Sept. 1, 2014
- Hawkeye Football Game Day
- 2014 Fall Camp Central
- Read the June issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly iOS app
- Download your Hawk Talk Monthly android app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone/iPad app
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye android app
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
IOWA/BALL STATE NOTES
? Fans are encouraged to “Be Bold, Wear Gold” on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. The first 250 UI students in attendance will receive a free gold t-shirt.
? Both Iowa and Ball State registered home victories — both reaching the 30-point plateau — in their season openers last week. The Hawkeyes dropped Northern Iowa (31-23), while the Cardinals beat Colgate (30-10).
? Iowa has won five of its last six regular season games, dating back to last season, including winning four straight.
? Ball State has won 17 of its last 19 regular season contests. The Cardinals finished the 2013 season 10-3, including a 7-1 record in the Mid-American Conference.
? Iowa’s defense registered nine tackles for loss in last week’s win over Northern Iowa. Nine different Hawkeyes were credited with at least one-half of a TFL, led by DT Louis Trinca-Pasat’s three and LB Quinton Alston’s 1.5.
? DT Louis Trinca-Pasat was 1-of-3 FBS defensive linemen to post 10-plus tackles and three-plus TFL’s last weekend. His efforts earned him College Football Performance Awards national honorable mention for defensive linemen.
? Iowa’s defense allowed just 25 yards rushing against Northern Iowa, which is the fewest rushing yards allowed by an Iowa defense since holding Minnesota to seven yards in 2008.
? QB Jake Rudock connected with 13 different targets in last week’s victory over Northern Iowa. Nine of the 13 receivers caught one pass. It marked only the fourth game by a Big Ten team, since 2000, where 13-plus different players caught a pass.
? Iowa had two true freshmen see action last week: LB Ben Niemann and DB Miles Taylor.
? Both Iowa and Ball State’s offensive lines protected their respective quarterbacks in the season openers, as neither team allowed a sack.
? The Cardinals scored a school-record 501 points last season, breaking the previous mark of 489 in 2008. Ball State reached the 40-point plateau a school-record seven times a year ago.
? Iowa was one of only two Big Ten teams last weekend to record five QB sacks (Michigan State). The Hawkeyes were also one of four Big Ten teams to collect multiple interceptions (Iowa, Northwestern and Maryland each had two, while Michigan State had three).
? Ball State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Joey Lynch was quarterback at Ball State from 2003-06. Lynch completed 6-of-10 passes for 37 yards in BSU’s 56-0 loss in Kinnick Stadium in 2005.
? Iowa is 3-0 all-time in games played on Sept. 6.THIS SATURDAY…
Iowa will celebrate 125 years of college football and the 75th anniversary of the 1939 “Ironmen” squad this weekend. More than 150 former Hawkeyes players are expected to attend Saturday’s game, including Hank Vollenweider, the lone surviving member of that 1939 Iowa team.THE SERIES
Iowa has won both previous meetings, outscoring Ball State 101-0. The Hawkeyes won the first meeting between the schools, 56-0, and won the most recent meeting, 45-0. Both games were played in Iowa City. Iowa is 20-4 all-time against schools from the Mid-American Conference. Iowa and Ball State played two common opponents a year ago, as both teams defeated Western Michigan and both lost to Northern Illinois.BALL STATE TOPS COLGATE IN OPENER
RB Jahwan Edwards rushed for 109 yards and a touchdown and QB Ozzie Mann threw for two more as Ball State defeated Colgate 30-10 last Saturday in Muncie, Indiana. The win was Ball State’s fifth straight season opening victory. RB Horactio Banks had 13 carries for 134 yards, while WR KeVonn Mabon finished with 11 receptions for 110 yards and a score. PK Scott Sector was 3-of-4 on field goals for the Cardinals, with all four attempts coming inside 40 yards. Ball State’s defense held Colgate to just 2-of-13 on third downs.LAST MEETING
Iowa outgained Ball State 562-112 in a 45-0 win on Sept. 23, 2010. QB Ricky Stanzi passed for three touchdowns, RB Adam Robinson rushed for two scores, and the Hawkeye defense forced two turnovers on a chilly and rainy day inside Kinnick Stadium. Robinson scored on two 1-yard runs and finished the game with 115 rushing yards on 11 carries. He also caught three passes for 75 yards. Stanzi complete 19-25 passes for 228 yards and no interceptions. TE Allen Reisner had five receptions for 53 yards. WR Keenan Davis (4-50) also had career best in catches and yards while scoring his second career touchdown. Mike Meyer made one of two field goals and all six PATs in his first game as Iowa’s PAT and field goal kicker. DT Mike Daniels led the defensive line with six tackles, including four of the tackles for loss. He shared Big Ten defensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts. The Hawkeye defense collected six tackles for loss while holding Ball State to 56 yards on 31 rushing attempts. Ball State did not cross midfield until the third period and nine of its 12 possessions were five plays or less. LB Jeff Tarpinian led the Iowa defense in tackles (nine) for the third straight game. DE Adrian Clayborn added five tackles, DB Micah Hyde had an interception and a forced fumble and LB Jeremiha Hunter recovered a fumble.FIRST TIME STARTERS
Eight Hawkeyes made their first career starts in the season opener against Northern Iowa — two on offense and four on defense. First time starters last week included OL Sean Welsh, WR Jacob Hillyer, LB Reggie Spearman, LB Bo Bower, CB Greg Mabin, DE Nate Meier, PK Marshall Koehn, and P Dillon Kidd.IOWA 31, UNI 23
Iowa posted a 31-23 victory over Northern Iowa in Kinnick Stadium in both team’s season opener. The Hawkeyes rushed 36 times for 151 yards and totaled 250 yards passing. QB Jake Rudock completed 31 of his 41 pass attempts to 13 different targets. The 13 different receivers are the most during the Kirk Ferentz era in a single-game. Seven Hawkeyes accounted for the 151 yards rushing, led by WR Tevaun Smith’s 35 yards. Defensively, the Hawkeyes amassed nine tackles for loss, including five sacks, and held the Panthers to 25 yards rushing on 25 carries (1.0 average). The 25 yards rushing are the fewest by an Iowa opponent since Minnesota had seven yards rushing against the Hawkeyes in 2008. Iowa scored first on a LeShun Daniels, Jr. 13-yard scoring run to cap a 41-yard drive on its opening possession. The scoring play was the first of Daniels’ career. The opening drive was set up by a 50-yard return on the opening kick by RB Mark Weisman; the first return of his career. UNI answered with 10-straight points to take a 10-7 advantage. Michael Schmadeke converted a 36-yard field goal, followed by a Kevin Vereen 23-yard touchdown reception. Weisman crossed the goal line from 1-yard out to reclaim the lead with 5:03 left in the second quarter. The teams exchanged field goals before the end of the half, which included Iowa junior’s Marshall Koehn’s first career field goal (40 yards). Iowa stretched its lead to 24-13 on a 6-yard scoring strike from Rudock to Smith with 10:13 remaining in the third period. UNI answered with a 70-yard pass play from QB Sawyer Kollmorgen to RB David Johnson. Schmadeke’s third field goal trimmed the Hawkeye advantage to 24-23 with 12:42 left in the fourth quarter. WR Damond Powell tallied his third career touchdown on a 12-yard pass from Rudock to give the Hawkeyes the eight-point victory. WR Kevonte Martin-Manley caught a game-high eight passes for 62 yards, while TE Jake Duzey caught a personal-best seven passes for 34 yards. DT Louis Trinca-Pasat recorded career bests in tackles (10), tackles for loss (3) and sacks (1.5). DB Jordan Lomax also posted a career high in tackles (9). LB Bo Bower and CB Greg Mabin each had their first career interception.POSTGAME NOTES
? The win was Iowa’s 16th in a row against Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes improved to 13-3 in season openers under Kirk Ferentz.
? Iowa owned a +1 turnover margin. UNI recovered an Iowa fumble. LB Bo Bower intercepted a pass in the third quarter. He also collected his first career sack. DB Greg Mabin returned an interception 18 yards, to end UNI’s final drive.
? WR Tevaun Smith set up Iowa’s third touchdown with a 35-yard rush and finished it with a 6-yard touchdown reception. The rushing attempt was the first of his career. The touchdown reception was the second of his career.
? WR Derrick Willies’ 46-yard reception in the fourth quarter was his first career catch.
? LB Quinton Alston recorded a sack on third-and-13 in the fourth quarter. The sack (-8) was the first of his career. Alston finished the game with a career-high eight tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss (-10).
? QB Jake Rudock completed 31-for-41 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns. The yardage total is Rudock’s highest since the 2013 season opener, when he threw for 256 yards against Northern Illinois.
? Rudock’s 31 pass completions tie for the third most by a Hawkeye quarterback during the Kirk Ferentz era. James Vandeberg connected with 31 receivers versus Pittsburgh in 2011.RETURNING STAT LEADERS
Iowa returns its leading passer, rusher, and receiver for the first time since 2010. QB Jake Rudock (2,383 yards), RB Mark Weisman (975 yards), and WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (388 yards) led Iowa in those three respective offensive categories last season. In 2010, QB Ricky Stanzi, RB Adam Robinson, and WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos returned to the Hawkeyes after leading the team in passing, rushing, and receiving yards the previous year. The Hawkeyes also return their leading punter ( Connor Kornbrath, 40.0) and punt returner (Martin-Manley, 15.7). Iowa had a different punter and punt returner in last week’s opener. Matt VandeBerg returned three punts for 23 yards, while junior Dillon Kidd punted four times for 145 yards (36.2 average).
RUSHING DOWN THE BEATEN PATH
Iowa returns nine players that accounted for 99 percent of last season’s rushing total. The Hawkeyes rushed for 2,339 yards in 2013, and 2,322 of those yards return. The Hawkeyes are missing 17 rushing yards from last year — Jordan Cotton (1 yard, graduation) and Adam Cox (16 yards, out for season due to injury). Seven Hawkeyes contributed to 151 yards rushing in last week’s win over Northern Iowa. WR Tevaun Smith was the team’s leading rusher on the day, scampering 35 yards on one rush. The rush was a reverse that helped setup a touchdown later on the drive — a highlight-reel, one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone by Smith in the third period.C Austin Blythe (JR., 6-3, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 24/23
Junior C Austin Blythe is in his second season as Iowa’s starting center. Blythe started all 13 contests at center in 2013 after moving from guard to center during 2013 spring practice. He made nine starts at right guard in 2012.
? Helped pave the way for 151 rushing yards and was part of an offensive line that did not allow a sack in last weekend’s win over Northern Iowa.
? 2013 All-Big Ten honorable mention.
? Preseason Watch Lists include Rotary Lombardi Award and Rimington Award.RB Damon Bullock (SR., 6-0, 205)
Career Games Played/Starts: 14/12
Senior RB Damon Bullock has 1,010 career rushing yards on 266 carries. He is the 44th player in program history to rush for 1,000 career yards. He rushed for 20 yards as a true freshman in 2011, 513 yards as a sophomore in 2012, and 467 yards as a junior. Iowa’s 44 career 1,000-yard rushers is the eighth most by any FBS school.
? Caught four passes for 19 yards in last week’s win over Northern Iowa, one reception shy of a career high.
? In 2013, he was Iowa’s third-leading rusher (467 yards), and fourth-leading receiver (20 receptions).
? Rushed for 513 yards in 2012, despite missing six games due to injury.
? 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.
? Preseason Watch Lists include Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award.QB Jake Rudock (JR., 6-3, 208)
Career Games Played/Starts: 14/14
Junior QB Jake Rudock started all 13 games in 2013. He completed 204-of-346 pass attempts for 2,383 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also rushed 67 times for 218 yards and five touchdowns.
? Completed 31-for-41 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns in last week’s win over Northern Iowa. The yardage total is his highest since the 2013 season opener (256 yards vs. Northern Illinois). Rudock distributed the ball to 13 different receivers, the most during the Kirk Ferentz era (1999-2014).
? His career totals include 235-of-387 pass attempts for 2,633 yards and 20 touchdowns.
? Preseason Watch Lists include the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Trophy.
? In 2013, Rudock was one of 13 quarterbacks to lead their team to two or more game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Rudock did it twice (Northwestern and Michigan). Only Ohio State QB Braxton Miller (6) had more among Big Ten quarterbacks.
? Threw for a career-best 256 yards in 2013 season opener against Northern Illinois. Completed 21-of-37 passes, including one touchdown and one interception. The 256 passing yards ties for the fourth-highest by a Hawkeye quarterback making his first career start.
? Led Iowa to four road wins in 2013-14, the highest total for an Iowa starting quarterback since Ricky Stanzi won four games in 2009.
? Ten of Rudock’s 18 TD passes in 2013 were 20-plus yards.
? Rushed for five touchdowns in 2013, the highest single-season total by an Iowa quarterback since Nathan Chandler rushed for six touchdowns in 2003.
? 2013 Capital One District Academic All-America first team, Academic All-Big Ten.LT Brandon Scherff (SR., 6-5, 320)
Career Games Played/Started: 32/24
Senior LT Brandon Scherff was named the Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player (offense) following the 2013 season. Scherff started all 13 games at left tackle and was named second team All-America by Football Writers Association of America, Phil Steele, and College Sports Madness.
? Anchored offensive line that paved the way for 151 yards rushing and yielded zero sacks in last week’s win over Northern Iowa.
? Preseason Watch Lists include Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
? One of five players named to Big Ten West Division Players to Watch.
? Preseason first team All-America by College Sports Madness, USA Today, and Bleacher Report. Second recognition by SI.com.
? Preseason first team All-Big Ten by Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, and College Sports Madness.RB Jordan Canzeri (JR., 5-9, 192)
Career Games Played/Starts: 20/1
Junior RB Jordan Canzeri rushed for a career-high 481 yards on 67 carries in 2013. He set a single game career-high against Purdue (11/9/13), rushing for 165 yards and one touchdown on 20 carries.
? Canzeri averaged 6.5 yards per carry in 2013, a number that ranked seventh in the Big Ten.
? Led Iowa in rushing yards three times last season (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).DT Carl Davis (SR., 6-5, 315)
Career Games Played/Started: 31/14
Senior DT Carl Davis appeared in 17 games before making his first career start in the 2013 season opener. He started all 13 games last season, earning second team All-Big Ten honors.
? Was one of nine Hawkeyes to register a tackle for loss in last week’s win over Northern Iowa.
? Preseason Watch Lists include Rotary Lombardi Award, Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Award, and Bednarik Award.
? Preseason first team All-Big Ten by Sporting News, College Sports Madness and Athlon Sports.
? Preseason third team All-America by College Sports Madness and Phil Steele.SS John Lowdermilk (SR., 6-2, 210)
Career Games Played/Started: 36/14
Senior SS John Lowdermilk started all 13 games in 2013 at strong safety. He ranked fourth on the team with 78 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and one interception in 2013.
? Registered eight tackles and had a pass break-up in last week’s victory over Northern Iowa.
? Had his first career interception and 71-yard return vs. LSU in 2014 Outback Bowl.
? 2013 All-Big Ten honorable mention.
? Preseason third-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, and College Sports Madness.CB Desmond King (SO., 5-11, 190)
Career Games Played/Starts: 14/13
Sophomore CB Desmond King appeared in all 13 games and started the final 12 in 2013. He had 69 tackles, eight break-ups, and two fumble recoveries. His 69 tackles were the most of any Big Ten freshman.
? Credited with five tackles and a pass break-up in last week’s win over Northern Iowa.
? Averaged 6.1 tackles in Big Ten games in 2013. Only Nebraska LB Michael Rose (6.9) averaged more tackles among league freshman last year. His 69 tackles tied for fifth best on the team.
? Made his career debut in the 2013 season opener against Northern Illinois, appearing at defensive back and recording four tackles.
? 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).
? One of four true freshmen to see action in 2014.
? Preseason third team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and College Sports Madness. Preseason fourth team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele.TE Jake Duzey (JR., 6-4, 245)
Career Games Played/Starts: 25/7
Junior TE Jake Duzey caught a career-best 19 passes for 270 yards in 2013. He 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.
? Caught a career-high seven passes for 34 yards in last week’s victory over Northern Iowa.
? His 138 receiving yards against Ohio State 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 is the ninth-longest in school history, and the third-longest by a tight end (Dallas Clark, 95 yards vs. Purdue in 2002). It was also the third-longest pass-play in the Big Ten in 2013.
? Scored his second career touchdown at Purdue on Nov. 9, a 3-yard pass from Jake Rudock.
? Caught three passes for 58 yards in the Outback Bowl.WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (SR., 6-0, 205)
Career Games Played/Starts: 39/24
Senior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley led Iowa with 40 receptions and 388 receiving yards in 2013-14. His 130 career receptions rank No. 9 in program history, and his 1,344 receiving yards rank 25th all-time. He needs 44 catches to break Iowa’s all-time receptions record ( Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 173).
? Caught a game-high eight passes for 62 yards in last week’s win over Northern Iowa. Martin-Manley was one of just three Big Ten players to catch eight-or-more balls last weekend.
? He needs five receptions to tie WR Ed Hinkel for No. 8 on the all-time receptions list.
? Has caught at least one pass in 30 of the last 31 games. He had a reception in 23 straight games before leaving the MSU (10/5/13) contest with a leg injury and without a reception.
? He ranked second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation in punt return average (15.7) in 2013. He had 20 returns for 314 yards and two touchdowns last season. Iowa led the Big Ten, averaging 14.0 yards per punt return.
? Had consecutive punt return touchdowns of 83 and 63 yards against Western Michigan in 2013, 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.
? Preseason Watch Lists include Paul Hornung Award and CFPA Punt Returner Trophy. Phil Steele second team All-America and first team All-Big Ten specialist. Second team All-Big Ten specialist, fourth team All-Big Ten receiver by Athlon Sports. Second team All-Big Ten specialist by College Sports Madness.DT Louis Trinca-Pasat (SR., 6-3, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 27/26
Senior DT Louis Trinca-Pasat has started 26 straight games, all at defensive tackle, dating back to the 2012 season opener. In 2013, he led all Iowa defensive linemen and ranked third on the team with eight tackles for loss.
? Recorded career bests in last week’s win over Northern Iowa in tackles (10), sacks (1.5) and tackles for loss (3/-9 yards). He also registered a pass break-up against the Panthers. Trinca-Pasat was 1-of-3 FBS defensive linemen to post 10-plus tackles and three-plus TFL’s last weekend. His efforts earned him College Football Performance Awards national honorable mention for defensive linemen on Sept. 1.
? 2013 All-Big Ten honorable mention. Two-time Academic All-Big Ten.
? Preseason second team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports.OL Jordan Walsh (JR., 6-4, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 21/15
Junior OG Jordan Walsh started every game of 2013 at right guard. He has 14 career starts at right guard and one at left guard. He is on Phil Steele’s preseason All-Big Ten second team, and Athlon Sports All-Big Ten fourth team.RB Mark Weisman (SR., 6-0, 240)
Career Games Played/Starts: 24/23
Senior RB Mark Weisman rushed for 975 yards on 227 carries in 2013. He was 25 yards shy of becoming the 14th player in program history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. His 975 yards ranked 18th in single-season history. Weisman has 1,824 career rushing yards, a number that ranks 14th all-time in program history.
? Returned last week’s opening kickoff against Northern Iowa 50 yards. It was his first career kickoff return.
? In 2013, he led Iowa in rushing yards (975) for the second straight season and matched his career high with a team-best eight touchdowns. He led Iowa with 815 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012.
? Rushed for 100 or more yards four times in 2013, and has eight career 100-yard games.
? Ranked fourth in the Big Ten with 227 rush attempts in 2013.
? Carried a career-high 35 times against Iowa State (9/14/13), the highest single-game total by a Big Ten back last season and the sixth most in program history.
? Preseason Watch Lists include CFPA Running Back Trophy. Preseason fourth team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
? 2013 Academic All-Big Ten.NEW KICKS ON THE BLOCK
Junior Marshall Koehn (pronounced Cane) and freshman Mick Ellis are competing for the placekicking job vacated by All-Big Ten PK Mike Meyer. Meyer graduated in 2014 after spending the 2010-13 seasons as Iowa’s primary kicker. He finished his career as Iowa’s No. 2 career scorer (324 points). Koehn, a native of Solon, Iowa, appeared in one career game before earning the start in last week’s opener against Northern Iowa. Prior to last week’s season opener, he converted his only PAT attempt against Western Michigan (9/21/13). Last week, Koehn was 4-of-4 on PAT attempts and 1-of-2 on field goals. Koehn made a 40-yarder in the first half, but misfired from 37 yards in the second half. Ellis is a true freshman from Allen, Texas.HAWKEYES GOOD ON THE POINT AFTER
The Hawkeyes have converted on 127 consecutive PATs without a miss or block, and 43 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the second-longest streak of any school in the nation (Illinois).WE WILL RECEIVE
In 16 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye received the opening kickoff in 151-of-188 games (89-62). Iowa has started the game on defense in 37-of-188 games under Ferentz (20-17).GLANCE AT THE SCHEDULE
? The Hawkeyes open Big Ten play at Purdue on Sept. 27. This marks the 12th time in Kirk Ferentz‘s 16 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes open the conference season on the road.
? Iowa will face Maryland on Oct. 18 at College Park, Maryland. It is the first meeting between the teams.
? The Hawkeyes do not face Big Ten opponents Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State, and Rutgers.
? Iowa’s Homecoming game is Oct. 11 against Indiana. Iowa is 55-42-5 all-time in Homecoming contests, and has won four of its last five Homecoming games.
? Iowa has four trophy games on its schedule in 2014: Iowa State (Cy-Hawk), Minnesota (Floyd of Rosedale), Wisconsin (Heartland), and Nebraska (Heroes). The Hawkeyes currently have possession of the Cy-Hawk, Floyd of Rosedale, and Heroes trophies.IOWA AMONG TOP 25 IN WINS, 2002-13
Iowa has posted 98 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 (130); Oklahoma (130); USC (127); LSU (127); Texas (121); Georgia (119); Virginia Tech (117); Alabama (116); TCU (115); Oregon (114); Florida State (112); Wisconsin (111); Florida (110); Auburn (110); West Virginia (106); Virginia (106); Utah (104); Nebraska (102); Texas Tech (101); Miami, FL (99); Michigan (98); Iowa (98); Boston College (93).ALL ABOARD TO KINNICK STADIUM!
The Hawkeye Express, the engine and club cars that transport fans from Coralville to Kinnick Stadium, is available for those fans traveling to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. The Hawkeye Express is in its 11th season. Adults can ride the train for $12, while children (12-and-under) ride for free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the UI Ticket Office or on game day at the Hawkeye Express depot. Media credentials are accepted as well. Free parking is located in lots near the Comfort Suites and Coral Ridge Mall. Fans can begin boarding the train in Coralville four hours prior to kickoff. Return trips begin at the start of the fourth period and run 90 minutes after the game. The Hawkeye Express is owned by the Iowa Northern Railway Company.FERENTZ THIRD IN LONGEVITY
Kirk Ferentz is in his 16th season as Iowa’s head football coach and ranks third in longevity among FBS head coaches. Ferentz is first among Big Ten coaches and nationally ranks behind Virginia Tech’s Frank Beamer and Larry Blakeney of Troy. Ferentz is tied for third with Bob Stoops of Oklahoma.HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,181 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 607-535-39 (.530). That includes a 383-210-16 (.642) record in home games, a 224-325-23 (.412) record in games away from Iowa City, a 302-362-25 (.455) mark in Big Ten games and a 266-174-15 (.601) record in Kinnick Stadium.IOWA PROGRAM NOTES
? 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.
? 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.
? 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’s long term success is due to the stability in the program. 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 15-plus seasons. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry.
? 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 2013-14. 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 sold an estimated 11,000 tickets to the 2014 Outback Bowl, with more than 15,000 Hawkeye fans attending the game in Tampa. Iowa sold 95-percent of it bowl game ticket allotment, the highest percentage of any bowl team.RECRUITING LANDSCAPE
Iowa’s roster includes 121 players from 20 states and one foreign country. Among Big Ten schools, only Nebraska (25) and Penn State (21) have a larger footprint in the United States. Of the Hawkeyes’ 122 players, 41 are from Iowa. The roster includes 19 players from Illinois; 10 from Ohio; seven from Maryland, six from Michigan and Texas; four from Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey and Florida; three from Nebraska and Wisconsin; two from Canada; one from Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia; and three from Canada.IOWA BOWL NOTES
Iowa appeared has appeared in 27 bowl games with a record of 14-12-1 (.537). The Hawkeyes have competed in the Rose (five times), Outback (four), Alamo (four), Holiday (three), Orange (two), Peach (two), Sun (two), Insight (two), and the Capital One, Gator and Freedom bowls once.
? 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 (27) and Wisconsin (24). All four schools were bowl-eligible in 2013.
? The Hawkeyes have appeared in 11 bowl games since 2001.
? Iowa (14-12-1, .537), Penn State (27-15-2, .636) and Purdue (9-8, .529) are the only Big Ten teams with a positive winning percentage in bowl games.
? During the BCS bowl era (1998-2013), the Big Ten qualified 27 teams for BCS bowls, more than any other conference. Eight different Big Ten programs played in BCS bowl games, including two appearances by Iowa (1-1).Kirk Ferentz RADIO SHOW
Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is featured on “Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz” each Wednesday night. 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.TICKET UPDATE
Tickets remain for the six remaining Iowa home games. Tickets can be ordered online at hawkeyesports.com, by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS, or in person at the UI athletics ticket office located in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
? Youth tickets ($25) are available for games versus Ball State, Indiana, and Northwestern.
? Capacity at Kinnick Stadium is 70,585. Iowa has sold out 62 of its last 74 games and ranked 23rd in national attendance in 2013.FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Iowa has six players on its roster whose father played for the Hawkeyes. The six legacy players ties Texas A&M and Colorado for sixth most on one team in the country in 2014. California and Idaho each have eight legacy players, while Tennessee has seven. 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 LB Andrew Cerney (Tim in 1971-73). Additionally, redshirt freshman linebacker Luke Lindahl‘s grandfather is former Hawkeye Wally Hilgenberg (1961-63).IOWA INJURIES
Fullback Adam Cox and defensive lineman Darian Cooper have suffered season-ending injuries and will not play in 2014. Wide receiver Riley McCarron and linebacker Josey Jewell are out of action indefinitely due to injury.ADDED TO SCHOLARSHIP LIST
Four Hawkeye players have been granted scholarships after originally joining the football program as walk-ons. Those players include fullbacks Adam Cox and Macon Plewa, linebacker Bo Bower and offensive lineman Boone Myers.AFTER THIS
Iowa is home for the third straight week, hosting Iowa State (2:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN/ESPN2) in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series battle. Ball State returns home to host Indiana State.
