Dec. 3, 2013
- 2013 Game Day Central
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- 2013 Signing Day Central
- Hawkeyes in the NFL
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA NOTES
? Iowa finished the regular season 8-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes finished in second place in the Legends Division.
? Iowa won four of its final five games, and finished with a three-game winning streak. Only Ohio State (24) and Michigan State (8) have more consecutive wins.
? Iowa has recorded at least eight wins in four of the last six years.
? After winning four games a year ago, Iowa is 8-4 and one of six BCS conference teams to have improved by four victories or more from a year ago.
? Iowa’s linebacker trio has accounted for 10 takeaways this season. James Morris has four interceptions and one fumble recovery, while Christian Kirksey has one interception, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble. Anthony Hitchens has three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception.
? Iowa’s offensive line has yielded just 12 sacks this season, tied for the fewest sacks allowed in the Big Ten.
? The Iowa defense has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter in 10-of-12 games (Michigan scored a defensive touchdown). Iowa’s defense has not allowed a first-quarter touchdown since Week 1.
? Iowa’s four losses are to teams that have a combined record of 44-4 (Northern Illinois, 12-0; Michigan State, 11-1; Ohio State, 12-0, Wisconsin, 9-3). All four are in the BCS top 25.
? Iowa is bowl eligible for the 12th time in the last 13 seasons. The Hawkeyes have won at least seven games in five of the last six seasons.
? Iowa has four road wins this season, its highest total since 2009 (4). Among Big Ten teams, only Ohio State (5) and Michigan State (4) had four or more road wins this season.
? Iowa’s defense has held 10-of-12 opponents under their rushing average this season.
? The Iowa defense allowed five rushing touchdowns this year, tied for the second-lowest total in the nation.
? The Hawkeyes are 6-0 when winning the turnover margin (Missouri State +1, Iowa State +1, Western Michigan +2, Minnesota +1, Northwestern +1, Nebraska +3), 1-4 when losing the turnover margin (Northern Illinois, -2; Michigan State, -1, at Ohio State, -1; Wisconsin, -1; Michigan, -3), and 1-0 when splitting the turnover margin (Purdue). The Hawkeyes are plus-2 overall this season.
? The Hawkeyes have held a halftime lead in 10-of-12 games this season. Iowa is 7-3 in those contests.
? Iowa has trailed at halftime twice this season (Wisconsin, 7-6; Michigan, 21-7). Iowa is 1-1 in those games, losing to Wisconsin and rallying to beat Michigan.
? Iowa has allowed 13 red-zone touchdowns, tied for the fourth-lowest total in the nation.
? Iowa has scored 35 offensive touchdowns – 18 pass and 17 rush. Net yards are separated by 142 yards (2,405 passing yards vs. 2,263 rushing yards).
? Iowa’s 2,263 rushing yards are its highest single-season total since 2008 (2,453).
? Iowa was 3-1 in Trophy Games. The Hawkeyes retained Flody of Rosedale (Minnesota), reclaimed the Cy-Hawk Trophy (Iowa State), and won their first Heroes Trophy (Nebraska). Wisconsin retained the Heartland Trophy. Iowa’s three trophy game wins were all on the road.
IOWA BOWL NOTES
? Iowa has been bowl eligible 12 of the last 13 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). All four schools are bowl-eligible in 2013.
? 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.
SCHERFF, FIEDOROWICZ, LOWERY LEAD LIST OF ALL-BIG TEN
Senior TE C.J. Fiedorowicz and junior OT Brandon Scherff were named first team All-Big Ten by a vote of league coaches. In addition, senior DB B.J. Lowery was a first team selection by league media.
The Big Ten coaches’ second unit includes senior OT Brett Van Sloten, junior DT Carl Davis, senior LB Anthony Hitchens and senior LB James Morris. The Big Ten media second unit features Scherff, Fiedorowicz, Morris and senior PK Mike Meyer.
Hawkeye players earning honorable mention recognition on both the coaches and media units include sophomore C Austin Blythe, senior OG Conor Boffeli, senior LB Christian Kirksey, senior FS Tanner Miller and junior DT Louis Trinca-Pasat.
Lowery was named honorable mention by Big Ten coaches, while Big Ten media named Davis, Hitchens, Van Sloten, senior LS Casey Kreiter and junior DB John Lowdermilk to the honorable mention squad. Morris is also Iowa’s recipient of the Big Ten’s Sportsmanship Award.
MORRIS COVERS THE FIELD, CLIMBS THE CHARTS
Senior LB James Morris is the only Big Ten player this season to record at least 90 tackles, four sacks, and four interceptions. He recorded eight tackles against Michigan to raise his career total to 382 and pass Fred Barr (376) for No. 6 on the school’s all-time tackles list. Morris averages 8.2 tackles per game this season. He needs eight tackles to become only the sixth player in program history to record 400 career tackles.
? Morris was named second team All-Big Ten by league coach and media.
? Morris leads Iowa with six sacks. Since Iowa started keeping sack totals in 1986, no linebacker has ever led the team in single-season sacks.
? Morris has been a starting linebacker since his true freshman season in 2010 (41 career starts).
? Named a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete, and is one of 16 finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which recognizes the best scholar-athlete in the nation.
? He is a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy, a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was on watch lists for the Bednarik and Nagurski Awards, and the College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy.
? Lott IMPACT Trophy national Player of the Week vs. Northwestern.
? He garnered preseason second team All-Big Ten honors from Athlon, Phil Steele and College Sports Madness.
? One of two conference players to earn multiple Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors (at Minnesota on Sept. 28; vs. Northwestern on Oct. 26). Ohio State LB Ryan Shazier is the other.
? First Hawkeye to earn two Big Ten defensive POW honors since DL Jonathan Babineaux did it in 2004.
? Named College Sports Madness Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 17-10 OT win vs. Northwestern.
? He has 19 career games of double-digit tackles.
? His 8.2 tackles per game ranks eighth in the conference. His 9.4 tackles in Big Ten games ranks third.
? He has six career interceptions, including four this season, and 8.5 career sacks.
RUDOCK CAN MOVE THROUGH AIR OR BY LAND
QB Jake Rudock has completed 195-of-324 pass attempts for 2,281 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also rushed 62 times for 223 yards and five touchdowns.
? His 18 passing touchdowns ties for the ninth most in single-season history, and fifth-most by a first-year full-time starter.
? Rudock won four road games this year, the highest total for an Iowa starting quarterback since Ricky Stanzi won four games in 2009. Rudock is 69-of-117 (59-percent) for 940 yards and 10 touchdowns in road games (3-1).
? Rudock has 18 touchdown passes, including 10 of 20-plus yards.
? His 85-yard touchdown pass to TE Jake Duzey at Ohio State on Oct. 19 is the third-longest pass-play in the Big Ten this season.
? Rudock has rushed for five touchdowns. The last Iowa quarterback to rush for more than five touchdowns in a single-season was Nathan Chandler (6 in 2003).
? 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 18 different Hawkeyes. He has completed 195 pass attempts, 98 to wide receivers, 55 to tight ends, and 35 to running backs. OL Brett Van Sloten is also credited with a reception (deflected pass).
? Rudock threw a career-high three touchdown passes at Ohio State, including an 85-yarder to TE Jake Duzey, the ninth-longest touchdown pass in school history and second-longest to a tight end.
? 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.
? Rudock completed 10-of-12 passes for 147 yards and a touchdown in the second half against Michigan.
? Rudock completed his first eight passes at Ohio State, all to tight ends. On Iowa’s opening TD drive, he was 5-5 for 50 yards and a touchdown, all to tight ends.
? 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.
MARTIN-MANLEY MOVES INTO TOP 10
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley caught two passes against Michigan to move into the all-time top 10 in career receptions. He has 121 career receptions to rank No. 10 in program history, and his 1,278 receiving yards rank 26th all-time. He leads Iowa with 39 catches and 384 receiving yards in 2013.
? He needs five receptions to tie Marv Cook for No. 9 on the all-time receptions list.
? Martin-Manley has caught at least one pass in 28 of the last 29 games. He had a reception 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.
? He surpassed the 100 career receptions mark and 1,000 career receiving yards mark in Week 3 against Iowa State.
MARTIN-MANLEY AMONG TOP RETURNERS
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley leads the Big Ten and ranks seventh in the nation in punt return average (16.22). He has 18 returns for 292 yards and two touchdowns this season. Iowa leads the Big Ten averaging 15.0 yards per punt return.
? 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 tie 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.
? Named Phil Steele midseason first team All-America specialist.
? Named Phil Steele and BTN.com midseason All-Big Ten specialist.
WEISMAN CLOSES IN ON 1,000
RB Mark Weisman needs 62 rushing yards to become the 14th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. He has 938 rushing yards on 209 carries heading into the postseason. Weisman has 1,753 career rushing yards, a number that ranks 15th all-time in program history. He rushed for 73 yards at Nebraska to pass Ed Podalak and Nick Bell on the all-time list. He needs 23 yards to pass Adam Robinson for 14th all-time.
? He leads Iowa with 938 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns this season, and led Iowa with 815 yards and eight touchdowns a year ago.
? Weisman has rushed for 100 or more yards four times this season, and has eight career 100-yard games to his credit.
? Weisman ranks sixth in the Big Ten with 209 rush attempts. His 78.1 rushing yards per game rank 10th 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.
? Watch Lists include Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Award, and CFPA Running Back Award.
BULLOCK HITS 1,000
RB Damon Bullock is the 44th player in program history to rush for 1,000 career yards. Bullock has 1,000 career rushing yards on 260 carries. He rushed for 20 yards as a true freshman in 2011, 513 yards as a sophomore in 2012, and 467 yards as a junior this season. Iowa’s 44 career 1,000-yard rushers is the eighth most by any FBS school.
? Bullock is Iowa’s second-leading rusher (467 yards), and fourth-leading receiver (18 receptions).
? He rushed for 513 yards in 2012, despite missing six games due to injury.
? He has two career 100-yard rushing games (Northern Illinois, 2012; Northwestern, 2012).
? In the 2012 season opener, Bullock rushed for 150 yards in his first career start.
FIEDOROWICZ STREAK HITS 30 GAMES
TE C.J. Fiedorowicz has recorded at least one reception in 30 consecutive games, a streak that ranks second among active FBS tight ends; Washington’s Austin Seferian-Jenkins is first with 37 straight games with a catch. Fiedorowicz has 85 catches for 421 yards over the last 30 games, and has caught all 10 career touchdowns during the streak.
? Fiedorowicz earned first team All-Big Ten honors by a vote of league coaches. He was named to the All-Big Ten second team by a vote of league media.
? Fiedorowicz has 26 receptions for 253 yards and a team-high six touchdowns this season, including the overtime game-winner against Northwestern on Oct. 26.
? He earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Awards following the Michigan game. He caught three passes for 42 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown and the game-clinching first down.
? He was one of 29 players named to the John Mackey Award Midseason Watch List. He was one of five tight ends from the Big Ten named to the list. Former Hawkeye Dallas Clark won the award in 2002.
KING WEARS THE CROWN
CB Desmond King was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week after registering a career-best 12 tackles at Ohio State on Oct. 19. King has appeared in all 12 games this season, and has started the last 11. King has 63 tackles, seven break-ups, and two fumble recoveries.
? He is averaging 6.1 tackles in Big Ten games. Only Nebraska LB Michael Rose (6.9) averages more tackles among league freshman. His 63 tackles ties for fifth-best on the team.
? He made his career debut in the season opener against Northern Illinois, appearing at defensive back and recording four tackles.
? King made a then-career best 11 tackles against Michigan State on Oct. 5, and eclipsed that number with 12 tackles at Ohio State on Oct. 19.
? 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’s pass breakup in overtime against Northwestern on Oct. 26 negated what would have been a first down, and set up a fourth-and-long final play for the Wildcats. He also recovered a Northwestern fumble late in the fourth quarter after the Wildcats had moved close to field goal range.
IOWA DEFENSE PRESENTS…
Iowa ranks third in total defense among Big Ten schools, and ninth nationally. The Hawkeyes are allowing 303.2 yards total offense, and holding their opponents to just 16 first downs per game, the third-best number in the Big Ten and tied for seventh-best nationally.
? Eight Hawkeyes landed on the All-Big Ten defensive teams. DB B.J. Lowery was named first team All-Big Ten. DT Carl Davis, LB Anthony Hitchens, and LB James Morris earned second team honors, and LB Christian Kirksey, DT Louis Trinca-Pasat, SS John Lowdermilk and FS Tanner Miller earned honorable mention recognition.
? Iowa’s scoring defense (18.8 ppg) and total defense are ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten (303.2). Iowa’s pass defense is ranked second (182.4 ypg), and its rushing defense is ranked fourth (120.8).
? Iowa has held 11-of-12 opponents under their rushing average this season.
? Iowa has forced 58 3-and-outs on 147 drives, (39.5 percent).
? Iowa has allowed 13 red-zone touchdowns, tied for the fourth-lowest total in the nation.
? The Hawkeye defense has earned five individual conference awards. DB B.J. Lowery and LB James Morris earned back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 21 and Sept. 28. Lowery earned the honor after recording a pair of interceptions against Western Michigan on Sept. 21, and Morris earned the award after recording eight tackles, one sack, and one interception at Minnesota on Sept. 28. DB Desmond King earned Freshman of the Week honors after recording a career-best 12 tackles at Ohio State on Oct. 26. Morris earned his second weekly award for his play in the win over Northwestern, as he recorded eight tackles and a recovered fumble, including 2.5 tackles for loss, two of which were QB sacks. LB Christian Kirksey earned the award after recording 11 tackles, one sack and one interception against Nebraska.
? The Iowa defense recorded six sacks against Northwestern on Oct. 26, a season-high, and its highest total since recording six sacks against Florida International in 2008. The last time Iowa recorded six sacks vs. a Big Ten opponent was 2007 against Northwestern. Iowa’s six sacks came from five different defenders, including LB James Morris (2-5), LB Anthony Hitches (1-1), DT Drew Ott (1-1), DT Louis Trinca-Pasat (1-1) and DE Mike Hardy (1-1).
? Nine Hawkeyes combined for 11 tackles-for-loss (34 yards) in Iowa’s 24-21 win over Michigan on Nov. 23. DT Carl Davis recorded a career best eight tackles, including 2.5 TFL (11 yards) and one sack (7 yards).
? The Iowa defense has held its opponent scoreless in the first quarter in 10-of-12 games (Michigan scored a defensive touchdown). Iowa’s defense has not allowed a first quarter touchdown since Week 1.
? Iowa has shutout its opponents in the first half four times (Missouri State, Iowa State, Minnesota, Northwestern).
MEYER GETTING HIS KICKS
Senior PK Mike Meyer is a nominee for the Burlsworth Trophy, given to the outstanding college football player who began his career as a walk-on. Meyer has been Iowa’s primary kicker for the past four seasons. He is 16-for-21 on field goal attempts and perfect on 39 PAT attempts this season.
? Meyer earned second team All-Big Ten honors by a vote of league media.
? Meyer is 19-for-21 in his career on field goal attempts in the four quarter or overtime.
? Meyer ranks No. 2 in all-time scoring with 322 career points. Only Nate Kaeding has more career points (373).
? He scored nine points against Wisconsin (3 FG) to become the second player in program history to score 300 career points.
? Earned a Lou Groza Star of the Week Award after his performance at Minnesota (3 FG – 49, 23, 46 – and 2 PAT).
? His 38-yard field goal against Northwestern was his 55th career field goal, moving him past Rob Houghtlin for second place all-time. He now has 61 career field goals. Only Nate Kaeding (67) has more career field goals.
? His 50-yarder against Northern Illinois on Sept. 1, 2012 tied his career long (at Iowa State, 2011).
? He has made four field goals in a single-game four times (vs. NIU 2012, at Michigan State 2012, at Iowa State, 2011, at Indiana 2010). His five attempts vs. NIU (2012) ties Iowa’s single-game record, which he also shares (at Indiana in 2010).
? His 16 made field goals ranks second in the Big Ten. His 11 made field goals in conference games tie for second most in the league.
? He has made 61-79 (.772) career field goal attempts. Meyer is 46-54 (.852) from kicks 39 yards and closer; 13-20 (.650) from 40-49 yards; and 2-5 (.400) from 50 yards or farther.
? The native of Dubuque, Iowa, has made a school-record 120 consecutive PAT attempts, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the nation and ranks third-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. The only other unsuccessful PAT attempt of his career was blocked vs. Wisconsin in 2010.
? Meyer connected on a 34-yard field goal with 6:02 remaining to provide the deciding points in Iowa’s 24-21 win over Michigan.
HITCHENS LEADS DEFENSE
LB Anthony Hitchens leads the Iowa defense with 102 tackles, including 13 tackles for loss and two QB sacks. He also has two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, and one pass break-up.
? Hitchens was named second team All-Big Ten by a vote of league coaches.
? He ranks sixth in the Big Ten in tackles per game (8.5).
? Recorded his first career interception (18 yards) against Nebraska on Nov. 29.
? He surpassed 200 tackles with his tackle total (team-best 10 stops) in Iowa’s win at Minnesota on Sept. 28. He has 260 career tackles.
? Has 12 career games with double-digit tackles.
? Hitchens stripped QB Devin Gardner and recovered the fumble to thwart Michigan’s final drive and preserve Iowa’s 24-21 victory on Nov. 23. He earned honorable mention honors from the College Football Performance Awards following the game.
? He is on the Butkus Award Watch List.
? College Sports Madness named 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.
KIRKSEY PICK UP NO. 300, EARNS POW WEEKLY HONOR
LB Christian Kirksey recorded 11 tackles against Nebraska to become the 17th player in program history to record 300 career tackles. Kirksey has 308 career stops, good enough for 17th in program history, and ranks ninth in the Big Ten with 8.1 tackles per game.
? Kirksey earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors by a vote of league coaches and media.
? Kirksey was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week after the Nebraska game. He recorded a team-high 11 tackles at Nebraska, including four solo tackles and seven assists. He also had three tackles for loss, one sack, a forced fumble and a pass break-up. He led an Iowa defense that held Nebraska to 17 points, 89 net rushing yards and 288 yards total offense.
? Has 13 career games with double-digit tackles.
? 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.
? He collected 95 tackles as a junior, ranking ninth in the conference in tackles per contest (7.5). The St. Louis, Mo., native also 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.
? He was named a Permanent Team Captain and winner of the Next Man In Award in 2012.
? He is on the College Football Performance Awards Linebacker Trophy Watch List, and was named preseason fourth team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele.
? He 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).
? He returned two interceptions for touchdowns in 2012 (vs. Minnesota, at Indiana).
CANZERI PUTS UP CAREER NUMBERS
Sophomore RB Jordan Canzeri nearly doubled his season rushing totals in Iowa’s 38-14 win at Purdue on Nov. 9. Canzeri rushed for a career-high 165 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries against the Boilermakers. He entered the game with 173 rushing yards on 29 carries. Canzeri averages 6.7 yards per carry in 2013, a number that ranks sixth in the Big Ten.
? Canzeri has led Iowa in rushing yards three times this year (5-58 vs. Wisconsin; 20-165 at Purdue; 13-73 vs. Western Michigan).
? His 20 carries against Purdue were two shy of matching his career high of 22 carries, set against Oklahoma at the 2011 Insight Bowl (22-58).
? He caught one pass for a career long and career-best 29 yards at Nebraska, setting up Iowa’s second touchdown.
DUZEY BREAKS OUT AT OHIO STATE
Sophomore TE Jake Duzey recorded a career-high six catches for a career-best 138 yards at Ohio State on Oct. 19, earning CFPA Honorable Mention Tight End of the Week honors. Duzey’s day included an 85-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter, the first touchdown reception of his career and the ninth-longest scoring reception in school history.
? He became Iowa’s first 100-yard receiver since Kevonte Martin-Manley caught 5 passes for 101 yards against Northern Iowa on Sept. 15, 2012 (span of 16 games).
? His 138 receiving yards are the most by a tight end in the Kirk Ferentz era, and the most by a Hawkeye since Marvin McNutt had 151 yards on nine catches at Purdue in 2011.
? His 85-yard touchdown reception was the ninth longest in school history, and the third longest by a tight end (Dallas Clark, 95 yards vs. Purdue in 2002). It is also the third longest pass-play in the Big Ten this season.
? He scored his second career touchdown at Purdue on Nov. 9, a 3-yard pass from Jake Rudock.
TROPHY GAMES
The Hawkeyes were 3-1 in trophy games this season. Iowa won the first of four trophy games, 27-21, at Iowa State (Cy-Hawk) on Sept. 14. The Hawkeyes then retained the Floyd of Rosedale trophy with a 23-7 win at Minnesota on Sept. 28. Iowa won its first Heroes Trophy with a 38-17 win at Nebraska on Nov. 29. Wisconsin kept possession of the Heartland Trophy following a 28-9 win Nov. 2.
CLOSE GAMES THE NORM FOR IOWA
K Mike Meyer kicked a 34-yard eventual game winning field goal in the fourth quarter against Michigan to give Iowa its 10th fourth-quarter comeback since 2009. Meyer is 19-for-21 in his career on field goal attempts in the fourth quarter or overtime.
Meyer’s kick against Michigan marked the second time this season Iowa had a game decided by a field goal in the fourth quarter. Northern Illinois defeated the Hawkeyes, 30-27, with a field goal in the closing seconds (:04) of the season opener. In 2012, Iowa led the country in games decided by three points or less. Iowa went to overtime Oct. 26 against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes scored a touchdown on their overtime possession, and held Northwestern to a four-and-out to win 17-10. Iowa is 6-3 all-time in overtime games. Iowa has played 19 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 1-1 in 2013. Iowa is 2-0 in overtime the last two seasons. Three of Iowa’s losses in the last two seasons have come on the last offensive play of the game.
LEADING LINEBACKERS
Iowa’s linebacker trio has accounted for 10 takeaways this season — 6 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries. LB James Morris has four interceptions and one fumble recovery, while LB Christian Kirksey has one interception and two fumble recoveries. Hitchens has one interception and one fumble recovery.
All three rank among the Big Ten’s top 10 tacklers. Senior LB Anthony Hitchens ranks sixth in the conference averaging 8.5 tackles per game. LBs James Morris ranks eighth with 8.2 stops per game, and Christian Kirksey ranks ninth, averaging 8.1 tackles per game. The Big Ten has 11 players with at least 90 tackles, three of whom are Iowa linebackers.
Morris ties for No. 3 in conference games only, averaging 9.4 tackles per game. Kirksey ranks ninth in conference games only (8.4), and Hitchens ranks 12th (8.1). All three linebackers are on the Butkus Award Watch List.
In their careers, Morris has been credited with double-digit tackle games 19 times. Kirksey has 13 double-digit tackle games to his credit, while Hitchens has 12. All three have totaled over 200 career tackles.
COLLECTING INTERCEPTIONS
The Hawkeyes recorded 12 interceptions during the regular season. LB James Morris leads Iowa with four interceptions, while DB B.J. Lowery and S Tanner Miller have three interceptions each. The Hawkeyes are one of three Big Ten teams to have three players with at least three interceptions (Northwestern, Michigan). LB Anthony Hitchens and LB Christian Kirksey have one interception each to their credit.
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 95 interceptions. 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. 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.
NOSE FOR THE END ZONE
Iowa has scored touchdowns five different ways this season — pass (18), rush (17), 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.
O-LINE LEADS RUNNING GAME, HONORED BY COACHES AND MEDIA
Four offensive linemen were named to All-Big Ten teams this season, including left tackle Brandon Scherff, who earned first team All-Big Ten honors by a vote of league coaches, and second team honors by a vote of league media. Right tackle Brett Van Sloten was named team All-Big Ten by league coaches, and honorable mention by league media. Center Austin Blythe and left guard Conor Boffeli earned honorable mention by both the coaches and media.
Iowa rushed for 200 yards five times this season before passing the 300-yard mark Nov. 9 at Purdue. The Hawkeyes rushed for 318 yards on 52 carries against the Boilermakers. It was Iowa’s highest yardage total since rushing for 365 yards on 65 carries at Minnesota in 2002. It was also the first 300-yard effort since gaining 301 vs. Illinois in 2005.
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 232.8 rushing yards in its eigth wins, rushing 403 times for 1,862 yards (4.6 ypc). 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 on 58 attempts in a 28-14 win over Missouri State. The 58 rush attempts 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 12 sacks this season, tied for the fewest sacks allowed 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 the season.
OFFENSE INCREASES TEMPO, CONTROLS T.O.P.
The Hawkeyes rank fifth in the Big Ten in time of possession, averaging 31:45 per game. The Hawkeyes have had the advantage in time of possession in eight of 12 games this season, and have owned a time of possession greater than 36 minutes in four of their victories (38:18 vs. Missouri State; 38:03 at Iowa State; 36:11 vs. Western Michigan; 36:01 at Minnesota). Iowa is 7-1 when winning time of possession, and has one win without a T.O.P. advantage (Northwestern, 29:47-30:13).
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.
LOWERY CONTINUES STREAK OF ALL-BIG TEN HONORS
DB B.J. Lowery earned first team All-Big Ten honors by a vote of league media. Iowa has had a defensive back named first team All-Big Ten in each of the last five seasons. He is the seventh Hawkeye defensive back since 2009 earn first team all-league honors. He has 16 pass breakups and 19 passes defended, both marks that rank second in the Big Ten.
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.
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 36 times for 142 yards, while VandeBerg has caught eight passes for 59 yards. VandeBerg has started each of the last two games (vs. Michigan, at Nebraska).
Spearman has 10 tackles this season, including four stops in his Hawkeye debut against Western Michigan. King is the only Iowa true freshman to see action in each of Iowa’s 12 games. He has started the last 11 contests and has 63 tackles, tied for fifth-most on the team.
HAWKEYES NAMED TO MIDSEASON TEAMS
Both BTN.com and Phil Steele’s College Football released midseason all-Big Ten teams, and several Hawkeyes received recognition. Phil Steele named Kevonte Martin-Manley first team All-American specialist on the midseason team. Steele also named Martin-Manley and PK Mike Meyer as first team all-Big Ten specialists, while RB Mark Weisman, OL Brandon Scherff, LB Anthony Hitchens and DB B.J. Lowery were named second team. TE C.J. Fiedorowicz, DE Dominic Alvis and LB James Morris earned third team recognition.
BTN.com named Martin-Manley as its punt return specialist, while naming just a first team unit. Hawkeyes who received honorable mention included Fiedorowicz, Scherff and Weisman on offense and Alvis, Lowery, Hitchens and Morris on defense.
KORNBRATH RECOGNIZED BY CFPA
The College Football Performance Award recognized sophomore punter Connor Kornbrath for his play in Iowa’s wins over Western Michigan and at Nebraska. Kornbrath averaged 47 yards on three punts, with a long of 55 yards, against Western Michigan. One of his three punts was downed at the WMU eight-yard line and the Broncos had just one yard on one return. He downed two punts inside the 5-yard line and averaged 40.3 yards per punt, including a long of 55 yards, against Nebraska. He earned CFPA honorable mention honors following both games.
For the season, Kornbrath is averaging 39.9 yards on 58 punts. Twenty-six of his 58 punts have been downed inside the 20, a percentage of .448 that ranks among the national leaders. He also has downed 13 punts inside the 10, and has 10 over 50 yards. Hawkeye opponents are averaging just 4.9 yards on 17 returns.
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.
IOWA PROGRAM NOTES
? Iowa defeated a team ranked in the Associated Press top five in 2008 (Penn State), 2009 (Penn State) and 2010 (Michigan State), along with defeating 13th-ranked Michigan in 2011.
? Iowa’s 34-24 loss at No. 3/4 Ohio State snapped the Hawkeyes’ three-game winning streak against top 5 teams. The Hawkeyes had previously won their last three meetings against teams ranked in the top 5 (W, 24-23 vs. #3 Penn State in 2008; W, 21-10 at #4 Penn State in 2009; W, 37-6 vs. #5 Michigan State in 2010).
? 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 were broadcasters on BTN in 2013. Chuck Long, the Hawkeyes’ all-time leading passer and the 1985 Heisman Trophy runner-up, served as a game color broadcaster and in-studio analyst. Iowa City native Paul Burmeister, who guided Iowa to the 1993 Alamo Bowl, called play-by-play. Former wide receiver Danan Hughes returned as a 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 97 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 (136); Ohio State (129); Oklahoma (127); USC (125); LSU (125); Texas (120); Georgia (118); Alabama (115); Virginia Tech (116); TCU (114); Oregon (112); Wisconsin (111); Florida (110); Florida State (109); Auburn (108); West Virginia (106); Virginia (106); Utah (103); Nebraska (100); Texas Tech (99); Michigan (97); Miami, FL (99); Iowa (97); Boston College (92); Hawai’i (88).
HAWKEYES GOOD ON THE POINT AFTER
The Hawkeyes have converted on 121 consecutive PATs without a miss or block, and 41 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the second-longest streak of any school in the nation (Illinois).
IOWA-NEBRASKA POSTGAME NOTES
? Iowa (8-4, 5-3) defeated Nebraska (8-4, 5-3), 38-17, inside Memorial Stadium. It was Iowa’s first win in the series since 1981 (10-7), and its first win in Lincoln since 1943 (33-13).
? The win snapped Nebraska’s five-game winning streak in the series.
? Iowa took possession of the Heroes Trophy for the first time since it was introduced in 2011. Iowa is 3-1 in trophy games this season, currently possessing the Cy-Hawk (Iowa State), Floyd of Rosedale (Minnesota) and Heroes (Nebraska).
? Iowa scored 38 points, the most points Iowa has ever scored in the series. The 21-point differential was Nebraska’s largest home loss since falling to Missouri 52-17 in 2008.
? The Hawkeyes held Nebraska 144 yards below its season average. Iowa’s defense has held 11-of-12 opponents under their rushing average this season.
? RB Mark Weisman rushed for 73 yards and now ranks 15th on Iowa’s career rushing list. Weisman has 1,753 career rushing yards. He added two touchdowns. A 2-yard touchdown rush in the fourth quarter, and a 1-yard touchdown in the second quarter. He has a team-high seven touchdowns this season.
? P Connor Kornbrath punted seven times for 282 yards, and average of 40.3. Kornbrath had a long of 55 yards, matching his season long, and downed three punts inside the 20.
? QB Jake Rudock was 9-15 for 126 yards and two TDs before leaving the game at the 0:22 mark in the third quarter. He did not return.
? QB C.J. Beathard relieved Rudock and finished 0-2 passing and one rushing touchdown (4 yards). Iowa QBs have accounted for seven of the team’s 17 rushing TDs this year.
? Iowa was plus-3 in turnovers. The Hawkeyes are 6-0 when winning the turnover margin.
? K Mike Meyer was perfect on five extra point attempts. He has made a school-record 120 consecutive PAT attempts, which is the fourth-longest active streak in the nation and the third-best all-time in the Big Ten.
? TE C.J. Fiedorowicz caught three passes, including one touchdown, to extend his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 30. Fiedorowicz has 85 catches for 421 yards over the last 30 games, and has caught all 10 career touchdowns during the streak.
? LB Christian Kirksey recorded 11 tackles to become the 17th player in school history to record 300 or more tackles. Kirskey has 308 career stops. Kirksey’s 11 tackles were a team-high. He also forced a fumble and recorded one sack. SS Tanner Miller (10) and LB James Morris (10 ) also recorded double-digit totals in tackles.
? LB Anthony Hitchens recorded his first career interception (18 yard return). LB James Morris intercepted his fourth pass of the season (sixth of career). LB Christian Kirksey forced a fumble (fifth forced fumble of career).
3 HAWKEYES EARN ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT HONORS
Senior LB James Morris, sophomore QB Jake Rudock and senior OL Brett Van Sloten have been named to the Capital One Academic All-District Six first team. Each of the three Hawkeye players will now have their name placed on the national ballot for Capital One Academic All-America honors. The district honor is the second for Morris and the first for Rudock and Van Sloten.
Rudock is a native of Westin, Fla., who has started all 12 games this season. He carries a 3.57 grade point average and is majoring in interdepartmental studies. Rudock has completed 195-of-324 pass attempts for 2,281 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also rushed for 223 yards and five touchdowns.
Morris, a native of Solon, Iowa, holds a 3.84 grade point average and is majoring in political science. He earned All-District academic honors last season and academic All-Big Ten recognition in 2011 and 2012. He was recently named one of 16 National Scholar-Athletes by the National Football Foundation and is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Weurffel Trophy.
Van Sloten, a native of Decorah, Iowa, is a management major and carries a 3.54 grade point average. He has earned academic All-Big Ten honors each of the last three years. Van Sloten has started all 12 games this season and all 24 games over the past two seasons at right tackle.
In the last 15 seasons, under UI head coach Kirk Ferentz, 22 Iowa football student-athletes have combined to earn academic All-District and All-America recognition on 41 occasions.
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 1,179 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 606-534-39 (.529). That includes a 382-210-16 (.642) record in home games, a 224-324-23 (.409) record in games away from Iowa City, a 302-362-25 (.455) mark in Big Ten games and a 265-174-15 (.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 122 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, 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.