Iowa-Iowa State: A State Divided as Archrivals Face Off in Week Two

Every year the state of Iowa faces this dilemma as the Iowa-Iowa State game arrives as part of the regular non-conference schedule. It can turn a normally happy family into fractious, contentious adversaries as alma mater loyalties supersede blood ties.

Even though Iowa leads the series, 37-19, the Cyclones have won seven of the last 11 meetings, four of the last five at Jack Trice Stadium. This does not bode well for the Hawkeyes.

Last week, when Iowa was ranked No. 21, they barely escaped an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Northern Iowa. While the Panthers are one of the best FCS teams in the country, a nationally ranked Iowa team should have handled them with ease, especially since the game was held in Iowa City.  

As it was, the Hawkeyes needed two blocked field goals in the final seconds of the game to preserve a 17-16 win. Even with the win, Iowa was dropped from the top 25.

The Hawkeyes survived to fight another day, and if they hope to win in Ames on Saturday, they must play with more consistency, proficiency, and desire on both sides of the line.

Iowa State had its way at home against North Dakota State, notching a 34-17 victory. It was the first win for the Cyclones in 11 tries, marking a good beginning for new head coach Paul Rhoads. The Cyclones, however, should find the Hawkeyes exponentially better than the North Dakota team they faced.   

The ultimate problem for Iowa last Saturday was the lack of a running game. Iowa gained only 87 yards on the ground.

Everyone expected a drop-off when Shonn Greene, who rushed for more than 1,800 yards last season, turned pro. But most expected Jewel Hampton to step into the void and handle the bulk of the running game.

When the team lost Hampton to a knee injury prior to the start of the season, the Hawkeyes were left without a tested ball carrier. 

That led to difficulties in the first half moving the football. Redshirt freshman Adam Robinson carried the pigskin 15 times for 63 yards and one touchdown. This kind of yardage, however, will not carry the team where it needs to go. 

That means greater reliance on the passing game. Last weekend Ricky Stanzi threw for 242 yards and one touchdown. Most of it came only after the offense rose from the dead in the second half.  

Part of the second-half success came when the touted offensive line began to figure out the UNI defense well enough to protect Stanzi from being sacked. The Iowa quarterback was sacked four times, with one resulting in a turnover and an ultimate score by the Panthers. 

Once the offense began to jell, Stanzi found his rhythm, his time, and open receivers.  He passed the team back into the lead and ultimately to a win.  

Iowa has many fine receivers, and they could prove to be the saving grace for this team during the 2009 season. One of the most gifted is tight end Tony Moeaki, who caught 10 passes for 83 yards and one touchdown. 

Moeaki has been injured for much of his career, but this year he hopes to fulfill his promise. He is already a preseason candidate for the John Mackey Award. 

Stanzi also tossed the ball to Marvin McNutt for five receptions, to Trey Stross for three, and one each for Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, Allen Reisner, Brett Morse, and Paul Chaney Jr.

The passing game ultimately made the difference. At the end of the day, the Hawkeyes managed 329 total yards on offense with Stanzi 22-for-34 on tosses. 

Norm Parker, Iowa's defensive coordinator, had good reason to be concerned about containing the UNI offense. They had a complicated and determined offensive game plan, knowing that UNI had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by going for it all.

The Iowa defense did a good job of containing the Panthers, allowing just one touchdown and three field goals.  

But it was Iowa’s special teams that made the biggest plays to preserve the victory and save the season. 

With seven seconds on the clock and the score at 17-16 in favor of Iowa, on first down the UNI team lined up on the 40-yard line to kick a field goal and win the game. 

To the delight of the home crowd, defensive end Broderick Binns blocked the kick. The assembled crowd breathed a universal sigh of relief and began the celebration. But because UNI retained possession and the kick took place on a first down, the ultimate result was another kick. 

Miraculously, Iowa blocked the kick again—this time linebacker Jeremiha Hunter made the play.  

It was not a great afternoon for the Hawkeye defensive unit. They gave up 354 yards and scored only one takeaway and two sacks.  

The Iowa State Cyclones were not all that stellar themselves on defense as they faced North Dakota State. The Bison accumulated 388 yards, including 210 on the ground. 

While they were not spectacular at stopping the run, the Cyclones did cause two turnovers and four sacks, limiting NDSU to just 17 points on the afternoon.

The ISU defense was practically nonexistent last season, so the team needs vast improvement on the defensive side of the ball to shore up a leaky program.  

The Cyclones managed a balanced attack on offense last week with 204 yards rushing and 238 yards through the air in their 34-17 win. Alexander Robinson gained 83 yards on 16 carries, scoring one touchdown. 

Added to that were the 78 rushing yards of quarterback Austen Arnaud on 17 carries. 

Last year this pair contributed more than 1,200 rushing yards. They expect to be responsible for the majority of offensive yards for the 2009 season.  

Through the air, Arnaud completed 16-of-28 passes for 227 yards and two touchdowns. The leading receiver for the Cyclones was Marquis Hamilton, who caught both touchdown passes. He ended the afternoon with four catches totaling 97 yards. 

After the wake-up call in Week One, the Hawkeyes will not take anything for granted, especially in Week Two against archrival Iowa State. This contest always proves unlucky for the visiting team. 

The visitor has lost the last five contests. These games are usually hard-fought and difficult to win. 

This year should be no exception, but I expect the Hawkeyes to take this one.