318 Rushing Yards, 1 Bowl Berth

Nov. 9, 2013

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Jordan Canzeri and the rest of the University of Iowa running backs did their best Ed Podolak impression Saturday throughout a 38-14 victory against Purdue inside Ross-Ade Stadium.

It was exactly 45 years ago — Nov. 9, 1968 — when Podolak rushed for a then Big Ten Conference and UI school record 286 yards on 17 carries during a 68-34 win against Northwestern.

Symbolism filled the sunny skies Saturday in West Lafayette. The Hawkeyes secured their bowl-clinching sixth victory by running the ball 52 times for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

“We plan on being balanced but we knew there was a chance of wind, it’s not uncommon here this time of year,” UI head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “I was happy with the way the guys blocked out there and the backs did a good job running the football.”

In the first and fourth quarters the Hawkeyes moved the ball into the face of a 20-to-25 mile per hour wind. There were no worries — with his arm, quarterback Jake Rudock finished 12-of-20 for 191 yards and two touchdowns. But the real destruction was inflicted by Hawkeye backs.

Canzeri gained a career-high 165 yards on 20 attempts with a touchdown. Damon Bullock carried the ball 10 times for 85 yards. Mark Weisman gained 30 yards on nine tries with a touchdown. LeShun Daniels, Jr., added 22 yards on five carries.

“We did the stuff we talk about in practice,” UI junior left tackle Brandon Scherff said. “(Purdue) gave us looks we wanted and Jake (Rudock) did a heck of a job calling audibles to the look. Up front we did a good job, but there’s always room for improvement, and we’re going to improve.”

For Canzeri, it was the most Podolakian effort of his career. He averaged 8.2 yards a carry with a long of 18.

“I showed some things I can bring to the team,” said Canzeri, who entered the contest fourth on the team in rushing with 173 yards. “It’s easy when the line blocks great and there is green in front of you. It’s easy once you get through the hole.”

The rushing total by Iowa is the most in a game since gaining 365 yards on 56 carries Nov. 16, 2002, during a 45-21 win against Minnesota. The Hawkeyes were also close to having two backs amass more than 100 yards in the same game for the first time since the 2008 season.

At his game-day pace, Bullock, with 85 yards and an 8.5-yards per attempt average, was two carries from the 100-yard mark.

“We had a great day,” Bullock said. “The offensive line made great holes for us. Jordan had a lot of big plays and I tried to fit in where I could.”

Canzeri has regained his form — and then some — from when he started the 2011 Insight Bowl as a true freshman. He rushed for 58 yards on 22 carries and caught six passes for 28 yards and a touchdown during the Hawkeyes’ most recent bowl trip.

Canzeri suffered a torn ACL in spring drills of 2012, but faith and family kept him with a positive outlook.

“My mom has been through a lot in her life,” Canzeri said. “(During rehab) you might have doubts because you’re upset, but my mom has kept me strong in faith.”

His mother, Regina, has lupus. For her, there was chemotherapy, tests, and surgeries. One doctor told her he was surprised she survived.

“My mom always stayed strong religiously,” Canzeri said. Then he made a parallel to his football comeback.

“Even when bad things happen, you have your teammates next to you cheering you up,” he said.

For the Hawkeyes on this beautiful fall day, there were plenty of cheers — and rushing yards.