Iowa finished 9-4 last year, they got to a bowl game (Outback) and beat South Carolina 31-10. Iowa would like to try to get to 10 wins this season and see themselves in another bowl game.
To accomplish these goals Iowa will have some things to work on; they have some spots to fill, but also have key guys returning who will need to step up.
On offense they return their starting QB Richard Stanzi and top WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. Stanzi played well last year, but will have to step up this year, and take on a leadership role. Stanzi will be pleased to have Johnson-Koulianos back, his favorite target in the '08 season.
Johnson-Koulianos is a veteran wide out who caught 44 balls for 639 yards, and 3 TD's last season. He has the talent to be a big game player for the Hawkeyes and will need to help Stanzi gain confidence early in the season.
At running back they will take a noticeable step down in talent. This is not a knock on Jewel Hampton, but a compliment to Shonn Greene. Greene was one of the best RB's in the nation last year, Hampton will have to fill this void. Hampton is very talented, and is even on a couple pre-season all big ten teams. Bottom line, Iowa has a good threesome to work with, but other players will need to step up around them for this offense to be effective.
Let's flip sides and look at the Hawkeyes defense for '09.
Pat Angerer will be the leader of the Hawkeye LB's this year, and he is more then capable. Last season he finished with 107 tackles and was named to the all-big ten second team.
Joining Angerer will be A.J. Edds, Tyler Sash, and Brett Greenwood among others. Iowa was 12th in the country last year in total denfense, and will look to improve that number with a group of returning starters. The Hawkeye defense will be very experienced this season and will look to shut down the opposition.
Players to Watch: LB Pat Angerer, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
Johnson-Koulianos is a veteran wide out who caught 44 balls for 639 yards, and 3 TD's last season. He has the talent to be a big game player for the Hawkeyes and will need to help Stanzi gain confidence early in the season.
Johnson-Koulianos will be the top receiver for the Hawkeyes in '09
(credit: gazetteonline)
(credit: gazetteonline)
At running back they will take a noticeable step down in talent. This is not a knock on Jewel Hampton, but a compliment to Shonn Greene. Greene was one of the best RB's in the nation last year, Hampton will have to fill this void. Hampton is very talented, and is even on a couple pre-season all big ten teams. Bottom line, Iowa has a good threesome to work with, but other players will need to step up around them for this offense to be effective.
Let's flip sides and look at the Hawkeyes defense for '09.
Pat Angerer will be the leader of the Hawkeye LB's this year, and he is more then capable. Last season he finished with 107 tackles and was named to the all-big ten second team.
Joining Angerer will be A.J. Edds, Tyler Sash, and Brett Greenwood among others. Iowa was 12th in the country last year in total denfense, and will look to improve that number with a group of returning starters. The Hawkeye defense will be very experienced this season and will look to shut down the opposition.
Players to Watch: LB Pat Angerer, WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos
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