Wednesday Morning Hawkeye News - Sept 30 2009
GameDay in Iowa City? - The athletic department confirmed through its official Twitter account on Tuesday that the network will pick up the Oct. 10 tilt between the Hawks and Wolverines at Kinnck Stadium. The game was originally listed as being carried by either ABC or ESPN.
The IC Press Citizen thinks Iowa is dangerous on both sides of the ball. Honestly, they are. I am glad the rest of the country thinks our offense sucks. It doesn't suck...its just starting the year off slow.
Hawkeyes silence doubters, look to avoid possible trap - Before even getting on a plane to State College, Pa., last week, the Iowa Hawkeyes heard their game with Penn State would be ugly.
Iowa back in spotlight, faces Arkansas State [Chicago Tribune] - The Hawkeyes made headlines with a stunning home win over Penn State last season. But they didn't sneak back into the Top 25 until the final poll.
Another story from the IC Press Citizen. A plea deal could be in the works for one or both of the former University of Iowa football players accused of sexually assaulting a former UI student in October 2007.
Board, alliance eye broadband superhighway along I-380 [WCF Courier] - A group of business and government leaders are working on plans for a high-technology telecommunications system along Iowa's Interstate 380 corridor.
Former University of Iowa Writers' Workshop visiting faculty member Mary Jo Bang will read from her new poetry collection, "The Bride of E," in a free event at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Prairie Lights Books, 15 S. Dubuque St.
Morning Hawkeye News, Football Free: Sept 29 2009
Hawkeye Tennis is kicking ass [Hawkeye Sports] - The University of Iowa women's tennis team competed Friday night in the Gopher Invitational. The Hawkeyes played very well in the opening day, and finished with 9-4, with five wins in the doubles competition and four in singles.
Former Iowa assistant Patterson steps down at Western Illinois [DM Register] - Western Illinois head football coach Don Patterson has stepped down from his position because of a personal health concern, according to the school's Web site.
UI, Big Ten Reaches Agreement with Sirius XM - The UI Atheltics Department and its multi-media partner, Learfield Sports, have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Sirius XM Radio that will provide live coverage of select UI events on the satellite radio system.
Iowa researcher finds Nader likely helped Gore in 2000 election [U of Iowa] - New research from a marketing professor in the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business suggests that while that claim is true, it also suggests that Nader's candidacy actually helped Gore.
Sept. 28, 2009 At A Glance [U of Iowa] - Obama nominates pair of UI law alumni as U.S. Attorneys in Iowa, etc.
Iowa Girl's Soccer Plays Final Non-Conference Game [Hawkeye Sports] - The University of Iowa soccer team travels to Des Moines Wednesday the 30th to face the final in-state competitor on the schedule. Game time is set for 7 p.m.
Iowa regent pushes for new dorm at UI [Chicago Tribune] - The University of Iowa may be in for a new dormitory -- the first in more than 40 years.
Norm Parker's Front Seven Nation Army
Norm Parker orchestrates a methodical Iowa defense that is quickly earning the reputation as one of the most physical in the nation.
The sheer defensive domination of the #5 ranked Nittany Lions helps that reputation greatly. Parker has always coached this type of defense.
Prior to joining the Hawkeye staff in 1999, Norm Parker coached 12 seasons at Michigan State (1983-94), five at Minnesota (1972-76) and three at Illinois (1977-79).
While at Michigan State, the Spartans won the 1987 Big Ten title. In 1988 they won the Rose Bowl by defeating USC, 20-17.
He has a long tenure as a coach in the Big Ten, and it has helped him gain a plethora of experience. That experience is key to Iowa's having won seven out of the last eight against Penn State.
Norm Parker knows how to build top tier defenses.
The one Kirk Ferentz and Parker are building this year might go beyond the ordinary top tier defense, though. It might be one for the history books.
So far this year, Iowa ranks eighth in scoring defense (11.5), 32nd in pass defense (171.5) and 33rd in total defense. Dating back to last year, Iowa’s defense has not allowed a rushing touchdown in 29 consecutive quarters.
Another interesting fact is that Iowa has scored 47 points following 13 opponent turnovers. Those nine interceptions, three forced fumbles and one blocked punt speak volumes, especially if you consider that Iowa's first four opponents this season have a combined record of 12-4.
All four losses are the result of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Aside from the Sash and Greenwood Traveling Interception Show, much of the Hawkeye defense was unknown to the nation until Saturday's game at Penn State.
Now, all of Norm Parker's front seven are household names in the state of Iowa. The band The White Stripes would call them a Seven Nation Army. Three of them are now on the NFL's most wanted list.
Out of Towner: Hawkeyes Do It Again
Last night during a nationally televised game and in front of over 109,000 Penn State fans, the Iowa Hawkeyes made a statement.
Sit up and listen people. These boys are good. The 21-10 upset (I hate using that word cause I knew we would win) of the Nittany Lions moves Iowa to a 4-0 start and extends the nation's second longest winning streak to 8 games. It also handed Joe Paterno's team their 7th loss in 8 games against the Hawkeyes. The game highlighted one of the best defenses in the country and a balanced ground attack by two freshmen backs. It truly was a thing of beauty. I laughed, I cried, I got wasted.
For as good as I felt when it was all over, the first few minutes of the game really took the wind out of my sails. It really didn't look good. Penn State's first play from scrimmage was a 79 yard TD pass. Ouch. Stunned silence. The rest of the first quarter didn't look a whole lot better either. The Hawkeyes dropped four passes, 3 of them on critical 3rd downs that would have extended the drive, and continously gave up ground to the Lion's offense. The 10-0 start to the first quarter was not very promising.
But the typically slow-out-of-the-gate Hawkeyes proceeded to dominate the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball for the final three quarters and get it done.
Ricki Stanzi looked much better this week and did a great job captaining his offensive unit throughout the game. His stats, 11 of 26 for 135 yds and 2 picks, aren't the greatest, but stats don't win football games. He showed great poise all day and made consistently good decisions. The freshman duo of Adam Robinson and Brandon Wegher combined for over 200 yards of total offense. That's over 2/3 of Iowa's total offensive production for the day. Holy shit I'm glad these two are only freshmen!
Iowa-Penn State: Morning After Link Dump
Postgame Iowa photos, quotes on radio, TV [CR Gazette] - I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a play like Adrian made. That was just a thing of beauty.
Last Call: Penn State [CR Gazette] - Moeaki did warm up Saturday night and looked as though he might play. Technically, Ferentz said, the 6-4, 250-pounder has been medically cleared. But the senior is only about 80 percent right now and Ferentz didn’t believe he was quite ready Saturday night.
Young runs [CR Gazette] - Robinson rushed for a game-high 88 yards on 19 carries and Wegher 73 yards on 14 carries to lift Iowa’s offense in the Hawkeyes’ 21-10 upset of No. 5 Penn State.
‘Punt safe’ in the eye of the beholder (with Ballard video) - Iowa called it “punt safe.” Basically, the defense stays on the field because coaches think maybe a fake could be coming.
Iowa upset crystallizes defense's vital role in rugged Big Ten race [Sports Illustrated] - There are few certainties left in this young college football season -- four more top-10 teams fell this weekend, making it nine on the season -- but there is one thing you can take to the bank: Iowa's defense.
Hawkeyes upset Nittany Lions again [The Daily Iowan] - Not too many nationwide thought what took place at Kinnick Stadium last November could possibly occur once again inside Beaver Stadium with a sea of white.
Iowa rides defense, special teams to second straight upset of Penn State [ESPN] - Whether in cold, blustery Iowa City, or soggy Happy Valley, Iowa has Penn State figured out.
Instant analysis: Iowa 21, Penn State 10 [ESPN] - After allowing a 79-yard touchdown pass on Penn State's first play from scrimmage, Iowa's defense flustered Daryll Clark and the Spread HD attack all night long.
Iowa's takeaway tradition continues [ESPN] - No one in Iowa's camp can explain why the defense has generated so many turnovers since the start of last season. It just keeps happening.
Iowa's Six Seconds of Hell Engulfs Beaver Stadium
The fire started with a sign. "Ricky Stanzi listens to Hannah Montana."
In the last three weeks, there have been some pretty awful things said about the Iowa quarterback, most of it from the Hawkeye fan base. But the Nittany Lion fans were taking it to another level. Ricky Stanzi doesn't listen to Miley Cyrus, Stanzi is the Manzi!
More fuel was added to the fire with the Daryll Clark "Guarantee". In a video on Rivals filmed the night before Saturday's game, Clark guaranteed a victory to Penn State fans camping out in Paternoville. Say what, Clark?
Then, Lee Corso decided to douse the flames of the fire with gasoline. Corso's ESPN Gameday pick was bold and dismissed any chance of Iowa pulling off an upset. He donned the Nittany Lion outfit with white robe and shouted, "Penn State!" What does Corso know...he sells pencils for a living.
Mother Nature did her best to keep the Hawkeyes' fire under control with a torrential downpour on State College. Her effort was futile. The fire couldn't be put out.
The game started in a hurry. The Nittany Lions came out full of adrenaline and scored on the first play from scrimmage with a 79 yard touchdown pass from Daryll Clark to Chaz Powell.
Iowa-Penn State: The History
The Coaches:
Joe Paterno vs. Iowa, 11-9
Kirk Ferentz vs Penn State, 6-2
The Series:
The Nittany Lions and Hawkeyes are meeting for the 22nd time. Penn State owns an 11-10 series advantage. The visiting team has won 13 of the 21 series games. Penn State won the last meeting in Beaver Stadium, 27-7, in 2007, but the Hawkeyes won, 24-23, last year in Iowa City.
This Games:
Coach Frank Lauterbur
9/25/1971 Penn State 44, Iowa 14
9/30/1971 Penn State 14, Iowa 10
9/29/1973 Penn State 27, Iowa 8
Coach Bob Commings
9/28/1974 Penn State 27, Iowa 0
9/27/1975 Penn State 30, Iowa 10
9/25/1976 Iowa 7, Penn State 6
Coach Hayden Fry
9/17/1983 Iowa 42, Penn State 34
9/15/1984 Penn State 20, Iowa 17
9/18/1993 Penn State 31, Iowa 0
9/17/1994 Penn State 61, Iowa 21
10/21/1995 Penn State 41, Iowa 27
10/19/1996 Iowa 21, Penn State 20
Coach Kirk Ferentz
10/9/1999 Penn State 31, Iowa 7
11/4/2000 Iowa 26, Penn State 23
9/29/2001 Iowa 24, Penn State 18
9/28/2002 Iowa 42 Penn State 35
10/25/2003 Iowa 26, Penn State 14
10/23/2004 Iowa 6, Penn State 4
10/06/2007 Penn State 27, Iowa 7
11/08/2008 Iowa 24, Penn State 23
