Sept. 15, 2014
- Hawkeye Football Game Day
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- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
Iowa Notes in PDF Format
| Pitt Notes in PDF Format
@HawkeyeFootball NOTES
? Iowa ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 7 nationally in rushing defense. The Hawkeyes are allowing 65.7 rushing yards per game.
? Iowa is the only Big Ten team and one of eight teams nationally not to allow a rushing touchdown this season.
? Iowa has allowed one red zone touchdown on its opponents’ seven red zone trips. The Hawkeyes’ 14.3 touchdown-allowed percentage ranks second in the Big Ten.
? Iowa has converted 49-percent of its third-down attempts (24-49), the third best average in the Big Ten. Iowa has allowed 14 third-down conversions on 43 attempts, the fourth best percentage in the conference.
? For the first time since 1948, each of Iowa’s first three games has been decided by one possession (W, 31-23, W, 17-13; L, 20-17).
? Iowa has 99 wins since 2002. Only 21 programs across the country have 100 or more wins since the start of the 2002 season.
? QB Jake Rudock needs 55 yards to take the No. 10 spot from Brad Banks (3,155) on Iowa’s all-time passing yards list. Rudock surpassed 3,000 career passing yards vs. Iowa State.
? RB Mark Weisman is on the verge of becoming just the sixth player in school history to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards and 20 career rushing touchdowns. He has 1,886 career rushing yards, and 18 career rushing touchdowns.
? WR Kevonte Martin-Manley leads Iowa and ranks third in the Big Ten with 19 receptions. He needs 33 catches to break Iowa’s all-time receptions record ( Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 173).
? Iowa has 71 first downs, tied for the second most in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have allowed 45 first downs, tied for fifth fewest in the conference.
? Iowa is allowing 15.0 first downs per game, tied for No. 12 nationally.
? Iowa ranks third in the Big Ten in time of possession (32:38). The Hawkeyes’ first scoring drive against Iowa State (7:54) was their longest timed drive since 2010 (8:09 vs. Iowa State).
? Iowa has used nine first-time starters — three on offense (WR Jacob Hillyer, FB Macon Plewa, OL Sean Welsh) four on defense (DE Nate Meier, LB Bo Bower, DB Greg Mabin, LB Reggie Spearman), and two on special teams (P Dillon Kidd and K Marshall Koehn).
? Three true freshmen have seen action — K Mick Ellis, LB Ben Niemann and DB Miles Taylor.
? Iowa attempted 55 passes in Week 2 against Ball State. It marked the highest number of pass attempts for an Iowa team under Kirk Ferentz since the 2006 Outback Bowl (55 vs. Florida).
? Iowa’s 35 completions against Ball State were the second most under Kirk Ferentz (36 vs. Indiana in 1999).
IOWA/PITT NOTES
? Pitt averages 345 rushing yards per game, the fifth best average in the country. Iowa allows 65.7 rushing yards per game, the seventh best average in the country.
? Pitt has scored 12 rushing touchdowns this season, the fourth highest total in the country. Iowa is one of eight schools not to allow a rushing touchdown this year.
? Pitt and Iowa both rank among the top 15 in first downs allowed. Pitt surrenders 12.3 first downs per game, No. 5 nationally, while Iowa allows 15 first downs per game, tied for No. 12 nationally.
? In the last meeting between the schools, Iowa recorded its largest comeback in school history, outscoring the Panthers 28-3 to rally for a 31-27 win in 2011 in Iowa City.
? Iowa is 0-2 in two previous trips to Pitt, and 2-3 all-time against the Panthers. This is the schools’ first meeting since Pitt became a member of the ACC in 2013. Pitt was playing at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 17, 2011, the day the news broke of the Panthers moving from the Big East to the ACC.
? The last time Iowa visited Pitt in 2008, Hawkeye RB Shonn Greene rushed for 147 yards and a touchdown. Pitt RB LeSean McCoy rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown. Both players are now starting running backs in the NFL.
? Iowa and Pitt both have one Heisman Trophy award winner in school history. Iowa halfback Nile Kinnick won the award in 1939, and Pitt running back Tony Dorsett won the award in 1976.
? Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz attended Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh (He was born in Royal Oak, Mich.). Ferentz served as a graduate assistant offensive line coach at Pittsburgh during the 1980 season. That Pitt team (coached by Jackie Sherrill) finished with an 11-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking.
? Pitt head coach Paul Chryst was Wisconsin’s offensive coordinator from 2005-11. The Hawkeyes were 3-3 against the Badgers during those seasons, allowing 18 ppg.
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THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will be the sixth meeting between Iowa and Pittsburgh. The Panthers lead the series, 3-2. The Hawkeyes won the most recent meeting, 31-27, in Iowa City in 2011. Iowa trailed 24-3 with 3:11 left in the third quarter, but rallied to score 28 points in the last 16:16 to complete the largest comeback in school history. Iowa is 0-2 all-time at Pitt. The Hawkeyes lost by one point, 21-20, in their last visit to Pittsburgh in 2008. The Panthers return to Iowa City next season. Here are the series results:
LAST MEETING WAS HISTORICAL
Iowa rallied in the final 18 minutes for a 31-27 win over Pittsburgh, posting the largest comeback in school history. Iowa trailed 24-3 with just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter when QB James Vandenberg scored from 1-yard to give Iowa its first touchdown and cut the deficit to 24-10. Following a Panther field goal, Iowa scored the final 21 points of the game on three touchdown passes. Vandenberg connected with WR Keenan Davis on a 14-yard scoring pass with 9:55 remaining. He connected with WR Kevonte Martin-Manley for a 25-yard touchdown with 6:19 remaining, and completed the rally with a 22-yard scoring strike to Martin-Manley with 2:51 to play. DB Micah Hyde secured the Iowa win with his second interception with 1:41 left in the game. For the game, Vandenberg completed 31-48 passes for 399 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. He completed 17 of his last 20 attempts. Davis led Iowa’s receivers with 10 receptions for 129 yards. WR Marvin McNutt, Jr. added eight receptions for 112 yards, and Martin-Manley added 76 yards on four receptions. RB Marcus Coker rushed 23 times for 86 yards and had five receptions for 15 yards. Pitt’s last four possessions included just 15 plays for 60 yards and the Panthers did not have a third or fourth down conversion in the fourth quarter. LB James Morris led the Iowa defense with 13 tackles, while Hyde had 10 tackles and two interceptions. DE Broderick Binns had a fumble recovery and DB Shaun Prater forced two fumbles. The Iowa defense recorded three turnovers, six tackles for loss and four QB sacks.
IOWA VS. THE ACC
Iowa is 6-11 all-time against current members of the ACC (Georgia Tech, 1-0; Miami, 0-4; N.C. State, 0-3; Pitt, 2-3; Syracuse, 3-1). Iowa has not played a member of the ACC since defeating Georgia Tech, 24-14, in the 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl.
KOEHN No. 1 ON KICKOFFS
Junior K Marshall Koehn ranks second in the Big Ten and 14th nationally recording a touchback on 11 of his 14 kickoff attempts. He leads the Big Ten by averaging 64.4 yards per kickoff. Koehn is perfect on four PAT attempts this season, and has connected on 3-of-6 field goal attempts. His game-tying 44-yard field goal in the fourth quarter against Iowa State is a career long.
LEARNING LINEBACKERS
LB Quinton Alston, LB Bo Bower, and LB Reggie Spearman have started all three games this season at their respective linebacker positions. Entering this year, the trio combined for one career start (Alston). Against Iowa State, Alston and Spearman recorded career highs in tackles. Alston registered a game-high 10, while Spearman collected seven stops.
? The trio has accounted for 5.5 tackles for loss this season.
? Each player has recorded one sack.
? Alston has one forced fumble, while Bower has one of Iowa’s two interceptions.
DO NOT ENTER
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat and DE Drew Ott are among Big Ten leaders in tackles for loss. Trinca-Pasat ranks fourth with 4.0 tackles for loss. Ott ties for fifth with 3.5 tackles for loss. Collectively, Iowa has 19 tackles for loss, the sixth highest total in the conference.
C Austin Blythe (JR., 6-3, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 26/25
Junior C Austin Blythe is in his second season as Iowa’s starting center. Blythe has started 21 consecutive games. He started all 16 games at center since the 2013 season opener. He made nine starts at right guard in 2012.
? 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: 16/12
Senior RB Damon Bullock ranks second on the team, and leads all Big Ten running backs, with 14 receptions. He set a career high with 20 receptions for 173 yards in 2013.
? Caught a career-high six passes for 32 yards in Iowa’s win over Ball State.
? Has 1,049 career rushing yards on 281 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.
? 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: 16/16
Junior QB Jake Rudock has started all 16 games at quarterback since the start of the 2013 season. He leads the Big Ten in completions (80) and ranks second in completion percentage (68.4). Only Penn State’s Christian Hackenberg has more pass attempts (127) among Big Ten quarterbacks.
? He is 10-6 as a starter, including a 4-1 record on the road and a 6-4 mark at home (0-1 neutral).
? 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.
? Rudock has a 151.25 QB rating in five road games, including a 59.0 completion percentage and a 10:2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
? He is the 11th player in program history to surpass 3,000 career passing yards (3,101). He needs 55 yards to take the No. 10 spot from Brad Banks (3,155).
? He passed for more yards (572) through the first two games of the season than any quarterback in program history. His completions (64) and attempts (93) are also more than any other quarterback through two games.
? Set a career high in passing yards (322), completions (33) and attempts (52) in Iowa’s come-from-behind win against Ball State.
? Rushed for a career-high 36 yards on seven carries against Ball State.
? First Big Ten quarterback with 570-plus yards and 60-plus completions through a team’s first two games since Northwestern’s Brett Basanez in 2004.
? He has three career game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime (Michigan and Northwestern in 2013, Ball State in 2014). Only five active quarterbacks in NCAA have more game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime.
? On Iowa’s final two drives against Ball State, 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. He became Iowa’s first QB with 30-plus completions, 300-plus passing yards and no interceptions in a game since Jon Beutjer against Indiana in 2000.
? His 322 passing yards against Ball State rank No. 29 in program history for a single-game.
? Completed 31-for-41 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns against Northern Iowa. Rudock distributed the ball to 13 different receivers, the most during the Kirk Ferentz era (1999-2014). It marked only the fourth game by a Big Ten team, since 2000, where at least 13 different players recorded at least one reception.
? His career totals include 282-of-463 pass attempts for 3,101 yards and 22 touchdowns.
? Preseason Watch Lists include the Manning Award and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Trophy.
? Threw for a then 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.
? Ten of Rudock’s 18 touchdown 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 and scored his first touchdown of the season last week vs. Iowa State.
? 2013 Capital One District Academic All-America first team, Academic All-Big Ten.
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LT Brandon Scherff (SR., 6-5, 320)
Career Games Played/Started: 34/26
Senior LT Brandon Scherff has started the last 16 games at left tackle. He was named the Roy J. Carver Most Valuable Player (offense) following the 2013 season, when he 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 against 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 team 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: 22/1
Junior RB Jordan Canzeri’s 50-yard catch against Ball State is the Hawkeyes’ longest play from scrimmage this season. He leads Iowa with 205 all-purpose yards, including 66 yards rushing, 66 yards receiving, and 73 yards in kickoff returns.
? He 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: 33/16
Senior DT Carl Davis has started 16 consecutive games at defensive tackle. He 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.
? Member of defensive line that ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing defense (65.7 ypg).
? Recorded eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss (2 yards), against Ball State. Recovered a fumble on Ball State’s final possession to seal the win for Iowa.
? Iowa is the only Big Ten team, and one of eight FBS schools, not to allow a rushing score this season.
? Was one of nine Hawkeyes to register a tackle for loss against 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: 38/16
Senior SS John Lowdermilk has started 16 consecutive games at strong safety. His 18 tackles rank fifth on the team in 2014. He has one pass break-up and 1.5 tackles for loss. ? In 2013, he ranked fourth on the team with 78 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, two pass break-ups and one interception.
? 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: 16/15
Sophomore CB Desmond King has started 15 consecutive games since entering the starting lineup in Week 2 of his true freshman season.
? Recorded five tackles against Iowa State.
? Credited with five tackles and a pass break-up against Northern Iowa.
? Recorded three tackles against Ball State.
? In 2013, appeared in all 13 games and started the final 12.
? Had 69 tackles, eight break-ups, and two fumble recoveries in 2013. His 69 tackles were the most of any Big Ten freshman.
? 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: 27/8
Junior TE Jake Duzey caught the game-winning touchdown pass (12 yards) from QB Jake Rudock with 1:23 left in the fourth quarter against Ball State on Sept. 6. Duzey made his first start of the season against Iowa State on Sept. 13.
? Ranks fourth on the team with 10 receptions. Among Big Ten tight ends, only Purdue’s Justin Sinz has more receptions (15).
? Caught a career-high seven passes for 34 yards against Northern Iowa.
? His 138 receiving yards against Ohio State in 2013 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.
? Caught three passes for 58 yards in the 2014 Outback Bowl.
FS Jordan Lomax (JR., 6-5-10, 200)
Career Games Played/Started: 23/4
Junior FS Jordan Lomax leads Iowa and ranks eighth in the Big Ten with 8.0 tackles per game. He has started all three games this season at free safety, recording a career-high nine tackles against Northern Iowa and Ball State. Lomax was disqualified from the Iowa State game in the third quarter for targeting. By rule, he will miss the first half of the Pitt game.
? His 18 tackles tie for the team lead and rank No. 11 in the Big Ten.
? He moved from cornerback to safety during 2013 spring practice.
? He started the opening game of 2013 at cornerback, but missed four games due to injury.
WR Kevonte Martin-Manley (SR., 6-0, 205)
Career Games Played/Starts: 41/26
Senior WR Kevonte Martin-Manley leads Iowa and ranks third in the Big Ten with 19 receptions. Six of his 19 catches have been first downs. His 141 career receptions rank No. 7 in program history, and his 1,429 receiving yards rank 22nd all-time. He needs 33 catches to break Iowa’s all-time receptions record ( Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 173).
? Caught a game-high eight passes for 70 yards against Ball State.
? Caught a game-high eight passes for 62 yards against Northern Iowa.
? Led Iowa in receiving yards in 2012 and 2013. His 147 receiving yards lead Iowa in 2014. Since 1943, only three players have led Iowa in receiving yards three straight seasons (Jim Gibbons, 1955-57; Tim Dwight, 1995-97; Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 2007-09).
? He needs five receptions to tie Ronnie Harmon and Danan Hughes (146) for No. 5 on the all-time receptions list.
? Has caught at least one pass in 32 of the last 33 games. He had a reception in 23 consecutive games before leaving the Michigan State (10/5/13) contest with a leg injury and without a reception.
? Led Iowa with 40 receptions and 388 receiving yards in 2013.
? 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.
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DE Drew Ott (JR., 6-4, 270)
Career Games Played/Started: 31/15
Junior DE Drew Ott has started 15 of the last 16 games at defensive end, including all three games this season. He has 3.5 tackles for loss, tied for fifth in the Big Ten.
? Member of defensive line that ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing defense (65.7 ypg).
? Iowa is only Big Ten team, and one of eight FBS schools, not to allow a rushing score this season.
? Ott recorded a career-high and game-high 13 tackles against Ball State, including 2.5 TFL, one sack, and a forced fumble. He forced a fumble (recovered by Carl Davis) on Ball State’s final offensive play of the game to seal the Iowa victory.
? Named Big Ten Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8 following his performance against Ball State.
? In addition to the Big Ten honor, he was also named honorable mention Defensive Lineman of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards (CFPA).
? His 17 tackles rank third on the team and tie for 15th in the Big Ten.
DT Louis Trinca-Pasat (SR., 6-3, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 29/28
Senior DT Louis Trinca-Pasat has started 28 straight games, more than any other Hawkeyes. All games have been at defensive tackle, dating back to the 2012 season opener.
? Member of defensive line that ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten in rushing defense (65.7 ypg).
? Iowa is only Big Ten team, and one of eight FBS schools, not to allow a rushing score this season.
? His 23 tackles tie for second on the team and rank 11th in the Big Ten. He has more tackles than any other lineman in the conference. Only Washington DL Danny Shelton has more tackles (27) among NCAA defensive linemen.
? His four tackles rank fourth in the Big Ten.
? Recorded eight tackles, including one for loss (1 yard), against Ball State.
? Recorded career bests in against 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 in Week 1. 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.
? In 2013, he led all Iowa defensive linemen and ranked third on the team with eight tackles for loss.
OL Jordan Walsh (JR., 6-4, 290)
Career Games Played/Started: 23/17
Junior OG Jordan Walsh has made 16 consecutive starts at right guard. He has 16 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: 26/25
Senior RB Mark Weisman is on the verge of becoming just the seventh player in school history to surpass 2,000 career rushing yards and 20 career rushing touchdowns. The other six include Sedrick Shaw, Ladell Betts, Albert Young, Tavian Banks, Owen Gill, and Ronnie Harmon.
? Weisman is 2-for-2 on fourth down conversion attempts, including a 1-yard touchdown.
? Weisman has 1,886 career rushing yards, a number that ranks 14th all-time in program history.
? He has 18 career rushing touchdown, tying Marcus Coker and Nick Bell for 10th all-time.
? 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.
? 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.
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). Iowa lost possession of the Cy-Hawk Trophy following a 20-17 loss to Iowa State on Sept. 13. The Hawkeyes currently have possession of the Floyd of Rosedale and Heroes trophies.
2 GAMES FOR THE RECORD BOOK
QB Jake Rudock passed for more yards (572) through the first two games of the season than any quarterback in program history. His completions (64) and attempts (93) were also more than any other quarterback through two games. As a team, Iowa’s 592 passing yards (66-of-96) were the most through two games since 1985 when Chuck Long and Marc Vlasic threw for a combined 671 yards (44-of-74) against Drake and Northern Illinois. Iowa’s 55 passes in Week 2 against Ball State marked the highest number of pass attempts for an Iowa team under Kirk Ferentz since the 2006 Outback Bowl (55 vs. Florida). Iowa’s 35 completions against Ball State were the second most under Kirk Ferentz (36 vs. Indiana in 1999).
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), but have opened the season with new players at both positions. WR Matt VandeBerg has returned four punts for 33 yards (8.2 average), while junior P Dillon Kidd has averaged 37.1 yards on 13 punts. Six of Kidd’s punts have been downed inside the 20.
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.
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.
IOWA FOOTBALL AND THE NFL
? There are 26 Hawkeyes currently active in the NFL.
? At least one Iowa Hawkeye has been selected in every NFL Draft since 1978.
? Since 2010, Iowa has had 22 players drafted in the NFL. Among Big Ten teams, only Ohio State (23) has more. Iowa has had three first round picks in the last five NFL drafts, only Wisconsin (4) has more among league teams.
? Iowa had 18 players drafted from 2010-12. Six Hawkeyes were drafted in each of those years, including three first round picks (OL Bryan Bulaga, 2010; DE Adrian Clayborn, 2011; OL Riley Reiff, 2012).
? Iowa and Alabama were the only two college football programs to have a first round draft selection following the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.
? 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.
? 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 2013 Super Bowl.
? Every Iowa senior starting tight end (10) under Kirk Ferentz has been drafted in the NFL or made an NFL team in his first year as a rookie.
? 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 12 years, 114-of-128 (89 percent) of Iowa’s senior starters have been drafted in the NFL or signed NFL free agent contracts.
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HAWKEYES GOOD ON THE POINT AFTER
The Hawkeyes have converted on 131 consecutive PATs without a miss or block, and 45 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the second-longest streak of any school in the nation (Illinois).
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,183 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 608-536-39 (.530). That includes a 384-211-16 (.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 267-175-15 (.601) record in Kinnick Stadium.
RECRUITING LANDSCAPE
Iowa’s roster includes 119 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’ 119 players, 40 are from Iowa. The roster includes 19 players from Illinois; 10 from Ohio; seven from Maryland, six from Michigan and Texas; four from Missouri, New Jersey and Florida; three from Minnesota, 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 WILL RECEIVE
Iowa has won the toss and elected to receive in all three games this season. In 16 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye received the opening kickoff in 153-of-190 games (90-63). Iowa has started the game on defense in 37-of-190 games under Ferentz (20-17).
IOWA AMONG TOP 25 IN WINS, 2002-14
Iowa has posted 99 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 (138); Oklahoma (132); Ohio State (131); USC (128); LSU (129); Texas (121); Georgia (119); Virginia Tech (118); Alabama (118); TCU (116); Oregon (116); Florida State (113); Wisconsin (112); Florida (112); Auburn (111); West Virginia (108); Virginia (108); Utah (105); Nebraska (104); Texas Tech (102); Miami, FL (101); Iowa (99); Michigan (99); Boston College (94).
IOWA BOWL NOTES
Iowa 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).
FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS
Iowa has seven players on its roster whose father played for the Hawkeyes. The seven legacy players ties Tennessee for the third most on any one team in the country. California and Idaho each have eight legacy players. Iowa’s seven players include WR Brandon Bishop (Willie in 1984-86), LB Andrew Cerney (Tim in 1971-73), 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), and TE Peter Pekar (Jim in 1980-81).
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 for Iowa’s four Big Ten Conference games 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 Indiana and Northwestern.
? Capacity at Kinnick Stadium is 70,585. Iowa has sold out 63 of its last 76 games.
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 travels to Purdue to open the Big Ten season Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. (CT). It marks the 12th time in Kirk Ferentz‘s 16 years at Iowa that the Hawkeyes open conference play on the road.
