Sept. 20, 2014
Recap | Box Score | Quotes | Photo Gallery
Iowa (3-1) defeated Pitt (3-1), 24-20, on Saturday at Heinz Field. The Hawkeyes outscored the Panthers, 17-3, in the second half, and, 7-0, in the fourth quarter. It marked the second time in as many meetings Iowa rallied past Pitt in the fourth quarter. The Hawkeyes outscored the Panthers 21-3 in the fourth quarter in 2011 (W, 31-27).
Iowa has won three straight road games, and five of its last six on the road.
Each of Iowa’s four games this season has been decided by one possession. It marks the first time in school history Iowa opened the season with four straight games decided by one possession.
Iowa converted on all three fourth-down attempts. The Hawkeyes are 6-for-7 on fourth down this season.
Iowa allowed just 53 rushing yards and nine first downs in the second half.
QB C.J. Beathard started the second half for Iowa and threw for a career-high 98 yards. His 62-yard completion to WR Damond Powell in the third quarter was a career long. Beathard led Iowa on three straight scoring drives to start the second half (TD, FG, TD). He was 7-for-8 for 98 yards on Iowa’s three scoring drives.
RB Mark Weisman scored two rushing touchdowns today to become the eighth Hawkeye in school history with 20 or more career rushing touchdowns (Shaw, 33; Banks, 33: Betts, 25; Hudson, 24; Young, 23; Gill, 22; Harmon, 22; Weisman, 20) Weisman rushed 22 times for 88 yards today, raising his career total to 1,974. He passed Levi Mitchell for No. 13 all-time.
RB Mark Weisman has five career games of two or more rushing touchdowns.
QB Jake Rudock moved into Iowa’s all-time top 10 among career passing leaders. He threw for 80 yards against Pitt, raising his career total to 3,181 career passing yards, the 10th highest total in school history.
WR Damond Powell’s 62-yard reception (C.J. Beathard) in the third quarter was Iowa’s longest play this season. It set up RB Mark Weisman’s 10-yard rushing touchdown.
K Marshall Koehn connected on a 52-yard field goal in the third quarter (0:48). It was a career long and ties for the eighth longest in school history. Koehn recorded a touchback on all five kickoff attempts, raising his season total to 16.
TE Henry Krieger Coble scored his second career touchdown, a 13-yard pass from QB Jake Rudock, in the first quarter (0:58).
P Dillon Kidd’s 51-yard punt in the second quarter was a career long.
FS Anthony Gair and CB Maurice Fleming started today’s game. It was the first career start for both players. Gair intercepted a pass on the game’s final play. It was his first career interception.
Redshirt freshman DB Malik Rucker made his Hawkeye debut today. Rucker appeared on special teams. WR Riley McCarron made his season debut.
SS John Lowdermilk led Iowa and tied his career best with a game-high 11 tackles.
Iowa’s third quarter scoring drive went 94 yards on seven plays in 3:18. The 94-yard drive was Iowa’s longest scoring drive this season.
Instant replay was used three times today. 1) Pitt runner down by rule prior to fumble, call was confirmed (official review). 2) Iowa receiver short of the first down line, call was confirmed (official review). 3) Pitt receiver ruled in bounds, call was confirmed (official review)
Iowa’s defense allowed a rushing touchdown for the first time this season (14 yards, 1st quarter). The touchdown was also the first first-quarter touchdown allowed by Iowa this season.
Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. The Hawkeyes have won the toss and elected to receive in all four games this season. In 16 seasons as Iowa’s head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye received the opening kickoff in 154 of 191 games (91-63). Iowa has started the game on defense in 37 of 191 games under Ferentz (20-17).
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.