Game Notes: Iowa at Ohio State

Oct. 14, 2013

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IOWA/OHIO STATE NOTES
? Iowa’s defense has held its first six opponents under their rushing average. In its Big Ten opener, Iowa held Minnesota 252 yards below its average rushing yards per game. Ohio State averages 280.7 rushing yards per game.
? Iowa is 4-6 following a bye week since 1999. Iowa has twice played Ohio State following a bye week (L, 19-10, at No. 8 OSU in 2003; W, 33-7 vs. No. 23 OSU in 2004).
? No. 4/3 Ohio State is Iowa’s highest ranked opponent since No. 3 Penn State visited Iowa City in 2008 (Iowa won, 24-23).
? Saturday is the second career meeting between Kirk Ferentz and Urban Meyer. Meyer was in his first year at Florida when the Gators defeated Iowa, 31-24, in the 2006 Outback Bowl.
? Three of Iowa’s next four opponents come against new coaching staffs (Ohio State, Wisconsin and Purdue). Ohio State’s coaching staff is in their second season, but the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes did not play last year.
? Ohio State has the top scoring offense in the Big Ten (46.8 ppg). Iowa has the third best scoring defense in the Big Ten, allowing 16.8 ppg.
? Iowa has allowed just five sacks through six games, while the Buckeyes have recorded 16 sacks in six contests.
? Iowa allows 88.5 rushing yards per game, the eighth-best total in the nation and No. 3 in the Big Ten.
? The Iowa offense is converting 48.4-percent of its 3rd downs, the 22nd-best conversion rate in the nation and No. 2 in the Big Ten. Ohio State’s defense owns the best 3rd-down conversion rate in the conference (25.3-percent).
? Through six games, Iowa’s defense has faced only one down-and-goal situation — versus Northern Illinois, resulting in a field goal.
? Iowa ranks third among Big Ten teams in scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, and pass defense.
? Iowa is the only school in the nation to have not allowed a rushing touchdown this season. Hawkeye opponents have rushed 182 straight times without a score. Ohio State has rushed for 17 touchdowns this season.
? Iowa’s Kevonte Martin-Manley (25.8) and Ohio State’s Corey Brown (16.1) rank 1-2, respectively, in Big Ten punt return average.
? Iowa has held its last five opponents scoreless in the first quarter. Ohio State has scored 126 of its 281 total points in the first quarter.
? PK Mike Meyer has connected on a school-record 102 consecutive PAT attempts. His last miss was in a win over Michigan State in 2010 in Iowa City.
? The Hawkeyes have outscored their opponents 86-20 in the second quarter.
? Saturday’s game is Ohio State’s homecoming. It marks the third-straight contest Iowa has played on homecoming (at Minnesota, Iowa, at Ohio State).
? Iowa is 4-0 when winning the turnover margin. The Hawkeyes are plus-two overall on the season.

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’ 23-7 win at Minnesota on Sept. 28 was the 298th conference win in school history. Iowa’s overall record is 602-532-39 (.529), and its conference mark is 298-360-25 (.454) all-time.

MARTIN-MANLEY CLIMBS THE CHARTS
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley continues to be among the team and national leaders in receptions and punt returns. He ranks second in the nation in punt return average, and surpassed the 100 career receptions mark and 1,000 career receiving yards mark in Week 3 against Iowa State. Martin-Manley now has 108 career receptions and 1,119 career receiving yards. He is tied for 16th in career receptions and ranks 33rd in career receiving yards.
? Martin-Manley had caught a pass in 23 consecutive games before leaving the Michigan State contest with a leg injury and without a reception. He totaled 90 receptions for 911 yards during the streak, and leads Iowa with 26 catches for 225 yards in 2013.
? Earned CFPA and Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors following Iowa’s 59-3 win over Western Michigan on Sept. 21.
? Martin-Manley recorded 184 yards on four punt returns against Western Michigan. 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.
? He had consecutive punt return touchdowns of 83 and 63 yards against Western Michigan, becoming the first Big Ten player to ever return back-to-back-punts for touchdowns, and the first Iowa player to return two punts for a touchdown in a single game. The punt return touchdowns tied a Big Ten record. 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.
? He 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.
? He leads the NCAA averaging 25.8 yards per punt return. He has nine returns for 232 yards and two touchdowns this season. He is one of only four FBS players this season with two returns for a touchdown.

COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS
The Hawkeyes have recorded nine interceptions through six games, tied for the 17th highest total in the country. Only Nebraska (10) and Northwestern (13) have more among Big Ten schools. DB B.J. Lowery and LB James Morris lead Iowa with three interceptions. SS Tanner Miller has two, and LB Christian Kirksey has one. 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). Lowery 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 92 interceptions, a total that ranks seventh 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 2013 season-opener.

TROPHY GAMES
The Hawkeyes are 2-for-2 in trophy games this season following their 23-7 win at Minnesota on Sept. 28 to retain Floyd of Rosedale. Iowa won the first of four trophy games this season with a 27-21 win at Iowa State on Sept. 14. The Hawkeyes will attempt to reclaim the Heartland Trophy against Wisconsin on Nov. 2, and win its first Heroes Trophy at Nebraska on Nov. 29.

RUDOCK CAN MOVE THROUGH AIR OR BY LAND
Through six games, QB Jake Rudock has completed 105-174 attempts for 1,202 yards and eight touchdowns. He has also rushed 31 times for 139 yards and five touchdowns.
? Rudock averages 200.3 passing yards per game, the sixth-highest total in the Big Ten.
? Rudock has eight touchdown passes, including five of 20-plus yards. ? Rudock’s five rushing touchdowns ties for the 10th-highest total in the Big Ten.
? Rudock is one of three FBS players since 2008 to pass and rush for four-plus touchdowns in their first four career games (Robert Griffin III, 2008; Johnny Manziel, 2012; Jake Rudock, 2013).
? Rudock has connected with 17 different Hawkeyes. He has completed 105 pass attempts, 62 to wide receivers, 23 to tight ends, and 20 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.
? After starting the game 1-4 for 5 yards against Michigan State, Rudock finished the half completing 11 straight passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns.
? 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.
? Rudock’s five rushing scores is one more than QB James Vandenberg’s 12-game total from a year ago. The last Iowa quarterback to rush for more than five touchdowns in a single-season was Nathan Chandler (6 in 2003).

NOSE FOR THE END ZONE
Iowa has scored touchdowns five different ways this season – pass (8), rush (9), 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. That contest marks the first game in school history in which Iowa has scored four non-offensive touchdowns. In Iowa’s season opener, LB Christian Kirksey returned a fumble for a touchdown.

WEISMAN AMONG CONFERENCE, NATIONAL LEADERS
RB Mark Weisman ranks seventh nationally and leads the Big Ten with 126 rush attempts. His 104 yards per game rank third in the Big Ten. Weisman is one of 12 players in the nation named to the Watch List of the Maxwell Award.
? Weisman has rushed for 100 or more yards four times this season, and has eight career 100-yard games to his credit.
? His four 100-yard rushing games ties for the third most in the Big Ten (Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon and Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah each have five games of 100-plus rushing yards).
? Weisman has 18 rushes of 10-plus yards this season, the fourth-highest total in the Big Ten.
? 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.
? Weisman has 1, 439 career rushing yards. He leads Iowa with 624 rushing yards this season, and led Iowa with 815 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.
? Watch Lists include Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, and CFPA Running Back Award.

OFFENSE INCREASES TEMPO, CONTROLS T.O.P.
The Hawkeyes rank second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation in time of possession, averaging 33:40 per game. The Hawkeyes have had the advantage in time of possession in five of six games this season, and have owned a time of possession greater than 36 minutes in all four of its victories (38:18 vs. Missouri State; 38:03 at Iowa State; 36:11 vs. Western Michigan; 36:01 at Minnesota).

Furthermore, 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 the season opener, 85 in Week 2, and 83 in Week 3. Iowa had 76 offensive plays vs. Western Michigan, and 70 in the win at Minnesota.

IOWA DEFENSE PRESENTS…
The Iowa defense ranks third in total defense among Big Ten schools, and ninth nationally. The Hawkeyes are allowing just 290 yards of total offense, and are holding their opponents to just 14.3 first downs per game, the second-best number in the Big Ten. Iowa opponent’s 3rd-down conversion percentage of 26.7-percent ranks third in the conference.
? Through six games Iowa ranks No. 1 in the nation in red zone touchdowns allowed (1). The Hawkeyes have allowed just one touchdown on their opponents’ nine trips to the red zone. Iowa has allowed the one touchdown, five field goals, and recorded two interceptions. Iowa’s opponent has also missed one red-zone field goal attempt.
? Iowa has had only one goal-to-go defensive series this season. Northern Illinois kicked a field goal after facing a 1st-and-goal from the Iowa 9-yard line.
? The Hawkeyes earned back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 21 and Sept. 28. DB B.J. Lowery earned the honor after recording a pair of interceptions against Western Illinois on Sept. 21, and LB James Morris earned the award after recording eight tackles, one sack, and one interception at Minnesota on Sept. 28.
? The Hawkeyes recorded a season-high four sacks against Minnesota on Sept. 28. Iowa’s second sack, a six-yard loss on 3rd-and-8, was originally credited to DL Louis Trinca-Pasat, but was later changed to credit DL Dominic Alvis. Alvis was also credited with Iowa’s fourth sack, another six-yard loss. LB James Morris (-5) and DL Nate Meier (-6) were credited with Iowa’s other two sacks against the Gophers.
? The Iowa defense has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter in each of the last five games.

200 YARDS AND A CLOUD OF DUST
Iowa opened the season with five straight games of 200-plus yards rushing (202 vs. Northern Illinois; 296 vs. Missouri State; 218 at Iowa State; 258 vs. Western Michigan; 246 at Minnesota). During those five games,

Iowa’s offensive line paved the way for 1,220 rushing yards on 263 attempts. It marked the first time the Hawkeyes rushed for 200-plus yards in five consecutive games since a six-game streak spanning the 1996-97 seasons (1996 – 227 at Minnesota; 217 vs. Texas Tech; 1997 – 379 vs. UNI; 408 vs. Tulsa; 233 at Iowa State; 219 vs. Illinois).

Iowa averages 254.5 rushing yards in its four wins this season, rushing 221 times for 1,018 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 296 yards in a 28-14 win over Missouri State. The 296 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 mark Iowa’s third highest single-game total under Ferentz. The Hawkeyes matched that total against Western Michigan, rushing 58 times for 258 yards.

Iowa’s offensive line has yielded just five sacks this season, a total that ranks 11th in the country and third in the Big Ten. 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 six 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 fourth in the Big Ten. He has eight pass breakups and 11 passes defended, both marks that rank second in the Big Ten.

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 with 59 tackles, including 5.5 tackles for loss, one QB sack and a pass break-up. He ranks second in the Big Ten in tackles per game (9.8). The native of Lorain, Ohio, surpassed 200 tackles with his tackle total (team-best 10 stops) in Iowa’s win at Minnesota on Sept. 28. He enters the midway point of his season with 217 career tackles.

KING CONTINUES TO IMPROVE
True freshman CB Desmond King made a career-best 11 tackles against Michigan State on Oct. 5. He is averaging 7.5 tackles in Big Ten games, more than any other freshman. He has 29 tackles this season, tied for the fifth-highest total on the team.

King has appeared in all six games this season, and has started the last five. 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 29 tackles, three break-ups, and one fumble recovery this season.

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 has carried 13 times for 54 yards, while VandeBerg has caught six passes for 53 yards. 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 five games to date. He has started the last five contests.

RECEIVERS STEP UP IN MARTIN-MANLEY’S ABSENSE
Three Hawkeyes matched or set career bests against Michigan State. WR Tevaun Smith caught a career-best six passes for a career-high 59 yards. Smith’s 36-yard reception in the second quarter was a career long. RB Damon Bullock matched his career high with five catches for a career-high 71 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown. WR Matt VandeBerg caught a career-best four receptions for a career-high 36 yards. All three Hawkeyes saw more targets after WR Kevonte Martin-Manley, Iowa’s leading receiver, left the game in the second quarter with a leg injury.

MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Senior PK Mike Meyer, who earned a Lou Groza Star of the Week Award after his performance at Minnesota, is 8-for-11 on field goal attempts and perfect on 21 PAT attempts this season. He has connected on field goals of 20, 23, 27, 28, 38, 44, 46 and 49 yards. He missed a 33-yard attempt versus Missouri State, hit the left upright on a 39-yard attempt at Minnesota, and was wide left on a 50-yard attempt against Michigan State. He ranks third all-time in career field goals (52) and career scoring (280 points). Only Nate Kaeding (67) and Rob Houghtlin (54) have more career field goals, and only Kaeding (373) and Houghtlin (290) have scored more career points. Meyer made field goals of 49, 23 and 46 yards in the win at Minnesota.

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). Meyer ranks fifth in the Big Ten kick scoring (7.5) and ranks second in the conference with eight field goals. He has made 53-69 (.768) career field goal attempts. Meyer is 37-44 (.841) from kicks 39 yards and closer; 13-19 (.684) from attempts 40-49 yards; and 2-5 (.400) from kicks 50 yards or farther.

The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has made a school-record 102 consecutive PAT attempts, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the national and ranks fifth-best all-time in the Big Ten. 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 27-29
30-39 11-16
40-49 13-19
50+ 2-5

MEYER EARNS A STAR
Senior PK Mike Meyer was named a Lou Groza Star of the Week after his 11-point performance at Minnesota on Sept. 28. Meyer, a Dubuque native, moved to third in career field goals and career scoring after connecting on three field goals and scoring 11 points in the win at Minnesota. He connected from 49 yards to give Iowa a 3-0 first quarter advantage and added a 23-yard kick in the third quarter. His 46-yard field goal provided the final margin with 4:48 remaining in the game. He made both PAT attempts against the Gophers, increasing his streak to 100 consecutive PATs.

FIEDOROWICZ STREAK HITS 24 GAMES
TE C.J. Fiedorowicz has recorded at least one reception in 24 consecutive games, a streak that ranks second among active FBS tight ends. Fiedorowicz has 70 catches for 666 yards over the last 24 games, and has caught all six career touchdowns during the streak. Fiedorowicz caught three passes for 21 yards and one touchdown against Michigan State on Oct. 5, earning honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Awards.

LEADING LINEBACKERS
Iowa has three linebackers ranked among the conference’s top 15 leading tacklers. Senior LBs Anthony Hitchens, James Morris, and Christian Kirksey rank second, 12th, and 14th, respectively, among Big Ten leading tacklers. Hitchens averages 9.8 tackles per game, Morris averages 7.2, and Kirksey averages 7.0 tackles per game. All three linebackers are on the Butkus Award Watch List. Iowa’s linebacker trio has also accounted for five turnovers this season. LB James Morris has three interceptions, and Kirksey has an interception and a fumble recovery. In their careers, Morris has been credited with double-digit tackle games 16 times, Hitchens 11 times, and Kirksey 10 times. All three have totaled over 200 career tackles.

MORRIS CLIMBS TACKLES LIST
Senior LB James Morris recorded 12 tackles against Michigan State to raise his career total to 336. He sits in 13th place on Iowa’s career tackles list, trailing Melvin Foster (337), Aaron Kampman (342), and Dave Haight (346) for a spot inside the top 10. 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. He was named Big Ten defensive Player of the Week for his play in the win at Minnesota.

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. He added his first theft of the season in the win at Minnesota.

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.

MORRIS NAMED PLAYER OF THE WEEK
LB James Morris was named Big Ten Conference defensive Player of the Week for his play in the 23-7 win at Minnesota. Morris, a Solon, Iowa, native, recorded eight tackles against the Gophers, just behind the team-leading 10 tackles of fellow senior linebacker Anthony Hitchens. Morris added a quarterback sack and collected his second interception of the season with four minutes remaining to stop Minnesota’s final drive. The Big Ten honor is the first for Morris and comes one week after teammate B.J. Lowery, a senior defensive back, earned the same honor for his play in Iowa’s win over Western Michigan.

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 39.84 yards on 31 punts. Fourteen of his punts have been downed inside the 20, five are over 50 yards, and Hawkeye opponents are averaging just 6.6 yards on 11 returns.

OFFENSE-DEFENSE, IT’S A COIN FLIP
Through six games, Iowa has received the opening kickoff three times, and started the game on defense three times. The Hawkeyes are 3-0 starting on defense, forcing a punt on the opponent’s first possession each game. Iowa is 1-2 this season when starting on offense. The Hawkeyes have punted on their first possession in all three games.

In 2013, the Hawkeyes started on offense against Northern Illinois (L, 30-27) at Minnesota (W, 23-7), and against Michigan State (L, 26-14). Iowa started on defense against Missouri State (W, 28-14), at Iowa State (W, 27-21), and against Western Michigan (W, 59-3). Since 1999, Iowa has started the game on offense in 146-of-180 games under Kirk Ferentz. In the 34 games Iowa has started on defense, the Hawkeyes are 19-15.

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 six defeats have been decided by three points (Indiana, 24-21; Purdue, 27-24; Northern Illinois, 30-27). Iowa lost close games at Minnesota in both 2010 (24-21) and 2011 (22-21). 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.

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 on Sept. 21. 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 Lowery and Martin-Manley as the national Performers of the Week for defense and special teams, respectively. Lowery was also named the Jim Thorpe national Defensive Back of the Week and 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 is tied for the team lead with three interceptions in six games, as his first theft of the season came in the 27-21 win at Iowa State. Lowery has four career interceptions.

LINEBACKING TRIO ON BUTKAS AWARD 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 second in the Big Ten with 9.8 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 217 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 13th in career tackles (336). 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 14th in the Big Ten with 7.0 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 253 career tackles to tie for 28th 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.

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.

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.

GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
? The Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play with a 23-7 win at Minnesota on Sept. 28. It marked 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 last season, 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 has four trophy games on its slate in 2013: Iowa State (Cy-Hawk; W, 27-21), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale; W, 23-7), 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.

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 AMONG TOP 25 IN WINS, 2002-13
Iowa has posted 93 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 (132); Oklahoma (123); Ohio State (123); LSU (122); USC (120); Texas (116); Georgia (114); TCU (113); Virginia Tech (114); Florida (110); Alabama (110); Oregon (108); Wisconsin (106); West Virginia (105); Auburn (102); Utah (102); Florida State (102); Texas Tech (98); Nebraska (97); Michigan (95); Miami, FL (95); Iowa (93); Boston College (88); Hawai’i (87).

HAWKEYES GOOD ON THE POINT AFTER
The Hawkeyes have converted on 103 consecutive PATs without a miss or block, and 36 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the seventh-longest streak of any school in the nation.

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.

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.

HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,171 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 602-532-39 (.529). That includes a 380-209-16 (.642) record in home games, a 222-323-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 298-360-25 (.454) mark in Big Ten games and a 263-173-15 (.601) record in Kinnick Stadium.

IOWA, UNI, IOWA STATE PARTICIPATE IN MENTOR PROGRAM
As a project of Volunteer Iowa, The Iowa Mentoring Partnership is the state’s support organization for Iowa’s 80-plus 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 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 123 players includes 47 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.

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.
? Iowa tied for ninth nationally (second among Big Ten teams) in number of 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.

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
Iowa returns to Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 26 to host Northwestern at 11 a.m. The game will be televised by BTN.