Iowa Hawkeyes: Know your Opposition

Correspondent Written on November 12, 2009

STATE COLLEGE, PA - SEPTEMBER 26: Ricky Stanzi #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes throws a pass while playing the Penn State Nittnay Lions on September 26, 2009 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. Iowa won the game 21-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Mascot: Hawkeyes
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (11th year at Iowa, 79-54 overall, 1-5 vs. OSU)
2008 Record: 9-4 (Defeated South Carolina in Outback Bowl , 31-10)
2009 Record: 9-1
Base Offense: "I" Formation
Base Defense: 4-3
Letterman: Returning - 49; Lost - 22
Returning Starters: Offense - 6, Defense - 8, Specialists - 2
Returning Stars: LB Pat Angerer, S Tyler Sash

Notable Alumni:

- Tom Arnold, actor from Roseanne
- Tom Brokaw, TV anchor and author
- Bret Bielema, football coach, Wisconsin
- Dallas Clark, tight end, Indianapolis Colts
- George Gallup, founder of the Gallup poll
- Don Nelson, NBA player and coach
- Ashton Kutcher, actor

Iowa Overview:

As much as the Buckeyes have felt snakebitten by injuries this season, the Hawkeyes have even more reason to complain now.

Before the season even started, their starting Runningback, Jewel Hampton, was lost for the season. Iowa moved on without him though, and found a star in redshirt freshman, Adam Robinson. They would also lose him for the season after being injured against Michigan State. Then Ricky Stanzi went down in the first half against Northwestern last week, and all those injuries finally caught up with the Hawkeyes as they lost 17-10 to Northwestern.

Their dreams of going to a National Championship were crushed after a 9-0 start.

While Stanzi's numbers aren't going to blow anyone away (2186 yards, 15 TD, 14 INT), his absence will be felt in the leadership department.

The Hawkeyes have had to come back to win a majority of their games, and Stanzi was able to make plays when the game mattered the most. His replacement is redshirt freshman James Vandenberg, who had all of three career passes before replacing Stanzi last week.

It was not pretty premiere for Vandenberg, as he went nine of 27 for 82 yards with an interception. He does have some solid weapons to throw the ball to at wideout.

The top performer on the season is Derrell Johnson-Koulianos who has 31 receptions for 553 yards and two touchdowns.

While he has the most receptions and yards, the overall best play-maker is probably Marvin McNutt (547 yards, 23.8 avg., 5 TD.) At 6-4 215 lbs., he provides a large throwing target for the Hawkeyes.

Also watch Saturday for wideout Trey Stross (368 yards, 1 TD) and tight end Tony Moeaki (274 yards, 4 TD).

As previously mentioned, Hawkeye Runningback has taken some serious blows with Hampton and Robinson both going down. That leaves the carries to freshman Brandon Wegher.

He has already seen a lot of time this season, and has 502 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He runs the ball pretty tough, but is very limited as a big play threat. His longest run on the season is 28 yards, and he averages 3.8 a carry.

The Hawkeyes will also run Paki O'Meara to give Wegher a rest on occasion, and he only has 15 carries on the year.

DEFENSE:

On the defensive side of the ball, Iowa is very legit.

They are only giving up 15.9 points and 291.7 yards a game, and like the Buckeye defense, they have been very opportunistic with turnovers. A lot of that starts up front with a defensive line that has been solid all season long.

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written on November 12, 2009 Preview/Prediction