Hawkeye Fan Shop — A Black & Gold Store | Hawk Talk Monthly — September | Game Notes PDF | Football Game Day
| IOWA CORN CY-HAWK SERIES |
| DATE | Saturday, Sept. 14 | 3 p.m. CT |
| LOCATION | Ames, Iowa | Jack Trice Stadium (61,500) |
| RADIO | LISTEN | Hawkeye Radio Network | Hawkeye All-Access |
| TELEVISION | FS1 |
| LIVE UPDATES | @IowaFBLive |
1st and 10
1: QB Nate Stanley has six touchdown passes and no interceptions through the first two weeks. He completed three touchdown passes in the season opener against Miami, Ohio, and three more in Week 2 against Rutgers. He has 58 career touchdowns passes, third all-time in program history. He trails Chuck Long (74) and Drew Tate (61) on the all-time list.
2: QB Nate Stanley has made 28 consecutive starts at quarterback (19-9). The Hawkeyes have averaged 30.0 points per game the last 28 games. That average ranks fifth in school history, and 10th nationally among active quarterbacks.
3: DE A.J. Epenesa leads a defense that ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (7.0), total defense (185.0), and passing defense (116.5). Epenesa had one sack and four quarterback hurries in Week 2. He led the Big Ten and ranked ninth in the country with 10.5 sacks in 2018.
4: WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette has matched his career high with four receptions in each of the first two weeks. He has three touchdowns this season, and set a career-high with 113 receiving yards in Week 2. Smith-Marsette had three catches for 36 yards in Iowa’s 44-41 overtime win at Iowa State in 2017. His five-yard touchdown reception in overtime was the game-winning score.
5: DB Michael Ojemudia is tied for the Big Ten lead with two interceptions. He has intercepted a pass in each of the first two weeks. LB Djimon Colbert recorded the first interception of his career in Week 2. The Hawkeyes’ three interceptions ties for third in the Big Ten. Iowa led the Big Ten and tied for second in the country in 2018 with 20 interceptions. Over the last three seasons, no school has more interceptions than Iowa (44).
6: RB Mekhi Sargent leads the team in carries (27) and rushing yards (150), and ranks second in receptions (6) and receiving yards (77). His 227 all-purpose yards leads the team. He has started the last six games and is named on the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List.
7: Saturday’s game will mark the 67th meeting in the series. Iowa holds a 44-22 advantage and has won four straight in the series. The last time Iowa won five straight in the series was when it won 15 in a row from 1983-97. The Hawkeyes have won three straight in Ames.
8: Saturday is the first of four trophy games on Iowa’s 2019 schedule. Iowa is 13-3 in its last 16 rivalry trophy games (Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin), with all three losses coming to Wisconsin. Iowa has also won its last two bowl games, claiming trophies at the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl and 2019 Outback Bowl.
9: Iowa has won nine straight non-conference games since the 2017 season opener.
10: ESPN’s “College GameDay” is following the Hawkeyes to Ames, Iowa this week. Iowa State is hosting GameDay for the first time. Iowa is making its sixth appearance on College GameDay. Iowa is 1-6 on GameDay. It’s lone win was a 21-10 victory of No. 4 Penn State on Sept. 26, 2009.
HAWKEYE HISTORY
Iowa has played 1,248 games since beginning football in 1889. Iowa’s overall record is 652-557-39 (.537). That includes a 407-221-16 (.643) record in home games, a 245-336-23 (.425) record in games away from Iowa City, a 330-378-25 (.465) mark in Big Ten games and a 291-186-15 (.607) record in Kinnick Stadium.
When Iowa hosts Minnesota on Nov. 16, it will mark the 130th anniversary of Iowa football. The Hawkeyes played their first football game on Nov. 16, 1889, against Grinnell.
THE SERIES
Saturday’s game will mark the 67th meeting in the series. Iowa holds a 44-22 advantage in the series that began with a 16-8 ISU win in 1894. Iowa has won four straight in the series. The last time Iowa won five straight in the series was when it won 15 in a row from 1983-97. The Hawkeyes have won three straight and are 19-8 all-time in games played in Ames.
IOWA CORN CY-HAWK TROPHY
Iowa Corn is the sponsor of the Cy-Hawk Series and the annual football game between the two schools.
Iowa and Iowa State played for the Cy-Hawk Trophy from the time the series resumed in 1977, with the Hawkeyes holding a 28-14 advantage in those games. That original Cy-Hawk Trophy was donated to the series by the Des Moines Athletic Club. The Cy-Hawk Trophy has resided in Iowa City since 2015. The Hawkeyes have won four straight meetings, including a 13-3 win in Iowa City in 2019.
Saturday’s game is the second event in the 16th annual Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series. Iowa leads the series, 2-0, by virtue of a 2-1 win in women’s soccer on Aug. 29.
IOWA VS. THE BIG 12
Iowa holds an all-time record of 59-34 (.634) against current members of the Big 12 Conference, having met all but Baylor and West Virginia at least once. Iowa State is the only Big 12 opponent on the Hawkeye schedule this season.
TROPHY COLLECTION
Saturday is the first of four trophy games on Iowa’ 2019 schedule. Iowa is 13-3 in its last 16 rivalry trophy games (Iowa State, Minnesota, Nebraska, Wisconsin), with all three losses coming to Wisconsin. Iowa has also won its last two bowl games, claiming trophies at the 2017 Pinstripe Bowl and 2019 Outback Bowl. The Hawkeyes have won nine straight non-conference games.
Trophy Opponent Date
Cy-Hawk at Iowa State Sept. 14
Heartland at Wisconsin Nov. 9
Floyd of Rosedale Minnesota Nov. 16
Heroes at Nebraska Nov. 29
STANLEY CLIMBS SCHOOL AND CONFERENCE CHARTS
QB Nate Stanley has six touchdown passes and no interceptions through the first two weeks. He completed three touchdown passes in the season opener against Miami, Ohio, and three more in Week 2 against Rutgers. He has 58 career touchdowns passes, third all-time in program history. He trails Chuck Long (74) and Drew Tate (61) on the all-time list.
In his only previous game at Iowa State (Sept. 9, 2017), Stanley threw for a career-high 333 yards. He completed 24-of-41 passes, tossing five touchdowns and zero interceptions. His fifth touchdown pass was a game-winning five-yard completion to WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette in overtime.
Stanley has thrown at least one touchdown in seven straight games, the longest streak of his career. He threw three touchdowns in both Week 1 and Week 2 and has 16 career multi-touchdown games. He has 10 career games with at least three passing touchdowns. Only Long has more in program history (11). He has started the last 28 games at quarterback, and the Hawkeyes have averaged 30.0 points per game in those starts. That average ranks fifth in school history, and 10th nationally among active quarterbacks.
Stanley threw 26 touchdown passes in 2018, second most in the Big Ten, one shy of tying Chuck Long (1985) for the most in single season school history, and tied for second most all-time in single season history. Stanley also threw 26 touchdown passes in 2017. Stanley’s 52 touchdown passes from 2017-18 are the most ever in school history over a two-year span. Long tossed 49 touchdown passes from 1984 (22) to 1985 (27).
Stanley threw for a career-high 2,852 yards in 2018, the seventh-highest single-season total in school history. He ranks seventh in career passing yards (5,786) and ninth career total offense (5,757).
Stanley is named to six preseason watch lists and listed on the preseason Big Ten third team by Phil Steele.
Nate Stanley Awards Watch
- Walter Camp Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
- Manning Award Preseason Watch List
- Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Preseason Watch List
- Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List
- O’Brien Award Preseason Watch List
- CFPA Player of the Year Award Preseason Watch List
- Preseason third-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele
- Preseason fourth-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports
POCKET PRESSURE
DE A.J. Epenesa leads a defense that ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring defense (7.0), total defense (185.0), and passing defense (116.5). Epenesa had one sack and four quarterback hurries in Week 2. He led the Big Ten and ranked ninth in the country with 10.5 sacks in 2018.
Iowa’s defense allowed just five first downs against Rutgers in Week 2. That ties for the fewest allowed in the Kirk Ferentz era (Syracuse, 2007). Rutgers’ 125 yards of total offense ranks as the fifth lowest total in the Ferentz era.
Epenesa is named to four preseason All-America first teams, is listed on six preseason watch lists, and is preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com.
Epenesa recorded at least one sack in nine of 13 games last season and was named first-team All-Big Ten by league media, and second-team All-Big Ten by league coaches. He ranked second in the conference and 16th nationally in forced fumbles (4), and ranked fourth in the Big Ten in tackles for loss. He totaled 37 tackles, four pass breakups, eight QB pressures, and a blocked punt in 2018. He recovered his own forced fumble and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown at Illinois.
The Hawkeyes ranked third in the Big Ten last season with 35 sacks, the second highest single-season total in the Ferentz era (2002, 40).
A.J. Epenesa Awards Watch
- Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List
- Big Ten Conference Preseason Watch List
- Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List
- Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
- Polynesian Player of the Year Preseason Watch List
- Hendricks Award Preseason Watch List
- Preseason Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews.com
- Preseason first team All-America by Associated Press
- Preseason first-team All-America by Sports Illustrated
- Preseason first-team All-America by CollegeFootballNews.com
- Preseason first-team All-America by Athlon Sports
- Preseason second-team All-America by Phil Steele
- Preseason first-team All-Big Ten by CollegeFootballNews.com
- Preseason first-team All-Big Ten by Phil Steele
- Preseason first-team All-Big Ten by Athlon Sports
RETURN TO SENDER
WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette has been named to the Paul Hornung Award watch list, an honor bestowed to the most versatile player in college football.
Smith-Marsette has matched his career high with four receptions in each of the first two weeks. He has three touchdowns this season, and set a career-high with 113 receiving yards in Week 2.
Smith Marsette had three catches for 36 yards in Iowa’s 44-41 overtime win at Iowa State in 2017. His five-yard touchdown reception in the first overtime was the game-winning score.
Smith-Marsette averages 29.7 yards on 29 career kickoff returns. The Big Ten record of average kickoff return yardage (minimum 40 returns) is 28.8, set by Stan Brown of Purdue (1968-70).
In 2018, Smith-Marsette led the Big Ten and ranked No. 2 in the country, averaging 29.5 yards on 24 kickoff returns. He was named Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year in the Big Ten Conference. He had 23 receptions for 361 yards and three touchdowns. His 15.7 yards per catch led the Hawkeyes (minimum 20 receptions).
SARGENT LEADS RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE
RB Mekhi Sargent leads the team in carries (27) and rushing yards (150), and ranks second in receptions (6) and receiving yards (77). His 227 all-purpose yards leads the team. He has started the last six games and is named on the Doak Walker Award Preseason Watch List.
Three Hawkeyes – Sargent (59), RB Toren Young (59), RB Tyler Goodson (53) – had more than 50 yards rushing in Week 2. Iowa averages 203.5 rushing yards per game, fifth in the Big Ten.
Juniors Ivory Kelly-Martin, Sargent, and Young shared the workload in 2018. The trio combined for 392 carries, 1,723 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns (nine by Sargent, five by Young, and two by Kelly-Martin). Sargent had 40.6 percent of the carries (159-745), Young had 34.7 percent of the attempts (136-637), and Kelly-Martin has 24.7 percent of the carries (97-341).
Sargent rushed for 100-plus yards in each of the last two regular season games in 2018. He rushed for a career-high 173 yards on a career-high 26 carries against Nebraska in Week 12. He added a rushing score (15) and touchdown reception (5). In Iowa’s 63-0 win at Illinois in Week 11, Sargent rushed for a then career-high 121 yards, becoming Iowa’s first 100-yard back since RB Akrum Wadley in Week 12 of 2017. Sargent had a pair of touchdowns against the Illini. He led the team with 10 total touchdowns.
GRAND THEFT SECONDARY
DB Michael Ojemudia is tied for the Big Ten lead with two interceptions. He has intercepted a pass in each of the first two weeks. LB Djimon Colbert recorded the first interception of his career in Week 2.
The Hawkeyes’ three interceptions ties for third in the Big Ten. Iowa led the Big Ten and tied for second in the country in 2018 with 20 interceptions. Over the last three seasons, no school has more interceptions than Iowa. The Hawkeyes have 44 interceptions since 2017. Boston College is second with 41.
SS Geno Stone tied for the team lead with four interceptions last season (Amani Hooker and Jake Gervase are now in the NFL). Three of Stone’s four thefts were in the fourth quarter. He intercepted Trace McSorley on the Penn State 24-yard line and returned it for a touchdown in Week 8. He intercepted Minnesota inside the 5-yard line on Minnesota’s final play of the game, and had a fourth quarter interception against Indiana in the end zone. He started at strong safety Weeks 5-13, his first career starts.
Entering this season, Iowa has at least one interception return for a touchdown in each of the last 11 seasons, and 16 of the last 18 seasons.
WIN, GRADUATE, DO IT RIGHT
Ten Hawkeyes wear a decal on their helmets indicating they have received their undergraduate degrees from the University of Iowa. The graduates include Drew Cook, John Milani, Landan Paulsen, Levi Paulsen, Colton Rastetter, Brady Reiff, Brady Ross, Ryan Schmidt, Jackson Subbert, and Nate Wieting.
FERENTZ MOVES UP BIG TEN CHARTS
Head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 154 wins in all games coached as a member of the Big Ten Conference rank fifth in league history. He is one of five coaches in Big Ten Conference history to win at least 150 games as a member of the Big Ten Conference. The top five includes Woody Hayes (202), Amos Alonza Stagg (199), Bo Schembechler (194), Joe Paterno (162), and Ferentz (154).
Ferentz has 92 Big Ten wins as Iowa’s head coach. The 92 conference wins rank sixth among the conference’s all-time winningest coaches in Big Ten games.
Ferentz (154-101) became Iowa’s all-time winningest coach on Sept. 1, 2018. The Hawkeyes defeated Northern Illinois, 33-7. It was Ferentz’s 144th win as Iowa’s head coach, one more than his predecessor, Hayden Fry (143-89-6). Fry coached Iowa for 20 years (1979-98). Ferentz is in his 21st season in 2019.
Both Ferentz (154, 92) and Fry (143, 96) rank in the top six in overall wins and Big Ten wins. Only Iowa and Michigan have two coaches ranked in the top 10 of both win categories (Bo Schembechler 194, 143; and Lloyd Carr 122, 81).
Iowa is the only school in the country to have just two head football coaches since 1979.
FERENTZ TOPS IN LONGEVITY
Kirk Ferentz is in his 21st season as Iowa’s head football coach. He is the longest tenured active head coach in college football. Ferentz was named Iowa head coach on Dec. 2, 1998. Gary Patterson of TCU is No. 2 in coaching tenure. Patterson’s first year with the Horned Frogs was 2001. Among Big Ten coaches, only Pat Fitzgerald (2006) and Mark Dantonio (2007) have been at their current schools for 10 seasons or more. Iowa is the only school to have just two head football coaches since 1979.
Defensive coordinator Phil Parker and strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle are also in their 21st seasons on Iowa’s staff. Quarterbacks coach Ken O’Keefe was on Ferentz’s original coaching staff before he left for the NFL following the 2011 season. He returned to Iowa in 2017 to coach Iowa’s quarterbacks.
Ferentz is the only Division I coach to coach three sons. Brian Ferentz, a former Hawkeye letterman and captain (2003-05), enters his eighth season on Iowa’s coaching staff. James Ferentz was a three-year starter on the Hawkeye offensive line and a team captain before graduating in 2013. Steven was an offensive lineman and letterwinner in 2015 and 2016.
HAWK TALK WITH KIRK FERENTZ
Head 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 VUE Rooftop at the Hilton Garden Inn in Iowa City. There is no show during the Hawkeyes’ bye weeks (Wednesday, Sept. 18 and Wednesday, Oct. 30).
