Game Notes: Iowa vs. Michigan

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1st and 10 

1: Iowa is playing under the lights at Kinnick Stadium for the 14th time. The Hawkeyes have won their last three home night games and are 9-4 all-time under the lights at Kinnick, including a 30-28 win over Michigan in 2009.
 
2: Iowa has won the last three home meetings against Michigan (24-21 in 2013; 24-16 in 2011, 30-28 in 2009). Michigan’s last win at Kinnick (23-20 OT in 2005) snapped Iowa’s 22-game home winning streak.
 
3: Iowa defeated No. 13 Michigan, 24-16, on Nov. 5, 2011, at Kinnick Stadium. It was Iowa’s last home win over a ranked opponent.
 
4: Kirk Ferentz is two wins shy of tying Lloyd Carr for sixth place in all-time conference wins. Ferentz has won 79 Big Ten games since 1999, seventh among the conference’s all-time winningest coaches. Carr won 81 Big Ten games coaching at Michigan from 1995-2007.
 
5: Desmond King is a Jim Thorpe Award and Bednarik Award semifinalist, and Lott IMPACT Award quarterfinalist. King in the only Big Ten Player in the last 20 years with 12+ career interceptions and  1,500+ combined kickoff/punt return yards. King has 12 career interceptions and 1,658 career KO/P return yards.
 
6: LB Josey Jewell is a Butkus Award Semifinalist and leads the Big Ten with 87 tackles. Jewell matched his career high with 16 stops in Week 8 against Wisconsin. He has 264 career tackles, 25th all-time. He blocked his first career field goal Week 9 at Penn State.
 
7: RB Akrum Wadley is Iowa’s leading rusher (664 yards) and second leading receiver (23 receptions).  Wadley has combined for 12 catches, 104 yards receiving, and a receiving touchdown the past two weeks. His 10 touchdowns (8 rushing, 2 receiving) tie for third in the Big Ten.
 
8: DT Jaleel Johnson is tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 5.5 sacks (36 yards). Johnson recorded a career-high two sacks against Wisconsin in Week 8, raising his season total to a career-best 5.5. He entered the year with five career sacks.
 
9: Iowa is 5-4 overall, one win from securing bowl eligibility for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons. The Hawkeyes have had a 5-4 record four times under Kirk Ferentz and each time they advanced to a bowl game (2013 Outback, 2008 Outback, 2005 Outback, 2001 Alamo).
 
10: Iowa’s .929 red zone success rate ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 9 nationally. The Hawkeyes have scored points on 26-of-28 trips to the red zone, including 20 touchdowns (8 pass, 12 rush) and seven field goals.
 
     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.
 
    ONE WIN FROM BOWL ELIGIBILITY
     Iowa is 5-4 overall, one win from securing bowl eligibility for the 15th time in the last 16 seasons. The Hawkeyes have had a 5-4 record four times under Kirk Ferentz and each time they advanced to a bowl game.
     Year      Record         Bowl Game
     2013          7-5             Outback Bowl (L 21-14 vs. LSU)
     2008          8-4             Outback Bowl (W 31-10 vs. South Carolina)
     2005          7-4             Outback Bowl (L 31-24 vs. Florida)
     2001          6-5             Alamo Bowl (W, 19-16 vs. Texas Tech)
 
    THE SERIES
    Michigan holds a 41-14-4 advantage in the series that began with a 28-5 Iowa win in 1900. The first meeting between the two teams was played in Detroit and the second in Chicago. Iowa is 7-16-1 all-time in games played in Iowa City.  Saturday will mark the third time the teams have met with Michigan ranked No. 2 in the nation.  Iowa, ranked first at the time, defeated Michigan on a last-second field goal to win 12-10 in 1985 in Iowa City.  Michigan won 20-6 in 2006 in Ann Arbor when the Wolverines were ranked second and Iowa was unranked.
    Iowa has won the last three meetings inside Kinnick Stadium (2009, 2011, 2013). The Wolverines’ last win in Iowa City snapped Iowa’s school-record 22-game home winning streak (23-20 in overtime on Oct. 22, 2005).
 
     HARBAUGH HOMECOMING                
     Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh lived in Iowa City when his father, Jack Harbaugh, was an assistant coach at Iowa from 1971-73. His father left Iowa after the 1973 season to take an assistant coaching position at Michigan.
     Jim Harbaugh returned to Iowa City as the quarterback for No. 2 Michigan in 1985. The top-ranked Hawkeyes beat the Wolverines, 12-10, on Rob Houghtlin’s 29-yard field goal as time expired. Harbaugh was 8-of-13 passing for 55 yards and a touchdown. He was sacked one time and rushed three times for two yards.
 
     HAWKEYE HISTORY
     Iowa has played 1,216 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 630-547-39 (.535). That includes a 395-216-16 (.641) record in home games, a 235-331-23 (.418) record in games away from Iowa City, a 317-369-25 (.464) mark in Big Ten games and a 278-180-15 (.600) record in Kinnick Stadium.
 
     KING LANDS ON AWARDS LIST
     DB Desmond King is one of 16 semifinalists for the 2016 Jim Thorpe Award, (best defensive back in college football), one of 18 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award (most outstanding defensive player), and one of 19 quarterfinalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy (Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity).
     King has started all nine games at cornerback in 2016 and has 47 career starts.  This season he has recorded 30 solo tackles and 15 assists, leads Iowa with six pass break-ups, and had a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown in a win at Purdue.
     King also leads Iowa’s special teams through nine games.  He is averaging 29.2 yards per kickoff return to rank 10th in the nation.  He is also averaging 9.2 yards on punt returns.  King had a career-best 77-yard kickoff return in Week 8 against Wisconsin. It is Iowa’s longest play of the season.
     King is the only Big Ten player in the last 20 years to have 12 or more interceptions and 1,500 or more combined kickoff and return yards. King has 12 career interceptions, tied for sixth most in program history, and 1,658 combined return yards on kickoff and punt returns.
     King won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2015.  Three finalists for the 2016 award will be announced on Monday, Nov. 21, with the winner being announced Dec. 8 at the Home Depot College Football Awards Show airing on ESPN.  The Thorpe Award winner will be honored at a banquet in Oklahoma City on Feb. 7, 2017.
     The Bednarik award, in conjunction with the NCFAA, will announce three finalists on Nov. 21. Winners of the prestigious award will be unveiled during the Home Depot College Football Awards show on Dec. 8, which will be broadcast live on ESPN.
     The Lott IMPACT Trophy was founded in 2004, and is named after College and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Ronnie Lott.  The semifinal list will be announced on Wednesday, Nov. 9, with four finalists being announced on Wednesday, Nov. 30.  Each school of the four finalists will receive $5,000 for their general scholarship fund, while the school of the winner will receive $25,000.
 
     JEWELL A FINALIST FOR BUTKUS AWARD
     LB Josey Jewell, the Big Ten’s leading tackler, is a semifinalist for the 2016 Butkus Award, presented annually to the nation’s best linebacker.
     This year’s watch list includes a dozen collegiate linebackers from 10 universities.  Jewell is among four Big Ten student-athletes up for the award, joining Jerome Baker and Raekwon McMillan of Ohio State and Wisconsin’s Jack Cichy.  Finalists for the award will be announced on Nov. 21, with the winner being announced on or before Dec. 6.
     Jewell (6-foot-2, 230-pounds) has started every game this season and leads the Big Ten with 87 tackles.  Jewell matched his career high with 16 stops in Week 8 against No. 10 Wisconsin.  His 264 career tackles ties Rod Barnhart for 25th in program history.  In 2015, Jewell garnered second team All-Big Ten honors by league coaches and media, the Associated Press, and Phil Steele. 
     Former Hawkeye Larry Station was a finalist for the Butkus Award in 1985, while Chad Greenway was a semifinalist in 2005.
 
     RUN AFTER HANDOFF, RUN AFTER CATCH
     RB Akrum Wadley is Iowa’s leading rusher (664 yards) and second leading receiver (23 receptions).  Wadley has combined for 12 catches, 104 yards receiving, and a receiving touchdown the past two weeks. He posted career bests in receptions (7) and receiving yards (72) in Week 8 against Wisconsin, and shared the team lead with five receptions in Week 9 at Penn State (32 yards, TD). Wadley entered the season with seven career receptions (93 yards, TD). His 23 receptions (220 yards) rank third among Big Ten running backs.
     Wadley’s 10 touchdowns (8 rush, 2 receiving) tie for third in the Big Ten.
 
     LIGHTS, CAMERA, AKSHUN
     RB Akrum Wadley and RB LeShun Daniels, Jr. rank seventh and ninth, respectively, in the Big Ten in rushing yards. The Hawkeyes are the only team in the Big Ten with two players in the top 10. Twenty-two yards separate Iowa’s leading rushers. Wadley has 664 rushing yards (73.8 ypg) and Daniels has 642 rushing yards (71.3 ypg). Wadley’s eight rushing touchdowns ties for fourth in the league. Daniel’s six rushing scores ties for 11th.
     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). It marked the 24th time two players rushed for 100 yards or more in the same game, but the first time two players reached the 150-yard plateau.
     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 from scrimmage. 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 1,482 career rushing yards (25th) and Wadley 1,336 (29th).  Wadley has scored 114 career points (26th), Daniels has 92.
 
     I’LL TAKE THAT
     Iowa is plus-six in turnover margin, fourth in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes have 12 takeaways (five interceptions, seven fumble recoveries) and have turned eight of the 12 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 12 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 Nevada for the NCAA lead.
 
     MAKING HAY IN THE RED ZONE
     Iowa leads the Big Ten in redzone offense.  The Hawkeyes have scored points on 26-of-28 trips to the red zone, including 20 touchdowns (8 pass, 12 rush) and seven field goals. Iowa turned it over on downs in its only failed red zone appearance at Rutgers, and missed a field goal after reaching the red zone against Wisconsin. Its .929 red zone success rate ranks No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 9 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), TE Noah Fant (1), and  Wadley (1).
 
     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.
 
     IOWA PROGRAM NOTES
•   The Hawkeyes have earned bowl eligibility in 14 of the last 15 seasons.
•   Iowa played in the Big Ten title game for the first time in program history on Dec. 5, 2015. Iowa earned Big Ten Conference championships in 2002 and 2004 and placed second in 2009. Iowa (8-0, 2002; 8-0, 2015) is one of three Big Ten teams to post a perfect mark in conference play since 1998 (BCS era), joining Michigan State (1) and Ohio State (5).
•   Iowa has ranked in the top 10 in the final Associated Press and CNN/USA Today coaches polls five times since 2002, including a ranking of seventh in both polls at the conclusion of the 2009 season. Iowa ranked eighth in 2002, 2003 and 2004. The Hawkeyes finished 2015 ranked ninth in the AP poll and 10th in the USA Today Coaches Poll. In the Big Ten, only Ohio State has more top 10 finishes since 2002.
•   Since 1936 when the first AP poll was released, Iowa has appeared in the poll 310 times, the fifth highest total in the Big Ten (Ohio State, Michigan, Wisconsin, and MSU). Iowa has been the top-ranked team in the country 11 times.
•   Iowa set a school record with 12 wins in 2015. The Hawkeyes won 11 games in 2002 (11-2), and 2009 (11-2).  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 four times (2002, 2004, 2009, 2015) and was named National Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2015. Only Michigan’s Bo Schembechler (6) has more conference coach of the year. Iowa’s Hayden Fry and Penn State’s Joe Paterno both won the award three times. 
•   Desmond King became the seventh Hawkeye to earn a national player of the year award under Kirk Ferentz. He won the Jim Thorpe award in 2015, honoring the nation’s top defensive back. 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); Brandon Scherff (2014 Outland, Top Lineman), Desmond King (2015 Jim Thorpe).
•   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 Hawkeyes’ 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 18th season. Ferentz also served as Iowa’s offensive line coach from 1981-89 under Fry.
 
     IOWA FOOTBALL AND THE NFL
•   Since 1999, Kirk Ferentz’s first year as head coach, 120 former Hawkeyes have played in the NFL.
•   At least one Iowa Hawkeye has been selected in every NFL Draft since 1978.
•   Since 2010, Iowa has had 26 players drafted in the NFL. Among Big Ten teams, only Ohio State has had more draft picks in that same time span (39). Nebraska and Penn State have also had 26 players drafted since 2010.
•   Iowa has had four first round picks in the last seven NFL drafts — OL Bryan Bulaga, 2010; DE Adrian Clayborn, 2011; OL Riley Reiff, 2012; OL Brandon Scherff, 2015. Only Ohio State (7) and Wisconsin (5) have more among Big Ten schools.
•   Iowa had 23 players drafted from 2010-16, including four first round picks (OL Bryan Bulaga, 2010; DE Adrian Clayborn, 2011; OL Riley Reiff, 2012; OL Brandon Scherff, 2015).
•   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.
•   Former Hawkeye Marshal Yanda (Baltimore OL) is a five-time Pro-Bowler (2011-15) and was named NFL All-Pro in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015.
•   In NFL 2011 regular season statistics, former Hawkeye linebackers Chad Greenway (Minnesota) and Pat Angerer (Indianapolis) finished third and fourth, respectively, in tackles. Greenway was named to the Pro Bowl in 2012 and 2013.
•   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 fourth 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.
•   Former Iowa LB James Morris (injured reserve) earned a Super Bowl ring with the New England Patriots in 2015. Former TE Tony Moeaki played for the Seattle Seahawks in the same game.
•   Former center James Ferentz was a member of the 2016 Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos.
•   Entering the 2016 season, every Iowa senior starting tight end (11) under Kirk Ferentz has been drafted in the NFL or made an NFL team.
•   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 15 years, 140-of-157 (89 percent) of Iowa’s senior starters have been drafted in the NFL or signed NFL free agent contracts.
 
     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.