Iowa vs. Ball State Postgame Notes

Notes

Sept. 6, 2014

Recap | Box Score | Photo Gallery

Iowa (2-0) defeated Ball State (1-1), 17-13, on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa improved to 3-0 all-time against Ball State. The Hawkeyes have won five straight non-conference regular season games.

Ball State owned a 2-1 advantage in turnovers. Ball State recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Ball State recovered a fumble that led to a field goal and a 13-3 lead. Iowa recovered a fumble on Ball State’s final offensive play.

QB Jake Rudock has three career game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime (Michigan and Northwestern in 2013). Entering today, only 11 active quarterbacks had three or more game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime.

On Iowa’s final two drives, QB Jake Rudock was 9-for-11 for 81 yards passing and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 32 yards on Iowa’s final two drives. He finished the game with a career-high 322 yards on 33-of-52 passing. His 33 completions and 52 attempts were career bests. He threw two touchdowns, no interceptions, and was sacked one time.

QB Rudock is the first Iowa QB with 30-plus completions, 300-plus pass yards and 0 INT in a game since Jon Beutjer against Indiana in 2000.

Iowa passed 55 times today (Rudock, 33-52; Beathard, 2-3). It matches the highest pass attempts in a single game under Kirk Ferentz (55 vs, Florida at 2005 Outback Bowl).

Iowa’s 35 completions were the second most under Kirk Ferentz (36 vs. Indiana in 1999). Eleven Hawkeyes recorded at least one reception.

DE Drew Ott recorded a career-high 13 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Ott forced a fumble (recovered by Carl Davis) on Ball State’s final play of the game. It was his second career forced fumble.

WR Derrick Willies’ 12-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter was his first career touchdown.

WR Kevonte Martin-Manley caught eight passes for 70 yards. He now has 138 career receptions. He passed Ed Hinkel (135) for eighth all-time. He has 1,414 career receiving yards, good enough for 22nd all-time.

RB Jordan Canzeri’s 50-yard catch in the second quarter was the longest of his career and Iowa’s longest play from scrimmage this season.

SS Jordan Lomax matched his career-best with nine tackles.

Ball State returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. It was the first time in the series’ history Ball State has scored against the Hawkeyes. It is also the first fumble returned for touchdown against Iowa since Nov. 1, 2008 (Dere Hicks, Illinois, 7 yards).

Instant replay was used 2 times today. 1) Damond Powell touchdown was overruled (official review) 2) Iowa fumble recovery in fourth quarter was confirmed (Ball State challenge)

Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. In 16 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye received the opening kickoff in 152 of 189 games (90-62). Iowa has started the game on defense in 37 of 189 games under Ferentz (20-17).

Iowa rallied from 10 points down in the fourth quarter. Since 1999, Iowa has rallied from 10 or more points in the quarter three times. 2011 vs Pittsburgh – 17, 2009 vs Indiana – 10, 2014 vs Ball State – 10.

Iowa returns to action Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2:30 p.m. (CT) against Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium.