Game Notes: Iowa vs. Wisconsin

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1st and 10
1: QB C.J. Beathard’s .818 winning percentage (18-4) is the second best among Hawkeye starting quarterbacks since 1954. Only Brad Banks (11-2, .846), the 2002 Heisman Trophy runner-up, has a better career winning percentage than Beathard.
 
2: DB Desmond King recorded his first interception in the 28th quarter of the season (Week 7 at Purdue). The reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner returned the interception 41 yards for a touchdown. King has 12 career interceptions, three have been returned for touchdowns.  King is tied for sixth in career interceptions and tied for 47th in career tackles (229).  He is one of two players with three career touchdown returns (Tom Knight, 1993-96).
 
3: Three yards separate Iowa’s leading rushers. Akrum Wadley has 592 rushing yards (84.6 ypg) and LeShun Daniels, Jr. has 589 rushing yards (84.1 ypg). Wadley ranks third in the Big Ten, Daniels ranks fifth. No other school has two players in the top 10. Iowa is one of seven schools with two 500-yard rushers.
 
4: LB Josey Jewell ranks sixth in the Big Ten averaging 8.7 tackles per game. Jewell has 238 career tackles, 37th all-time.
 
5: WR Riley McCarron leads the Hawkeyes in receptions (24), receiving yards (289), and receiving touchdowns (3), all career highs.  He has been Iowa’s leading receiver in each of the last three games.
 
6: FS Brandon Snyder has been active in the turnover game, recording four of Iowa’s 11 takeaways over the last five weeks: INT vs. NDSU; FF and FR vs. Rutgers; FF vs. NW; FR and INT vs. MINN.
 
7: The Hawkeyes have won six consecutive rivalry trophy games, claiming the Cy-Hawk Trophy (Iowa State), Floyd of Rosedale (Minnesota), Heartland Trophy (Wisconsin), and Heroes (Nebraska) in 2015. Iowa successfully defended the Cy-Hawk Trophy against Iowa State (W, 42-3) and Floyd of Rosedale at Minnesota (W, 14-7) in 2016.
 
8: The Hawkeyes have scored points on 23-of-24 trips in the red zone, including 19 touchdowns (7 pass, 12 rush) and four field goals. Iowa turned it over on downs in its only failed red zone appearance (at Rutgers). Its .958 red zone success rate ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 5 nationally.
 
9: The Hawkeyes are +6 in turnover margin – third best in the Big Ten. Iowa has 11 takeaways — five interceptions, six fumble recoveries — and has turned seven of the 11 takeaways into touchdowns.
 
10: Head coach Kirk Ferentz has 79 Big Ten wins, seventh among the conference’s all-time winningest coaches in Big Ten games. Lloyd Carr is sixth with 81 Big Ten victories.
 
     FERENTZ CLOSES ON CARR, WILLIAMS
     Head coach Kirk Ferentz has 79 Big Ten wins, seventh among the conference’s all-time winningest coaches in Big Ten games. Lloyd Carr is sixth with 81 Big Ten victories.. Ferentz has 132 wins in all games played as a member of the Big Ten Conference, seventh most all-time. He is four victories from equaling Henry Williams of Minnesota, who won 136 games.
 
     HAWKEYE HISTORY
     Iowa has played 1,214 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 630-545-39 (.535). That includes a 395-215-16 (.641) record in home games, a 235-330-23 (.418) record in games away from Iowa City, a 317-367-25 (.464) mark in Big Ten games and a 278-179-15 (.600) record in Kinnick Stadium.
 
     LIGHTS, CAMERA, AKSHUN
     RB Akrum Wadley and RB LeShun Daniels, Jr. rank third and fifth, respectively, in the Big Ten in rushing yards. No other school has two players in the top 10. Three yards separate Iowa’s leading rushers. Wadley has 592 rushing yards (84.6 ypg) and Daniels has 589 rushing yards (84.1 ypg). Wadley’s eight rushing touchdowns ties for the league lead (Barkley, PSU). Daniel’s six rushing scores ties for fifth.  The Hawkeyes are one of seven schools to have two players with 500-plus rushing yards.
     Both players topped 100 yards in Week 7 at Purdue, marking the first time since 2008 Iowa had two 100-yard rushers in the same game (Shonn Greene, 115; Jewel Hampton, 114 yards vs. Indiana).
     Daniels had two rushing touchdowns (1, 4) against the Boilermakers, his fifth career multi-touchdown game. His 67-yard rush in the third quarter was the longest of his career. He finished with 23 carries for 150 yards.
     Wadley’s 75-yard touchdown rush was a career long rush, and Iowa’s longest play of the season. He finished with 15 carries for 176 yards, his sixth career 100-yard rushing game, second in a row.
     The duo helped Iowa rush for 365 yards against the Boilermakers, tying for the second most rushing yardage total in the Ferentz era (Minnesota, 2002).
     Daniels has 1,419 career rushing yards (27th) and Wadley 1,274 (31st).  Wadley has scored 108 career points, Daniels has 92.
               
     THE LONELY ISLAND
     It took 28 quarters, but reigning Jim Thorpe Award winner DB Desmond King recorded his first interception in Week 7 at Purdue. Leading 42-28, King stepped in front of Purdue QB David Blough’s throw and picked off his 12th career pass, tying Brett Greenwood and Steve Wilson for sixth all-time. King returned the interception 41 yards for a touchdown, the third of his career. Iowa has at least one interception return for a touchdown in each of the last nine seasons, and 14 of the last 16.
     Through seven games, opposing quarterbacks have attempted 230 passes. King has been targeted 32 times, allowing 13 receptions for 132 yards. He has allowed 24 yards after catch (1.8 yards after catch per reception). The average depth of route ran against King is 4.1 yards.
     King has recorded 19 solo tackles and 10 assists, along with six pass breakups, a forced fumble, and one interception (returned for a touchdown).  He averages 85.1 all-purpose yards per game, third among Hawkeyes and most among Big Ten defensive players. He has 184 yards in punt returns, 371 yards in kickoff returns, and 41 yards in interception returns. He averages 28.5 yards per kickoff return, third in the Big Ten (minimum eight returns), and 9.7 yards per punt return, third in the Big Ten among players with at least 10 returns.
     King, the Jim Thorpe Award winner and unanimous consensus All-American in 2015, announced on Jan. 4 he would return to Iowa for his senior season. King is the only Thorpe winner ever to play a college season after winning the award. He led the Big Ten and ranked second in the country with eight interceptions in 2015, tying a school record. He was named the Tatum-Woodson Big Ten Conference Defensive Back of the Year and a finalist for Walter Camp Player of the Year.
     The last time Iowa took the field with a national award winner was 2003, when senior PK Nate Kaeding was the reigning Lou Groza Award winner, presented to the nation’s top kicker.
 
     SPECIAL TEAMS HAVE BEEN SPECIAL
     The Hawkeyes rank third in the Big Ten averaging 25.8 yards per kickoff return. DB Desmond King is third in the league, averaging 28.5 yards per kickoff return (minimum eight returns).
     King had 162 combined return yards against Northwestern in Week 5 (77 punt, 85 kick). It marked the first time since 1998 a Hawkeye had 75-plus return yards on both punt and kickoffs (Khalil Hill). King totaled 107 yards in returns in Week 6 at Minnesota (48 kickoffs, 59 punts).
     In addition, senior WR Riley McCarron had a 54-yard kickoff return and a 38-yard punt return versus Northwestern, both career longs.
     P Ron Coluzzi leads the Big Ten in touchbacks. Coluzzi has recorded a touchback on 31-of-40 kickoffs. No other Big Ten kicker has more than 22 touchbacks.
     Freshman K Keith Duncan has been perfect on all 28 PAT attempts, and all four field goal tries (22, 24, 22, 28).
 
     I’LL TAKE THAT
    Iowa is plus-six in turnover margin, tying Michigan and Minnesota for third in the league. The Hawkeyes have 11 takeaways (five interceptions, six fumble recoveries) and have turned seven of the 11 into touchdowns, including DB Desmond King’s interception return for a touchdown Week 7 at Purdue. It was King’s third career pick-six. Iowa has at least one interception return for a touchdown in each of the last nine seasons, and 14 of the last 16.
    FS Brandon Snyder has four of Iowa’s 11 takeaways. He recorded his first career interception in Week 3 vs. NDSU, caused and recovered a fumble that led to the winning touchdown at Rutgers in Week 4, and had two takeaways at Minnesota in Week 6 (one interception, one fumble recovery). He also forced a fumble against Northwestern in Week 5 that led to an Iowa touchdown.
     Iowa has lost just one fumble this year, tying eight other schools for the NCAA lead.
 
     MAKING HAY IN THE RED ZONE
     The Hawkeyes have scored points on 23-of-24 trips in the red zone, including 19 touchdowns (7 pass, 12 rush) and four field goals. Iowa turned it over on downs in its only failed red zone appearance (at Rutgers). Its .958 red zone success rate ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 5 nationally.
     Eight different Hawkeyes have scored red zone touchdowns. Iowa’s rushing touchdowns include five by RB Akrum Wadley, four by RB LeShun Daniels, two by QB C.J. Beathard, and one by RB Derrick Mitchell. The receiving touchdowns have gone to WR Matt VandeBerg (3), WR Jerminic Smith (1), WR Riley McCarron (1), TE George Kittle (1), and TE Noah Fant (1).
  
     STREAKING ON THE ROAD
     The Hawkeyes have won a school-record nine consecutive road games (the final road game at Illinois in 2014, all five road games in 2015, and three road games in 2016).
     Eight of Iowa’s nine consecutive road victories have come against Big Ten competition. The eight-game Big Ten road win streak is the longest in program history.  Iowa’s current road winning streak is the third longest active streak in the nation (Ohio State, 20; Alabama, 10; Iowa, 9; Clemson, 8; Oklahoma 8).
 
    HEARTLAND TROPHY
    Iowa and Wisconsin have split 10 games since the Heartland Trophy was introduced to the series in 2004.
The trophy was designed and crafted by artist and former Iowa football player Frank Strub.  The trophy, which is a bull mounted on a walnut base (native to both Wisconsin and Iowa), has the scores of all previous games between the two schools inscribed on it.  It is one of 17 trophy games played annually in the Big Ten Conference.
    The Iowa-Wisconsin series has been the closest and most competitive of all Big Ten series, with Wisconsin holding a slim edge, 44-43-2.  Iowa won 10-6 in Madison a year ago.
 
     THE BEST DEFENSE IS A RIVALRY TROPHY DEFENSE
     The Hawkeyes have won six consecutive rivalry trophy games, claiming the Cy-Hawk Trophy (Iowa State), Floyd of Rosedale (Minnesota), Heartland Trophy (Wisconsin), and Heroes (Nebraska) in 2015. Iowa successfully defended the Cy-Hawk Trophy against Iowa State (W, 42-3) and Floyd of Rosedale at Minnesota (W, 14-7) in 2016. By sweeping the series in 2015, Iowa owned all four trophies for the first time in program history (the Heroes Trophy was introduced in 2011).
 
    THE SERIES
    Saturday will be the 90th meeting between Iowa and Wisconsin.  The teams had met 16 consecutive years from 1995-2010 before the series was disrupted by conference realignment in 2011. Through 89 games, Wisconsin leads 44-43-2.  In games played in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes lead the all-time series, 24-18-1. 
 
    IOWA O-LINE EARNS JOE MOORE AWARD MENTION
    In its continuing effort to help educate fans on how important the offensive line is to winning football, the Joe Moore Award will feature games on a weekly basis that feature O-Line units that have shown potential to win the award in the Joe Moore Award “Big Ugly Spotlight”. The list for Week Eight features Wisconsin vs. Iowa, Alabama vs. Texas A&M, Arkansas vs. Auburn, and Washington State vs. Arizona State. 
 
    DALLAS CLARK IS ANF HONOREE
    The Iowa Farm Bureau and University of Iowa are teaming up to celebrate Iowa’s farmers for the sixth annual America Needs Farmers (ANF) Game Day Saturday when Iowa hosts Wisconsin.
Former Iowa tight end Dallas Clark is the fifth recipient of the ANF Wall of Honor, which salutes former University of Iowa football players who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic, and character of the Iowa farmer.  Previous recipients include Casey Wiegmann (2012), Jared DeVries (2013), Bruce Nelson (2014), and Robert Gallery (2015).
    Clark joined the Iowa program as a walk-on linebacker; he left as an All-American tight end.  He was selected by Indianapolis with the 24th pick of the first round in the 2003 NFL Draft. He played 11 seasons as a professional – nine with the Colts – catching 505 passes for 5,665 yards and 53 touchdowns. An All-Pro, Clark was a starter in the Colts’ Super Bowl victory over Chicago in 2007.
    ANF was launched during the Hawkeyes’ 1985 Rose Bowl season by head coach Hayden Fry, when the Farm Crisis of the 1980’s was hitting the Heartland exceptionally hard.  A gold ANF decal on the Hawkeye helmets is the effort’s signature.  This year marks the 31st anniversary of ANF, a longstanding tribute to America’s farmers. For more information about ANF and Game Day activities, visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org.
 
     THE HAWKEYES, SIZE WISE
     Freshman PK Keith Duncan is the lightest Hawkeyes player at 165 pounds. Freshman DB Manny Rugamba is the lightest position player at 172 pounds. Senior DL Jaleel Johnson and sophomore OL Dalton Ferguson are the heaviest Hawkeyes at 310 pounds. A total of 10 Hawkeye players are listed at 300 pounds or more. The tallest player, at 6-8, is sophomore DE Matt Nelson. The shortest player, at 5-8, is junior WR Jonathan Parker.
 
     BACK ON CAMPUS
    Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has four former players on the 2016 staff. His son, Brian Ferentz, was a three-year letterman from 2003-05 and is in his fifth year as Iowa’s offensive line coach. He is also Iowa’s run game coordinator.
     LeVar Woods, a three-year letterman from 1998-2000, is in his ninth year on the Iowa staff. He is in his second season coaching tight ends after coaching linebackers for three seasons. He also assists with special teams. Woods rejoined the program as an administrative assistant in 2008.
     Kelvin Bell joined the Iowa program as a defensive lineman in 2000, but had his career cut short due to injury. He returned to the program as a graduate assistant and recently served as director of on-campus recruiting (2012-13) before being named recruiting coordinator and defensive assistant coach in February, 2016.
     Broderick Binns, a four-year letterman from 2008-11, was named director of player development in April, 2016. Binns previously served as a graduate assistant in 2014 and 2015, working with the Hawkeye special teams.

     KIRK FERENTZ RADIO SHOW
     Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz is featured on “Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz” each week during the regular season. The radio call-in show is hosted by Gary Dolphin, the play-by-play voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes.  The show airs live each Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. from Applebee’s in Coralville.

    ALL ABOARD TO KINNICK STADIUM!
    The Hawkeye Express, the passenger train that transports fans from Coralville to Kinnick Stadium, is once again available for fans traveling to Kinnick Stadium on Iowa Football game days.  The Hawkeye Express is in its 13th season. 
    Adults can ride the train for $12, round trip, 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 located near the boarding ramp.  Media credentials are accepted as well. The trip to Kinnick Stadium is approximately 10 minutes.
Free parking is located in lots near the Comfort Suites and Coral Ridge Mall.  Fans can begin boarding the train three hours prior to 11 a.m. kickoffs, and four hours prior to the start of afternoon and night games. 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 and operates on the Iowa Interstate Railroad.