Iowa Concludes 2011 Season at Insight Bowl

Jan. 17, 2012

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2011 Final Notes

ABOUT THE 2011 HAWKEYES
Iowa completed the 2011 season with a 7-6 overall record and a 4-4 mark in Big Ten play. The Hawkeyes were bowl eligible for the 11th straight season, dropping a 31-14 decision in the 2011 Insight Bowl at Tempe, Ariz. Iowa competed in its 10th bowl game since the 2001 season. The Hawkeyes have placed in the Big Ten’s first division in 10 of the last 11 seasons. Iowa posted a 3-1 mark in nonconference action, with the only blemish being a three-overtime loss at Iowa State. The Hawkeyes were 1-3 against ranked opponents. Iowa defeated 13th-ranked Michigan (24-16) and lost to 13th-ranked Michigan State (37-21), both at home. Iowa lost at 22nd-ranked Nebraska (20-7) and to 14th-ranked Oklahoma at the Insight Bowl. In addition to the win over Michigan, Iowa also defeated Northwestern, Indiana and Purdue in conference play. Iowa’s offense was led by senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., junior QB James Vandenberg and sophomore RB Marcus Coker. McNutt set single-season (1,315) and career (2,861) records for receiving yards and touchdowns (12 and 28). His 82 receptions tied the single-season record. Vandenberg threw for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns, completing 58.7% of his pass attempts. Coker’s rushing total of 1,384 yards ranks fourth best for a single season at Iowa and he scored 15 touchdowns. Sophomore linebackers James Morris and Christian Kirksey led the Hawkeyes in tackles, each with 110. Senior DT Mike Daniels (13.5-63) and senior DE Broderick Binns (12-58) led the team in tackles for loss. Daniels also had nine QB sacks, while Binns had five sacks and eight pass break-ups. Junior CB Micah Hyde and sophomore safety Tanner Miller each had three interceptions and Hyde matched Binns with eight pass break-ups.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,155 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 594-522-39 (.531). That includes a 376-202-16 (.646) record in home games, a 218-320-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 293-352-25 (.456) mark in Big Ten games and a 259-166-15 (.606) record in Kinnick Stadium.

IOWA BOWL ELIGIBLE AGAIN
The Hawkeyes were bowl eligible for the 11th straight season under Coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff. The Hawkeyes have appeared in 10 bowl games since 2001. Iowa won the Outback Bowl over South Carolina following the 2008 season, concluded the 2009 campaign with a win over Georgia Tech in the Orange Bowl and defeated Missouri in the 2010 Insight Bowl. Iowa’s three-game bowl win streak (2008-10) is an Iowa record. The Hawkeyes have posted a 6-4 record in bowl games under Ferentz, including wins in four of six January bowl games. Overall, Iowa has posted a 14-11-1 (.558) record in 26 bowl games. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Rose (five times), Alamo (four), Holiday (three), Outback (three), Orange (two), Peach (two), Sun (two), Insight (two), and the Capital One, Gator and Freedom bowls once.

IOWA FALLS IN INSIGHT BOWL
Iowa rallied in the second half, closing to within a touchdown with 6:56 remaining, but 14th-ranked Oklahoma controlled the ball over the second half of the final period in recording a 31-14 win at the 2011 Insight Bowl. The Hawkeyes are now 14-11-1 in 26 bowl appearances. Oklahoma built a 21-0 advantage before Iowa got its offense going in the second half. Iowa used a 16-play drive that consumed 7:50, scoring on a 5-yard pass from QB James Vandenberg to TE C.J. Fiedorowicz on the second play of the final quarter. After holding Oklahoma to three plays on consecutive possessions, the Iowa offense drove 78 yards in 12 plays, cutting the deficit to 21-14 on a 9-yard pass from Vandenberg to RB Jordan Canzeri. Oklahoma was able to drive to the Iowa 21 before adding a field goal with 2:33 remaining for a 24-14 advantage. After Iowa failed on a fourth down attempt, the Sooners added a final touchdown in the closing minute of play. Oklahoma took a 7-0 lead in the first period, covering five yards in two plays following a pass interception. Oklahoma’s only extended offensive drive of the second quarter covered 66 yards in 13 plays as the Sooners led 14-0 at halftime. Iowa’s defense held the Sooners to just 89 yards total offense in the first half. Oklahoma, which entered the game ranked fourth in the nation in total offense, was held to 275 yards total offense, its lowest output of the season. Vandenberg completed 23-44 passes for 216 yards and two scores, with one interception. Canzeri led Iowa’s ground attack with 58 yards on 22 carries and he added six pass receptions for 28 yards and a touchdown. WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. recorded four receptions for 46 yards. He tied Iowa’s single-season reception record with 82 catches in 13 games. The Iowa defense was led by senior LB Tyler Nielsen with eight tackles, while LB Christian Kirksey added seven. Senior DT Mike Daniels recorded three tackles for loss and two QB sacks among his five tackles and senior DE Broderick Binns recorded Iowa’s only pass interception.

INSIGHT BOWL NOTES

• The attendance of 54,247 set an Insight Bowl record. The 2010 Insight Bowl, an Iowa win over Missouri, also set an attendance record of 53,453.
• Iowa is 9-2 in night games over the last four seasons, including a 1-1 record in 2011 (Iowa defeated Northwestern 41-31 in Kinnick Stadium). Iowa was 2-1 in night games in 2010, winning at home against Penn State (24-3) and defeating Missouri (27-24) in the Insight Bowl, while losing at Arizona (34-27).
• The Insight Bowl marked the last game for Norm Parker as Iowa’s defensive coordinator. He announced his retirement following the regular season. Parker was Iowa’s defensive coordinator for 13 seasons. Parker coached in 497 games as a college coach, including 162 games with the Hawkeyes.
• Senior WR Marvin McNutt tied Kevin Kasper’s school record for single season receptions. He finished the Insight Bowl with four catches for 46 yards, bringing his single season total to 82. Kasper set the record in 2000. For the season, McNutt, Jr. had 82 receptions for 1,315 yards (16.0 avg.) and 12 scores. The 1,315 yards is an Iowa single season record. The 1,315 yards receiving is seventh best by a Big Ten receiver in a single season. McNutt scored 168 career points, which ranks 10th at Iowa, with 28 career touchdown receptions. He had eight scoring receptions in both 2009 and 2010. McNutt had a reception in his 32nd straight game. McNutt posted over 100 receiving yards in eight games in 2011. He finished his career with 170 career receptions for 2,861 yards to rank second in career receptions and first in yards.
• True freshman RB Jordan Canzeri led Iowa’s ground game with 22 rushes for 58 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team with six receptions (28 yards). Canzeri’s previous best was five rushing attempts for 30 yards in Iowa’s win over Louisiana-Monroe. The receiving totals were his first of the season.
• Junior QB James Vandenberg completed 23-44 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns. Vandenberg completed 237-404 passes for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns on the season, with seven interceptions. Thirteen of the 25 touchdown passes covered 20 yards or more. The 3,022 yards ranks fourth best in a season at Iowa and his career total (3,537) ranks ninth. He had a career-high four touchdown passes against Indiana.
• Senior DE Broderick Binns had the second pass interception of his career, in the third quarter, to stop an Oklahoma threat in the red zone. Binns had an interception and 20-yard return for a touchdown in a loss at Arizona in 2010.
• DT Mike Daniels had two sacks in the first half and concluded the game with three tackles for loss. Oklahoma allowed just nine sacks during the regular season.
• Sophomore TE C.J. Fiedorowicz had a career-high four receptions, including his third touchdown of the season.
• Iowa’s first scoring drive of the game lasted 7:50. It was Iowa’s longest scoring drive of the year, in regards to time.
• Oklahoma’s initial first down of the game came in the second period after the Iowa defense allowed the Sooners just seven net yards in the first period. Iowa held Oklahoma to 275 yards total offense, the lowest production of the season for the Sooner offense (310 yards at Florida State).
• Senior punter Eric Guthrie had a solid night punting, averaging 44.3 yards on six punts, with a long of 55 yards.

MCNUTT AND BINNS ARE MVPS
Seniors Marvin McNutt, Jr., and Broderick Binns were named co-winners of the 2011 Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player Award. McNutt (6-4, 215) was previously named winner of the Big Ten’s Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year Award. He was named first team all-Big Ten by both the coaches and media. McNutt established a single season record for touchdown receptions (12) and tied the school mark for receptions in a season (82). He also holds school records for receiving yards in a season (1,315) and career (2,861), and career scoring receptions (28). He had over 100 receiving yards in eight games in 2011. He ranks 10th on Iowa’s career scoring list with 168 points. Binns, (6-2, 261) was named to the media’s second all-Big Ten team. He was named to the preseason watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. He started all 13 games and has 31 career starts. Binns recorded 60 tackles in 2011, including 12 tackles for loss (-58 yards) and five QB sacks (-36 yards). He tied for the team lead with eight pass break-ups and had two interceptions. He collected 179 career tackles.

TEAM AWARDS ANNOUNCED
In addition to the team MVP and captain awards, additional 2011 season awards were announced at Iowa’s annual team banquet.

• OL Adam Gettis and LB Tyler Nielsen were named co-winners of the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award. Both are seniors. The Hayden Fry Award is given in honor of Iowa’s Hall of Fame coach who retired after the 1998 season. The award goes to a player(s) who gives that little bit extra at all times.
• The “Iron Hawk Award” was given to senior DL Mike Daniels. It is presented to a Hawkeye who has given his all every play, for the entire season, and has represented his team and school in an exemplary fashion.
• The Brett Greenwood Award is new in 2011 and will be given annually to the student-athlete who is/was a walk-on and best exemplifies the core values and behavior of the former Hawkeye defensive back, who was also a walk-on. This year’s winner is senior DL Tom Nardo. In addition, the coaching staff will give this honor to a former Hawkeye, who fits the description, one year at a time, for each season Kirk Ferentz has coached at Iowa. This year’s past recipient is 1999 OL Scott Pospisil.
• The Player’s Choice Award went to senior WR Joe Audlehelm and LB Tyler Nielsen.
• LB Tyler Nielsen and P Eric Guthrie shared the “Forest Evashevski Scholastic Achievement Award”. The award goes annually to a player(s) who displays a high degree of proficiency in both the classroom and on the playing field. Both winners are members of the Big Ten all-Academic team. Nielsen has been an academic all-Big Ten selection four years in a row. Guthrie is also Iowa’s recipient of the 2011 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
• P Eric Guthrie was also named the “Reggie Roby Special Teams Specialist of the Year”. Senior running back and special team regular Jason White was named winner of the overall “Reggie Roby Special Teams Player of the Year Award”. The awards are named after the late Iowa punter who was first-team all-American in 1981 and 1982. Roby died in 2005. He punted in the NFL for 16 years.
• The “Comeback Player of the Year” award went to sophomore fullback Brad Rogers. He started the last seven games of the 2011 season. Rogers was plagued with a heart virus since last December and returned to action after missing Iowa’s four nonconference games.
• A total of nine “Team Leader” Awards were given to eight players. Offensively the awards went to senior WR Joe Audlehelm, RB Damon Bullock and lineman Jordan Walsh. Both Bullock and Walsh are freshmen. Defensively the honors went to three freshmen; LB Marcus Collins, lineman Darian Cooper and DE Riley McMinn. Special Team winners are Audlehelm, freshmen WR Jacob Hillyer and DL Dean Tsopanides.

POSTSEASON HONORS
Several members of the University of Iowa football team have gained postseason honors from various media outlets and websites following the season: Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., junior OL Riley Reiff and sophomore RB Marcus Coker have all earned All-America recognition. Pro Football Weekly named Reiff a first team All-American, while McNutt earned honorable mention honors. Reiff started all 13 games at left tackle for an Iowa offense that featured record-setting performances by McNutt and Coker in 2011. Reiff has 37 career starts, including 34 consecutive games. McNutt established single season and career records for receiving yardage and touchdowns and tied Iowa’s single season reception mark. Coker rushed for 1,384 yards, the fourth best total in school history. Phil Steele’s All-America selections include McNutt as a third team selection and Reiff as a fourth team honoree. Yahoo! Sports named Reiff and RB Marcus Coker third team All-America, while SI.com gave honorable mention All-America honors to Reiff and Coker. Phil Steele’s all-Big Ten selections include first team recognition to McNutt and Reiff, second team honors to Coker and senior DB Shaun Prater, and third team honors to senior OL Adam Gettis, senior defensive linemen Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns, junior DB Micah Hyde, sophomore LB James Morris and senior P Eric Guthrie. College Sports Madness named McNutt and Hyde to its all-Big Ten first team, while Coker, Gettis, Reiff, Daniels and Prater are second team selections and Binns and Morris are named to the third team. The BTN.com all-Freshman team includes WR Kevonte Martin-Manley and OL Brandon Scherff. Martin-Manley ranked third on the team with 30 receptions for 323 yards and three touchdowns. He started two games while playing in all 13 contests and was used on KO returns late in the season. Scherff started three games and played in 11 contests at left guard while sharing time with Matt Tobin.

FOUR HAWKEYES IN POSTSEASON
Senior DB Shaun Prater and senior OL Markus Zusevics were invited to participate in the East-West Shrine Game. Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and senior DL Mike Daniels were invited to participate in the Senior Bowl. The East-West Shrine game is Jan. 21 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. The Senior Bowl is Jan. 28 in Mobile, Ala. Under Coach Kirk Ferentz, 62 Iowa players have made 71 appearances in postseason games.

HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC HONORS
Fourteen members of the Iowa football team earned academic all-Big Ten recognition in 2011. Those players include junior DL Steve Bigach, senior P Eric Guthrie, sophomore LS Casey Kreiter, sophomore LB James Morris, junior WR Nick Nielsen, senior LB Tyler Nielsen, senior OL Woody Orne, senior LB Terrance Pryor, junior WR Steven Staggs, senior DB Kyle Steinbrecher, junior DB Jack Swanson, sophomore OL Brett Van Sloten, junior QB James Vandenberg and senior RB Jason White. Tyler Nielsen was named to the academic team for the fourth straight year, while Swanson, Vandenberg and White were honored for the third time. Bigach and Van Sloten have earned the honor the last two seasons. Bigach, Tyler Nielsen and Vandenberg were named to the Capital One CoSIDA all- District VI first team.

IOWA’S ACADEMIC SUCCESS
In the NCAA’s most recent release on academic standing, Iowa’s football team ranks eighth nationally with a 2011 Graduation Success Rate (GSR) of 83 percent. Kirk Ferentz’s squad was one of only nine bowl participants to score 80 percent or better on the NCAA’s “real-time” measurement of academic success. The Hawkeyes ranked third among the 10 Big Ten Conference teams who participated in a bowl games. The Big Ten is also the only conference with more than one team at 80 percent or better. The national average for Football Bowl Subdivision football programs is a GSR score of 69.

REIFF TO ENTER NFL DRAFT
Offensive tackle Riley Reiff will enter the 2012 NFL Draft, forgoing his final year of eligibility with the Hawkeye football program. Reiff (6-foot-6, 300 pounds) was named first team All-Big Ten by both league coaches and media in 2011 after earning second team honors in 2010. He was also named first team All-America in 2011 by Pro Football Weekly and also earned All-America recognition from Phil Steele’s College Football, SI.com, and Yahoo! Sports. Reiff is a native of Parkston, S.D., where he was the Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior. He was also a three-time state wrestling champion. After a redshirt season in 2008, Reiff moved into Iowa’s starting lineup midway through the 2009 season. He had 37 career starts, including the last 34 games of his Hawkeye career. Reiff is the sixth Iowa player since 2002 to declare for the NFL Draft with eligibility remaining. The others include TE Dallas Clark (2002), RB Shonn Greene (2008), OL Bryan Bulaga (2009), DB Amari Spievey (2009) and DB Tyler Sash (2010).

COKER LEAVING IOWA
Sophomore RB Marcus Coker asked for a release from his football scholarship and that request was granted. Coker started 12 games in 2011, leading the Iowa rushing attack with 281 attempts for 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns. He also had 21 receptions for 157 yards.

STARTERS RETURNING IN 2012
Iowa’s projected returning starters on offense include: center James Ferentz, left guard Matt Tobin, quarterback James Vandenberg, tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, fullback Brad Rogers and wide receiver Keenan Davis. The returning defensive starters include: lineman Dominic Alvis, linebackers Christian Kirksey and James Morris and defensive backs Micah Hyde and Tanner Miller. PK Mike Meyer also returns. Among the returning starters, only Kirksey and Hyde on defense and Ferentz and Vandenberg started every game in 2011.

IOWA VS. RANKED OPPONENTS
Iowa was 1-3 in 2011 against ranked opponents. The Hawkeyes defeated 13th-ranked Michigan (24-16) and lost to 13th-ranked Michigan State (37-21), both at Iowa City. Iowa lost at 22nd-ranked Nebraska (20-7) and to 14th-ranked Oklahoma (31-14) at the Insight Bowl. Iowa posted a 4-3 record while facing seven ranked opponents in 2010, the most for a Kirk Ferentz coached Hawkeye team. The four wins over ranked teams are the most for Iowa since posting a 4-2 record vs. six ranked opponents in 2003. Iowa played six ranked teams in 1999 and 2003. Three of Iowa’s seven ranked opponents in 2010 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 2008, 2009 and 2010.

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 (41) and the Hawkeyes (26). Wisconsin ranks fourth with 23. Iowa (14-11-1, .558), Penn State (27-15-2, .636) and Purdue (9-7, .563) are the only Big Ten teams with a winning percentage in bowl games. Nebraska, competing in the Big Ten for the first time in 2011, holds a 24-24 (.500) record in 48 bowl games. Iowa was one of 10 Big Ten Conference teams to play in a bowl game following the 2011 season. The Big Ten had two teams competing in BCS games for the 11th time in 14 seasons. Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has qualified 25 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. Seven different Big Ten programs have played in BCS bowl games. The Big Ten sent 10 teams to bowl games in 2011 for the first time ever.

BEST IN THE BIG TEN
Iowa has posted a 6-4 bowl record under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Since the 2001 season, no Big Ten team has won more bowl games or has a higher winning percentage in bowl games, than Iowa.

IOWA LEADERSHIP GROUP
Iowa’s Leadership Group for the 2011 season included 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 included 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.

FIVE NAMED PERMANENT CAPTAINS
Iowa’s permanent captains for the 2011 season include WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. and QB James Vandenberg (offense), DL Mike Daniels and LB Tyler Nielsen (defense) and P Eric Guthrie (special teams). All, except Vandenberg, are seniors. McNutt, Vandenberg, Daniels and Nielsen were game captains for each of Iowa’s 12 regular season games. McNutt earned first team all-Big Ten honors after setting Iowa single season and career receiving records. Vandenberg started all 13 games, passing for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns. Daniels had 67 tackles while leading the team with nine QB sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Nielsen played both outside and middle linebacker, collecting 73 tackles in 12 games. Guthrie handled all Iowa punting in 2011, averaging 41.2 yards on 53 punts. He had 18 punts inside the 20, with just four touchbacks, and opponents averaged 4.6 yards on just 14 returns.

IOWA’S BOWL OPPONENTS
Iowa’s 13-game schedule in 2011 included nine teams that participated in bowl games. During the regular season, Iowa posted a 4-4 record against Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State, Purdue and Nebraska. The Hawkeyes lost to Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl. In addition, Iowa defeated Tennessee Tech, which advanced to the FCS playoffs. Iowa’s opponents in 2011 posted an overall record of 90-75 (.545).

ALL-BIG TEN HONORS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. was named the recipient of the Big Ten’s inaugural Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year Award, highlighting Iowa’s all-Big Ten selections for 2011. McNutt is one of eight Hawkeye players named to either the first or second all-Big Ten teams, voted on by the league’s coaches and media. McNutt, along with junior offensive tackle Riley Reiff, earned first team recognition from both the coaches and media. Senior DB Shaun Prater was a first team selection by league coaches. Prater earned first team honors for the second straight year, while McNutt and Reiff each moved to the first team after earning second team honors in 2010. Sophomore RB Marcus Coker, senior DT Mike Daniels and senior offensive guard Adam Gettis were named to the second team by league coaches, while senior DE Broderick Binns and junior DB Micah Hyde were named to the media second team. Daniels and Hyde each earned honorable mention recognition in 2010. Four Hawkeyes were named honorable mention by both coaches and media, including senior offensive tackle Markus Zusevics, senior P Eric Guthrie, junior center James Ferentz and sophomore LB James Morris. Binns and Hyde were named honorable mention by the coaches, while the media named Daniels, Gettis, Prater and senior LB Tyler Nielsen to its honorable mention list. In addition to being named honorable mention by both coaches and media, Guthrie is Iowa’s recipient of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.

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. 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 started 12 games in 2011, missing the Indiana game due to injury. He played both the outside and middle linebacker positions. He recorded 73 tackles, including four for loss and a QB sack. He forced one fumble and had two fumble recoveries. Vandenberg started all 12 games. He carries a 3.34 GPA and is majoring in integrative physiology. Vandenberg earned academic all-Big Ten honors in 2010. He completed 237-404 pass attempts for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns, with just seven 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 played in 12 games, earning three starts at defensive tackle and two at defensive end. He recorded nine solo tackles and 15 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 35 occasions.

MCNUTT, JR. SETS RECORDS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. had a record breaking season. McNutt established a single season record for touchdown receptions with 12 (Maurice Brown had 11 in 2002) and tied the school mark for receptions in a season (82). He also set Iowa records for single season yardage (1,315), career yardage (2,861) and career scoring receptions (28). McNutt had eight scoring receptions in both 2009 and 2010. McNutt had over 100 receiving yards in eight games. He ranks second in career receptions (170). He had 184 receiving yards (six catches) vs. Indiana, the eighth best single-game total at Iowa, and 151 yards on nine receptions in a win at Purdue. McNutt ranks 11th in career scoring with 168 points.

MCNUTT IN BIG TEN RECORDS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. ranks 10th all-time in the Big Ten in career touchdown receptions. He had 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 seventh in the Big Ten in single season receiving yards (1,315 yards in 2011).

HAWKEYES EARN WEEKLY HONORS
Several Iowa players earned weekly honors in 2011:

• WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. was named national Wide Receiver of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards for his play in Iowa’s 31-21 win at Purdue. McNutt had nine receptions for 151 yards and two scores. He also earned honorable mention recognition for the same award vs. Michigan State (8-130-1 TD), Tennessee Tech (6-140-2 TDs) and Indiana (6-184-3 TDs).
• 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 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 honors from the College Football Performance Awards for his play vs. Pittsburgh, Louisiana-Monroe and Indiana. Vandenberg completed 21-32 passes for 270 yards and three touchdowns in Iowa’s 45-17 win over ULM. His scoring strikes covered 13, 17 and 23 yards and he scored on a one-yard run. Against Indiana, he completed 12-16 passes for 253 yards and a career-high four touchdowns.
• 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.
• 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. He also earned honorable mention recognition for the same award for his play at Purdue, where he recorded two interceptions.
• 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.
• DL Mike Daniels earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Award for his play in Iowa’s 31-21 win at Purdue. Daniels recorded nine tackles, five tackles for loss and three QB sacks.
• DB Micah Hyde earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Award for his play vs. Pittsburgh and at Penn State. Hyde collected two interceptions in the win over Pitt, the second coming with 1:41 remaining in the game to end Pitt’s final possession. He also had 10 tackles, including nine solo stops. Hyde had his third interception of the season in the second half at Penn State, 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.
• 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 his first. Nardo recorded a career-high 12 tackles (six solo, six assists), including two tackles for loss and a shared QB sack.
• 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.
• 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, 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 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 1,300-YARDS
For the first time in school history, Iowa’s offense in 2011 featured a 1,300-yard receiver and rusher in the same season. Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. had 1,315 receiving yards, while running back Marcus Coker rushed for 1,384 yards. The two combined for 27 of Iowa’s 43 offensive touchdowns. In addition, junior QB James Vandenberg passed for 3,022 yards. McNutt established a single season record for receiving yards and tied the mark for receptions in a season (82). Coker’s rushing total ranks fourth best for a single season and Vandenberg’s passing total ranks fourth best in a season. 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.

IOWA IN NCAA STATS
As a team, Iowa ranked eighth nationally in fewest penalty yards per game (35.6), tied for 14th in red zone defense (73.7%), tied for 18th in fewest turnovers (18), tied for 19th in interceptions thrown (eight), ranked 22nd in fewest penalties per game (4.8) and 25th in net punting (38.5). Individually, WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., was 12th in receiving yards per game (101.2) and tied for 27th in receptions per game (6.3), RB Marcus Coker ranked 15th in rushing yards per game (115.3), DB Shaun Prater ranked tied for 28th with four forced fumbles, QB James Vandenberg ranked 39th in passing yards (232.5) and 41st in pass efficiency (138.5) and LB James Morris tied for 37th in tackles per game (9.2). All Iowa team and individual statistical rankings, both in the Big Ten and the NCAA, can be found as a side bar within the game notes section.

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.

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.

IOWA MATCHES ATTENDANCE RECORD
Iowa sold all tickets for its seven home games, matching the school record by averaging 70,585 fans per contest. Iowa issued over 59,000 season tickets, which included more than 10,000 student tickets. Iowa also averaged 70,585 for all home games in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010. Iowa has sold out Kinnick Stadium 56 of the last 58 games.

OL Riley Reiff

• First team all-Big Ten by league coaches and media
• 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 13 games in 2011 and started 34 consecutive games

WR Marvin McNutt, JR.

• Earned Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year Award in the Big Ten Conference
• Selected to participate in Senior Bowl
• First team all-Big Ten by both league coaches and media
• Fourth team preseason All-America by Phil Steele’s College Football
• Eighty-two receptions for 1,315 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2011, to set single-season records for yardage and touchdowns, while matching the record for receptions
• Ranks seventh in the Big Ten for receiving yards in a season (1,315) and 10th for career touchdowns (28)
• 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 170 receptions for 2,861 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
• Eight receptions for 112 yards in win over Pittsburgh
• Seven receptions for 100 yards 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

• Second team all-Big Ten by both league coaches and media
• Led rushing attack with 281 carries for 1,384 yards and 15 touchdowns, to rank fourth in touchdowns, carries and yards, for a single season
• Ninety points is 11th best single season total
• Career totals include 395 attempts for 2,006 yards and 18 touchdowns, to rank 12th in career rushing and 13th 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
• Ranked second in the Big Ten and 15th nationally in rushing yards per game (115.3)
• 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, Purdue and Nebraska
• Rushed 18 times for 87 yards and a touchdown at Nebraska
• 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
• 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

• Selected to participate in East-West Shrine Game
• First team all-Big Ten by league coaches
• 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 28th in the nation with four caused fumbles in 2011
• 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
• 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
• Five tackles and a pass break-up at Nebraska
• Four solo tackles and one assist vs. Oklahoma in Insight Bowl
• Has seven career interceptions and ranks seventh at Iowa with 173 career interception return yards

DT Mike Daniels

• Second team all-Big Ten by league coaches and honorable mention by media in 2011
• Selected to participate in Senior Bowl
• Honorable mention All-Big Ten in 2010
• Ranked third in the Big Ten in QB sacks and 10th in tackles for loss
• Ranked 24th nationally in QB sacks
• Led team in tackles for loss (13.5-63) and QB sacks (9-53) in 2011
• Second on team in tackles for loss (11-56) and QB sacks (4-31) in 2010
• Recorded 67 tackles in 2011 (32 solo)
• Honorable mention Defensive Lineman of the Week by College Football Performance Awards for his play in win at Purdue
• Five tackles vs. Oklahoma in Insight Bowl, including three tackles for loss and two QB sacks
• Matched career high with nine tackles at Nebraska, along with one pass break-up
• Seven solo tackles and two assists at Purdue, including five tackles for loss and three 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

• Second team all-Big Ten by league media and honorable mention by coaches in 2011
• 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 11 passes defended (8 PBU, 3 interceptions)
• Tied for eighth in the Big Ten 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
• Seven tackles and a forced fumble at Nebraska

QB James Vandenberg

• Named to Capital One/CoSIDA District Six Academic All-America team
• Completed 237-404 (.587) passes for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2011, with seven interceptions
• Thirteen of 25 touchdown passes covered over 20 yards
• Ranks third for touchdown passes in a season (25) and fourth in passing yards in a season (3,022)
• Ranks ninth in career passing yards (3,537) and eighth in career touchdown passes (28)
• Ranked third in the Big Ten in passing yards per game (232.5), fourth in total offense (237.2) and fifth in pass efficiency (138.5)
• 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 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
• 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 22-32 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns in win at Purdue
• Completed 16-35 passes for 182 yards at Nebraska
• Completed 23-44 attempts for 216 yards and two scores vs. Oklahoma in Insight Bowl, with one interception

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Sophomore PK Mike Meyer was one of 20 semifinal candidates for the 2011 Lou Groza Award, presented each year to the top place kicker in the nation. Meyer made 14-20 (.700) field goal attempts and was a perfect 44-44 in PAT kicks (has made 53 straight PATs over two seasons). Three of his six missed field goals hit the upright, while another attempt was blocked. Meyer ranked fifth in the Big Ten in kick scoring (6.6) for the season. 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 is tied for 14th in single-season scoring with 86 points in 2011 and is 14th in career scoring with 159 points. He has made 28-37 (.757) career field goal attempts.

MORRIS SHARES TACKLE LEAD
Sophomore LB James Morris earned honorable mention all-Big Ten honors from both league coaches and media. He tied for the team lead in tackles (110 in 12 games) and ranked fifth in the Big Ten and 37th in the nation. 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 Nebraska. He also had 13 tackles at Minnesota, with 10 solo tackles and a tackle for loss, while moving from the middle linebacker position to the weak side. He collected eight tackles in the win over Michigan and had four tackles vs. Michigan State and Purdue. He recorded five tackles in the Insight Bowl vs. Oklahoma. Morris recorded 52 solo stops and 58 assists, along with one pass interception, in 12 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 SHARES TACKLE LEAD
Sophomore LB Christian Kirksey recorded 110 tackles (62 solo) in 13 games to share the team lead. Kirksey ranked seventh in the Big Ten in tackles per game (8.5). He also had five 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. He had 10 tackles in the final game of the regular season at Nebraska and seven tackles vs. Oklahoma in the Insight Bowl. 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

• Defensive end Broderick Binns had a solid senior season, earning second team all-Big Ten honors from league media and honorable mention recognition from league coaches. He recorded 60 tackles (32 solo) and shared the team lead with eight pass break-ups. He was second in tackles for loss (12 for 58 yards) and QB sacks (5 for 36 yards). Binns had seven tackles in a win at Purdue and at Penn State and Nebraska, and six stops vs. Michigan State. He had five stops in wins over Tennessee Tech, Pittsburgh and Indiana. Binns recorded 179 career tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 13 QB sacks, 21 pass break-ups and two interceptions.
• Senior Eric Guthrie handled all punting duties in 2011 and averaged 41.2 yards on 53 punts. He earned honorable mention all-Big Ten honors from both league coaches and media. He was a candidate for the Ray Guy Award as the nation’s top punter. Guthrie had 18 punts inside the 20, with just four touchbacks, and opponents averaged just 4.6 yards on 14 returns. He had a career-long 59-yard punt at Iowa State, where he averaged 46.8 yards on four punts, and for the season had six punts of 50 yards or more.
• Senior DL Tom Nardo had a career-high 14 tackles at Nebraska, including two tackles for loss. He also had 12 tackles in Iowa’s win over ULM, earning Big Ten defensive Player of the Week honors. Nardo started seven games at tackle and in nine games collected 68 tackles, including 6.5 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 five games. He recorded six tackles in the Insight Bowl loss to Oklahoma.
• Junior WR Keenan Davis ranked second on the team in receptions (50) and yards (713), averaging 14.3 yards per catch. He recorded career bests in catches and yards (10-129) in Iowa’s win over Pittsburgh, scoring one touchdown. 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 also averaged 19.5 yards on four KO returns. Davis was on the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. 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 and added four receptions for 41 yards at Nebraska. He closed the season with five receptions for 76 yards in the Insight Bowl.
• Senior DB Jordan Bernstine played well in 12 games, while missing the Iowa State game due to illness. He had a career-best 15 tackles in a win over Michigan and added 13 tackles at Nebraska. He ranked 10th in the Big Ten in tackles per game (7.4). 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 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 five stops vs. Michigan State and Purdue and had six stops vs. Oklahoma. Bernstine averaged 23.8 yards on 30 KO returns to rank seventh in the Big Ten. 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 had 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 had 30 receptions for 323 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 20.5 yards on four KO returns.

COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS
Iowa’s defense has ranked among national leaders in causing turnovers in recent seasons. Since the start of the 2008 season, Iowa has collected 72 interceptions, a total that ties as fifth best in the nation over that span. Iowa had nine interceptions in 2011, 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.

AMONG CAREER LEADERS
Senior WR Marvin McNutt, Jr., set Iowa records for single season (12) and career touchdown receptions (28), along with single season (1,315) and career (2,861) receiving yards. McNutt tied the single season reception mark (82) and ranks second in career catches (170). He ranks 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 14th in career scoring with 159 points. Junior QB James Vandenberg tied for third in single-season touchdown passes (25), is fourth in season passing yards (3,022), ninth in career passing yards (3,537) and eighth in career passing touchdowns (28).

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa had 47 pass plays and eight rushing plays, along with three interception returns, 28 KO returns, one punt return and 14 field goals, of at least 20 yards. Iowa opponents had 32 passing plays, nine rushing plays, two punt returns, three interception returns, one fumble return and 34 KO returns of 20 yards or more.

IOWA BY QUARTERS
Iowa outscored its opponents in the first (69-57), second (106-75) and fourth (105-91) quarters, but was outscored in the third (67-61) quarter. Iowa was outscored in three overtime periods (20-17) at Iowa State.

ON THE AVERAGE
For the season, Iowa averaged 5.5 yards on 389 first down plays, 6.1 yards on 290 second down plays, 4.4 yards on 175 third down plays and 5.3 yards on 21 fourth down plays. Iowa was 11-21 (.524) on fourth down conversions.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 54 scoring drives averaged 8.1 plays, 60.1 yards and 3:41 in elapsed time. Iowa had 11 scoring drives that covered 80 yards or more. Iowa had 41 touchdown drives, which averaged 7.8 plays, 66.8 yards and 3:05 in elapsed time. Iowa’s opponents had 50 scoring drives, averaging 9.3 plays, 58.7 yards and 3:51 in elapsed time. The above scoring drive figures do not include overtime.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
For the season, Iowa was 41-49 (83.7%) in the red zone, with 18 rushing touchdowns, 13 passing touchdowns and 10 field goals. Iowa has scored on 147 of the last 165 (.891) red zone possessions (101 TDs and 46 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 128-146 (.877) combined inside the red zone its last 42 games. Iowa opponents were 42-57 (73.7%) in the red zone. Iowa allowed 14 rushing touchdowns, 17 passing touchdowns and 11 field goals.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa scored 47 points following 19 opponent turnovers (10 interceptions, nine fumbles). The Hawkeye defense collected at least one takeaway in 65 of its last 75 games, dating back to 2006. Iowa opponents scored 45 points following 18 Hawkeye turnovers.

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.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
All Iowa football games were televised on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FSN or the BTN. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001. Iowa has appeared on television in 129 consecutive games.

NEW FACES ON THE FIELD
Iowa 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 saw the first action of their career in 2011, 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. Nineteen Hawkeyes 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, TE C.J. Fiedorowicz and RB Jordan Canzeri.

SCHEDULE NOTES

• Iowa was one of two Big Ten Conference teams (Ohio State) to play two nonconference games against teams from BCS conferences during the regular season. Iowa lost at Iowa State in three overtimes (44-41) and defeated Pittsburgh (31-27) at Iowa City. Both Iowa State and Pitt competed in postseason bowl games.
• The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play at Penn State. This marked the 10th time in Kirk Ferentz’ 13 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes have opened the conference season on the road.
• Iowa’s final two regular season games included traveling to Purdue and Nebraska, making Iowa one of two Big Ten teams (Penn State) to close the season with consecutive road games (both Iowa and Penn State split their last two games).
• Nine of Iowa’s 11 FBS opponents played in bowl games. That list includes Iowa State, Pittsburgh, Penn State, Northwestern, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue and Oklahoma. In addition, Tennessee Tech (7-4) won the Ohio Valley Conference and participated in the FCS playoffs, falling in the first round.
• The Hawkeyes do not face Big Ten opponents Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin again in 2012.
• Iowa’s 2012 schedule includes the same Big Ten opponents as 2011, along with non-conference games vs. Northern Illinois (Soldier Field) and home games vs. Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Central Michigan. Northern Illinois and Iowa State competed in bowl games in 2011, while Northern Iowa reached the FCS quarter-finals.

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.
• In NFL 2011 regular season statistics, former Hawkeye linebackers Chad Greenway (Minnesota) and Pat Angerer (Indianapolis) finished third and fourth, respectively, in tackles.
• Former Hawkeyes Marshal Yanda (Baltimore OL) and Chad Greenway (Minnesota LB) were named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in their respective NFL careers.
• Iowa has placed 20 defensive linemen in the NFL under Kirk Ferentz.
• Iowa has had the most offensive linemen drafted in the NFL (11) since the 2003 NFL Draft.
• Every Iowa senior starting tight end (nine) under Kirk Ferentz has been drafted in the NFL or made an NFL team in his first year as a rookie.
• 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 were listed as free agents, on injured reserve or on practice squads.
• Iowa ranks eighth nationally (second among Big Ten teams) in number former players active in the NFL in 2011, 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.
• Defensive secondary Coach Phil Parker has coached 14 Iowa defensive backs to the NFL and Iowa defensive backs have earned all-Big Ten honors 27 times.

IOWA PROGRAM NOTES

• Iowa defeated a team ranked in the top five in the nation, in the Associated Press rankings, in 2008 (Penn State), 2009 (Penn State) and 2010 (Michigan State), along with defeating 13th-ranked Michigan in 2011.
• 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 10 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 85-42 (.669), 2002-11, including a 50-30 Big Ten record. The 85 victories tie as the 17th best total in the nation.
• 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).
• In 13 seasons under Coach Kirk Ferentz, 19 Hawkeye players have combined to earn academic All-American honors on 35 occasions.

IOWA AMONG TOP 20 IN WINS, 2002-11
Iowa has posted 85 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ranks as the 17th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (117); USC (109); Oklahoma (108); LSU (106); Ohio State (105); Texas (103); TCU (103); Virginia Tech (102); Georgia (98); Florida (95); West Virginia (95); Wisconsin (94); Auburn (94); Utah (92); Alabama (91); Oregon (90); IOWA (85); Florida State (85); Boston College (84); Hawaii (84); Texas Tech (84); Penn State (83); Miami, FL (83); Nebraska (82) and Michigan (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.

SPRING FOOTBALL
Iowa will begin spring practice in March, concluding spring activities with the final practice and scrimmage in Kinnick Stadium. The final date will be either Saturday, April 14 or April 21.

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.