B1G West Season Opener: Wisconsin host Iowa in Conference opener

Madison, WI -- The Wisconsin Badgers (3-1) open the 120th season of Big Ten Football, with a three game win streak in 2015, as well, as a three game win streak over their opponent, the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-0). It will be the Badgers new head coach Paul Chryst's first Big Ten game, as head coach, but a homecoming for the former Badger player, assistant coach and native of Madison.

The Badgers have held the possession of the Heartland Trophy over the past three
games, since 2010, all played in Iowa City. The Badgers welcome the Hawkeyes
back to Madison for the first time, since 2009. RB #25 Melvin Gordon, TE #49
Sam Arneson and  OL #78 Rob Havenstein have all departed, as seniors last year.

Iowa finished 2014, with zero trophy wins for the season and a disappointing 7-6 record. The dean of Big Ten coaches, Kirk Ferentz, found his program needing an uplift in 2015. Changes were needed and began immediately in January, with a new quarterback named number 1. The Hawkeyes have not been able to successfully win a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, since the game was created in 2011. The Hawkeyes have not won a bowl or been ranked in the Top 25, since the 2010 season.

Hawkeye quarterback #16 C.J. Beathard named co-Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week
after the 31-17 win at Iowa State, in Week 2. Beathard was 15-25 for 215 yards, three
touchdowns, in Iowa's first trophy game of the season. He also rushed for 77 yards.

After a 4-0 start in September under junior quarterback C.J. Beathard, the building blocks may be in place to improve the Hawkeyes standing in the Big Ten and a Top 25 ranking may be very close, as they head to Wisconsin to open the 126th season of Iowa Football, now in conference play. A win over the Badgers will likely launch Iowa into the Top 25, but more importantly, it would be the second of four trophy games for Iowa, as well as a 1-0 start in the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes won the Cy-Hawk Trophy on the road in Week 2, with a 31-17 win over Iowa State.

Iowa senior RB #33 Jordan Canzeri has become an effective inside runner
and effective in the passing game. Last year, he had a 27 yard pass reception,
in the short passing game. He has eight touchdowns on the season to lead the
Big Ten. He is a player to watch in the Black and Gold on Saturday.

Iowa has won three straight Big Ten road openers with new coordinators, since OC Greg Davis arrived and DC Phil Parker was named to the position, in 2012. Iowa is 12-5 in Madison dating back to the Bob Commings era in the 1970s. The Hawkeyes have had only two head coaches, since 1979, with Hayden Fry and Ferentz. A 5-0 start for Iowa in 2015, would be a huge boost for a program that has been struggling to get back to relevance in the Big Ten picture.

Who's defense steps up in Madison today or will the offenses be the spotlight?

On the opposite side, Wisconsin has played in two Big Ten Championship Games, since 2011. The Badgers won the inaugural Big Ten West Division in 2014. However, they were destroyed by Ohio State, 59-0, who went on to win the inaugural College Football Playoff, last season. A new coach, with a lot of history in Madison, is now leading the program, after the Gary Anderson era came to an end, after two seasons at the helm. Ironically, Wisconsin lost their coach, after each division win.

The visitor has actually won six of the last eight Heartland Trophy games, including four straight, since Iowa's 2009 win in Madison, 20-10. Last time around, Iowa was without one of their top wide receivers (Marvin McNutt) for the game heading to Madison. Iowa found out this week, they will be without the services of senior wide receiver Tevaun Smith. Iowa was successful in 2009 in circling the wagons, with after losing a key player. Ferentz is 3-3 as a head coach in Madison.

Iowa's top receiver in 2015 is junior WR #89 Matt VandeBerg. He has
developed into a key combination with Iowa QB C.J. Beathard this year.

Ten different Hawkeyes have combined to catch 77 passes this season. Junior Matt VandeBerg, who has caught 25 passes for 242 yards and two touchdowns leads the Hawkeyes in receiving. The Hawkeyes also welcomed back senior tight end Jake Duzey, from injury, in their final non-conference tune-up ahead of Big Ten play. Duzey lead all returning tight ends from a year ago in receiving.

The Badgers do return junior C #70 Dan Voltz, as anchor of the OLine and senior QB
#2 Joel Stave back in the battle with the Hawkeyes in 2015. Last season, the Badgers 
used a two quarterback attack, but new coach Paul Chryst has settled with a true #1 for
2015. The Badgers are going for a four year possession of the Heartland Trophy.

Wisconsin has had the experience in the backfield lately in the series. In the past two games, the running game was a huge advantage for the Badgers. With the injury of junior running back Corey Clement, the Badgers have less experience leading the running game, than Iowa on Saturday. The Badgers will lean on junior Dare Ogunbowale, who likely can help on the ground and through the air. Last week's leading rusher was redshirt freshman Taiwain Deal, who was named Big Ten Freshman of the Week, after 147 yards rushing, two touchdowns, in the 28-0 win over Hawaii.

Senior #46 Austin Traylor is the new starting TE for the Badgers this season.
Last year, now a sophomore, wearing #81, last year #48 Troy Fumagalli got into
the fun. The TE position is a huge for both teams in the offensive game. Who
steps forward on Saturday could determine the outcome of Saturday's match-up.

Both teams have new parts in the offensive line heading into the 2015 Big Ten season. Both teams lean on experienced and talented centers to anchor the lines. Iowa will start a new left tackle for the Big Ten opener, as junior Cole Croston steps into the line up. Iowa's experience is inside at all three positions. Wisconsin starts two redshirt freshmen at the two guard positions and a new right tackle. The run game hasn't been as strong, as recent Badger offenses.

Defense wins championships and plays an important role in the Heartland Game. The Badgers have not given up a touchdown in the past three non-conference game, after the disappointing opener in Texas against Alabama. On the flip side, Iowa hasn't given up a rushing touchdown yet in 2015. Will something give, or will we see a defensive, grind out game in Madison on Saturday?

“I think of tough, physical, hard-nosed football. It’s going to be a brawl-type of game. I have a lot of respect for Iowa. It was a school that I considered. I see a lot of similarities between Wisconsin and Iowa. When I say that, I mean the mindset that it takes to play the game. They’ve got players who love to get after it – they pin their ears back and come at you. We’re the same way.” - Wisconsin senior OLB Joe Biegel on the Iowa-Wisconsin game.

The Badgers operate out of a 3-4 defense, one of the key performers is senior OLB
#47 Vince Biegel, back from last year's game corralling Iowa reserve, now a
sophomore, #25 Akrum Wadley, who ran for a 100+ yards vs. Northwestern in '14. 

The 3-4 defense isn't something Iowa hasn't faced in 2015. In Iowa's first trophy game win of the young season at Iowa State, the Hawkeyes took care of business. However, the Wisconsin defense has consistently been disruptive for the Hawkeyes, especially in Wisconsin DC Dave Aranda's first season, in 2013. Last year, the Hawkeyes got the passing game going, in the two point loss.

Wisconsin senior SS #7 Michael Caputo is the leader of the Badgers
secondary. He could figure in the pressure game, as the Badgers
typically blitz more than Iowa, who work from a 4-3 defense.

The secondary will play a big role on both sides of the football for Iowa and Wisconsin on Saturday. Iowa returns three starters in the secondary, as do the Badgers. Wisconsin has moved former quarterback Tanner McEvoy to free safety and wide receiver, for his senior season. The 6-6 231 McEvoy will be an interesting guy to watch on Saturday.

Wisconsin senior OLB #58 Joe Schobert leads the Badgers defense with six sacks,
as well, as the leading the team in tackles, in non-conference play.

The Iowa-Wisconsin game often is a very tight game. The Badgers have been known to break out early over the Hawkeyes. On the flip side, the Badgers won the 2010 game, with a comeback victory. Iowa has done that before, as well.

Our Pick: Iowa 31, Wisconsin 17 in Madison

With obvious interest, Wisconsin OLB Vince Biegel did watch the BTN interview with Iowa QB C.J. Beathard, who’s 5-0 as a starter with the Hawkeyes. “I can definitely tell from watching film and seeing that interview that he’s the leader of their offense,” Biegel said. “It’s just the way he leads – he’s in full control.”

The Hawkeyes have one win on the road at Iowa State. C.J. Beathard, 5-0 as a starter
has lead Iowa to two fourth quarter victories this season, against ISU and Pitt. He
also lead Iowa to a comeback victory last season, against Paul Chryst's Pitt team,
as well. It was a 24-20 win at Pitt, where Beathard lead the Hawkeyes from a 10 point
deficit. This should be a 60 minute game on Saturday in Madison for Hawkeyes-Badgers.

Beathard has been particularly effective in the fourth quarter – completing 14 of 17 passes for 206 yards and one touchdown through the first four games. Twice, he has led late game-winning scoring drives against Iowa State and Pittsburgh. He has a 142.6 pass efficiency rating in the quarter, tops in the Big Ten. Iowa used backup quarterback Tyler Wiegers, in the past the other two Iowa games, in wins over Illinois State and North Texas.

The Big Ten West Division looks to be wide open, with Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern and Wisconsin all in the discussion for the title by many pundits. Of course, Illinois and Purdue don't want to be left out, but they are likely in a spoiler role, as opposed to contender role. It is Year 2 of the West Division and three big division games spotlight the first week of October:

• Iowa @ Wisconsin - Iowa has won 20-10 in 2005 and 2009 in Madison. Is there something special about that score for the Hawkeyes in Madison?
• Minnesota @ Northwestern - This should be an interesting B1G opener, the Wildcats are undefeated for the first time, since 2013, the first of back to back 5-7 seasons. The Golden Gophers have not fared well on offense opening 3-1 in the non-conference. Do the Golden Gophers make it three in a roll, under Jerry Kill over Pat Fitzgerald?
• Nebraska @ Illinois - this could be a shootout, as both teams defenses have not been outstanding, especially against the pass. Welcome to the Big Ten Mike Riley at Nebraska, as interim head coach Bill Cubit looks to win the battle between 3-1 teams ...
• Purdue opens in a division cross-over game, @ Michigan State, after a sluggish 1-3 start for the Boilermakers, but the Spartans should prevail in East Lasing in the B1G opener.

In the Big Ten East Division, there are two division games, as Rutgers (0-1) enjoys a bye week and Penn State (1-0) hosts Army, in their final non-conference game. The Nittany Lions should remain undefeated at home, after falling in the season opener at Temple.

Michigan senior transfer QB #15 Jake Rudock played last season at Maryland,
in an Iowa uniform. The game was a disappointment though, as the Hawkeyes
fell 38-31. The Wolverines, also fell in Ann Arbor last season 23-16 to Maryland.
Look for the Wolverines offense to click, while the defense should lead them to
victory, as Big Ten play opens up in the Big Ten today.

• Michigan @ Maryland - The Wolverines have won three straight, since the opening loss at Utah to kickoff the Jim Harbaugh era for Michigan. The Terrapins have struggled in 2015, with a new signal caller and on defense.
• Ohio State @ Indiana - The first battle of the 2015 season in the Big Ten against undefeated 4-0 teams; the Buckeyes have not hit all cylinders, coming off a B1G title and the first College Football Playoff championship. The Hoosiers look good offensively, but defense still leaves a lot to be desired. Urban Meyer has never lost a Big Ten regular season game, entering his fourth season in Columbus.

Iowa kicks off the 2015 season with a 31-14 win over FCS #2 Illinois State

Iowa City, IA -- The University of Iowa was happy to finally get out and play someone other than the Black & Gold teammate on the other side of the football, as they kicked off the 2015 College Football season at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

The preparation paid off, as the Iowa Hawkeyes open the 2015
season with a solid 31-14 win over Illinois State at Kinnick.

The Hawkeyes wore down Illinois State in the First Half
Iowa scored 17 unanswered points in the first half on route to a 31-14 win over Illinois State to open the season. The Hawkeyes scored on back to back opening possessions to take a 14-0 lead. The Hawkeyes lead 17-0, after a Marshall Koehn, senior PK, 40 yard field goal to close out the first half. The Iowa defense completely bottled up the Redbirds offense in the first half, holding the Redbirds to zero yards rushing and 36 yards passing.

In his first career start at Kinnick Stadium, C.J. Beathard lead the Iowa offense,
contributing 15-24, 211 yards, 1 TD passing, along with 2 rushing TDs for Iowa.

The Hawkeyes nearly doubled up the Redbirds in total offense, finishing with a 423-231 advantage. Iowa eclipsed the 200-yard mark on the ground, finishing with 202 yards on 43 carries, while finishing with 221 yards through the air.

Iowa senior DE 95 Drew Ott recorded two sacks, while
junior DT 67 Jaleel Johnson played very solid as a new starter.

Iowa’s defense stifled the 2014 FCS runner-up, limiting the Redbirds to 79 yards through the first three quarters. Illinois State scored all 14 of its points in the fourth quarter, where it nearly doubled its offensive output, piling up 152 yards. Illinois State redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Kolbe replaced a dinged Tre Roberson.

The Hawkeyes scored 31 points to open the scoring in the Iowa-Illinois
season opener, as junior WR 89 Matt VandeBerg finished Iowa's scoring on
the day, on this nine yard TD pass to complete a perfect day in the Redzone.

The Hawkeyes have won 14-of-17 season openers under Kirk Ferentz, averaging 35.3 ppg in the 14 wins. Iowa is 95-29-2 (.762) in home openers.

Oh Nellie!

Iowa's 99-yard scoring drive on its second possession was its first 99-yard scoring drive since 2002 at Miami (OH). 

Iowa DE 95 Drew Ott recording one of his two QB sacks against former IU,
present Illinois State QB 5 Tre Robeson, who made his first career start as a
QB at Kinnick Stadium, back during the 2011 season.

Iowa finished the game with five sacks, all in the opening half. Senior DE Drew Ott had two sacks. Redshirt freshman DE Parker Hesse, senior DE Nate Meier, and sophomore LB Ben Niemann each had one. It was the first career sack for Hesse and Niemann. 

The coin toss was important strategy for Iowa, since it gave Iowa's physical offensive game strategy an early boost winning the toss. In 17 seasons as Iowa's head coach, Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff in 163-201 games (96-67). Iowa has started the game on defense in 38-of-201 games under Ferentz (20-18).

Junior Iowa RB 29 LeShun Daniels, Jr. made his first career start.

Junior RB LeShun Daniels, Jr., carried Iowa's rushing attack with career-highs in yards (123) and carries (26). Junior QB C.J. Beathard finished 15-of-24 for 211 yards with a touchdown. Senior RB Jordan Canzeri had four catches for 90 yards, also a rushing touchdown; while junior WR Matt VandeBerg had six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. 

Senior RB 33 Jordan Canzeri reacts after scoring a rushing TD, after leading 2014
College Football rushers, without a rushing TD during the season.

On defense, senior WLB Cole Fisher had a career-high eight tackles in his first career start, while Iowa's senior DEs Ott (two sacks) and Meier (three tackles for loss) combined for five tackles for loss.

True freshmen WR Jerminic Smith, WR Adrian Falconer, and OL James Daniels played today. Daniels is the first true freshman to play offensive line since Bryan Bulaga in 2007.

The Hawkeyes have played 57 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT, the longest streak of any school in the nation. Iowa has converted on 172 consecutive PATs during the streak.

Instant replay was not used today. The NCAA has a new booth replay system and it off to a very effective start, as witnessed over the course of three days of the first five day weekend opening the 2015 College Football season.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, dean of B1G coaches, in his 17th
season at the helm. Illinois State Brock Spack, a former Purdue
player and two-time assistant coach speak before kickoff.
Spack was very positive about Iowa ahead and after today's game.
Both programs have a lot to play for in 2015.

The Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0) return to action Sept. 12, traveling to Ames, Iowa, for the Cy-Hawk Game against Iowa State. Game time is 3:45 p.m. (CT) on Fox Sports from Jack Trice Stadium, in Ames. Iowa State (0-0) kicks off at 7 p.m. tonight against Northern Iowa (0-0) in Ames. Illinois State (0-1) and UNI will play each other in Missouri Valley Football Conference play, later this season.

Iowa moves to 1-1, with 28-14 win over Missouri State, ahead of Week 3 showdown in Ames at Iowa State next Saturday

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Iowa football team notched its first victory of the 2013 season, winning 28-14 over Missouri State on Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes outgained the Bears by nearly 300 yards and rushed for 296 yards.  Iowa was 1-1 at this point last year, which was a home loss to Iowa State 9-6.

Iowa finished with 489 yards of total offense, which included 296 on the ground and 193 through the air. The Hawkeye defense limited Missouri State to 197 yards -- 67 in the first half -- and forced a pair of Bear turnovers.  Iowa used four running backs in the victory Saturday over the Bears.

Junior Mark Weisman had a career-best 30 carries for 180 yards -- the second-highest total of his career -- with two touchdowns. His 37-yard run in the third quarter pushed him over the 1,000-yard mark for his Hawkeye career. He is the 42nd player in school history to surpass 1,000 yards.  Iowa keep Weisman fresh by rotating junior Damon Bullock, sophomore Jordan Canzeri and true freshman LeShun Daniels, Jr. vs. the MSU Bears.

"Mark got it going in the second half," said UI head coach Kirk Ferentz. "He looked liked he was getting strong as the game went on, and he gave us a spark."  The rotation of four running backs was likely an aid in keeping Weisman fresh.

Sophomore Jake Rudock completed 19-of-28 attempts for 193 yards and had seven carries for 33 yards with two touchdowns. Rudock was making his second career start, in his second game played during his young career at Iowa.

After leading 7-0 at the half, Iowa's offense took the opening drive of the second half 73 yards, but came away scoreless. Weisman's 37-yard rush on third-and-3 to the outside moved the Hawkeyes to the 11. Iowa advanced to the 2, but Missouri State bottled up Weisman on fourth-and-1 to take over on downs.

The Hawkeye defense kept the field position in Iowa's favor by forcing a three-and-out, and junior Kevonte Martin-Manley's 10-yard punt return gave Iowa possession at the Bear 32. After three-straight rushes to the 18, Rudock connected with senior Don Shumpert for an 8-yard gain to the 10. Two plays later, Weisman scored from 10-yards out, giving the Hawkeyes the 14-0 lead.  In the first half, Shumpert struggled with two drops, but played better in second half.

Following a quick three-and-out by Missouri State, the Hawkeyes pushed their lead to 21-0 courtesy of an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive. Iowa opened the series with a 47-yard completion to redshirt freshman George Kittle -- his first career reception -- to move the Hawkeyes into Missouri State territory. Four straight rushes moved Iowa to the 14 before Rudock connected with senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz for a 12-yard gain on third down to set up a first and goal. Two plays later Weisman found the end zone for the second time, scoring from 3-yards out.

Iowa took a 21-0 lead, near the end of three quarters, but Missouri State pulled off 14 points.

Missouri State swung the momentum scoring 14 points in a three-minute span. The Bears put together an eight-play, 75-yard drive, scoring with 14:27 remaining in the game. Missouri State had a pair of 20-plus yard plays on the drive, including a 27-yard touchdown catch by Julian Burton from Kierra Harris.

On the first play of Iowa's ensuing drive, Rudock targeted Fiedorowicz on a short out route on first down. Missouri State linebacker Rique Bentley picked off the attempt and returned it 28-yards for the touchdown, making the score 21-14 with 14:25 left.

"That was a tough sequence for us," said Ferentz. "We give up a touchdown and then right on the next possession give up the touchdown the other way on the pick six. Jake went right back to work and did a good job finishing the game for us."

The Hawkeyes regained control, answering with a 10-play, 65-yard scoring drive. Senior Jordan Cotton got Iowa off to a good start with a 35-yard kickoff return. Iowa gained 57 of the 65 yards on the ground, which included a two-yard touchdown run by Rudock -- his second score of the contest.

Missouri State's offense moved the ball for the second straight possession, advancing 43 yards on eight plays. Iowa's defense recorded its second turnover of the game when senior Tanner Miller's diving interception in the end zone ended the Bear drive. The pick was the fifth of Miller's career.

Iowa got on the board on its second drive of the game, using an 11-play, 69-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead. After taking over on its own 31, Weisman rushed for a 21-yard gain on second down to move the Hawkeyes into Missouri State territory. An 18-yard Rudock-to-Duzey completion moved Iowa to the 28.

After three-straight rushes moved Iowa to the 15, Rudock connected with Martin-Manley for a 6-yard gain to the 9, and the Hawkeyes converted a third-and-3 via a 5-yard completion to Fiedorowicz. Following a two-yard loss, Rudock scored from six yards out -- his second rushing touchdown this season.

In its first drive of the second quarter, Iowa moved 45 yards over 12 plays to the Missouri State 15. Following rushes of 8, 2, and 4 yards by Weisman, while freshman Daniels, Jr., scampered for 10 yards to the 36 on his first collegiate carry.

Rudock completed consecutive passes to true freshman wide receiver Matt VandeBerg, seeing his first playing time, on the drive to move inside the 10 yard line, but a false start penalty and a 7-yard loss on a sack forced Iowa to attempt a field goal. Iowa came up empty when Mike Meyer's 33-yard attempt missed wide left.

Iowa's defense gave the Hawkeyes a short field when senior linebacker James Morris forced a fumble by Missouri State running back Vernon Scott near midfield. True freshman Desmond King, who was making his first career start, pounced on the ball, giving Iowa a first-and-10 at the Bear 45 yard line. Iowa couldn't capitalize, gaining just three yards before punting.

The Hawkeye defense bottled up Missouri State in the first half, allowing 67 yards of total offense. Iowa forced three-and-outs on three of the Bear's six drives. Iowa's offense out-gained Missouri State, 204-67 in the opening half.

Iowa continues to have trouble putting opponents away. Iowa lost the Season Opener by a late field goal vs. Northern Illinois (30-27).  The last two Iowa State games for Iowa ended in three point losses.

Iowa (1-1) returns to action Sept. 14 in its first road game of the 2013 season. The Hawkeyes travel to Ames, Iowa, for the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk series matchup against Iowa State (0-1). Game time is set for 5 p.m. (CT).  The game will be televised by Fox Sports 1.

"We have to improve on everything," said Ferentz. "Moving the ball on offense is one thing, but you've got to finish drives. Defensively, we need to play every series like it's our last."

While Iowa hasn't cleaned up the inconsistency, miscues, turnovers and penalties, you don't want count out anyone, when it comes to a rivalry game.  Iowa State enjoyed a bye week on Saturday ahead of next week's Cy-Hawk Game. The Cyclones are coming off a 28-20 loss to Northern Iowa, who will play at Missouri State later this season in MVC play.