for loss
  • Seven tackles in win over Northwestern, including two tackles for loss, a QB sack and a QB pressure

DB Micah Hyde

  • Defensive Player of the Game, 2010 Insight Bowl
  • Leads team with three interceptions in 2011 and has seven career thefts
  • Leads Big Ten with nine pass break-ups
  • Tied for third in the Big Ten and tied for 41st in the nation with three interceptions
  • Recorded three tackles and a pass break-up in opening win 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
  • Recorded five tackles in win over ULM and had 43 yards on two punt returns
  • Earned defensive back honorable mention recognition from College Football Performance Awards for his play in win over Pittsburgh and in loss at Penn State
  • Recorded eight tackles at Penn State, along with third interception of the season and two pass break-ups
  • Nine tackles and two pass break-ups in win over Northwestern
  • Four solo tackles in win over Michigan

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 and wins over Tennessee Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Northwestern, Indiana and Michigan. 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 Iowa’s win over ULM, Vandenberg completed 21-32 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for one score. He completed 17-34 passes for 169 yards in the loss at Penn State, with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Vandenberg was efficient in the win over Northwestern, completing 14-22 attempts for 224 yards. He had scoring strikes of 47 and 35 yards. He increased his efficiency in a win over Indiana, completing 12-16 passes for 253 yards and a career-best four touchdowns. Vandenberg completed 16-24 passes for 177 yards at Minnesota, with one touchdown and no interceptions. Ten of his 17 touchdown passes this season have covered over 20 yards. In Iowa’s win over Michigan, he completed 14-21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions. In nine games, Vandenberg has completed 154-246 (.626) passes for 2,089 yards and 18 touchdowns, with just four interceptions. He is second in the Big Ten in passing yards (232.1) and third in pass efficiency (154.8). 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. He ranks 15th in career passing yards (2,397) and is tied for 10th in career touchdown passes (21). Vandenberg is 7-4 as Iowa’s starting quarterback, with two of the losses in overtime (at Iowa State, 2011 and at Ohio State, 2009). All seven wins have come at home.

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Sophomore PK Mike Meyer has been named one of 20 semifinal candidates for the 2011 Lou Groza Award, presented each year to the top place kicker in the nation. Meyer has made 13-17 (.765) field goal attempts and is a perfect 34-34 in PAT kicks. Two of his four misses, both from beyond 40 yards, have hit the upright. He is tied for 23rd nationally in field goals per game (1.4). Meyer is third in the Big Ten in field goals per game, second in kick scoring (8.1), sixth in field goal percentage (76.5%) and fourth in total scoring. He made a 22-yard field goal in the win over Pitt before missing from 40 and 50 yards and made his only attempt vs. ULM and Penn State (both from 23 yards). He was perfect against Northwestern, with field goals of 27 and 40 yards while converting five PATs. His only field goal attempt in the win over Indiana was good from 47 yards and he added 6-6 PATs. One of his two misses at Minnesota hit the upright and he made his only attempt (42 yards) in the win over Michigan. 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 73 points and has made 27-34 (.794) career field goal attempts. He ranks 16th in career scoring with 146 points.

MORRIS LEADS IN TACKLES
Sophomore LB James Morris returned to the starting line-up in Iowa’s win over Indiana after missing the Northwestern game due to injury. He matched his career best with 13 tackles at Minnesota, with 10 solo tackles and a tackle for loss, while moving from the middle position to the weak side. He collected eight tackles in the win over Michigan. Morris leads Iowa in tackles per game (10.5), ranking third in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation. He has 43 solo stops and 41 assists, along with one pass interception, in eight games. Morris collected five solo stops and eight assists in Iowa’s loss at Penn State to again equal his career high of 13 tackles. He collected 10 tackles in wins over ULM and Indiana. Morris also had 13 tackles in the win over Pittsburgh.

KIRKSEY STEADY ON DEFENSE
Sophomore LB Christian Kirksey has recorded 81 tackles (47 solo) in nine games to rank second on the team. Kirksey ranks sixth in the Big Ten in tackles. He also has three tackles for loss, one QB sack, two pass break-ups, two caused fumbles and one fumble recovery. He collected his first career interception in Iowa’s win over Michigan, stopping a Michigan red-zone possession. Kirksey 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 and Penn State and had eight stops in the win over Pittsburgh. He added his second forced fumble of the season at Penn State. He had nine tackles in a win over Northwestern and led the Iowa defense with 12 tackles in the win over Indiana.

TOP HAWKEYE PERFORMERS

  • Senior Eric Guthrie has taken over the punting duties in 2011 and is averaging 41.7 yards on 29 punts. He is a candidate for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. Guthrie has 11 punts inside the 20, with just one touchback, and opponents are averaging just 5.2 yards on eight returns. He had a career-long 59-yard punt at Iowa State, where he averaged 46.8 yards on four punts. He had at least one punt of 50 yards or more in three straight games before having two punts of 49 yards at Penn State.
  • Senior DL Mike Daniels has collected 41 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss and four QB sacks. He also has three QB pressures.
  • Senior DL Tom Nardo had a career-high 12 tackles in Iowa’s win over ULM, earning Big Ten defensive Player of the Week honors. Nardo has started four games at tackle and in six games has 38 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, a pass break-up and a caused fumble. He missed three games due to injury before returning to the starting line-up in the win over Michigan.
  • Junior WR Keenan Davis recorded career bests in catches and yards in Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh. 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. He had a 23-yard scoring reception in a win over ULM. He led Iowa receivers with 109 yards on five catches vs. Northwestern, including a 47-yard scoring grab that ranks as the longest reception of his career. Davis has 32 receptions for 515 yards and four touchdowns and he is averaging 20.7 yards on three KO returns. Davis was recently added to the Watch List for the Biletnikoff Award. He did not play at Minnesota due to injury, but returned to the starting line-up in Iowa’s win over Michigan and had two receptions for 52 yards.
  • Senior DB Jordan Bernstine has played well in eight 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 added two tackles in the win over ULM and had eight tackles and a pass break-up at Penn State. He added eight tackles and a pass break-up in a win over Northwestern and had six tackles vs. Indiana. He collected five tackles at Minnesota and his fumble recovery led to Iowa’s first touchdown. He added a career-best 15 tackles in the win over Michigan. Bernstine is also averaging 24.2 yards on 20 KO returns. He had a career-long 62-yard return in the win over Indiana, averaging 38.3 yards on three returns.
  • Redshirt freshman WR Kevonte Martin-Manley has 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. He added six receptions for 82 yards in the win over ULM and had three receptions for 21 yards at Penn State. He returned to the starting line-up at Minnesota and had five receptions for 35 yards. For the season, he has 24 receptions for 251 yards.

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 70 interceptions, a total that ranks second in the nation over that span (Florida, 72). Iowa has seven interceptions this season, with two of those being returned for touchdowns (89 yards by DB Shaun Prater and 98 yards by DB Tanner Miller). LB James Morris also has a 52-yard return that led to a field goal. 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 of 13 seasons under Kirk Ferentz. In addition, in each of the last four seasons, Iowa has had more interceptions than touchdown passes allowed.

AMONG CAREER LEADERS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., has set the Iowa record for career touchdown receptions (25), is second in receiving yards, sixth in career catches (145-2,505) and tied for 14th in career scoring (150 points). 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 in return yards and Hyde is 11th. They both have seven career thefts (tie for 25th) and each have two touchdown returns. Among Iowa’s career leaders, only Tom Knight (three) and Plez Atkins (two) have more than one touchdown return. Sophomore PK Mike Meyer is 16th in career scoring with 146 points, junior QB James Vandenberg is 15th in career passing yards (2,397) and tied for 10th in career passing touchdowns (21) and sophomore RB Marcus Coker is 15th in career rushing (1,723).

NEW FACES ON THE FIELD
Iowa has played 10 true freshmen in 2011, including five on offense and five on defense. The list includes RB Mika’il McCall, RB Damon Bullock, WR Marcus Grant, TE Ray Hamilton, LB John Lowdermilk, DB Nico Law, DB Jordan Lomax, LB Marcus Collins RB Jordan Canzeri and LB Quinton Alston. Iowa played nine true freshmen in 2010, but just three true freshmen in 2009. The Hawkeyes played seven true freshmen in 2000, 2003 and 2008. The high mark for true freshman under Coach Kirk Ferentz is 11 in 2007. Hawkeyes who have seen the first action of their career this season, in addition to the 10 true freshmen, include QB/LB A.J. Derby, FB Matt Meyers, WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, RB De’Andre Johnson, LB Terrance Pryor, OL Andrew Donnal, OL Tommy Gaul, WR Steven Staggs, DL Mike Hardy, DL Carl Davis, DL Louis Trinca-Pasat and WR Jordan Cotton. Eighteen Hawkeyes have started for the first time in 2011, including TE Zach Derby, FB Jonathan Gimm, OL Matt Tobin, TE Brad Herman, FB Matt Meyers, WR Keenan Davis, DL Lebron Daniel, DL Tom Nardo, DL Dominic Alvis, LB Christian Kirksey, DB Jordan Bernstine, DB Collin Sleeper, DB Tanner Miller, WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, OLB Tom Donatell, DL Steve Bigach, OL Brandon Scherff and TE C.J. Fiedorowicz.

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.

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).

HEROES CAN BE NOMINATED
One hero from both Iowa and Nebraska will be honored when Iowa and Nebraska play the inaugural Heroes Game presented by Hy-Vee, on Friday, Nov. 25 in Lincoln, Neb. A nominee must be at least 18 years of age and live, work or go to school in either Iowa or Nebraska. However, the act of heroism or good deed need not have occurred in either state. One person from both Iowa and Nebraska will be selected to represent each state at the Heroes Game. They will receive four tickets to the football game, participate in an on-field presentation, and have their name and hometown inscribed on the Heroes Game trophy. Nominations were accepted from Sept. 23 to Oct. 31. Nominations not recognized at the Heroes Game will be considered for recognition at the American Red Cross Heroes of the Heartland events in selected Iowa and Nebraska cities and towns in March, 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. A total of 12 former Hawkeyes were rookies in 2011 NFL training camps.
  • Iowa was the only program to have three defensive linemen selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, and all three are on NFL rosters.
  • 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 35 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 10 years, 90 of 100 (90%) of Iowa’s senior starters have been drafted in the NFL or signed NFL free agent contracts.
  • At least one Iowa Hawkeye has been selected in every NFL Draft since 1978.
  • Iowa has had the most offensive linemen (11) drafted in the NFL since the 2003 NFL Draft.
  • Iowa has placed 20 defensive linemen in the NFL under Kirk Ferentz. Every senior starter (seven) under defensive line Coach Rick Kaczenski has gone on to the NFL.
  • Defensive secondary Coach Phil Parker has coached 14 Iowa defensive backs to the NFL and Iowa defensive backs have earned all-Big Ten honors 25 times.

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.

IOWA PROGRAM NOTES
Iowa was bowl eligible in 2010 for the 10th straight season and is bowl eligible again in 2011. 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.

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. Nebraska, in its first season in the Big Ten Conference, has won 24 of its 47 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, 2002-11
Iowa has posted 84 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ties as the 16th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (115); USC (106); Oklahoma (106); Ohio State (105); LSU (101); Texas (101); Virginia Tech (99); TCU (99); Georgia (95); Auburn (93); Florida (93); West Virginia (91); Wisconsin (88); Alabama (87); Utah (88); IOWA (84); Texas Tech (84); Boston College (82); Penn State (81) and Miami, FL (82).

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 110 players includes 42 players from Iowa. The roster includes 16 players from Illinois; 10 from Ohio; five from Maryland; four from Florida and Texas; three from Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey and Wisconsin; two from Minnesota, Nebraska and Pennsylvania; one from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New York and South Dakota; and one from Australia and Canada.

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

Kirk Ferentz RADIO SHOW
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is featured on “Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz” each week. The 90-minute radio call-in show is hosted by Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The show airs each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from Carlos O’Kelly’s in Iowa City.

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 plays its final two games on the road, traveling to Purdue Nov. 19 (11 a.m. CT, BTN) and playing at Nebraska on Friday, Nov. 25 (11 a.m., ABC).

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.

related STORIES

Football Ticket Timeline and Fall Promotions Announced
Football Ticket Timeline and Fall Promotions Announced
Coordinators News Conference Transcript | April 18
Coordinators News Conference Transcript | April 18
Watch Live: Football Coordinators Spring News Conference
Watch Live: Football Coordinators Spring News Conference