Hawkeyes Host Central Michigan Saturday

Sept. 17, 2012

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Week Four: Iowa Game Notes

WEEK 4 STORY LINES
? A few hundred tickets remain for Saturday’s game against Central Michigan. Fans can visit the UI Ticket Office, order online at hawkeyesports.com or call 1-800-IA-HAWKS.
? Iowa’s defense has not yielded any points in the fourth period this season.
? Iowa is 9-1 in games that QB James Vandenberg has completed at least 60 percent of his passes the last two seasons.
? PK Mike Meyer’s next PAT made will tie Nate Kaeding’s school record of 60 consecutive PAT’s made. Meyer enters Saturday’s game having made his last 59.
? Saturday will be Iowa’s second game against a school from the Mid-American Conference. The Hawkeyes downed NIU in the season opener (18-17).
? Iowa has had four different leading rushers the last five games, dating back to last season (Marcus Coker, Jordan Canzeri, Damon Bullock and Mark Weisman). Wesiman led the Hawkeyes last week with 113 yards rushing and three TD’s on 24 carries.
? Saturday will be the third of four consecutive home games for the Hawkeyes.

HAWKEYES HOSTS CENTRAL MICHIGAN SATURDAY
Iowa (2-1) hosts Central Michigan (1-1) Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium (70,585). Game time is 11:01 a.m. (CT). The Hawkeyes have posted wins over Northern Illinois (18-17) and Northern Iowa (27-16), while falling to Iowa State (9-6). The Chippewas beat Southeast Missouri State (38-27) but lost to Michigan State (41-7). Central Michigan was idle last week.

ON THE TUBE
BTN (HD) will televise the contest. Kevin Kugler, former Danan Hughes, and Tom Helmer will call the action. The game can also be viewed online at BTN2Go.

RADIO BROADCAST
Iowa games are broadcast on the Hawkeye Radio Network. Gary Dolphin handles the play-by-play, with color commentator Ed Podolak and sideline reporter Rob Brooks. The Hawkeye Radio Network includes more than 40 stations throughout the state. The game can also be heard on Sirius satellite radio 117 and XM 196.

ON THIS DATE
Iowa has posted a 1-4 record when playing on Sept. 22. Iowa defeated Iowa State (45-35) in 1990. The Hawkeyes lost to UCLA (55-18) in 1973, Nebraska (24-21) in 1979, Ohio State (45-26) in 1984 and Wisconsin (17-13) in 2007.

ALL ABOARD TO KINNICK STADIUM!
The Hawkeye Express, the engine and club cars that transport fans from Coralville to Kinnick Stadium, is available for those fans traveling to Kinnick Stadium each Saturday. The Hawkeye Express is in its eighth season. Adults can ride the train for $12, while children (12-and-under) ride for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the UI Ticket Office or on game day at the Hawkeye Express depot. Media credentials are accepted as well. Free parking is located in lots near the Comfort Suites and Coral Ridge Mall. Fans can begin boarding the train in Coralville four hours before kickoff. Return trips begin at the start of the fourth period and run 90 minutes after the game. The Hawkeye Express is owned by the Iowa Northern Railway Company.

IOWA NOTES
? The Hawkeyes have played four true freshmen after three games: P Connor Kornbrath, CB Kevin Buford, CB Sean Draper, and RB Greg Garmon.
? Iowa has done a good job maintaining possession through three games. The Hawkeyes rank second in the Big Ten and 13th in the country in time of possession (33.37).
? Iowa ranks 11th in the country in fewest penalties per game (4.0); the Hawkeyes had three (40 yards) in last week’s victory.
? The Hawkeyes rank 16th in the country in fewest turnovers lost (2) and 19th in turnover margin (+4).
? Greg Garmon ranks 42nd nationally in KO return average (23.6).
? Tom Donatell is one of four Big Ten student-athletes with multiple interceptions this year. Donatell is tied for 13th in the country in thefts (0.67).
? Iowa is 9-1 in the games that QB James Vandenberg has completed at least 60 percent of his passes the last two seasons, including winning last week’s game over UNI (18-28, 64.3 percent).
? Saturday will be Kirk Ferentz’s 199th game as a head coach (110-88).
? The Hawkeyes are 7-2 over the past two years when QB James Vandenberg throws for 219 yards or more. Last week, Vandenberg threw for 228 yards in a 27-16 victory over UNI.
? Iowa averages 74.3 offensive plays through three games; Iowa snapped the ball 71 times last week vs. UNI. The Hawkeyes averaged 53 offensive plays a year ago.
? C.J. Fiedorowicz leads Hawkeye tight ends with 10 receptions for 109 yards. Last season, he had 16 catches for 167 yards and three TD’s. Fiedorowicz has seven catches for 88 yards the last two games combined, including a career-high 61 yards vs. Iowa State.
? After allowing six sacks in the season opener, Iowa’s offensive line has not surrendered a single sack the last two games.
? Iowa has had nine different players catch at least one pass this season.
? DL Joe Gaglione earned honorable mention honors from CFPA for his efforts in week one’s win over NIU. Gaglione played a key role for the Iowa defense that held NIU to just 201 yards of total offense. Gaglione recorded six tackles, including three tackles for loss and a sack. He forced an NIU fumble that was recovered by Iowa and led directly to a Hawkeye field goal in the third quarter. Gaglione ranks second in Big Ten TFL’s (2.0) and first in forced fumbles (1.0).
? Iowa is 0-1 on two-point conversions this season. The Hawkeyes failed to score on their only attempt, late in the fourth quarter in their 18-17 victory over NIU.

NEXT MAN IN…
After running backs Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon left last week’s game with injuries, fullback Mark Weisman was forced into full-time running back duties against UNI. The walk-on delivered, amassing 146 all-purpose yards (113 rushing and 33 receiving). The 113 yards rushing is a career best. He became the fourth back to lead the Hawkeyes in rushing the last five games, dating back to last season. Weisman scored all three of Iowa’s touchdowns against UNI; two 1-yard scores and one 2-yard run. It marked the first time a Hawkeye rushed for three touchdowns in a game since Adam Robinson against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 4, 2010). He scored on runs of two, four and six yards. The 18 points scored ties Braxton Miller (Ohio State), A.J. Barker (Minnesota) and Allen Robinson (Penn State) for the most points scored by a Big Ten athlete in a single-game in 2012. Weisman and Miller are the only two to have three rushing scores in a game.

THE FINAL 30
Iowa’s second-half defense has been solid the first three games. The defensive unit has collected a combined four takeaways (2 fumbles and 2 interceptions), forced 11 three-and-outs (one was a four-and-out), and held the opposition to 114.7 yards of total offense in the second half of its first three contests. Against Northern Illinois, the Hawkeyes yielded seven points and 81 total yards the final 30 minutes. The Black and Gold allowed zero points and 110 total yards in the second half vs. Iowa State. Last week against UNI, Iowa surrendered three points and 153 total yards in the second stanza. Additionally, Iowa has held the opposition to 5-23 (.217) on third and fourth downs in the second half this season.

WINNING AT HOME
Iowa has won 56 of its last 69 games (.812) 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 24-6 (.800) at home since the start of the 2008 season and 25-2 (.926) in its last 27 non-conference home games.

FERENTZ FOURTH IN LONGEVITY
Now in his 14th season as Iowa’s head football coach, Kirk Ferentz ranks fourth in longevity among FBS head coaches. Ferentz is first among Big Ten coaches and nationally ranks behind Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer, Larry Blakeney of Troy and Mack Brown of Texas.

THE SERIES
Iowa leads the all-time series 2-0 against Central Michigan. The Hawkeyes defeated the Chippewas 52-21 in 1994 and 38-0 in 1998. Both games were played in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes are 19-2 all-time against current teams from the MAC.

CMU COACH DAN ENOS
Dan Enos is in his third year as a college head coach, all at Central Michigan. His overall record stands a 7-19 (.269). Prior to becoming the Chippewas’ 26th head coach, Enos served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Michigan State. Enos coached the quarterbacks in 2006 and the running backs in 2007-09. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with the Spartans (1991-93) and had coaching stops as an assistant at Lakeland College, Northern Michigan, Southern Illinois, Southwest Missouri State, North Dakota State and Cincinnati. Enos was a four-year lettermen and was a two-year starter at quarterback (1989-90) for the Spartans. He led Michigan State to back-to-back bowl wins and helped lead the Spartans to a share of the 1990 Big Ten championship with Iowa.

IOWA/CMU NOTES
? Central Michigan will have had a week to prepare for Iowa as the Chippewas were idle last week. CMU lost its last game, 41-7, to Big Ten foe Michigan State in Mount Pleasant on Sept. 8.
? CMU stat leaders include: Zurlon Tipton in rushing (121.0); Ryan Radcliff in passing (172.0); Titus Davis in receiving (57.5); and Justin Cherocci in tackles (12.5).
? Iowa does not play a true road game until it plays Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich., on Oct. 13. The Hawkeyes’ opener vs. NIU was played on a neutral field, followed by four consecutive home games (Iowa State, UNI, Central Michigan and Minnesota). Iowa is idle on Oct. 6.
? Iowa’s depth chart has five native Iowans listed as starters on the offensive line: LT Brandon Scherff (Denison), LG Matt Tobin (Dyersville), C James Ferentz (Iowa City), RG Austin Blythe (Williamsburg), RT Brett Van Sloten (Decorah). Ferentz has 29 career starts, followed by Tobin’s 13 starts and six by Scherff. That group started the first three contests of 2012, marking the first time under Coach Ferentz the offensive line has consisted of all native Iowans.
? CMU ranks ninth in the country in sacks allowed (0.5). Individually, Tipton Zurlon ranks 14th nationally in rushing (121.0) and 44th in scoring (9.0), while Justin Cherocci ranks fourth in tackles (12.5).
? Iowa and Central Michigan each play four consecutive home games this season. The Hawkeyes are in the middle of a four-game homestand. Beginning, Oct. 12, the Chippewas play four straight at home (Navy, Ball State, Akron and Western Michigan).
? CMU head coach Dan Enos served as an assistant under Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio for six seasons (two at Cincinnati and four at Michigan State) before becoming CMU’s head coach. He was also the quarterbacks coach at Western Michigan when the Broncos won at Iowa in 2000.
? Central Michigan is 3-4 in its last seven games against Big Ten opponents, with five being decided by seven points or less. The Chippewas are 4-22 all-time against Big Ten competition, with wins over Michigan State (1991, 1992, 2009) and Indiana (2008).
? Iowa and Central Michigan will also play in field hockey Sunday in Mount Pleasant. Additionally, the two schools will meet in men’s basketball coached by Iowa alum Keno Davis later this fall. The Hawkeyes and Chippewas will meet Nov. 12 in Iowa City.
? CMU will open conference play next week when it travels to play Northern Illinois. The Hawkeyes beat NIU, 18-17, in the 2012 season opener.

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Junior PK Mike Meyer was named Big Ten co-special teams Player of the Week, earned CFPA honorable mention honors and was a Lou Groza Star of the Week after his week one performance in an 18-17 win over Northern Illinois. Meyer has connected on 8-of-9 field goal attempts this season. He has converted 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 29, 34 and 50-yarders, while missing a 40-yarder. The 50-yarder, made against Northern Illinois, ties a career long (at Iowa State, 2011). He made four treys against the Huskies in week one, which matches his career high (at Iowa State, 2011 and at Indiana, 2010). His five attempts vs. NIU ties Iowa’s single-game record, which he also shares (at Indiana in 2010). Meyer, who is on the preseason watch list for the Lou Groza Award, ranks fourth in Big Ten scoring (9.0) and is tied for first in the country in field goals made per game (2.67). He was one of 20 semifinal candidates for the 2011 Lou Groza Award. Meyer has amassed 186 career points and ranks 11th on Iowa’s career list. He has made 36-46 (.783) career field goal attempts. Meyer is 28-32 (.875) from kicks 39 yards and closer; 6-10 (.600) from attempts 40-49 yards; and 2-4 (.500) from kicks 50 yards or farther. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has made 59 consecutive PAT attempts, one shy of the school record (All-Pro Nate Kaeding made 60 straight). Meyer’s last PAT miss was in a 37-6 win over Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2010 in Iowa City.

STANDING STRONG
Iowa’s defense has posted stellar numbers through three games. The Hawkeyes rank 19th in the country in turnover margin (1.33), 23rd in total defense (294.0), 27th in pass defense (180.0), 28th in takeaways (6), 30th in red zone efficiency defense (.700), 32nd in pass defense efficiency (108.99) and 36th in rushing defense (114.0). Iowa has yielded 46 points through three games, which is the fewest a Hawkeye team has allowed the first three games since 2009 (36). Iowa’s defense has amassed 10 tackles for loss and forced five turnovers the last two games combined. Three of the five takeaways were collected inside the red zone, thwarting Iowa State scoring opportunities. The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 67 of its last 77 games, dating back to 2006.

HAWKEYES BEAT UNI, 27-16
Iowa recorded its 15th consecutive victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday winning 27-16 in Kinnick Stadium. Both teams were efficient offensively to start the game with each team scoring points on their first three possessions. UNI scored first with an eight-play, 83-yard touchdown drive. The Hawkeyes answered with a 10-play, 60-yard touchdown drive culminating with a Mark Weisman 1-yard run. Following a UNI field goal to make the score 10-7, Iowa drove the field again and Weisman scored his second touchdown, again from one yard out to give the Hawkeyes a 14-10 advantage. Iowa went into halftime with a 17-13 lead after each team exchanged field goals in the second quarter. The Hawkeyes pushed their lead to 24-13 on Weisman’s third score of the day. The walk-on capped a four-play, 70-yard drive on Iowa’s first drive of the second half. Each team made short field goals to finish the game’s scoring and give the Hawkeyes the 27-16 win. After Hawkeye running backs Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon left with injuries, Weisman stepped in a delivered a game and career-high 113 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 24 carries. He also had three catches for 33 yards. It marked the first time a Hawkeye rushed for three touchdowns in a game since Adam Robinson against Eastern Illinois (Sept. 4, 2010). Before leaving the game in the second quarter with an injury, Bullock rushed 13 times for 77 yards (5.9 avg.). He accounted for 53 of Iowa’s 60 yards, including a career-long 27 yards, on its opening scoring drive. QB James Vandenberg completed 18-28 passes for 228 yards and no interceptions. He distributed the ball to WR Kevonte Martin-Manley and WR Keenan Davis five times each. Martin-Manley had a game and career-best 101 yards, while Davis had 54 yards receiving. Defensively, Iowa’s held UNI to 2-of-10 on third downs and 0-for-1 on fourth downs. LB Anthony Hitchens had double-digit tackles for the second consecutive game, this time registering 10. SS Tom Donatell equaled a career best with seven stops while collecting his second interception in as many games.

IOWA POSTGAME NOTES
? Iowa improved to 10-0 all-time against FCS opponents, with five coming against UNI. Nine of the 10 victories have come by double digits.
? Iowa rushed for 201 yards and passed for 228 yards. It was the first time since Sept. 11, 2010 (35-7 win vs. Iowa State) that Iowa recorded more than 200 yards rushing and 200 yards passing. The Hawkeyes rushed 50 times for 275 yards and passed for 204 against the Cyclones.
? Iowa has had a different leading rusher in four of its last five games, dating back to last year. (Coker at Nebraska, 18-87; Canzeri in Insight Bowl, 22-58; Bullock vs. Northern Illinois, 30-150 and Iowa State, 22-53; Mark Weisman vs. UNI, 24-113).
? Iowa had a 100-yard rusher and receiver for the first time since Iowa’s 31-21 win at Purdue on Nov. 19, 2011. Mark Weisman rushed for 113 yards, while Kevonte Martin-Manley had 101 yards receiving on five catches. RB Marcus Coker had 139 yards at Purdue, while WR Marvin McNutt had 151 receiving yards against the Boilermakers in 2011.
? Iowa rushed for a season-high 201 yards on 43 attempts.
? Iowa scored points on four of its first five offensive possessions, including its first three drives (three touchdowns and one field goal).
? Kevonte Martin-Manley led the Hawkeyes in receiving with five receptions for a career-best 101 yards, including a career-long 51-yard reception in the third quarter. The 51-yard play is the longest of the season for Iowa.
? Tom Donatell registered his second interception in as many games with a theft in the third quarter. Iowa has recorded at least one takeaway in each of the first three contests. For the season, Iowa is +4 in turnover margin (+1 vs. Northern Illinois, +2 vs. Iowa State and +1 vs. UNI). Iowa did not score following the Donatell interception. UNI did not register a takeaway. Iowa State is the only 2012 opponent to have forced any Hawkeye turnovers (two interceptions).
? Iowa is one of 18 teams in the country not to have a lost fumble in 2012.
? Mark Weisman rushed for his first career touchdown on Iowa’s opening possession from one yard. It marked the third straight week the Hawkeyes scored on their first drive (2 FGs, 1 TD). UNI drove the field on its opening possession for an eight-play, 83-yard touchdown drive becoming the second 2012 Hawkeye opponent to score on its first drive (Iowa State).
? DE Joe Gaglione, who ranks first in Big Ten tackles for loss (1.83) and is tied for sixth in the league in sacks (0.67), recorded a career-best seven tackles, including his second career sack, a four-yard loss in the fourth quarter.
? Iowa maintained possession for 34:59, while UNI only had the ball for 25:01.
? After serving a two-game suspension, Collin Sleeper saw his first game action on special teams last week vs. UNI.

LINEBACKER DUO LEADING HAWKEYE DEFENSE
LB Anthony Hitchens leads the Big Ten in tackles, and ranks fourth nationally with 37 stops. Hitchens has already surpassed his 2011 tackle total (25 stops in eight games). The junior amassed 19 tackles, including one for loss, against Iowa State on Sept. 8. The 19 tackles are the most by a Hawkeye since LB Abdul Hodge had 22 vs. Illinois on Oct. 1, 2005. Last week, he posted double-digit tackles for the second consecutive game with a team-high 10 against UNI. LB James Morris, who is on the preseason Bednarik, Butkus and Rotary Lombardi award watch lists, earned honorable mention recognition from the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA) for his play vs. Iowa State. Against the Cyclones, the Solon, Iowa, native totaled 12 tackles, including one for loss, intercepted his second career pass at the goal line and recovered his first career fumble. He also broke-up one pass. Morris ranks fifth in the Big Ten and second on the team in tackles (9.3). He began the 2012 season with eight tackles in the win over NIU, including one tackle for loss, and had eight stops in last week’s win over UNI. Morris is the 65th Iowa player to reach the 200-tackle plateau. His 208 tackles (88 solo, 120 assists) rank 58th-best in Iowa history. He is one tackle from Eddie Polly (209) and Jim Reilly (209), three from Parker Wildeman (211), four from Jeff Drost (212), five from Colin Cole (213), seven from Shanty Burks (215) and nine from Tyler Sash (217). Morris earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors from both league coaches and media in 2011. 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 recorded 52 solo stops and 58 assists, along with one pass interception, in 12 games.

FIRST TIME STARTERS
Iowa players earning the first start of their career in the season-opening victory over Northern Illinois included OL Austin Blythe, OL Brett Van Sloten, RB Damon Bullock, FB Mark Weisman, DL Darian Cooper, DL Louis Trinca-Pasat, LB Anthony Hitchens, and DB B.J. Lowery. True freshman Connor Kornbrath was Iowa’s starting punter. Hitchens and Van Sloten are juniors, Bullock, Lowery, Trinca-Pasat and Weisman are sophomores and Blythe and Cooper are redshirt freshmen.

BULLOCK LEADS OFFENSE
Sophomore RB Damon Bullock has led the Hawkeye offense through three games. He has amassed 367 all-purpose yards, averaging 122.3 yards per game, which ranks seventh best in the Big Ten. Bullock led Iowa’s offense in the opening win, rushing 30 times for 150 yards and his first career touchdown. He scored on a 23-yard run with 2:15 remaining in the game as Iowa rallied for an 18-17 win. He also had three receptions for 26 yards. Bullock started for the first time in his career after collecting just 10 rushing attempts for 20 yards and one pass reception for 11 yards as a true freshman in 2011. The 150 rushing yards is the most for an Iowa running back in a season-opening game since 2003, when Fred Russell rushed 22 times for 167 yards in a 21-3 win over Miami, Ohio. It is also the most yards gained by a player in their first career start since Russell gained 170 yards on just 14 carries in a 57-21 win over Akron in the opening game of the 2002 season. Last week, Bullock had 77 yards rushing, including 53 yards on Iowa’s opening drive, but left the game in the second quarter due to injury and did not return. He also had one reception for five yards. Against Iowa State, Bullock totaled 109 all-purpose yards (56 receiving and 53 rushing). He had five receptions, which was a team and career best.

IOWAN CALLING THE SIGNALS
Senior QB James Vandenberg started all 13 games a year ago and 18 overall in his career. Vandenberg completed 237-of-404 pass attempts for 3,022 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2011. He 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). Vandenberg (6-foot-3, 212) was named to the Capital One/CoSIDA District Six Academic All-America team and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Vandenberg is on four preseason watch lists (Davey O’Brien, Maxwell Award, Manning Award and CFPA Quarterback Trophy) and was also ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the Big Ten by ESPN.com. He has completed 59-103 passes for 593 yards in 2012. His 197.7 yards per game average ranks sixth in the Big Ten. Vandenberg has completed 343-602 passes for 4,130 yards and 28 career touchdowns. He ranks eighth at Iowa in career passing yards and touchdowns. Vandenberg enters Saturday’s game 219 yards from tying Kyle McCann (4,349) for seventh in passing yards at Iowa. Vandenberg completed 18-28 passes for 228 yards and no interceptions in last week’s triumph over UNI. Vandenberg is a native of Keokuk and is the second quarterback from the state of Iowa under Coach Kirk Ferentz. Kyle McCann (Creston) led Iowa to victory in the 2001 Alamo Bowl, the first bowl win for Coach Kirk Ferentz. Two native Iowans have led the Hawkeyes to Rose Bowl wins, including Kenny Ploen (Clinton) during the 1956 season and Randy Duncan (Des Moines) during the 1958 season. Both were first team All-Americans. St. Ansgar native Matt Sherman led Iowa to a pair of bowl wins (1996 Alamo and 1997 Sun Bowl), while Iowa City native Paul Burmeister was Iowa’s quarterback in the 1993 Alamo Bowl. Additional Iowa natives who passed for over 1,500 yards, but never led Iowa in a bowl game, include Gary Snook (Iowa City, 1963-65), Ed Podolak (Atlantic, 1966-68, who ended his Iowa career as a prolific running back), Phil Suess (Des Moines, 1977-80), Randy Reiners (Ft. Dodge, 1996-99), Tom McLaughlin (Dubuque, 1975-77), Al DeMarco (Mason City, 1947-48) and Glen Drahn (Elkader, 1948-50).

DAVIS ECLIPSES 1,000 YARDS
Senior Keenan Davis became the 35th Hawkeye wide receiver to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards when his 75 yards on four catches against Iowa State pushed him over 1,000. Davis has caught 79 passes for 1,069 yards in his career. He is tied with Barry Crees for 33rd in Iowa career receiving yards. Davis is 30 yards from Jim Gibbons (1,099) for 32nd place. Davis had five catches for 54 yards last week vs. UNI. Davis, who is on the preseason Biletnikoff, Senior Bowl and CFPA award watch lists, leads the team in receiving yards through three games with 170 yards on 14 catches (12.1 yards per catch). The 170 yards rank eighth-best in the Big Ten.

GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
? The Hawkeyes host Minnesota to open Big Ten play on Sept. 29. This marks just the fourth time in Kirk Ferentz’s 14 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes have opened the conference season at home.
? Eight of Iowa’s 11 FBS opponents played in bowl games. That list includes Northern Illinois, Iowa State, Michigan State, Penn State, Northwestern, Purdue, Michigan and Nebraska. In addition, Northern Iowa participated in the FCS playoffs, advancing to the quarterfinals. Both Michigan (Sugar) and Michigan State (Outback) won January bowl games.
? The Hawkeyes do not face Big Ten opponents Illinois, Ohio State and Wisconsin this season.

IOWA AMONG TOP 20 IN WINS, 2002-12
Iowa has posted 87 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ranks as the 18th highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (118); USC (111); Oklahoma (110); LSU (109); Ohio State (108); Texas (106); TCU (105); Virginia Tech (103); Georgia (101); Florida (98); West Virginia (97); Wisconsin (96); Auburn (95); Utah (94); Alabama (94); Oregon (93); Florida State (88); IOWA (87); Texas Tech (87); Hawaii (85); Miami, FL (85); Boston College (84); Nebraska (84) and Michigan (84). Since 2003, Iowa is tied with Boston College for 22nd in the country with 76 wins.

COACHING STAFF CHANGES
Iowa’s coaching staff has undergone several changes from a year ago. Phil Parker is the new defensive coordinator after coaching the Iowa secondary for the past 13 seasons. Reese Morgan moves from offensive to defensive line coach and Darrell Wilson has moved from coaching linebackers to coaching the defensive backs. LeVar Woods is in his first season as the linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Eric Johnson will assist Morgan with the defensive line. On offense, coordinator and quarterbacks coach Greg Davis joins the staff for his first season with the Hawkeyes. Brian Ferentz is in his first season as Iowa’s offensive line coach and graduate assistant David Raih has added the duties of coaching the Hawkeye tight ends. Lester Erb continues to coach the running backs and will again work with Wilson in coaching the Hawkeye special teams. Both Ferentz and Woods are former Hawkeye players.

DEPTH CHART INCLUDES 7 WALK-ONS, 3 TRUE FRESHMEN
Iowa’s depth chart includes eight players who originally joined the program as a walk-on. That includes three on offense (OL Matt Tobin, WR Steven Staggs and RB Mark Weisman), two on defense (OLB Tom Donatell and LB Travis Perry), and two specialists (PK Mike Meyer and LS Casey Kreiter). True freshmen on the depth chart include defensive back Kevin Buford, punter Connor Kornbrath, and running back Michael Malloy.

IOWA LIKES STARTING ON OFFENSE
Iowa has started the game on offense in 136-of-165 games under Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes started on offense in their win over NIU, but started on defense the last two games (Iowa State and UNI). Iowa is 16-13 in the games it has started on defense under Ferentz.

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 75 interceptions, a total that ranks among the 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). Iowa’s defense has registered three interceptions the last two games (two vs. Iowa State and one against UNI). 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.

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.
? 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).
? Iowa has appeared in the final Associated Press poll 21 times in program history, a total that ranks 25th best in the country.

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 13 seasons. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry.

HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 118 players includes 47 players from Iowa. The roster includes 13 players from Illinois; 11 from Ohio; six from Michigan; five from Florida and Texas; four from Maryland; three from Nebraska; two from Georgia, Missouri, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin; one from Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia; and three from Canada and one from Australia.

MORE THAN ONE
Eleven high schools have contributed more than one player to the current Iowa football roster. The leader is Iowa City High (Iowa) with four, while three players attended Washington HS in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Solon, Iowa HS. Those with two include Cass Technical HS in Detroit area, DeMatha Catholic in the Washington, D.C. area, Dowling HS in West Des Moines, Iowa, Heelan HS in Sioux City, Iowa, Hazelwood East HS in the St. Louis area; Mount Pleasant, Iowa HS, Oskaloosa, Iowa HS, Wahlert HS in Dubuque, Iowa and Regina HS in Iowa City.

ALL IN THE FAMILY
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has each of his three sons involved in the Iowa program this season. Brian, a former Hawkeye letterman (2003-05), is in his first season as Iowa’s offensive line coach. James is a senior offensive lineman who has started the last 28 games at center. Steven is a tight end who is in his first season in the program as a true freshman.

FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Iowa has seven players on its 2012 roster whose father played for the Hawkeyes. WR Jordan Cotton (Marshall in 1984-87), OL Cole Croston (Dave in 1984-86), TE Zach Derby (John in 1988-91), QB Dan Hartlieb (Chuck in 1986-88), OL Mitch Keppy (Myron in 1986-87), ATH George Krieger Kittle (Bruce in 1977-80) and DB Sean Skradis (Bryan in 1977-81).

DAD IN THE NFL
The fathers of DB Tom Donatell and DB Greg Castillo are coaches in the NFL. Ed Donatell is the defensive secondary coach for the San Francisco 49’ers and Juan Castillo is the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles.

THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
Freshman QB Dan Hartlieb is the lightest Hawkeye player at 155 pounds. Sophomore DL Carl Davis and sophomore OL Brandon Scherff are the heaviest at 310 pounds. A total of six Hawkeye players are listed at 300 pounds or more. The tallest players, at 6-7, are sophomore OL Andrew Donnal, junior TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, redshirt freshman DE Riley McMinn and junior OL Brett Van Sloten. The shortest players, at 5-8, are sophomore Jordan Canzeri and freshman Riley McCarron. The average Hawkeye player is 6-2 and weighs 227 pounds. That is one inch taller and 3.3 pounds lighter than the average Iowa player in 2011.

BIG PLAY HAWKEYES
Iowa has had six pass plays and two rushing plays, along with five KO returns and seven field goals, of at least 20 yards after three games. The Hawkeyes had a season-best three passing plays of 20 yards or more in last week’s win over UNI. Hawkeye opponents have had seven passing plays, two rushing plays, five KO returns and five field goals of at least 20 yards. Last week, the Panthers did not have a running play over 20 yards; they had four passing plays of 20 yards or more.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,158 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 596-523-39 (.532). That includes a 377-203-16 (.646) record in home games, a 219-320-23 (.410) record in games away from Iowa City, a 293-352-25 (.456) mark in Big Ten games and a 260-167-15 (.605) record in Kinnick Stadium.

TICKET UPDATE
There are a few remaining tickets for games against Central Michigan and Purdue. Iowa has issued over 59,000 season tickets, which includes more than 10,000 student tickets. The Iowa record for average home attendance is 70,585, set in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, and 2011. Iowa has sold out Kinnick Stadium 58 of the last 60 games. In addition, Iowa has sold its allotment of tickets to road games at Michigan and Michigan State. An estimated 35,000 Iowa fans attended the season opener against Northern Illinois at Chicago’s Soldier Field, which had an announced attendance of 52,117. Iowa’s first two home games of 2012 (Iowa State and UNI) were sellouts.

AVERAGE SCORING DRIVES
Iowa’s 12 scoring drives have averaged 9.8 plays, 53.8 yards and 4:06 in elapsed time. Nine of Iowa’s 12 scoring drives had totaled 10 plays or more. The Hawkeyes averaged 9.8 plays and 64.2 yards in their five scoring drives last week in their win against UNI.

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS
Iowa has scored six points following six defensive takeaways through three games. Last week vs. UNI, Iowa collected an interception but was unable to convert the takeaway into points. The Hawkeye defense has collected at least one takeaway in 68 of its last 78 games, dating back to 2006. Iowa had no turnovers in its season-opening win over NIU or last week against UNI. The Hawkeyes had two interceptions against the Cyclones in week two. Iowa State failed to score any points following the turnovers.

IOWA IN THE RED ZONE
Iowa is 10-12 (83.3%) in the red zone through three games, scoring seven field goals and rushing for three TD’s. The Hawkeyes’ two failed red-zone possessions resulted in a failed fourth-down conversion attempt against UNI and running out the clock at the end of the NIU game in an 18-17 victory. Iowa has scored on 158 of the last 179 (.883) red zone possessions (104 TDs and 54 FGs), dating back to the Michigan State game in 2008. Iowa is 139-160 (.869) combined inside the red zone its last 46 games. Hawkeye opponents are 7-10 (.700) inside the red zone, a percentage that ranks 30th in the country. Iowa’s defense forced three red-zone turnovers vs. Iowa State.

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.

IOWA BOWL NOTES
? Iowa was bowl eligible last season 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.
? Since the 2001 season, no Big Ten team has won more bowl games or has a higher winning percentage in bowl games, than Iowa.
? 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 (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.
? 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.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY
Iowa and Nebraska will meet for the second straight year on the Friday following Thanksgiving. The 2012 “Heroes Game” will be played Friday, Nov. 23 (11 a.m., ABC) in Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium. The teams met on Friday following Thanksgiving last season in Lincoln in the inaugural battle for the “Heroes Game” trophy.

HAWKEYES AT NIGHT
Iowa will once again host a night game in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes will host Penn State at 7 p.m. CT on, Oct. 20. The game will be televised on BTN. Iowa is 6-3 in night games in Kinnick Stadium, including a 41-31 win over Northwestern a year ago.

HAWKEYES ON THE TUBE
All Iowa football games in 2011 were televised on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, FSN or the BTN. Eight of Iowa’s 12 games this season are already scheduled for television, with the remaining four games expected to be selected as well. The last Iowa contest not televised was vs. Minnesota on Nov. 17, 2001. Iowa has appeared on television in 132 consecutive games.

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

AFTER THIS
Iowa remains in Iowa City for its fourth consecutive home contest when it hosts Minnesota next Saturday at 11 a.m. (ESPN or ESPN2) in both teams’ conference opener. The Hawkeyes will receive their bye after the Big Ten opener next week.