Game Day Iowa: Battle of Heartland Trophy at Kinnick Stadium

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2 B1G Legends) host the Wisconsin Badgers (5-2, 3-1 B1G Leaders) at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday with an 11:00 a.m. (C.T.) start on ABC/ESPN 2 mirror, depending on where you are located in the Nation. The Heartland Trophy will be on the line for the eighth time, since 2002. Today's game is the 87th in the series between these teams, with the series tied at 42-42-2.

Iowa owns a 4-3 edge in the trophy game, though Wisconsin currently holds the trophy, after a 31-30 heartbreaker in 2010 for Hawkeye fans at Kinnick. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 6-6 in the series as head coach, since 1999. It will be Wisconsin's new coach's first game in the series.

Iowa vs. Wisconsin, as the Hawkeyes face the three-time defending Big Ten champion for the first time since 2010. The winner today will become bowl eligible for 2013 and they will take home the Heartland Trophy.

Wisconsin brings in a new Badger team with some new twists. The Badgers veteran front seven on defense are playing now a 3-4 base defense, highlighted by three senior linemen, Pat Muldoon, Beau Allen and Ethan Hemer. Hemer was a starting DT in 2010, in the last match up as a freshman. The biggest strength on defense, like Iowa, is the linebacker corp, lead by three seniors and one junior for the Badgers. Senior Chris Borland is the emotional leader of the unit, but he isn't 100%, due to a hamstring injury at Illinois.

The Badgers are coming off a bye week, so Borland has had time to rest and recover from the injury. If he isn't able to go, senior OLB Ethan Armstrong will swing inside to fill Borland's role at one of the ILB positions.

The Wisconsin offense will feature a jet sweep, which Iowa will face for the first time at Kinnick. Junior running back Melvin Gordon and senior James White bring an outstanding 1-2 bunch at RB for the Badgers. Freshman Corey Clement is waiting in the wings, as well. Wisconsin continues the plug and play mojo at running back over the past 20 years.

Iowa isn't known as a sexy program.  It may not always be eye-popping, but Iowa's base 4-3 defense never looked better than it did last week vs. Northwestern- particularly during one very important series.

Junior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat sacked quarterback Kain Colter on the final play of Iowa's overtime victory against Northwestern last week. It was the Hawkeyes' sixth sack of the day, and second-year defensive coordinator Phil Parker said there was nothing fancy about it. Just good football players making great plays at opportune times. Iowa's six sack total was the highest, since 2008 vs. FIU.

"They finished it up on fourth down," said Parker. "We did pretty well on the third down, and on fourth down we just played our base defense and it worked out for us. It was a good victory."

Parker said the final series against the Wildcats -- which ended the game after the Iowa offense scored on its first possession -- could create some momentum for the defense, starting this week against No. 22/24 Wisconsin.

"We got over the hump a little bit last week -- playing a tight game, a close game, and then closing it out and winning it," said Parker. "Obviously, Wisconsin is a very good team and it will be a great challenge for us."

The Badger program has eerily resembled the Hawkeyes' since former Iowa assistant Barry Alvarez was named Wisconsin head coach in 1990. Alvarez stepped down following the 2005 season, but Bret Bielema, another former Hawkeye and coaching assistant, was hand-picked to succeed Alvarez as head football coach.

Bielema left for the SEC following the 2012 regular season, and though the Badgers' new head coach, Gary Andersen, may not possess the Hawkeye lineage of his predecessors, Parker said Wisconsin's identity has largely remained the same.

"I think they're very similar offensively to what we've seen in the past," said Parker. "They have unbelievable backs that can run, so they kind of run the same offense with similar plays. They do a great job and they're doing very well."

Wisconsin leads the Big Ten averaging 296 rushing yards per game, but stopping the run has been one of Iowa's strengths -- the Hawkeye defense allows just 128 rushing yards per game. Should the rushing pendulum lean toward Iowa on Saturday, Parker said the defense must be ready for misdirection.

"It's going to be a challenge for us to try to stop the run, but also the play-action pass," said Parker. "They do a very good job of moving the quarterback a little bit on play-action, and they have a receiver that can make plays. They move both of those guys around, so we'll need to be disciplined in fundamentals and technique, and we will need to play hard the whole game. It's definitely going to be a challenge."

Both teams traditionally set up play action with the running game. Both teams are lead by sophomore redshirt quarterbacks. Joel Stave entered the picture last season for Wisconsin as a redshirt freshman. Jake Rudock is in his first season playing for Iowa.

Though, second-year Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis is using more tempo, than Iowa teams over the past 15 years under Kirk Ferentz. Iowa using a no-huddle pro offense now, unlike 2010.

There will be two outstanding wide receivers wearing jersey No. 4 in Saturday's football game between the universities of Iowa and Wisconsin. One is a consensus first-team All-Big Ten performer; the other is Hawkeye sophomore Tevaun Smith.

Both are valuable weapons for their teams.

The "elder" No. 4 is Badger senior Jared Abbrederis, whose journey has taken him from walk-on quarterback to rushing, receiving, and returning his way into one of the most dynamic players in the Big Ten Conference.

"If our four can become like their four, that would be a good thing," Ferentz said. "I would like to see that happen, it's possible."

This season Abbrederis has caught 43 passes for 752 yards and five touchdowns; he has returned five punts for 28 yards. He caught a 15 yard pass, as a freshman, in 2010, in the Iowa game.

"Abbrederis is a great receiver, he had a great game against Ohio State (10 catches, 207 yards, 1 touchdown)," Smith said. "Whatever I see in his game I try to implement it into mine to make myself better."

Smith has emerged from a jumble of Hawkeye pass catchers to become what head coach Kirk Ferentz calls the No. 2 receiver on the team behind junior Kevonte Martin-Manley.

So important is Smith, that even though he wasn't the primary option on the first play in overtime against Northwestern on Oct. 26, Rudock found him for a 14-yard gain, setting the table in a 17-10 victory.

"It was one of the plays we didn't run all game and we practiced it all week," Smith said. "I was able to get open because they bailed their corners and I tried to get as much (yardage) as I could after the catch."

Smith caught three passes for 41 yards against Northwestern, giving him 15 receptions for 154 yards on the season. That total is third on the team behind Martin-Manley (32) and senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (17).

Rudock and Smith are developing in the lineup together. Both are sophomores, but while Rudock did not take a snap last season, Smith caught three passes for 31 yards from James Vandenberg. This season Rudock has completed better than 60 percent of his passes to 17 different targets. The 6-foot-2 Smith is becoming one of his preferred options.

"He's climbing, he's coming on," Ferentz said of Smith. Iowa could have targeted more vs. Northwestern, but Davis has been conservative in the number of targets he gives to each play. Whether it is junior running back Mark Weisman in the running game or a hot receiver in the passing game?

Ascending to second on the depth chart among receivers isn't important to Smith. Doing what coach Ferentz asks has always been his objective.

"I feel like I'm playing the role he needs me to play," Smith said. "I'm doing whatever he asks. If he says I'm the second receiver, then so be it. I'm trying to do my job."

With the Hawkeyes averaging 188.9 yards on the ground per game and 4.4 yards per rush, it makes sense to go for the near-certain positive yardage on first down. Against Northwestern, the Hawkeyes ran 20 times and passed eight times on first down. Because of that ratio, it isn't uncommon for the Iowa offense to occasionally see eight defenders within a few yards of the line of scrimmage.

"I love it," Smith said with a smile. "I kind of want them to load the box so the receivers can have a chance to catch the ball."

With Iowa and Wisconsin, keep a close eye on the fullbacks, the tight ends and running backs, since they often are the difference makers, as they were in the 2010 game.

Special teams can't be forgot in this series. Senior placekicker Mike Meyer was Iowa's only starter in the 2010 game. He had a costly block on an extra point in the 2010 game.

The Hawkeyes had plenty of miscues in special teams in 2010, including the infamous fake punt that Bielema called on the Badgers final scoring series to take the lead for good over Iowa and bring home the Heartland Trophy for the Badgers

All three Iowa senior linebackers, James Morris, Christian Kirksey and Anthony Hitchens saw playing time vs. Wisconsin, as freshmen. Morris contributed with four tackles. The Hawkeyes have won two out of two trophy games in 2013. Will they make it three in a row?

Can Iowa switch the tables in 2013 on Wisconsin? 

Our pick: Iowa 31, Wisconsin 30, which would be just that. It will be an interesting chess match at Kinnick. How will the coordinators use their men?

Recap of Iowa's B1G opener at Minnesota: Mission Accomplished!

The Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0 in Legends) retain Floyd of Rosedale again with back to back wins over the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-1, 0-1 Legends).  The Hawkeyes also picked up the first win ever at TCF Bank Stadium, after two losses in 2010 and 2011.  The Hawkeyes pulled out the 23-7 win in Minneapolis with strong line 

play on both sides of the football.

Iowa LT Brandon Scherff and
 the rest of the offensive line
 helped the Hawkeyes to
 246 rushing yards during a
23-7 win at Minnesota on Sept. 28.

“We knew coming in and studying film what their game plan was. We did our best to prepare for that. I haven’t seen the film, so I have yet to evaluate how we were able to stop it," said Minnesota junior nose tackle Cameron Botticelli.

The Golden Gophers entered Saturday's rivalry game averaging 282.2 yards per game on the ground. Iowa held them 252.2 yards below that total.

Minnesota also allowed an average of 102.8 rushing yards per game. Iowa gained 143.2 yards above that total.

"It felt great, there is nothing like breaking somebody's will," Iowa junior defensive tackle Carl Davis said. "We try to be a physical team and that's what we did."

On the lack of running success today…

"From what I noticed during the game, we couldn't move Iowa. They'd slide off a block and make a play. They handled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball better than we did. When you can run the ball you can have some success, but we didn't run the ball well today," Minnesota head coach Jerry Kill said.

Iowa QB Jake Rudock

Four different Gophers carried the ball and the top two ground-gainers were Roderick Williams with 22 yards and David Cobb with 20 -- Iowa junior running back Damon Bullock and sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock both gained 22 yards on one attempt. As a team, Minnesota averaged 1.1 yards per 27 tries.

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is now
2-1 vs. Jerry Kill at Minnesota

Kill had this to say about Iowa's new quarterback, "[Jake Rudock] played a good football game. I've said all along that Iowa is a better football team than they were a year ago. He's a more mobile quarterback than who played last year. They had a good quarterback last year, but Rudock plays the game differently and makes a lot of calls on the line of scrimmage. I credit him and their coach who put the team in the right position to win."

Iowa dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in the Big Ten opener.  "From what I noticed

"Make a play" and Iowa did
all afternoon vs. Minnesota.

during the game, we couldn't move Iowa. They'd slide off a block and make a play. They handled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball better than we did. When you can run the ball you can have some success, but we didn't run the ball well today," Kill said.

Iowa DT Louie Trinca-Pasat with
other teammates on gang tackle.

"We knew they were going to run so it always starts up front for us, that's always our focus," said Iowa junior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat. "As long as we're able to do our job, it helps the linebackers and the defense overall."

Line of Scrimmage
in Battle for
Floyd of Rosedale

Minnesota's interior linemen weigh 326, 321, 306, 302 and 302 pounds. It takes quite a performance to seize an advantage over a group that size.

"(Minnesota) had done a great job running the football and our coaches did a good job with the game plan," Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. "The guys did a good job during the week getting the plan down and (Saturday) they competed hard. We knew it wasn't going to be easy and there was nothing easy about it. It took full concentration and full effort every play."

But 30 yards? It marks the fourth consecutive game that a team rushed for less than 75 yards against the Hawkeyes: Western Michigan (74 on Sept. 21), Missouri State (70 on Sept. 7) and Iowa State (59 on Sept. 14).

Iowa DT Carl Davis and
DT Darian Cooper post game
with Floyd of Rosedale

"This all started in practice last week," Davis said. "We knew we could win up front if we played physical and that's what we did. We knocked guys back, shed the blockers, and got to the ball and made tackles. We hold ourselves to a high standard as a defensive unit and we want to be as close to perfect as we can because defense wins championships."

Iowa entered the game at Minnesota with two quarterback sacks in four games; it now has six after dropping Phillip Nelson four times. The Hawkeyes recorded a season-high four sacks today. Sophomore DE Nate Meier's 6-yard sack in the second quarter was the first sack of his career. Trinca-Pasat's 6-yard sack in the second quarter was the first sack of his career. Senior MLB James Morris and senior DE Dominic Alvis also recorded sacks for Iowa.

Iowa RB Mark Weisman

On the other side of the ball, the Hawkeyes ran for 246 yards, the fifth time this season they have picked up more than 200 yards on the ground. Leading the way was junior running back Mark Weisman with 147 yards and an average of 6.1 yards a carry.

"Our offensive line did an unbelievable job out there making it easy for us running backs," Weisman said. 

"They have been doing that the whole season and it's fun to run behind them. They don't need any motivation. They want to go in there and beat guys up," Weisman continued in praise of his offensive line.

Ferentz credited the Iowa offensive linemen for working hard and playing relatively penalty-free.

"The most physical team was going to come out with a win and we did that at times," Iowa junior left tackle Brandon Scherff said. "At other times we kind of lacked a little bit, but we got the win and that's what we came here for."

Iowa RB Damon Bullock

"You want to be the best line," Iowa senior right tackle Brett Van Sloten said. "We knew up front (Minnesota) was going to be good. We knew they were going to come out hungry and they did. They played a good game; we were able to get some runs in there and that is a credit to the running backs. They ran their tails off."

When the Hawkeyes needed a clock-chewing, game-clinching drive, they got it. Leading 20-7 early in the fourth quarter, Iowa put together an 11-play, 62-yard scoring drive that consumed 5 ½ minutes. The series included eight runs, two completed passes and a 46-yard field goal by Mike Meyer.

"(Offensive line coach) Brian Ferentz mentioned that we had an opportunity to finish there at the end," Van Sloten said. "It was in our hands, the running backs ran great, and we were able to seal the deal."

The Hawkeyes own a 4-1 record with four straight victories, after losing on a last minute field goal in the season opener vs. Northern Illinois. After one week, they are alone on top of the Legends Division. Ohio State (5-0) leads the Leaders Division at 1-0, after a 31-24 win over Wisconsin (3-2, 1-1 in Leaders) in Columbus on Saturday night.  Iowa will travel to Columbus later in October.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz
after the 23-7 win over Minnesota.

"Whether it's ugly or pretty, wins are wins and they're hard to come by," Kirk Ferentz said. "In conference play they are really hard to come by. I'm pleased and I'm pleased for our players. They worked hard for this."

Iowa defeated Minnesota 31-13 in Iowa City last year to reclaim Floyd of Rosedale, after back to back losses.  Iowa has won ten of the last 13 games in the series with Minnesota.  The Golden Gophers head to Ann Arbor for Michigan's Homecoming game in the Battle of the Old Brown Jug and another rivalry game in the Legends Division.

"Our guys really did a great job. They came up with some big plays today on offense and defense. I'm really pleased with this victory," Kirk Ferentz said.

Iowa teammates congratulating
WR Damond Powell after his TD
reception  the 2nd quarter to give
the Hawkeyes a 17-0 lead.

On how he scored his 74-yard touchdown…

“Coach called my number, and I went out there and made a play. I feel like the credit should go to my offensive line, because I didn’t have to do anything except run—they blocked everybody they needed to block, so it was really easy, but it felt real good. It was just a wide receiver screen,” said junior wide receiver Damond Powell.

Powell's 74-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter is Iowa's longest play from scrimmage this season, and the 23rd longest touchdown reception in school history. Powell is averaging 51.5 yards per catch this season (4 catches, 206 yards).

On celebrating the Floyd of Rosedale win…
“It felt really good. We worked really hard this week. We knew coming in that it was going to be a tough game with what we were playing for and when you win, it just feels good knowing how hard you worked all week to get the good results,” the junior college transfer, Powell said.

On kicking long field goals…

“Today we got to back it up, but I guess that’s part of the game. It doesn't really change my mindset at all unless, like in the first half, I’m kicking it into the wind. The only thing that would really change is where I put my target for the kick,” Iowa senior placekicker Mike Meyer said.

Iowa PK Mike Meyer

Meyer hit three of four field goals in Iowa's victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium. Meyer has made a school-record 100 consecutive PAT attempts, the sixth longest streak in Big Ten Conference history. That active streak ranks fourth in the nation (Baylor's Aaron Jones, 125; Northwestern's Jeff Budzien 116; Michigan's Brendan Gibbons, 114). Meyer's last PAT miss was in a 37-6 win over Michigan State on Oct. 30, 2010, in Iowa City. As a team, Iowa has gone 35 consecutive games without a missed or blocked PAT. 

On improving each week…

“We’re continuing to make strides. We’re not where we want to be—we all have our flaws that we want to improve on. With that being said, that’s what our daily task is—to improve every day—and right now we’re just going to enjoy this win,” Iowa captain Van Sloten said.

On getting the win…

“It was a great win. Everybody played good. Our defense played awesome, the offense did great, and we held them throughout the game. It’s good to win those trophy games,” Meyer said.

Iowa may become a team to watch in the competitive Legends Division in 2013.

The University of Iowa football team returns to Kinnick Stadium on Saturday for its annual Homecoming game.  The Hawkeyes will host Michigan State (3-1), who enjoyed a bye week, after a 17-13 heartbreaking loss at Notre Dame in Week 4.  

The Hawkeyes beat Michigan State in a 19-16 2 OT game in East Lansing last year. It was another physical battle between the Black and Gold and the Spartans, who are considered the best defense in the Big Ten.

Iowa DL coach Reese Morgan
with HC Ferentz communicating
with Iowa defense at Minnesota

On Iowa...
"Every year, you're going to see a team that plays extremely hard. They're going to be fundamentally sound, both offensively and defensively. They're going to do what they do. They're a little bit like us - they do what they do, and they do it well. They sort of pulled themselves together and they're playing very, very well. That's who they are, and they're going to be a well-coached football team," Michigan State head coach Mark 
Dantonio said.

Michigan State head
coach Mark Dantonio

On the plan for the bye week...
"I think today (last Wednesday) is about us, tomorrow is a little bit about Iowa because we have a very solid foundation in terms of who they are. We've been playing them for the last six years. And then you game plan basically next week after we see their game (vs. Minnesota). We'll start to game plan more intensely on Sunday. I think you have to watch who they are as of late. There will be a pretty good idea in terms of what they do as we move into tomorrow," Dantonio said.

Dantonio went onto say, "we'll practice on Sunday. But we'll be off (Friday and Saturday). I think it's good for them to be away a little bit and watch college games. Hopefully, they'll have a chance to go home. You don't have many chances to go home as a college football player. Hopefully they take advantage of that opportunity to go home, and maybe see their high school team play, or just go home and see their family for a day."

With or Without, Does Iowa have the Mojo Saturday night game with Penn State

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- With or without sophomore running sensation Mark Weisman, the University of Iowa football team will keep scrapping Saturday night in prime-time against Penn State.

"One thing about football, things are always changing," said UI head coach Kirk Ferentz at his weekly news conference inside the Hayden Fry Football Complex. "We went through that (last) Saturday, all of a sudden Weisman is out, and you keep trying to find the winning combination. As long as everybody's working hard at it, you've got a shot."

Ferentz says the Hawkeyes need to prepare with the assumption Weisman -- the team's leading rusher with 631 rushing yards and eight touchdowns -- will not play. With the top two running backs questionable, the Hawkeyes turn to freshman Greg Garmon and sophomore Jordan Canzeri, who has yet to play a snap in 2012.

Iowa will need to find enough offense vs. Penn State, but look for Iowa to lean heavily on the defense vs. Nittany Lions at home. Defense, after all, wins championships and has aided Iowa in season's past.

"They're going to let him work today a little bit," Ferentz said of Weisman. "This is the varsity we are playing this week, so it's a whole different deal. He would have to make a lot of progress to be able to play, so we'll have to take the mental approach that he's not going to be here. If he does join us, it would be great.

University of Iowa junior linebacker Christian Kirksey is looking forward to Iowa's only primetime game of the season Saturday night as the Hawkeyes host Penn State (7:05 p.m., BTN) in Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes have played one night game in Kinnick Stadium each year of Kirksey's career, and he says the atmosphere is better than ever for night games. "It's a great environment when we get a chance to play a night game at home," said Kirksey, following Wednesday's practice. "The student section will be on fire. As a team we are excited about the opportunity as well." Kirksey has started all six games for the Hawkeyes at outside linebacker and has started 19 straight games over the past two seasons. He is currently fourth on the team in tackles with 14 solo stops and 23 assists. Kirksey had an interception return for 68 yards in Iowa's win over Minnesota for his only career touchdown. Kirksey knows the Iowa defense has a tough challenge ahead on Saturday night. "Last year at Penn State was a physical battle," said Kirksey. "We're a young team, we have to keep our focus. We know Big Ten games are going to be physical. We have to practice hard to be prepared for that Saturday night." The Hawkeyes dropped a 13-3 decision at Penn State a year ago, but this week face the Nittany Lions after consecutive wins over Minnesota and Michigan State. Kirksey has teamed with fellow juniors James Morris and Anthony Hitchens to provide Iowa with a solid trio of linebackers. "We watch film together, we prepare together so we know we are seeing the same things," said Kirksey. "We all came in together in the same class. We've been through spring practice together, through camp, now we're having fun being out there in games playing together."

"We have a limited pool of guys right now, so I think it's realistic to think that (Canzeri) is thick into it. He has played one game, and they were tough carries, but at least he has played, been tackled at the Division I level, and has looked good in practice. Given our circumstance, it's realistic to think he'll play."

Canzeri appeared in seven games as a true freshman, including a start in the Insight Bowl against Oklahoma. He rushed for 114 yards on 37 carries in 2011, to go along with six receptions for 28 yards with one touchdown.

Ferentz says the Hawkeyes can't abandon their running attack against Penn State, but the passing game needs to step up.

"We are not going to give up on the run, but we are going to try to compensate a little bit and spread it around and do what we can," said Ferentz. "It's not going to be easy. These guys get after you good up front; it's going to be a good challenge for our line to try to neutralize their front."

The Nittany Lions (4-2 overall, 2-0 Big Ten) have won four straight games in '12 heading into Kinnick Stadium. Penn State's defense is 15th in the country in scoring, giving up 16 points per game; Iowa is 17th, surrendering 17.2.

Last season's contest in Happy Valley fit the same defensive bill, a game the Nittany Lions won 13-3 to snap a three-game Iowa winning streak in the series. Penn State last win at Kinnick Stadium was in 1999.

"They beat us toe-to-toe," said Ferentz of the 2011 game. "They beat a lot of people toe-to-toe last year. If you look at their defense right now, it's not identical to what they have been, but they look very similar.

"They have three outstanding linebackers, their front four guys are really good, and they are very athletic in the secondary. They have a lot of good players on that team, and it's going to be tough for us to try and match up against them, because they are very talented."

With another defensive-oriented game on the docket, Ferentz feels fortunate to have an ace in his back pocket in junior placekicker Mike Meyer. The Dubuque, Iowa, native has made 14-of-15 field goals this season, including 13 straight dating back to the season-opener.

"We don't have a lot of proven week-in, week-out players on our team right now," said Ferentz. "We are kind of scrapping along here, but Mike has entered that point I think in his career. We all have confidence in Mike right now. He has done such a good job."

Saturday's game will begin at 7:01 p.m. (CT), and be televised to a national audience live on the BTN. Eric Collins, Derek Rackley and Jon Jansen will call the action.

Our Pick: Iowa 20, Penn State 16.

Iowa wins Double OT game at Michigan State to stay undefeated in B1G Legends race

Hawkeyes Give Ferentz No. 100 in East Lansing

Iowa toughs out a 19-16 double overtime victory over Michigan State

• Iowa wins in 2 OTs over Michigan State for second time ('07 win @ Iowa was 34-27)
• Iowa wins another OT game on an interception (2000 victory @ Penn State 26-23)
• Iowa and Michigan move to 2-0 to lead B1G Legends (Michigan beat Illinois 45-0 on Saturday)
• Iowa RB Mark Weisman runs for 116 yards for the fourth straight week over 100 yards
• Iowa PK Mike Meyer hits four field goals, including a 42 yard kick in the second OT to take lead
• Iowa's defense holds opponent under 400 yards for the sixth straight game to open '12

Iowa loses some games they shouldn't.  However, under Kirk Ferentz over past 13+ seasons another trend has developed.  Iowa often can win as an underdog, at home and on the road against anyone in the Big Ten.  In bowl games, Iowa has pulled out some impressive wins, as well, often as underdogs.

The latest underdog victory comes in East Lansing, as senior Greg Castillo intercepts the ball in the second overtime to give Iowa another B1G victory.  Michigan State (4-3, 1-2 B1G Legends) is the latest victim.

Throw out the ugly loss vs. Central Michigan in Week 4. The Hawkeyes hung around and pulled out an ugly 19-16 win in double overtime over the Spartans in East Lansing on Saturday.  The series in East Lansing is now 10-10-1.

"Obviously just extremely proud of our football team. It was a really hard-fought game. Both teams really competed hard; I think anybody in the stadium today could have seen that. Just really proud about the way the guys hung in there against a very good football team. It was more than 60 minutes, obviously and it took basically every player out there. And outside of the turnover, you can throw all the stats out the window. It was just a hard-fought, one of those tough games," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz 

The Hawkeyes were not projected to be in the hunt for the 2012 Legends title.  Michigan State, the defending division champions, along with Michigan and Nebraska were the three programs projected ahead of Iowa, Northwestern and Minnesota.  After Week 7 of 2012, the Hawkeyes are

At the halfway point of the regular season for Iowa, the Hawkeyes are in a position to have a good October and November run, if they can remain healthy and continue to improve week in and week out.

On his team's defensive performance...
"I think they're growing, and they played extremely hard today. It seemed like they gave a pass there each direction, but outside of that I thought they really competed and, you know, we started out in adverse circumstances and held them to 3 [points], which was a positive, and I just thought they played hard all day long," Ferentz said

"To win on the turnover there at the end...outstanding and probably appropriate...to have an unsung guy was really the trigger guy, really triggered this all, to get his hand on the ball. It's kind of a fitting way. It gave us the chance to get the pick."

Defense wins championships and if Iowa is going to continue in the hunt in the Big Ten in '12, the defense will continue to be leaned on.

On winning this game as a senior...
"It's huge now that we know that we've got momentum going into Penn State so it's going to be a tough task," said Castillo.

The Hawkeyes follow up the victory @ Michigan State with a game on Saturday night on the Big Ten Network at Kinnick Stadium vs. Penn State (4-2, 2-0 B1G Leaders).  The night game at Kinnick should be electric as two undefeated Big Ten teams square off.  The Hawkeyes lost in '11 @ Penn State 13-3, in a game that resembled the first half @ Michigan State.

The Hawkeyes have a lot of questions that remain, especially on offense.  Senior quarterback James Vandenberg has struggled at times each week.  "I don't care if they're home or away, the close ones are the ones that really separate the good football teams. I thought we executed very well down the stretch. We made the plays when we had to and we gave ourselves a chance," Vandenberg said.

Mark Weisman has stepped up from fullback to fill the running back position the past four weeks for Iowa, after Iowa experienced injuries of Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon were injured in the Week 3 game vs. Northern Iowa.  Weisman didn't play in overtime, but his five yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter tied the ball game up at 13-13, to send the game into overtime.

On the frustration with Iowa's offense...

"It's never good to have three and outs, but as an offense we're confident. We know that we're close. We're missing some easy plays out there, but we kept fighting. That's all you can do is just keep fighting until you get the ball."

On the big play in the fourth quarter (long pass from James Vandenberg to Keenan Davis)...

"That set a spark in us, definitely. It helped us big time. We need that, no doubt. If we don't have that, we don't have that drive," Weisman said.

On what the difference was that made the last play of the game...
"I think we were battling all day and eventually it pays off. We just kept fighting out there, giving punches, keep going and just got it done at the end," Weisman added.

On Iowa's defense...
"Defense is unbelievable out there. They're the only reason we were in the game at all. We give them more credit than anyone out there," Weisman said.

The defense kept Iowa in the game and the Hawkeyes put together enough offense.  But, special teams played a huge role in Iowa's victory.  After Michigan State took a 10-0 lead in the second quarter, Iowa returned a kickoff 87 yards to the end zone.  Sadly, a poorly timed penalty, with a late block in the back to the MSU placekicker, the return was reduced and Iowa lost four points, but the first of four Mike Meyer field goals were witnessed.

"Mike has...really turned the corner from a confidence standpoint, maturity standpoint from back in the spring. And just really started performing the way we all hoped he would. He's been good the prior two years, so we don't take it for granted, but boy, his execution was flawless," Ferentz said.

Iowa won the toss in the overtime and put Michigan State on offense.  After MSU was held to a field goal in the first overtime, Iowa's Meyer kicked a 27 yard field goal to tie the game up again at 16-16 to send the game into the second OT period.  

Iowa started on offense in the second overtime.  After the offense struggled, Meyer came on to kick a 42 yard field goal and give Iowa the first lead of the game at 19-16.  On defense, Iowa's first forced turnover of the game was the difference.

"The biggest thing is just the way our guys fought right to the end because they [Michigan State] weren't going away - that was pretty obvious - but I think our guys answered the same way - they said they weren't going away either - and it's one of those games where, you know...last guy standing.

"It was a real great effort by our guys," Ferentz said

Iowa takes early 6-3 lead in the Second Quarter @ IU in Bloomington

Iowa's placekicker Mike Meyer hits 27 yard field goal early in the second quarter to put up Iowa 6-3. Meyer, a true freshman, hit a 23 yard field goal on the first drive for Iowa.

Iowa's passing game in the red zone hasn't accomplished much, thus far, @ Indiana.

peace