Sept. 23, 2013
- 2013 Game Day Central
- Read the September issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- 2013 Signing Day Central
- Hawkeyes in the NFL
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
600 DOWN, 300 TO GO
Iowa’s 27-21 win over Iowa State on Sept. 14 was the 600th win in program history. The Hawkeyes’ overall record is 601-531-39 (.529). Iowa is also closing in on a conference milestone. The Hawkeyes enter Big Ten play with 297 conference wins. Iowa is 297-359-25 (.454) all-time in Big Ten games.
FERENTZ IN BIG TEN OPENERS
Iowa has won three of its last four conference openers, including a 31-13 win over Minnesota in last year’s opener. The Hawkeyes are 6-8 in Big Ten openers since 1999. The Hawkeyes are opening the Big Ten season on the road for the 11th time in 15 seasons under Ferentz. In its previous 10 conference openers on the road, Iowa has won three times (42-35 OT at Penn State, 2002; 24-7 at Illinois, 2006; 21-10 at Penn State, 2009).
FLOYD OF ROSEDALE
As a result of a bet between the governors of the two states in 1935, possession of Floyd of Rosedale is at stake Saturday. The bronze pig traveling trophy is currently in the hands of the Hawkeyes as a result of their 31-13 win in Iowa City last season. Minnesota holds a 41-35-2 advantage in the series with Floyd of Rosedale on the line. Iowa has won nine of the last 12 meetings.
ON THIS DATE
Iowa is 9-3-1 all-time in games played on Sept. 28, but this is the first meeting on this date with Minnesota. The last time Iowa played on this date was 2002, a 42-35 overtime win at Penn State.
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,169 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 601-531-39 (.529). That includes a 380-208-16 (.642) record in home games, a 221-323-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 297-359-25 (.454) mark in Big Ten games and a 263-172-15 (.601) record in Kinnick Stadium.
IOWA/MINNESOTA NOTES
? Iowa will defend the Floyd of Rosedale trophy Saturday. Iowa is 1-0 in trophy games in 2013. The Hawkeyes defeated Iowa State, 27-21, in the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy on Sept. 14.
? Saturday’s game marks just the second time the schools have met in September. Iowa and Minnesota met in September for the first time last season, a 31-13 Iowa win on Sept. 29 in Kinnick Stadium. Additionally, Saturday will be the third time in four years the Hawkeyes and Gophers will have played in Minneapolis.
? Minnesota ranks third in the Big Ten with 282.2 rushing yards per game, while Iowa is averaging 244 rushing yards per outing. The Hawkeye defense ranks fifth in the Big Ten, allowing just 91.5 rushing yards per game.
? Iowa’s pass defense has allowed 199.2 yards per game, the fourth-best total in the conference. Minnesota’s passing offense is last in the Big Ten. The Gophers average just 105.2 yards per game through the air.
? Iowa leads the Big Ten, and ranks third nationally, averaging 25.1 yards per punt return. The Hawkeyes are the only Big Ten team to return two punts for a touchdown.
? The Gophers are 4-for-4 in fourth down conversions. Iowa has allowed six first downs on eight fourth-down attempts this season.
? Minnesota is the least penalized team in the Big Ten. The Gophers have 10 penalties this season. Iowa has been flagged 26 times.
? Iowa leads the conference and ranks fifth nationally in time of possession, averaging 35:48 per game.
? Iowa has allowed just four red-zone scores this year, the lowest total in the Big Ten. Hawkeye opponents have made six trips to the red zone, scoring one touchdown and three field goals.
? Iowa has three Minnesota natives on its roster, all freshmen (Malik Rucker, Connor Keane, Luke Lindahl). Minnesota has no Iowa natives on its roster.
? Iowa has not allowed a first-half touchdown in three straight games. Iowa’s defense held Western Michigan without a first down in its first six possessions (37 yards) of the first half.
? Iowa held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter for the third straight game. The Hawkeye defense forced four three-and-outs against Western Michigan in the first quarter, limiting the Broncos to 22 total yards.
? Iowa’s defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. The Hawkeyes entered last week as one of four FBS schools yet to surrender a rushing touchdown. Hawkeye opponents have rushed 128 straight times without a score. Minnesota has 16 rushing touchdowns in four games.
? Iowa is 3-0 this year when winning the turnover battle, and 0-1 when losing the turnover margin. Iowa is plus-two in turnovers on the season.
? Saturday is Homecoming for Minnesota. Iowa will celebrate Homecoming the following week, hosting Michigan State on Oct. 5.
? Three reigning Big Ten players of the week will be in action on Saturday, Iowa’s Kevonte Martin-Manley (special teams) and B.J. Lowery (defense), and Minnesota QB Mitch Leidner (freshman).
? Iowa LB Anthony Hitchens needs five tackles to reach the 200-tackle plateau for his career. The senior enters Saturday’s contest with 195 tackles.
LAST MEETING – SEPT. 29, 2012
Iowa outscored Minnesota 24-0 in the first half and never looked back en route to a 31-13 Big Ten-opening victory at Kinnick Stadium on Iowa’s Homecoming to regain possession of the Floyd of Rosedale traveling trophy. The win was Iowa’s fourth straight on Homecoming.
PK Mike Meyer scored the only points of the first quarter with a 44-yard field goal. RB Mark Weisman scored on an 8-yard run on the first play of the second period to give the Hawkeyes a 10-0 lead. Iowa scored touchdowns on its next two possessions as well. WR Jordan Cotton caught a 47-yard score from QB James Vandenberg on a flea-flicker, followed by a Vandenberg 1-yard QB sneak to give the Hawkeyes a 24-0 halftime cushion.
The Gophers scored their first points on a 9-yard TD pass from QB Max Shortell to WR Isaac Fruechte midway through the third period. Three Minnesota possessions later, LB Christian Kirksey intercepted a Shortell pass attempt and ran the theft back 68 yards for a touchdown. The interception return for a touchdown was the third longest in school history.
Shortell threw his second touchdown pass, this time from 1-yard out, in the final minute, but failed on the two-point conversion to make the final score 31-13.
Iowa dominated play in the first half, totaling 328 yards of total offense compared to 75 for Minnesota, and maintaining possession for 19:02 while the Gophers had the ball for only 10:58. Vandenberg completed 18-of-31 passes for 192 yards. Weisman finished with 177 yards on 21 carries (8.4 avg.), while WR Keenan Davis (six catches) and TE C.J. Fiedorowicz (two catches) each had 50 yards receiving.
The Hawkeye defense was stellar, collecting four turnovers (three interceptions and one fumble), registering three tackles for loss, including two sacks, and breaking up four passes.
COACHES TO WEAR SIDELINE PATCH FOR COACH TO CURE MD
For the sixth year in a row, college football coaches nationwide will join together in support of the Coach To Cure MD program on Saturday. The rapidly growing annual effort has raised more than a million dollars to battle Duchenne muscular dystrophy. On Saturday, the Iowa and Minnesota coaching staffs will wear Coach to Cure MD patches to raise awareness and funding for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy research. Fans are encouraged to donate online at www.CoachtoCureMD.org or donate $5 by texting CURE to 90999. Last year, more than 10,000 college coaches at a record 580 different institutions participated in Coach To Cure MD events. Both those figures are higher than in any of the program’s first five years (2008-12). Last season marked the first time all 124 Football Bowl Subdivision schools participated, and the five-year fundraising total is just over $1 million. Duchenne muscular dystrophy is the most common fatal genetic disorder diagnosed during childhood and primarily affects boys across all races and cultures. Boys and young men with Duchenne muscular dystrophy develop progressive muscle weakness that eventually causes loss of mobility, wheelchair dependency and a decline in respiratory and cardiac function. Currently, there is no cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy and limited therapeutic options exist.
MARTIN-MANLEY IS NCAA TOP RETURNER
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley leads the NCAA averaging 31.1 yards per punt return. He has seven returns for 218 yards and two touchdowns this season. He is one of only three players this season with two returns for a touchdown. Martin-Manley returned consecutive punts for touchdowns (83, 63) in the second quarter against Western Michigan. He is the first Iowa player to return two punts for a touchdown in a single game, tying a Big Ten record, and the first Big Ten player to return consecutive punts for a touchdown. Earl Girard (Wisconsin, 1947) and Garcia Lane (OSU, 1983) are the only other Big Ten players to score two touchdowns on punt returns in a single game. Martin-Manley returned four punts for 184 yards and two touchdowns against Western Michigan. The 184 yards are 17 yards shy of Nile Kinnick’s Iowa and Big Ten single-game record of 201 (vs. Indiana on Oct. 7, 1939). His 83-yard return is a career long, and is the seventh-longest in school history.
LOWERY, MARTIN-MANLEY HONORED
Junior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley and senior CB B.J. Lowery earned Big Ten Player of the Week honors for their play in Iowa’s 59-3 win over Western Michigan. Lowery earned the Big Ten honor for defense, while Martin-Manley earned the award for his special teams play.
The College Football Performance Awards also named the Lowery and Martin-Manley as the national Performers of the Week for defense and special teams, respectively, while Lowery was also named national defensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.
Martin-Manley was named Big Ten special teams Player of the Week after recording punt return touchdowns of 83 and 63 yards, both in the second quarter. He is the first conference player to ever return back-to-back-punts for touchdowns. Martin-Manley ended the game with 184 yards on four returns. He is just the third player in Big Ten history with two punt return touchdowns in a game, and the first since 1983. The 184 yards ranks second best all-time in the Big Ten, behind Nile Kinnick’s record of 201 yards on nine returns, set in 1939. Just one player in NCAA Division I history has three punt return touchdowns in a game.
Martin-Manley began the day with a 44-yard return to set up a field goal on Iowa’s first possession. With the Hawkeyes leading 10-0 in the second period, Martin-Manley scored on an 83-yard return, which ties as the seventh longest in school history. Martin-Manley struck just 59 seconds later with the 63-yard return, which ranks as the 20th longest in Iowa annals.
Lowery’s first score of the day was a 35-yard return with 56 seconds remaining in the second period. His second touchdown covered 13 yards and came on Western Michigan’s first possession of the third period. Lowery is the first Hawkeye ever with two interception return touchdowns in a single game and the second Big Ten player to accomplish the feat since 1998.
Lowery scored the first touchdowns of his career against Western Michigan and added one solo tackle and three assists. Lowery leads Iowa with three interceptions in four games, as his first theft of the season came in the 27-21 win at Iowa State. Lowery has four career interceptions.
The Big Ten honors are the first for both Lowery and Martin-Manley. The special teams accolade is the first for an Iowa player since PK Mike Meyer was recognized for his play in Iowa’s win at Michigan State last season. Lowery’s honor is the first for an Iowa defensive player since DT Tom Nardo was recognized for his performance in a 2011 win over Louisiana-Monroe.
Iowa has two recipients awarded in the same week for the first time since Sept. 27, 2009, when LB Pat Angerer (defense) and DE Adrian Clayborn (special teams) were honored following Iowa’s 21-10 win at Penn State.
KORNBRATH RECOGNIZED BY CFPA
The College Football Performance Award recognized sophomore punter Connor Kornbrath for his play in Iowa’s win over Western Michigan as he was named honorable mention Punter of the Week. Kornbrath averaged 47 yards on three punts, with a long of 55 yards. One of his three punts was downed at the WMU eight-yard line and the Broncos had just one yard on one return. For the season Kornbrath is averaging 39.1 yards on 21 punts. Twelve of his punts have been downed inside the 20, three are over 50 yards and Hawkeye opponents are averaging just 2.5 yards on eight returns.
RUDOCK CAN MOVE THROUGH AIR OR BY LAND
Through four games, QB Jake Rudock has completed 64-103 attempts for 743 yards and five touchdowns. He has also rushed 23 times for 93 yards and four touchdowns.
? Rudock has connected with 16 different Hawkeyes. He has completed 64 pass attempts, 38 to wide receivers, 16 to tight ends, and 10 to running backs.
? Rudock completed 21-of-37 passes for 256 yards, including two touchdowns (one rush and one pass) and two interceptions, in his Hawkeye debut on Aug. 31. The 256 yards ties for the fourth-highest by a Hawkeye quarterback making his first career start.
? Rudock was the first starting quarterback in 19 years to makes his debut in a season opener; Ryan Driscoll was the last Hawkeye to do it. Driscoll made his college debut at starting quarterback in Iowa’s 1994 season opener.
? With his 1-yard touchdown rush against Iowa State, Rudock became the first quarterback under Kirk Ferentz to rush for a touchdown in three consecutive games.
? The four rushing scores equals QB James Vandenberg’s 12-game total from a year ago. The last Iowa quarterback to rush for more than four touchdowns in a single season was Nathan Chandler (6 in 2003).
OFFENSE, DEFENSE OR SPECIAL TEAMS, IOWA IS IN SCORING POSITION
Iowa has scored touchdowns five different ways this season – pass (5), rush (8), punt return (2), interception return (2) and fumble return (1). The Hawkeyes scored touchdowns four different ways against Western Michigan. QB Jake Rudock threw a pair of touchdowns, RB Mark Weisman and RB Jordan Canzeri each rushed for a score, WR Kevonte Martin-Manley returned two punts for touchdowns, and DB B.J. Lowery returned two interceptions for a score. In Iowa’s season opener, LB Christian Kirksey returned a fumble for a touchdown.
WEISMAN AMONG CONFERENCE, NATIONAL LEADERS
RB Mark Weisman leads the nation with 95 rush attempts and ranks 18th in the country with 468 rushing yards. His 117 yards per game rank No. 2 in the Big Ten, trailing only Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, who leads the NCAA with 156 yards per game.
? Weisman has rushed for 100 or more yards three times this season, and has seven career 100-yard games to his credit.
? He rushed for 100 yards in each of Iowa’s first three contests, becoming the first running back since Shonn Green (2008) to rush for 100 or more yards in the first three games of the season.
? His 425 rushing yards were the highest total through three games since Fred Russell ran for 471 yards in the first three games of the 2002 season.
? Weisman carried a career-high 35 times against Iowa State, the highest single-game total by a Big Ten back this season and the sixth most in program history.
OFFENSE INCREASES TEMPO, CONTROLS T.O.P.
The Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten and rank fifth in the nation in time of possession, averaging 35:48 per game. The Hawkeyes have had the advantage in time of possession in every game this season, and have owned a time of possession greater than 36 minutes three times, all Hawkeye victories (38:18 vs. Missouri State; 38:03 at Iowa State; 36:11 vs. Western Michigan). Iowa maintained possession for 38-plus minutes in back-to-back games for the first time under Kirk Ferentz (38:18 vs. Missouri State; 38:03 at Iowa State). Iowa ran 80-plus plays in its first three games this season, marking the first time under coach Kirk Ferentz the Hawkeyes have taken 80-plus snaps in three consecutive games. The Hawkeyes took 80 snaps in Week 1, 85 in Week 2, and 83 in Week 3. Iowa had 76 offensive plays vs. Western Michigan.
200 YARDS AND A CLOUD OF DUST
Iowa has rushed for 200-plus yards in four straight games to start the season (202 vs. Northern Illinois; 298 vs. Missouri State; 218 at Iowa State; 258 vs. Western Michigan). It marks the first time the Hawkeyes rushed for 200-plus yards in four consecutive games since the first four games of 1997 (379 vs. UNI; 408 vs. Tulsa; 233 at Iowa State; 219 vs. Illinois).
Through four games, Iowa’s offensive line has paved the way for 976 rushing yards on 218 attempts. In Iowa’s last three games, all victories, the Hawkeyes rushed 176 times for 774 yards. Iowa rushed 60 times for 218 yards in a 27-21 win over Iowa State. The 60 rushing attempts ties for the most in a single game under head coach Kirk Ferentz. The last time Iowa had 60 carries was Sept. 4, 2004 against Kent State.
Iowa rushed for 298 yards in a 28-14 win over Missouri State. The 298 rushing yards are the most for an Iowa team since rushing for 301 yards vs. Illinois on Oct. 1, 2005. Iowa’s 58 rush attempts against Missouri State is Iowa’s third highest single game total under head coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes matched that total against Western Michigan, rushing 58 times for 258 yards.
Iowa’s offensive line has yielded just four sacks against sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, a total that ranks 35th in the country. The Hawkeyes’ starters on the offensive line include tackles Brett Van Sloten and Brandon Scherff, guards Jordan Walsh and Conor Boffeli and center Austin Blythe. Junior Andrew Donnal has shared time with Walsh throughout Iowa’s first four games.
LOWERY CHANGES POSSESSION, CHANGES THE SCORE
DB B.J. Lowery returned two interceptions for touchdowns against Western Michigan in Week 4, which is a single-game school record, and ties for the second-most in a single game in NCAA history (Houston’s Johnny Jackson returned three for TDs in 1987). He is the second Big Ten player in the BCS era (since 1998) with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single game. Lowery has three interceptions this season, and four for his career. He intercepted his first pass of the season in the fourth quarter against Iowa State, changing possession for the Hawkeyes after Iowa State had recovered an onside kick. His three interceptions tie for second in the Big Ten. He also has six pass breakups, tied for third most in the conference.
HITCHENS LEADS DEFENSE
College Sports Madness named senior linebacker Anthony Hitchens its Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 27-21 win at Iowa State on Sept. 14. Hitchens recorded 10 tackles, including a shared tackle for loss, as the Iowa defense allowed just 59 net rushing yards and held ISU to seven points until midway through the fourth quarter. Hitchens leads the defense through four games with 37 tackles, including four tackles for loss and one QB sack and a pass break-up. He ranks second in the Big Ten in tackles per game and has 195 career tackles.
KING BECOMES THE FIRST
True freshman CB Desmond King has appeared in all four games this season, and has started the last three. He made his career debut in the season opener against Northern Illinois, appearing at defensive back and recording four tackles. King recorded three tackles and one fumble recovery in his first career start against Missouri State. He became the first Iowa true freshman to start on defense since James Morris (vs. Michigan State, Oct. 30, 2012), and the first rookie to start at defensive back since Jovon Johnson (2002). King has 14 tackles and three break-ups this season.
MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Senior PK Mike Meyer is 5-for-6 on field goal attempts and perfect on 17 PAT attempts this season. He has connected on field goals of 20, 27, 28, 38 and 44 yards. His miss was from 33 yards versus Missouri State. He ranks fourth all-time in career field goals (50) and all-time in career scoring (267 points). He trails Kyle Schlicher for third place in career field goals (51), and Tom Nichol (277 points) for third place in career scoring. Meyer’s 50-yarder against Northern Illinois on Sept. 1, 2012 tied his career long (at Iowa State, 2011). In 2012, he made four treys against NIU and Michigan State, 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). Last season, Meyer ranked eighth in Big Ten kick scoring (6.3) and ranked 27th in the country in field goals made per game (1.42). He has made 50-64 (.781) career field goal attempts. Meyer is 37-43 (.860) from kicks 39 yards and closer; 11-17 (.647) from attempts 40-49 yards; and 2-4 (.500) from kicks 50 yards or farther. His 50 made field goals rank No. 4 in school history. The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has made a school-record 98 consecutive PAT attempts, which ranks sixth-best in conference history. His four PAT’s against Central Michigan in 2012 put him past All-Pro Nate Kaeding’s previous record of 60 straight. Meyer’s last PAT miss was in a 37-6 win over Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2010, in Iowa City.
Yardage Made-Att.
19-29 26-28
30-39 11-15
40-49 11-17
50+ 2-4
REMOVE THE REDSHIRT
True freshmen RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., DB Desmond King, LB Reggie Spearman, and WR Matt VandeBerg have all seen action this season. Daniels carried six times for 30 yards, while VandeBerg caught two passes for 17 yards, in their season debuts against Missouri State. Spearman made four tackles in his Hawkeye debut against Western Michigan, appearing on special teams and defense. King is the only Iowa true freshman to see action in each of Iowa’s four games to date. He has started the last three contests.
MEYER CONTINUES TO CONNECT
Senior PK Mike Meyer has made a school-record 98 consecutive PAT attempts, the sixth-longest streak in Big Ten Conference history. That active streak ranks fourth in the nation (Baylor’s Aaron Jones, 135; Northwestern’s Jeff Budzien 121; Michigan’s Brendan Gibbons, 117). Meyer’s last PAT miss was in a 37-6 win over Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2010, in Iowa City. As a team, Iowa has gone 34 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT. RECEPTION STREAK HITS 22 GAMES TE C.J. Fiedorowicz and WR Kevonte Martin-Manley have each recorded at least one reception in 22 consecutive games. Fiedorowicz’s streak ranks second among active FBS tight ends. Martin-Manley has 84 receptions for 855 yards during the streak, and leads Iowa with 20 catches and 169 yards in 2013. Fiedorowicz has 66 catches for 632 over the last 22 games, and has caught all five career touchdowns during the streak.
MARTIN-MANLEY CLIMBS THE CHARTS
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley passed the 100 career receptions mark and 1,000 career receiving yards mark in Week 3 against Iowa State. Martin-Manley now has 102 career receptions and 1,063 career receiving yards. He is the 20th Iowa player in program history with at least 100 career receptions and the 36th Hawkeye to surpass 1,000 career receiving yards.
LEADING LINEBACKERS
Senior LBs Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey rank third and eighth, respectively, among Big Ten leading tacklers. Hitchens ranks No. 3 among conference tacklers, averaging 9.2 tackles per game. Kirksey averages 7.5 tackles per game. His career best 14 tackles against Northern Illinois is the second highest single game total among Big Ten players this season. Both linebackers are on the Butkus Award Watch List. LB James Morris has been credited with double-digit tackle games 15 times, while Kirksey has 10 double-digit tackle games and Hitchens has nine.
MORRIS CLIMBS TACKLES LIST
Senior LB James Morris recorded seven tackles against Western Michigan to raise his career total to 316 and pass Mike Wells (313) for No. 15 on the all-time list. He trails George Davis (330) for No. 14 on the all-time list. Morris has been a starting linebacker since his true freshman season in 2010. He is on watch lists for the Bednarik Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Nagurski Award, and the College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy watch list. In addition, he garnered preseason second team All-Big Ten honors from Athlon, Phil Steele and College Sports Madness.
TOUCHDOWN IOWA! TOUCHDOWN Christian Kirksey
Senior LB Christian Kirksey forced and recovered a fumble in the second quarter against Northern Illinois, returning it 52 yards for his third career touchdown. The 52-yard fumble return ranks as the third longest fumble return in school history and gives Kirksey two of the six longest in school history (45 yards vs. Penn State in 2012). Kirksey returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2012 (vs. Minnesota, at Indiana). He was one of eight players nationally with two touchdowns on interception returns. With his third career touchdown in the opening game against Northern Illinois, Kirksey is believed to be one of three Iowa players to score three career defensive touchdowns, joining former defensive backs Tom Knight and Micah Hyde.
IOWA FLIPS THE SCRIPT, STARTS ON DEFENSE
Historically known for starting each game on offense, Iowa has flipped the script and started 3-of-4 games this season on defense. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 in those contests, and has forced a punt on the opponent’s first possession each game. In 2013, the Hawkeyes started on offense against Northern Illinois (L, 30-27), and started on defense against Missouri State (W, 28-14) Iowa State (W, 27-21), and Western Michigan (W, 59-3). Since 1999, Iowa has started the game on offense in 144-of-178 games under Kirk Ferentz. In the 34 games Iowa has started on defense, the Hawkeyes are 19-15.
TROPHY GAMES
The Hawkeyes won the first of four trophy games this season with a 27-21 win over Iowa State. Iowa has taken ownership of the Cy-Hawk Trophy 24 times in 37 meetings. The Hawkeyes will defend the Floyd of Rosedale trophy against Minnesota on Sept. 28, attempt to reclaim the Heartland Trophy against Wisconsin on Nov. 2, and win its first Heroes Trophy at Nebraska on Nov. 29.
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 fans are known for their support of Hawkeye athletics, and the attendance figures from 2012-13 support that claim. Iowa was one of four programs in the nation to rank among the top 25 in attendance for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball events in 2012-13. In addition, Iowa was the only program in the nation to rank among the top 25 in attendance a year ago in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and wrestling.
? Iowa earned Big Ten Conference championships in 2002 and 2004 and placed second in 2009. Iowa (8-0, 2002) is one of three 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 11 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 started 9-0 and 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 the 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 tied 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 22 times in program history, a total that ranks 25th best in the country.
? Three former Hawkeyes are broadcasters on BTN in 2013. Chuck Long, the Hawkeyes’ all-time leading passer and the 1985 Heisman Trophy runner-up, will serve as a game color broadcaster and in-studio analyst. Iowa City native Paul Burmeister, who guided Iowa to the 1993 Alamo Bowl, will call play-by-play. Former wide receiver Danan Hughes returns as an in-studio and game analyst. Hughes also worked for the network during baseball season.
? The Hawkeyes have had at least one former player on a Super Bowl roster for 10 consecutive seasons, the eighth longest streak of any program in the country. Nebraska has had a former player on a Super Bowl roster for 20 consecutive years, followed by Purdue (14), Ohio State (12), LSU (12), Georgia (12), Illinois (12), Florida (11), Iowa (10), and Texas (8).
IOWA FOOTBALL AND THE NFL
? Since 2006, Iowa has had nine players start at cornerback, and seven of those nine are currently in the NFL.
? Iowa leads the Big Ten with 19 NFL Draft picks the past four years. Three of the 19 have been first round selections, which tie for second among Big Ten schools.
? For the third straight year, Iowa had six players selected in the 2012 NFL Draft, and for the third straight year that list included a first round selection (OL Riley Reiff).
? Iowa and Alabama were the only two college football programs to have a first round draft selection in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
? Iowa had six players drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, which tied for the most in the Big Ten and tied for fourth in the country.
? Iowa was the only program to have three defensive linemen selected in the 2011 NFL Draft, and all three were on NFL rosters in 2012.
? 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 in 2012.
? Three former Hawkeyes were involved in the 2012 Super Bowl. DB Tyler Sash played for the Super Bowl champion New York Giants, while LB Jeff Tarpinian was on the injured reserve roster of the New England Patriots. Former Iowa center Brian Ferentz, now is his second year as Iowa’s offensive line coach, was New England’s tight ends coach.
? Former Iowa DB Sean Considine and OL Marshal Yanda won Super Bowl rings with the 2012 Baltimore Ravens in the most recent Super Bowl.
? 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.
? The Iowa football program is represented by 26 players on 2013 NFL active rosters and practice squads (as of Sept. 1).
? Iowa tied for ninth nationally (second among Big Ten teams) in number former players active in the NFL in 2012, 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 or signed to NFL free agent contracts following the drafts.
? Over the past 11 years, 106 of 119 (89%) 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.
LINEBACKING TRIO NAMED TO BUTKAS WATCH LIST
Seniors James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens are on the Butkus Award Watch List, which honors the top linebacker. Iowa joins Notre Dame, BYU and UCLA as the only four schools in the country to have a trio named to that watch list.
In addition to his selection to the Butkus Award Watch List, Hitchens was named to the Rotary Lombardi Award Watch List. Hitchens earned honorable mention recognition from the Big Ten coaches and media after starting 11 games last season, missing one game with an injury. He ranks third in the Big Ten with 9.2 tackles per game this season. A year ago, he led the team with 124 tackles, while collecting 56 solo stops and 68 assists. He has 195 career tackles.
Morris has been a starting linebacker for the Hawkeyes since his true freshman season in 2010. Last season, he ranked third in the Big Ten and 31st in the nation in tackles per game (9.4). He ranks 15th in career tackles (316). He was named a Permanent Team Captain in 2012 while earning the Hayden Fry “Extra Heartbeat” Award and the Players Choice Award on defense. Morris earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors as a sophomore and junior after being named Freshman All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com as a freshman.
The Solon, Iowa, native is also on the watch lists for the Bednarik Award, the Lott IMPACT Trophy, the Nagurski Award, and the College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy watch list. In addition, he garnered preseason second team All-Big Ten honors from Athlon, Phil Steele, and College Sports Madness.
Kirksey ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 7.5 tackles per game. He collected 95 tackles as a junior, ranking ninth in the conference in tackles per contest (7.5). The St. Louis, Mo., native ranked first in the Big Ten and second in the nation with four recovered fumbles. He was one of eight players in the nation with two interception returns for touchdowns in 2012. Kirksey was named a Permanent Team Captain and winner of the Next Man in Award in 2012. Kirksey has 241 career tackles to rank 34th in career stops. He is also present on the College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy Watch List, and was named preseason fourth team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele.
FERENTZ FOURTH IN LONGEVITY
Now in his 15th 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. Ferentz is tied for fourth with Bob Stoops of Oklahoma.
CLOSE GAMES THE NORM FOR IOWA
One season after leading the country in games decided by three points or less, the Hawkeyes opened 2013 with a game decided by a field goal in the final seconds. Northern Illinois defeated the Hawkeyes 30-27 with a field goal in the closing seconds (:04) of the season opener. Dating back to last season, three of Iowa’s last five defeats have been decided by three points (Indiana, 24-21; Purdue, 27-24; Northern Illinois, 30-27). The Hawkeyes’ last two trips to Minneapolis have been decided by a combined four points. Iowa lost 24-21 in 2010 and 22-21 in 2011. Iowa has played 18 games decided by three points or less since 2009. The Hawkeyes went 4-1 in those games in 2009, 1-3 in 2010, 0-2 in 2011, 2-4 in 2012, and 0-1 in 2013. Three of Iowa’s losses in the last two seasons have come on the last offensive play of the game. Iowa ranks among the nation’s best in fourth quarter comebacks since 2009. The Hawkeyes mounted their ninth comeback when trailing in the fourth quarter, since 2009, at Michigan State on Oct. 13, 2012, winning in double overtime. Michigan State leads the nation with 10 comeback wins, while Iowa ties Minnesota, Ohio and Wyoming with nine wins after trailing at any point in the fourth period, since 2009.
COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS
The Hawkeyes have recorded six interceptions through four games. DB B.J. Lowery leads Iowa with three interceptions. SS Tanner Miller has two interceptions — both in the end zone — and LB James Morris has one interception. In Iowa’s 59-3 win over Western Michigan, Lowery returned two interceptions for touchdowns, which is a single-game school record, and ties for the second-most in a single game in NCAA history (Houston’s Johnny Jackson returned three for TDs in 1987). He is the second Big Ten player in the BCS era (since 1998) with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in a single game. Since the start of the 2008 season, Iowa has collected 89 interceptions, a total that ranks among the best in the nation over that span. Iowa had 10 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 also registered 10 interceptions in 2012. The 10 passes intercepted ranked 65th in the country. Two of the 10 thefts were returned for touchdowns, both by linebacker Christian Kirksey (68 -yarder vs. Minnesota and 18 yards at Indiana). The interception return against Minnesota is the third longest in school history. The Hawkeyes have had an interception return for a touchdown in each of the last six years, including two this season. Iowa has had an interception return for a score in 11 of the last 13 seasons and 11 of 15 seasons under Kirk Ferentz. Additionally, the Hawkeyes had a fumble return for a touchdown (Christian Kirksey, 52 yards) in the season-opener.
IOWA AMONG TOP 25 IN WINS, 2002-13
Iowa has posted 92 wins since the start of the 2002 season, which ranks as the 22nd highest total in Division I football. The list includes the following: Boise State (130); Oklahoma (121); Ohio State (121); LSU (120); USC (119); Texas (114); TCU (111); Georgia (112); Virginia Tech (111); Florida (108); Alabama (107); Oregon (105); Wisconsin (105); West Virginia (104); Auburn (100); Utah (100); Florida State (100); Texas Tech (96); Nebraska (95); Michigan (94); Miami, FL (93); Iowa (92); Hawai’i (87); Boston College (87).
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has two of his three sons involved in the Iowa program this season. Brian, a former Hawkeye letterman (2003-05), is in his second season as Iowa’s offensive line coach. Steven is an offensive lineman who is in his second season in the program as a redshirt freshman. His other son, James, was a three-year starter on the Hawkeye offensive line before graduating in May, 2013.
FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Iowa has seven players on its 2013 roster whose father played for the Hawkeyes. WR Jordan Cotton (Marshall in 1984-87), OL Cole Croston (Dave in 1984-86), OL Mitch Keppy (Myron in 1986-87), LS Tyler Kluver (Todd in 1986-87), TE George Kittle (Bruce in 1977-80), TE Peter Pekar (Jim in 1980-81) and DB Sean Skradis (Bryan in 1977-81). Additionally, freshman linebacker Luke Lindahl’s grandfather is former Hawkeye Wally Hilgenberg.
HAWKEYES GOOD ON THE POINT AFTER
The Hawkeyes have converted on 99 consecutive PATs without a miss or block, and 34 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the seventh-longest streak of any school in the nation.
IOWA, UNI, IOWA ST. PARTICIPATE IN MENTOR PROGRAM
As a project of Volunteer Iowa, The Iowa Mentoring Partnership is the state’s support organization for Iowa’s 80+ certified youth mentoring programs. Volunteer Iowa is proud to have the support of all three regents’ university football coaches and dozens of private college and high school coaches across the state; promoting the difference that a positive role model can make in a child’s life through mentoring. To find a certified mentoring program in your area and take the 2013 Coaches Challenge please visit www.volunteeriowa.org/coaches-challenge. Any new mentor application that is received between Aug. 1 and Nov. 30, 2013 will count toward the “score” of the respective state. By signing up to be a mentor, fans can not only show their state/team pride, but can help improve the life of a child! The overall winner of the 2013 “Coaches Mentoring Challenge” will be announced the week of Dec.13. During the 2012 Coaches Challenge, the states of Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska recruited over 7,000 new mentors. With the addition of Michigan and Minnesota it is hopeful to be able to exceed all previous numbers to achieve the goal at the core of all of our missions – to serve more kids.
HOME GROWN HAWKEYES
Iowa’s roster of 134 players includes 48 players from Iowa. The roster includes 15 players from Illinois; 11 from Ohio; six from Michigan and Texas; five from Maryland and Missouri; three from Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wisconsin; two from New Jersey; one from Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia; and three from Canada.
GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
? The Hawkeyes open Big Ten play at Minnesota on Saturday. This marks the 11th time in Kirk Ferentz’s 15 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes have opened the conference season on the road.
? Nine of Iowa’s 11 FBS opponents played in bowl games a year ago, while Ohio State posted a perfect 12-0 regular season record (OSU was not eligible for postseason play).
? The Hawkeyes do not face Big Ten opponents Illinois, Penn State and Indiana this season.
? Iowa’s Homecoming game against Michigan State is Oct. 5. Iowa is 55-41-5 all-time in Homecoming contests, including a 6-0-1 mark versus the Spartans. The Hawkeyes have won their last four Homecoming games, including last season’s 31-13 win over Minnesota to regain possession of Floyd of Rosedale.
? Speaking of Floyd of Rosedale, Iowa has four trophy games on its slate in 2013: Iowa State (Cy-Hawk; W, 27-21), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale), Wisconsin (Heartland), and Nebraska (Heroes).
? Iowa’s schedule includes four teams who have first-year head coaches (Northern Illinois, Western Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin), plus Ohio State, whose Urban Meyer is in his second year with the Buckeyes. Iowa did not face Ohio State the last two seasons.
? Start times to a number of Iowa games were announced prior to the season. Iowa has three games remaining on its schedule that will have 2:30 p.m. or later kickoffs. Iowa’s season opener against Northern Illinois was at 2:42 p.m., and future road games at Minnesota and Ohio State kickoff at 2:30 p.m. (CT). Iowa’s contest at Iowa State began at 5:05 p.m.
COACHING STAFF CHANGES
Iowa’s coaching staff has four new faces in 2013. Assistant coaches Bobby Kennedy (wide receivers), Jim Reid (linebackers), and Chris White (running backs/special teams), and graduate assistant D.J. Hernandez, are in their first season on the Iowa sideline. Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker has added the responsibility of instructing Iowa’s defensive secondary. Parker coached the secondary for 13 seasons before being promoted to defensive coordinator in 2012. He will handle both assignments this season. Iowa has made six changes to the coaching staff since 2012, matching its combined total from the previous 13 years. Iowa had a total of six changes on its coaching staff from 1999-2011.
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 14 seasons. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry.
IOWA BOWL NOTES
? Iowa has been bowl eligible 11 of the last 12 seasons under head coach Kirk Ferentz and his staff.
? Iowa ranks third in Big Ten bowl appearances. Ohio State and Michigan have received a conference-best 42 bowl bids, followed by the Hawkeyes (26) and Wisconsin (24).
? 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 streak was snapped in a loss to Oklahoma in the 2011 Insight Bowl.
? 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 (9-8, .529) are the only Big Ten teams with a winning percentage in bowl games.
? Since the inception of the BCS in 1998, the Big Ten has qualified 26 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. Seven different Big Ten programs have played in BCS bowl games.
Kirk Ferentz RADIO SHOW
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is featured on “Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz” each week. The 90-minute radio call-in show is hosted by Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes. The show airs each Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. from Carlos O’Kelly’s in Iowa City.
AFTER THIS
The Hawkeyes host their 102nd Homecoming game Oct. 5 against Michigan State. Kickoff inside Kinnick Stadium is at 11:01 a.m. (CT).