Iowa Aims for Strong Finish

Nov. 25, 2011

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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — Heading into today’s regular-season finale at 22nd-ranked Nebraska, the University of Iowa football team is aiming to close strong.

The Hawkeyes look to build off last week’s 31-21 road victory at Purdue, the team’s first win away from Kinnick Stadium this season.

“It’s the last one,” said UI senior safety Jordan Bernstine, who ranks third on the team with 70 tackles. “Hopefully, we can finish strong, finish with a bang. We just have to go out and do it.”

Iowa has to contend with a Nebraska rushing attack that ranks third in the Big Ten Conference and 14th nationally. The Huskers average 224.1 yards per game on the ground.

The main culprit behind the attack is dual-threat quarterback Taylor Martinez. The sophomore has rushed for 817 yards on 168 attempts and completed 140-of-250 passes for 1,810 yards and 11 touchdowns. Martinez’s mate in the backfield, junior Rex Burkhead, has 1,108 yards on the ground with 14 scores.

“The running game is phenomenal,” said senior defensive end Broderick Binns. “(Burkhead) is a hard runner. We have to get 4-5 hats to the ball at the same time. Martinez is fast, and he might be faster than (Michigan’s) Denard Robinson.

“If we can stop the run and make them throw the ball, that would probably work in our favor. At the same time, they have shown they can complete passes. It’s an all-around attack, and we have to be ready for anything. We have to be at the top of our game this week.”

Iowa and the Cornhuskers are tied for third place in the Legends Division with 4-3 league records. Nebraska is 8-3 overall, the Hawkeyes are 7-4.

“We’re going to get tested,” said UI head coach Kirk Ferentz. “This group, not only Martinez, but it starts with him. That running back is really good, and they have some younger guys behind him. They’ll mix it around.

“It’s going to be a challenge. Our guys are going to have to be at their best to slow them down.”

Bernstine is eager for the challenge of going up against the Husker quarterback.

“You have to be pretty disciplined because you never know what he’s going to do. He can pitch it, fake pitch it, and he could drop back and throw it still. There are a lot of different things he can do, so I have to read my keys and try to stop it.”

The Hawkeyes are looking forward to beginning a new rivalry against Nebraska in “The Heroes Game.” The teams have met just six times since 1946, with Nebraska winning five of those meetings. The Cornhuskers own a 26-12-3 edge in the all-time series.

“When you think of Nebraska, you think of Big Red and the black shirts,” said Bernstine. “There’s a lot of tradition in that program, and we respect that.

“Everyone wants to compare Iowa and Nebraska,” said junior offensive lineman James Ferentz. “Now that they’re in the Big Ten, this can be the start of something special.”

Nebraska has a history of playing the day after Thanksgiving, and Kirk Ferentz is excited to be part of it.

“It gives us a chance to be in the national spotlight. How can that be a bad thing unless we go out there and play bad?” said Ferentz. “It’s a great opportunity for our guys to play. It’s a good thing for us, and we’re excited to get invited to the party.”‘

Iowa’s last win against Nebraska was 10-7 on Sept. 12, 1981; the Cornhuskers prevailed in the most recent meeting, 42-13, on Sept. 23, 2000.

Today’s inaugural Heroes Game presented by Hy-Vee is set to begin at 11:07 a.m., and it will be televised to a national audience on ABC. Bob Wischusen, Bob Davie and Jeannine Edwards will call the action.