Nov. 12, 2011
Iowa completes its home season with a 6-1 record, splitting its last two home games against ranked opponents. Iowa has won 55 of its last 67 home games, dating back to the 2002 season. The Hawkeyes are now 23-5 at home the last four seasons.
Today was the final home game for Iowa’s senior class.
MCNUTT SETS RECEIVERING RECORD
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. became Iowa’s career and single-season leader in receiving yards today. He became the all-time leader with a 48-yard reception in the third period. For the day, he had eight catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. The score came on a 3-yard catch in the third quarter. It marked the third straight week McNutt collected over 100 receiving yards. McNutt, Jr. has posted over 100 receiving yards in seven games this year. He now has 153 career receptions for 2,635 yards. McNutt, Jr. now ranks third in career receptions and first in career yards.
For the season, McNutt, Jr. has 65 receptions for 1,089 yards (16.8 avg.) and 10 scores. The 1,089 yards is an Iowa single-season record and his 65 receptions rank second best. His 10 receiving touchdowns this season rank one shy of Iowa’s school record (Maurice Brown, 11 in 2002). McNutt has scored 156 career points, which ranks 14th at Iowa.
McNutt, Jr. has 26 career touchdown receptions. He had eight scoring receptions in both 2009 and 2010.
Career Receiving Leaders
| Name | No-Yards | Avg. | TDs | Years |
| 1. Marvin McNutt, Jr. | 153-2,635 | 17.2 | 26 | 2008-present |
| 2. D. Johnson-Koulianos | 173-2,616 | 15.1 | 17 | 2007-10 |
| 3. Tim Dwight | 139-2,271 | 16.3 | 21 | 1994-97 |
| 4. Danan Hughes | 146-2,216 | 15.2 | 21 | 1989-92 |
| 5. Ronnie Harmon | 146-2,045 | 14.0 | 10 | 1982-85 |
| 6. Kevin Kasper | 157-1,974 | 12.6 | 11 | 1997-00 |
COKER LEADS GROUND GAME
Sophomore RB Marcus Coker led the Iowa rushing attack with 21 carries for 57 yards. Coker scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter. He has scored two touchdowns in six games in his career, including the last four games before today. He has 13 rushing touchdowns this season, which is the fourth most in a single season at Iowa.
Coker has surpassed 100 rushing yards six times this season and eight times in his career.
For the season, Coker has rushed the ball 232 times for 1,158 yards (5.0 avg.). The 1,158 yards ranks ninth in a single-season at Iowa.
IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was a 3-4 in the red zone today, scoring three touchdowns. Iowa had touchdown passes of eight (C.J. Fiedorowicz) and three (Marvin McNutt, Jr.) yards and a rushing score of two yards by Marcus Coker. The Hawkeyes fumbled on its fourth and final red zone possession.
The Hawkeyes have scored on 141 of the last 156 red zone possessions (93 TDs and 44 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa has scored on 122-137 combined inside the red zone in its last 39 games.
Michigan State was 4-4 inside the red zone, scoring two touchdowns and two field goals.
POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa failed to collect a takeaway today. Iowa has scored 40 points in nine games following 14 opponent turnovers (seven fumbles, seven interceptions).
The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 63 of its last 72 games, dating back to 2006.
Michigan State scored 14 points after collecting three takeaways (two fumbles and one interception). Iowa opponents have scored 31 points following 12 Iowa turnovers in 2011.
SHORT DRIVES
Michigan State took advantage of field position in scoring 31 points in the first half. The Spartans drove 19 yards after an interception, 35 yards after a punt return and 27 yards after a fumble recovery, scoring a touchdown on each of those three possessions. The Spartans scored 14 points in the final 1:57 of the second quarter. Iowa entered the game ranked seventh in the nation with just nine turnovers in its first nine games.
STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. Iowa has started on offense in 132 of its last 153 contests. The Hawkeyes have started the game on offense in 136-of-159 games under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa games vs. Michigan (11/5/11), 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 14 of the 21 games.
OPENING DRIVE
Iowa did not score on its opening possession for the fifth time in 10 games. Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Iowa State, ULM, Indiana and Michigan and a field goal vs. Northwestern.
Michigan State scored a touchdown its first possession. Iowa has allowed five opponents to score on their opening drive, including three field goals and two touchdowns. Iowa has allowed 13 opponents to score on their opening drive in its last 49 games.
QUICK HITS
· Senior DB Jordan Bernstine had a 61-yard KO return in the third quarter that set up an Iowa touchdown. Bernstine’s career-long is a 62 yard return against Indiana earlier this season. Bernstine ended the day with career-best in KO returns and yards (5-132).
· Sophomore TE C.J. Fiedorowicz started for the second straight game and had the first touchdown reception of his career.
· DE Lebron Daniel returned to the starting line-up, replacing the injured Dominic Alvis.
· LB Anthony Hitchens returned to action after missing five straight games.
· LB Chistian Kirksey led Iowa with nine tackles, including one for loss. DB Shaun Prater had eight stops.
· Michigan State’s average field position today was the 37-yard line, compared to the 25 for Iowa.
VANDENBERG ON TARGET
Junior QB James Vandenberg completed 22-47 passes for 262 yards and two scores. The 47 attempts was one shy of his career high (48 vs. Pittsburgh).
Vandenberg has completed 176-293 passes for 2,351 yards. Vandenberg moves up the single-season passing chart to 13th. His career numbers are 2,641 yards on 221-388 passing. The 2,641 career passing yards also rank 13th.
Vandenberg has 20 touchdown passes this season, with 11 of the 20 covering 20 yards or more.
He had four touchdown passes against Indiana and three in wins over Pittsburgh and Louisiana-Monroe.
INSTANT REPLAY
Instant replay was used late in the second quarter. Iowa’s runner on KO return was ruled down before fumble, but after the review, the call was changed and Michigan State gained possession.
NEXT ON THE SCHEDULE
Iowa travels to Purdue next Saturday (11 a.m. CT, BTN) and plays at Nebraska Friday, Nov. 25 (11 a.m. ABC).