Iowa Travels to Nebraska For Friday Contest

Nov. 21, 2011

Iowa at Nebraska Game Notes

IOWA CLOSES REGULAR SEASON AT NEBRASKA
Iowa (7-4, 4-3) travels to No. 22 Nebraska (8-3, 4-3) Friday for the first meeting with the Cornhuskers since 2000 and the first football contest with Nebraska as a member of the Big Ten Conference. Game time is 11:07 a.m. (CT) in Memorial Stadium (81,091). The game is sold out. The Hawkeyes have defeated Tennessee Tech (34-7), Pittsburgh (31-27), Louisiana-Monroe (45-17), Northwestern (41-31), Indiana (45-24), 13th-ranked Michigan (24-16) and Purdue (31-21). Iowa was defeated, (44-41) in three overtimes at Iowa State, at Penn State (13-3), at Minnesota (22-21) and by Michigan State (37-21). Nebraska has defeated Chattanooga (40-7), Fresno State (42-29), Washington (51-38), Wyoming (38-14), Ohio State (34-27), Minnesota (41-14), Michigan State (24-3) and Penn State (17-14). The Cornhuskers have lost to Wisconsin (48-17) and Northwestern (28-25) and Michigan (45-17).

ON THE TUBE
ABC (HD) will televise the contest to a national audience. Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie and Jeannine Edwards 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. Westwood One Radio Sports will carry the game to a national audience, with John Tautges and Trent Green calling the action. The game can also be heard on Sirius channel 94 and XM channel 191.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,153 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 594-520-39 (.532). That includes a 376-202-16 (.646) record in home games, a 218-318-23 (.411) record in games away from Iowa City, a 293-351-25 (.457) mark in Big Ten games and a 259-166-15 (.606) record in Kinnick Stadium.

IOWA BOWL ELIGIBLE AGAIN
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.

HAWKEYE HUDDLE AT NEBRASKA
Iowa fans traveling to Nebraska for Friday’s contest against the Cornhuskers should make plans to attend the “Hawkeye Huddle” prior to kickoff. The Hawkeye Huddle is presented by the National I-Club and the UI Alumni Association. The Huddle will be held from 8-10 a.m. at the Pershing Center, 226 Centennial Mall South, in Lincoln. The Pershing Center is located one mile from Memorial Stadium. Admission to the Hawkeye Huddle is free and includes cash refreshments, snacks, door prizes, cheerleaders and Herky. Visit www.jointheiclub.com for additional information.

INAUGURAL BATTLE FOR HEROES TROPHY
Iowa and Nebraska are playing “The Heroes Game” Friday, with the winner claiming the newly created 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 TO BE RECOGNIZED FRIDAY
One hero from both Iowa and Nebraska will be honored when the teams meet in the inaugural Heroes Game presented by Hy-Vee, on Friday in Lincoln. One person from both Iowa and Nebraska will be selected to represent each state at the Heroes Game. Those to be recognized will the announced Wednesday. They will receive four tickets to Friday’s 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. All nominees 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. Nominees 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.

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.

IOWA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Iowa is 1-1 in 2011 against ranked opponents, defeating 13th-ranked Michigan and losing to 13th-ranked Michigan State earlier this month, both at home. Iowa closes the regular season at Nebraska, which is ranked 22nd. 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. Iowa recorded a victory over a top-five ranked team in each 2008, 2009 and 2010.

MCNUTT, JR. SETS RECORDS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. has established a single season record for touchdown receptions with 12 this season (Maurice Brown had 11 in 2002). He also holds Iowa records for single season yardage (1,240), career yardage (2,786) and career scoring receptions (28). McNutt had eight scoring receptions in both 2009 and 2010. McNutt has had over 100 receiving yards in five straight games and eight games for the year. He ranks second in receptions in a season (74) and career receptions (162). He had 184 receiving yards (six catches) vs. Indiana, the eighth best single-game total at Iowa, and 151 yards on nine receptions in the win at Purdue. McNutt ranks 10th in career scoring with 168 points.

MCNUTT IN BIG TEN RECORDS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. ranks 10th all-time in the Big Ten Conference in career touchdown receptions. With two scoring receptions in the win at Purdue, McNutt has 12 touchdowns in 2011 and 28 career scores. He had eight touchdowns in both 2009 and 2010. With the 28 touchdowns, McNutt moves past six former players who were tied for the 10th spot with 27 touchdowns. In addition, McNutt is close to adding his name to the Big Ten record book in two additional categories. With 1,240 receiving yards this season, McNutt is just 20 yards shy of ranking in the top 10 in that category. With two additional touchdown catches McNutt could also move into the top 10 in single season scoring receptions, as six players are tied for sixth with 14 touchdowns.

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 41 of his PAT attempts and 14-20 field goal attempts, with three of the missed kicks hitting the upright and another being blocked. He is second on the team with 83 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 14 field goals are at least 40 yards. He has 156 career points to rank 15th in career scoring.

THREE EARN ACADEMIC HONORS
Three members of the University of Iowa football program were named to the Capital One Academic All-District Six first team. Those players include senior LB Tyler Nielsen, junior QB James Vandenberg and junior DL Steve Bigach. Each of the three will now have their name placed on the national ballot for Capital One Academic All-America honors. Nielsen holds a 3.56 GPA and is a marketing major who has already earned his bachelor’s degree. He has earned academic all-Big Ten recognition in each of the past three seasons. Nielsen has started 10 games in 2011, missing the Indiana game due to injury. He has played both the outside and middle linebacker positions. He has recorded 54 tackles, including four for loss and a QB sack. He has forced one fumble and has two fumble recoveries. Vandenberg has started all 11 games. He carries a 3.34 GPA and is majoring in integrative physiology. Vandenberg earned academic all-Big Ten honors in 2010. He has completed 198-325 pass attempts for 2,624 yards and 23 touchdowns, with just five interceptions. Bigach is majoring in integrative physiology and mathematics and has a 3.65 GPA. He also earned academic all-Big Ten honors in 2010. He has played in 10 games, earning three starts at defensive tackle and one at defensive end. He has recorded 10 solo tackles and 20 assists. In the last 13 seasons, under Coach Kirk Ferentz, 19 Iowa football student-athletes have combined to earn academic all-District and all-America recognition on 34 occasions.

THREE EARN RECOGNITION
Three Hawkeyes earned recognition from the College Football Performance Award for their play in Iowa’s 31-21 win at Purdue. Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. was named national Wide Receiver of the Week, senior DL Mike Daniels earned honorable mention Defensive Lineman of the Week and sophomore DB Tanner Miller earned honorable mention Defensive Back of the Week. McNutt led Iowa receivers with nine receptions for 151 yards, including scoring receptions of 26 and 51 yards, setting an Iowa record for touchdown receptions in a season (12). Daniels led Iowa’s defense with eight tackles, including six solo stops, four tackles for loss and two QB sacks. Miller had two interceptions, the second and third of his career, with both stopping Purdue drives deep in Iowa territory.

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

  • WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. was named honorable mention Wide Receiver of the Week by the College football Performance Awards for his play against Michigan State. McNutt, Jr. had eight receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown, along with 27 yards on two rushing attempts. He became Iowa’s single-season (1,089) and career (2,635) leader in receiving yardage.
  • 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. Nielsen 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.
  • 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, Indiana and Michigan State. 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.

SURPASSING 1,000-YARDS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and sophomore RB Marcus Coker give Iowa a 1,200-yard receiver and 1,200-rusher in the same season for the first time ever. Coker has rushed for 1,297 yards, while McNutt has 1,240 receiving yards. The two have combined for 26 of Iowa’s 40 offensive touchdowns. In addition, junior QB James Vandenberg has passed for 2,624 yards. An Iowa running back has gained over 1,000 rushing yards in 17 seasons (seven times under Kirk Ferentz). McNutt is just the fourth Hawkeye receiver to total over 1,000 receiving yards in one season, the second under Ferentz.

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 IN NCAA STATS
As a team, Iowa is sixth nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (34.3), tied for ninth in red zone defense (71.4%), tied for 17th in fewest turnovers (14), 17th in fewest penalties per game (4.6), 26th in pass efficiency (147.5), tied for 31st in turnover margin (+.4) and 32nd in net punting (38.2). Individually, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., is eighth in receiving yards per game (112.7) and tied for 20th in receptions per game (6.7), RB Marcus Coker is 13th in rushing yards per game (117.9), DB Shaun Prater is tied for 14th with four forced fumbles, QB James Vandenberg is 25th in pass efficiency (149.0) and 33rd in passing yards (238.5), LB James Morris is 34th in tackles per game (9.2) and PK Mike Meyer is 35th in field goals per game (1.3). 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.

COACH Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz (pronounced FAIR-rintz, rhymes with parents) is in his 13th season as head football coach at Iowa and is the dean of Big Ten Conference football coaches. 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 92-45 (.671) overall mark and a 54-33 (.621) 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 96-64 (.600) and a 57-46 (.553) mark in Big Ten games. In his 16th season as a college head coach, he holds a career mark of 108-85 (.560). Sixty of Iowa’s 159 games under Ferentz have been decided by seven points or less (27-33) and 48 were played against opponents who were ranked in the top 25 at the time (21-27). 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 FIFTH IN LONGEVITY
Now in his 13th season as Iowa’s head football coach, Kirk Ferentz ranks fifth in longevity among FBS head coaches. Ferentz is the dean of Big Ten coaches and nationally ranks behind 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 fourth in the nation behind Gary Pinkel (Toledo/Missouri), Frank Beamer (Murray State/Virginia Tech) and Jim Grobe (Elon/Wake Forest).

NEBRASKA COACH BO PELINI
Bo Pelini is in his fourth year as a college head coach, all at Nebraska. He has a 38-15 record. Pelini guided Nebraska to nine or more wins in each of his first three seasons, including 10 wins in both 2009 and 2010. The Huskers played in the Big 12 championship game in both 2009 and 2010 and won or shared their division title the last three seasons. Pelini began his college coaching career as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa in 1991, helping Iowa post a 10-1-1 record. After coaching in the high school ranks, Pelini was an NFL assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers (1994-96), New England Patriots (1997-99) and Green Bay Packers (2000-02). He served as defensive coordinator at Nebraska in 2003 and was co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma in 2004. He was the defensive coordinator at LSU from 2005-07 before taking his current position. Pelini is a 1990 Ohio State graduate and was a four-year letterman as a Buckeye defensive back (1987-90), serving as co-captain as a senior.

NOTES AND CONNECTIONS

  • This marks the ninth time Nebraska has been in the top 25 rankings the week of the Iowa game, while Iowa has never been ranked the week it plays Nebraska. Nebraska has won seven of the previous eight games when playing Iowa while ranked
  • Iowa’s Marcus Coker is 13th nationally in rushing yards per game (117.9), while Nebraska’s Rex Burkhead is 23rd (100.7)
  • Iowa is 32nd nationally in net punting (38.2), while Nebraska is 21st (38.8)
  • Iowa is tied for ninth nationally in red zone defense (71%), while Nebraska is 19th in red zone offense (89%)
  • Nebraska ranks sixth in the nation in KO returns, averaging 25.9 yards per return
  • Iowa is 26th nationally in pass efficiency (147.5), while Nebraska is 19th in pass defense (189.7) and 30th in pass efficiency defense (119.3)
  • Iowa PK Mike Meyer averages just under 1.3 field goals per game, while Nebraska’s Brett Maher averages just over 1.3 per contest
  • Along with serving as a graduate assistant coach at Iowa in 1991, Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini helped Ohio State post a 2-1-1 record against Iowa during his playing career (1987-90).
  • James Dobson, Nebraska’s head strength coach, was a member of the strength training staff for Iowa football from 1999-07. Nebraska assistant strength coach Tyler Clarke also was previously a member of Iowa’s strength training staff.
  • Nebraska assistant Ron Brown was on the Husker staff when Nebraska defeated Iowa in 1999 and 2000.
  • Nebraska assistant Barney Cotton was an assistant coach at Iowa State from 2004-06, helping the Cyclones win one of three meetings with the Hawkeyes.
  • Nebraska assistant Rich Fisher played at Colorado when the Buffalos defeated Iowa 24-21 in 1988 in Iowa City and 28-12 in 1992 in Boulder. He was a member of Colorado’s national championship team in 1990.
  • Nebraska assistant John Papuchis was a graduate assistant coach at LSU when Iowa defeated the Tigers in the 2005 Capital One Bowl.
  • Iowa has two players on its roster from the state of Nebraska, including senior DB Shaun Prater and freshman LB Cole Fisher.
  • Junior TE Ben Cotton (Ames) is the only Iowan on the Nebraska roster.
  • Hawkeye players celebrating their birthday this week include James Morris (Nov. 20), James Vandenberg (24th), Shane DiBona (26th), Torrey Campbell (27th) and John Wienke (29th).

BROTHERLY BATTLE
Iowa linebacker Cole Fisher and Nebraska linebacker Sean Fisher are brothers. Cole is a true freshman with the Hawkeyes and has not played this season, while Sean is a junior at Nebraska. The Fisher’s are from Omaha. Their father, Todd, was a defensive back for the Cornhuskers, lettering in 1983.

THE SERIES
Nebraska holds a 26-12-3 advantage in the series that began with a 22-0 Iowa victory in 1891. The teams have not met since 2000 and the Huskers have won the last three meetings. Nebraska prevailed 42-13 in Lincoln in 2000 and won 42-7 in Iowa City in 1999 in the most recent meetings. The 1999 contest in Kinnick Stadium marked Coach Kirk Ferentz’ first game as Iowa’s head coach. Iowa’s most recent win in the series was a 10-7 victory at Iowa City in 1981. That game marked the first game in which Kirk Ferentz served as an Iowa assistant, being named Iowa’s offensive line coach prior to the season. Nebraska holds a 14-2-1 advantage in games played in Lincoln. Iowa has not won in Lincoln since a 33-13 win in 1933, having lost on its last four visits to Memorial Stadium. The first 10 games in the series were played in either Omaha (eight games) or Council Bluffs (two games). The series was even at 4-4-2 in those 10 meetings.

NEBRASKA WON LAST MEETING
Nebraska outscored Iowa 21-0 in the second half in pulling away to a 42-13 win over the Hawkeyes in Lincoln on Sept. 23, 2000, when the teams last met. Iowa drove 76 yards for a touchdown on its opening possession for a 7-0 lead, but the Huskers tied the game midway through the period and the teams were tied 7-7 after one quarter. Nebraska took a 14-7 lead in the second period before Iowa cut the deficit to a single point on Nate Kaeding field goals of 40 and 39 yards. Nebraska scored on a 43-yard pass on the final play of the first half for a 21-13 halftime advantage. The Huskers dominated the second half. Iowa had just one possession in the final two quarters of more than six plays. Still, Nebraska led by a 28-13 margin before collecting two touchdowns in the final 1:27 of the fourth quarter. The big difference in the contest was rushing yardage, as Nebraska held a 331-47 advantage. In total offense, the Huskers held a 490-299 advantage. RB Ladell Betts led Iowa’s rushing attack with 75 yards on 20 carries, while QB Scott Mullen completed 19-40 passes for 252 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. LB Mike Dolezal led Iowa’s defense with 17 tackles. LB Roger Meyer had two tackles for loss and DL Jerry Montgomery recovered a fumble.

IOWA WINS AT PURDUE
Iowa used a balanced offensive attack and a solid defensive performance in taking a 31-21 win at Purdue for its first road win of the season. Iowa took the opening kick and drove 80 yards for a score, a 26-yard pass from QB James Vandenberg to WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. Purdue answered with a touchdown drive on its opening possession as well, but Iowa regained the lead in the final minute of the opening period on a 5-yard pass from Vandenberg to TE C.J. Fiedorowicz. Purdue again tied the score, getting a touchdown after recovering a Vandenberg fumble in the end zone with less than five minutes left in the half. Iowa responded with a 70-yard scoring drive, taking a 21-14 halftime advantage after RB Marcus Coker scored on a 2-yard run with 31 seconds left in the quarter. Iowa scored the only points of the third quarter on a 38-yard field goal by PK Mike Meyer. The Hawkeyes increased the advantage to 31-14 with 14:52 remaining on a 51-yard strike from Vandenberg to McNutt, who set an Iowa single-season touchdown record with his 12th score of the year. Purdue scored the final points of the game with just under 12 minutes to play on an 11-yard run by Ralph Bolden, leaving Iowa with the 31-21 advantage. Purdue threatened to score in the final two minutes, but lost a fumble into the end zone for a touchback on its final possession before Iowa ran out the clock. Vandenberg led Iowa’s offense, completing 22-32 passes for 273 yards and three scores. McNutt tied his single-game high with nine receptions for 151 yards and Coker had 139 yards on 31 rushing attempts. Keenan Davis added seven receptions for 63 yards. Iowa’s defense allowed just 282 yards total offense and 14 points, as the Purdue defense scored one touchdown on a fumble recovery. Senior DL Mike Daniels led the Iowa defense with eight tackles, including six solo stops, four tackles for loss and two QB sacks. DE Broderick Binns collected seven tackles and DB Tanner Miller had two interceptions. Kyle Steinbrecher blocked a Purdue punt and Anthony Hitchens added a fumble recovery.

EXTRA POINTS VS. PURDUE

  • Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. had two touchdown receptions, increasing his season total to 12, which is an Iowa single-season record (Maurice Brown had 11 in 2002). McNutt also holds Iowa records for receiving yards in a season (1,240) and career (2,786). For the day, he had nine catches for 151 yards and two touchdowns, tying a career-high with nine receptions. It marked the fifth straight week McNutt collected over 100 receiving yards. McNutt has posted over 100 receiving yards in eight games this year. He ranks second in career receptions and first in career yards. He is 11 receptions from tying the career receptions record at Iowa.
  • For the season, McNutt has 74 receptions for 1,240 yards (16.8 avg.) and 12 scores. The 1,240 yards are an Iowa single-season record and his 74 receptions rank second best. McNutt has 168 career points, which ranks 11th at Iowa, and he has 28 career touchdown receptions.
  • Senior DT Mike Daniels matched a career high with eight tackles, including four TFLs and two sacks. The two sacks are a career high and the tackles for loss equal a personal best.
  • Sophomore LB Anthony Hitchens had the first fumble recovery of his career, that coming on a Purdue KO return near the end of the first period. Hitchens missed five games earlier in the season due to injury before returning to special teams play a week ago.
  • Sophomore TE C.J. Fiedorowicz started for the third straight game and had a touchdown reception for the second straight contest.
  • Senior Kyle Steinbrecher had a blocked punt in the second quarter, with the kick recovered by junior Collin Sleeper. The blocked punt is the first for Iowa this season and the first for Iowa since the opening game of the 2010 season.
  • Sophomore Mike Meyer converted a 38-yard field goal in the third period. He missed his only attempt in the first half, hitting the right upright. Three of his misses this season have hit an upright and he is 14-20 for the season.
  • The game marked the fifth time in 11 games in which RB Marcus Coker (31-139) and WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. (9-151) have each surpassed 100 yards in the same game.
  • Sophomore DB Tanner Miller had two interceptions, the second and third of his career. It marks the second time this season an Iowa player has had two thefts in one game, as Micah Hyde had two in Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh. Miller’s previous theft was returned for a touchdown earlier this year vs. Northwestern.
  • Sophomore RB Marcus Coker led the Iowa rushing attack with 31 carries for 139 yards. Coker scored on a 2-yard run in the second quarter. He has 14 rushing touchdowns this season, which is the fourth most in a single season at Iowa. Coker has surpassed 100 rushing yards seven times this season and nine times in his career. For the season, Coker has rushed 263 times for 1,297 yards (4.9 avg.). The 1,297 yards ranks sixth best in a single season at Iowa.
  • Junior QB James Vandenberg completed 22-32 passes for 273 yards and three scores. Vandenberg’s three TD passes against Purdue raises his season total to 23, which ranks third best at Iowa for a single season. Vandenberg has completed 198-325 passes for 2,624 yards in 11 games. Vandenberg moves up the single-season passing chart to eighth. His career numbers are 2,914 yards on 243-420 passing. The 2,914 career passing yards rank 13th. Vandenberg has 23 touchdown passes this season, with 13 of the 23 covering 20 yards or more. He had four touchdown passes against Indiana and three in wins over Pittsburgh, Louisiana-Monroe and Purdue.
  • Iowa scored on its opening possession for the sixth time in 11 games. Iowa scored a touchdown on its opening drive vs. Purdue, Iowa State, ULM, Indiana and Michigan and a field goal vs. Northwestern.
  • Purdue scored a touchdown its first possession. Iowa has allowed six opponents to score on their opening drive, including three field goals and three touchdowns. Iowa has allowed 14 opponents to score on their opening drive in its last 50 games.
  • Instant replay was used twice in the second quarter. Iowa blocked a Purdue punt and recovered. The call on the field was upheld. On the second review, an Iowa fumble at the 1-yard line was recovered by Purdue, at the one. After review, the play was changed to a Purdue touchdown. In the third period, a Purdue fumble (recovered by Iowa) on the opening kick return, was reversed to the return man being down before the fumble. Later in the third quarter, an Iowa fumble, recovered by Purdue, was reviewed. The call was reversed to no fumble. In the fourth quarter, a Purdue touchdown was reversed when replay revealed that the Purdue quarterback fumbled the ball as he was falling out of bounds and the ball hit the pylon for an Iowa touchback.

MICHIGAN SPURTS PAST NEBRASKA
Michigan outscored Nebraska 28-7 in the second half in taking a 45-17 win over the Huskers in Ann Arbor. Michigan drove 79 yards for the first touchdown of the game and led 10-0 before Nebraska got on the scoreboard on a 54-yard pass from Taylor Martinez to Brandon Kinnie in the final two minutes of the opening quarter. The Huskers tied the game with a 51-yard Brett Maher field goal before Michigan added a touchdown for a 17-10 halftime advantage. The Wolverines added touchdown drives on three of their first drives of the second half to take control. The first score of the third quarter followed a Nebraska fumble. Michigan drove 50 yards for a second score after holding on downs before Nebraska scored on a 3-yard run by Ameer Abdullah. The Wolverines added a 38-yard passing touchdown and a 31-yard scoring run to put the game away. Michigan gained 418 yards of total offense, including 238 rushing yards, while holding Nebraska to 260 total yards in the game. Michigan held Nebraska’s Red Burkhead to just 36 rushing yards, while Martinez rushed for 49 yards and completed 9-23 passes for 122 yards. The Husker defense was led by Lavonte David with 17 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss. Cameron Meredith added nine tackles.

Brett Greenwood FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED
Former Iowa DB Brett Greenwood (2007-10) collapsed during a routine workout in early September. His heart stopped due to an abnormal heart-rhythm, which resulted in injuries to his brain. Brett is recovering and working hard to regain his strength and mobility. Many have expressed a desire to support Brett in a tangible way. As a result, the Brett Greenwood Foundation has been established to accept contributions that will be used to directly support Brett as he continues to recover. Individuals who would like to contribute to the Brett Greenwood Foundation can make a donation at any of the 74 Wells Fargo banking stores in Iowa or the 6,300 locations across the nation. Donations also can be made online at www.brettgreenwoodfoundation.com or by mail at attn: Brett Greenwood Foundation, Wells Fargo, 2001 Spruce Hills Dr., Bettendorf, Iowa, 52722.

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.

WINNING AT HOME
Iowa has won 55 of its last 67 games (.821) in Kinnick Stadium, dating back to the 2002 season, including a 6-1 record in 2011. Iowa recorded a school-record 22-game home winning streak between 2002-05, which ended with an overtime loss to Michigan. Iowa is 23-5 (.821) 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.

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 all 11 games in 2011 and has started 32 consecutive games

WR Marvin McNutt, JR.

  • Second team All-Big Ten in 2010
  • Fourth team preseason All-America by Phil Steele’s College Football
  • Seventy-four receptions for 1,240 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011, to set single-season records for yardage and touchdowns and rank second best in a season for receptions
  • Fifty-three receptions for 861 yards and eight touchdowns in 2010, averaging 16.2 yards per catch. Receiving yardage ranks 11th best for single season
  • Twenty-eight career touchdown receptions is Iowa’s career record, with 12 scores in 2011 and eight in both 2009 and 2010
  • Career totals include 162 receptions for 2,786 yards to become all-time leader in receiving yards and rank second in receptions and 11th in career scoring with 168 points
  • Six receptions for 140 yards and two touchdowns in opening win over Tennessee Tech
  • Named national Wide Receiver of the Week by College Football Performance Awards for his play at Purdue (9-151-2 TDs)
  • Honorable mention Wide Receiver of the Week by College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Tennessee Tech and Michigan State
  • 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
  • Eight receptions for 130 yards and two rushing attempts for 27 yards vs. Michigan State
  • Matched career high with nine receptions for 151 yards and two touchdowns in win at Purdue

RB Marcus Coker

  • Leads Iowa rushing attack with 263 carries for 1,297 yards and 14 touchdowns, to rank fourth in touchdowns, fifth in carries and sixth in yards, for a single season
  • Eighty-four points ties as 15th best single season total
  • Career totals include 377 attempts for 1,919 yards and 17 touchdowns, to rank 13th in career rushing and 15th in rushing attempts
  • 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
  • Ranks second in the Big Ten and 13th nationally in rushing yards per game (117.9)
  • Has rushed for over 100 yards in seven games in 2011 and nine career games
  • Scored two touchdowns in four straight games before scoring once vs. Michigan State and Purdue
  • Rushed 31 times for 139 yards and one touchdown in win at Purdue
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Ranks 14th in the nation with four forced fumbles in 2011
  • 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
  • Five solo tackles and three assists against Michigan State
  • Six solo tackles, including a QB sack and forced fumble, and two pass break-ups in win at Purdue
  • 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
  • Has recorded 52 tackles in 2011 (25 solo), including 9.5 tackles for loss, six QB sacks and four QB pressures
  • Honorable mention Defensive Lineman of the Week by College Football Performance Awards for play in win at Purdue
  • Six solo tackles and two assists at Purdue, including four tackles for loss and two QB sacks
  • 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
  • Three tackles and a QB pressure vs. Michigan State

DB Micah Hyde

  • Defensive Player of the Game, 2010 Insight Bowl
  • Tied for team lead with three interceptions in 2011 and has seven career thefts
  • Tied for first in the Big Ten with 10 passes defended (7 PBU, 3 interceptions)
  • Tied for fifth in the Big Ten and 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
  • Five solo tackles, two assists and a pass break-up vs. Michigan State
  • Four solo tackles and one assist in win at Purdue

VANDENBERG STEPS IN AT QB

  • Has completed 198-325 (.609) passes for 2,624 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2011, with five interceptions
  • Thirteen of 23 touchdown passes have covered over 20 yards
  • Ranks third for touchdown passes in a season (23) and eighth in passing yards in a season (2,624)
  • Ranks 13th in career passing yards (2,932) and eighth in career touchdown passes (26)
  • Leads the Big Ten in passing yards per game (238.5), ranks second in pass efficiency (149.0) and third in total offense (243.7)
  • Named Big Ten Conference offensive Player of the Week after reaching career high marks in completions, attempts, passing yards and touchdowns in win over Pittsburgh. Also scored on a one-yard run and completed 17 of his last 20 passes in the second half
  • Completed 22-32 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns in win at Purdue
  • Completed 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns against Pittsburgh, with the three scoring passes coming in the fourth period
  • Completed 21-32 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in win over ULM, while also rushing for one score
  • Completed 17-34 passes for 169 yards in loss at Penn State, with no touchdowns and two interceptions
  • Completing 14-22 attempts for 224 yards in win over Northwestern, with scoring strikes of 47 and 35 yards.
  • Completed 12-16 passes for 253 yards and a career-best four touchdowns in win over Indiana
  • Completed 16-24 passes for 177 yards at Minnesota, with one touchdown and no interceptions
  • Completed 14-21 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions in win over 13th-ranked Michigan
  • Completed 16-28 attempts for 207 yards at Iowa State, with two touchdowns. Led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive and added the two-point conversion to give Iowa a 24-17 lead late in the game
  • Led team to 17 points in the three overtime periods at Iowa State

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Sophomore PK Mike Meyer is 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 14-20 (.700) field goal attempts and is a perfect 41-41 in PAT kicks. Three of his six misses have hit the upright, while another attempt was blocked. He is tied for 35th nationally in field goals per game (1.3). Meyer is third in the Big Ten in field goals per game, second in kick scoring (7.5), sixth in field goal percentage (70%) and sixth 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. He had a 38-yard field goal in the win at Purdue. 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 ranks 17th in single-season scoring with 83 points this season and he is tied for 15th in career scoring with 156 points. He has made 28-37 (.757) career field goal attempts.

KIRKSEY LEADS IN TACKLES
Sophomore LB Christian Kirksey has recorded 93 tackles (53 solo) in 11 games to lead the team. Kirksey ranks seventh in the Big Ten in tackles per game (8.5). He also has four tackles for loss, one QB sack, three 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. He added nine tackles and a tackle for loss vs. Michigan State. 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.

MORRIS STEADY ON DEFENSE
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 and had four tackles vs. Michigan State and Purdue. Morris is averaging 9.2 tackles per game, ranking fifth in the Big Ten. He has 47 solo stops and 45 assists, along with one pass interception, in 10 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.

TOP HAWKEYE PERFORMERS

  • Senior defensive end Broderick Binns has been a steady performer throughout the season. He has recorded 52 tackles (28 solo) and leads the team in tackles for loss (11.5 for 57 yards) and QB sacks (5 for 36 yards). He is also tied for the team lead with seven pass break-ups. Binns had seven tackles in a win at Purdue and at Penn State, and six stops vs. Michigan State. He had five stops in wins over Tennessee Tech, Pittsburgh and Indiana. Binns has recorded 171 career tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 13 QB sacks and 20 pass break-ups.
  • Senior Eric Guthrie has taken over the punting duties in 2011 and is averaging 40.7 yards on 40 punts. He is a candidate for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. Guthrie has 15 punts inside the 20, with just two touchbacks, and opponents are averaging just six yards on 10 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 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 five games at tackle and in eight games has 48 tackles, including five tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and a caused fumble. He missed three games due to injury before returning to the starting line-up in Iowa’s last three games.
  • 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 41 receptions for 596 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. He had seven receptions for 63 yards in the win at Purdue.
  • Senior DB Jordan Bernstine has played well in 10 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 and had five stops vs. Michigan State and Purdue. Bernstine is also averaging 24.4 yards on 27 KO returns. He had a career-long 62-yard return in the win over Indiana, averaging 38.3 yards on three returns. He had career bests of five returns for 132 yards vs. Michigan State.
  • 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 before collecting three receptions for 28 yards at Purdue. For the season, he has 28 receptions for 292 yards and three touchdowns.

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 72 interceptions, a total that ranks second in the nation over that span (Florida, 74). Iowa has nine 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 in 2010. 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 Iowa records for single season (12) and career touchdown receptions (28), along with single season (1,240) and career (2,786) receiving yards. McNutt is second in single season (74) and career (162) catches and 11th in career scoring (168 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 tied for 15th in career scoring with 156 points, junior QB James Vandenberg is third in single-season touchdown passes (23), eighth in passing yards (2,624), 13th in career passing yards (2,932) and eighth in career passing touchdowns (26). Sophomore RB Marcus Coker is sixth in rushing yards in a season (1,297), 13th in career yards (1,919) and fourth in single season rushing touchdowns (14).

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa had three pass plays against Purdue that covered at least 20 yards, along with a 38-yard field goal and a 23-yard KO return. In 11 games, Iowa has 42 pass plays and eight rushing plays, along with three interception returns, 23 KO returns, one punt return and 14 field goals, of at least 20 yards. Iowa opponents have 28 passing plays, eight rushing plays, two punt returns, two interception returns, one fumble return and 31 KO returns of 20 yards or more.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa has outscored its opponents in the first (69-50), second (106-58), third (61-57) and fourth (84-74) quarters. Iowa was outscored in three overtime periods (20-17) at Iowa State.

ON THE AVERAGE
Iowa averaged 3.7 yards on 32 first down plays, 7.1 yards on 26 second down plays, 6.2 yards on 16 third down plays and gained seven yards on its only fourth down attempt at Purdue, converting the fourth down attempt. In 11 games, Iowa is averaging 5.8 yards on 329 first down plays, 6.6 yards on 244 second down plays, 4.4 yards on 146 third down plays and 5.2 yards on 15 fourth down plays. Iowa is 8-15 on fourth down conversions.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s five scoring drives in the win at Purdue averaged 9.4 plays, 68 yards and 4:36 in elapsed time. In 11 games, Iowa’s 51 scoring drives have averaged 7.8 plays, 59.1 yards and 3:35 in elapsed time. Iowa has 10 scoring drives that have covered 80 yards or more. Iowa has 38 touchdown drives, which have averaged 7.4 plays, 65.9 yards and 3:24 in elapsed time. Iowa’s opponents have 41 scoring drives, averaging 9.2 plays, 59.3 yards and 3:51 in elapsed time. The above scoring drive figures do not include overtime.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa was 3-5 inside the red zone at Purdue, scoring one passing and one rushing touchdown and a field goal, while losing a fumble and missing a field goal. On the season, Iowa is 38-45 (84.4%) in the red zone, with 16 rushing touchdowns, 10 passing touchdowns and nine field goals. Iowa has scored on 144 of the last 161 (.894) red-zone possessions (98 TDs and 46 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 125-142 (.880) combined inside the red zone its last 40 games. Purdue was 2-4 in the red zone, scoring one passing and one rushing touchdown, while losing a fumble and a pass interception. Iowa opponents are 35-47 (74.5%) in the red zone. Iowa has allowed 11 rushing touchdowns, 14 passing touchdowns and 10 field goals.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored 47 points following 18 opponent turnovers (nine fumbles, nine interceptions), scoring seven points after collecting two interceptions and two fumble recoveries at Purdue. The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 64 of its last 73 games, dating back to 2006. Purdue collected two takeaways (two fumbles), scoring seven points after recovering a fumble in the end zone. Iowa opponents have scored 38 points following 14 Hawkeye turnovers. Iowa had just 11 turnovers (five fumbles, six interceptions) in 13 games last season, allowing 28 points following those turnovers.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
All Iowa football games this season have been televised on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FSN or the BTN. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001. Iowa’s game at Nebraska will mark the 128th consecutive Iowa game on television.

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.

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

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 and have posted a .500 record or better in 10 of 11 seasons. 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 85 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ranks as the 16th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (116); USC (108); Oklahoma (106); Ohio State (105); LSU (103); Texas (101); Virginia Tech (101); TCU (101); Georgia (97); Auburn (94); Florida (94); West Virginia (92); Wisconsin (90); Utah (90); Alabama (89); IOWA (85); Texas Tech (84); Boston College (83); Miami, FL (83) and Penn State (82).

BEST DECADE FOR IOWA FOOTBALL
Iowa’s football record in the 2000 decade was 80-45 (.640), a record that ranks as the best decade in Iowa football history, based on total wins. Iowa posted a record of 77-40-4 (.652) during the 1980’s and the Hawkeyes were 62-53-2 (.538) in the 1990’s. Part of the Hawkeye success is due to the stability in the program, as Iowa has had just two head coaches since 1979. Hayden Fry took over prior to the 1979 season and coached through the 1998 season, posting a record of 143-89-6. Current Coach Kirk Ferentz replaced Fry, leading the program for the last 12 seasons. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry.

IOWA STATS ON THE INTERNET
Statistics and play-by-play accounts of every Iowa football game are available live on the Internet. The statistical program allows viewers to read the play-by-play action just moments after it takes place, and to view all individual and team statistics while the game is in progress. The program can be accessed through hawkeyesports.com and then clicking on the GT link. This feature is available for all games during the 2011 campaign.

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

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

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 is not expected to know its post season schedule until after the weekend of Dec. 3-4.

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.