Showing posts with label Northern Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northern Illinois. Show all posts

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Week 1: Iowa 33, Northern Illinois 7, as Hawkeye head coach Kirk Ferentz wins 144th game

Kirk Ferentz wins 144th game at Iowa on Saturday, in a 33-7 win over NIU.
Iowa City, IA --- Kirk Ferentz went into the University of Iowa record books on Saturday, as the winning-est head coach in football, passing Hayden Fry, as KF notched his 144th win, in a 33-7 victory for Iowa (1-0) over Northern Illinois (0-1) at Kinnick Stadium.

The North End-zone project at Iowa made its debut in the season
opener. Construction will not be complete next summer, but the
new look appears to make Kinnick Stadium a better place for
football and fans.
Kirk Ferentz's first win at Iowa in 1999, and his 144th win to open the 2018 College Football season were both against Northern Illinois Huskies. 

Kirk Ferentz heading into Kinnick Stadium
ahead of Saturday's game against NIU.
Like the 2017 season, the University of Iowa enjoyed the second season of the "Iowa wave" which takes place between the first and second quarter of each game. The Hawkeyes, Huskies, game officials and fans all took time to wave to the patients at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.

Like the first win, Iowa took a 3-0 lead into halftime. At one point, the score stood at 24-0, just like the final score in his first victory at Iowa. But, on Saturday, his defense rose up to force a safety, to move the score to 26-0. The final score for Iowa came from the second unit, as QB redshirt freshman Payton Mansell made his first debut in relief for junior QB Nate Stanley. NIU closed on the game, avoiding a shutout, with a touchdown against the Iowa second team defense.

Iowa was without four players, two starting offensive tackles and two defensive tackles, due to suspensions. NIU was without players of their own, due to a suspension and a couple of injuries. It showed at times for both teams.

It was a competitive game much of the first half. But, Iowa came out in the second half and established the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, in the third quarter.
Iowa went on to outscore NIU 30-7 in the second half, fueled by a solid ground attack that went for over 200 yards on the day for the Hawkeyes.

The Iowa defense stepped up with five sacks on the afternoon.  The Hawkeyes replaced their top four linebackers from last season. The defense also got into the scoring, after the offense put up the first 24 points on the afternoon.

The Hawkeyes showed a lot of enthusiasm through early mistakes on Saturday. Clearly, the players appeared happy to be back on the gridiron. The Hawkeyes will be back in Kinnick Stadium this Saturday, as the Iowa State Cyclones (0-0) will come to Iowa City for the annual Cy-Hawk Trophy game. The Cyclones, along with the Nebraska Cornhuskers (0-0), had their opening game canceled due to thunderstorms on Saturday night. Iowa gets both programs at Kinnick this season.

The Hawkeyes are back, as a young Iowa team, with on thirteen seniors made
their way back into Kinnick Stadium for the 2018 season opener against NIU.
One of the seniors who emerged on Saturday was senior MLB Jack Hockaday, who entered the game in relief of junior starting MLB Amani Jones, who struggled in his first start. Hockaday went on to record five tackles on the afternoon.

Jack Hockaday, Nick Niemann
Senior MLB 48 Jack Hockaday and sophomore OLB 49 Nick
Niemann both emerged with strong performances in the new LB
unit, that was replacing their Top 4 performers from a year ago.


"Game action is always different than practice," Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. "When you have so many young players playing and guys in first-time situations, you learn more about the guys on the game field.
 
"Jack stepped in and did a really nice job; that was great to see."

The Hawkeyes face a challenging 12 game schedule in 2018. One down, eleven to go, with two in-state opponents ahead, before the Big Ten season kicks off against the defending West division champion, Wisconsin Badgers (1-0).

Image result for Iowa football schedule
The first of seven home games are in the books for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2018.
Hawkeye fans have been excited about the September slate of games for the Hawks, and the Big Ten season opener to finish out the month of the September is the biggest of them all.
Over the past 20 seasons in Iowa City. Not everyone has been equal in their joy of the accomplishments under Kirk Ferentz. In 2012, Iowa finished the season 4-8. In the opening game of the 2013 season, the Hawkeyes lost 30-27 to Northern Illinois, as head coach Rod Carey notched his first win, as a head coach. It wasn't the case on Saturday. Ferentz got the W to kick off the new season.

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Saturday, September 1, 2018

GAME DAY IOWA: the Northern Illinois Huskies come to Kinnick Stadium to kickoff the 2018 season ....

Iowa City, IA --- The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-5 in '17) will seek to earn the 144th victory for head coach Kirk Ferentz in the season opener at Kinnick Stadium, as the Northern Illinois Huskies head into town on Saturday afternoon. Currently, Ferentz is tied with Hall of Fame coach Hayden Fry, who reached 143 wins over 20 seasons, while head coach of Iowa from 1979 to 1998.

For the 40th season, Iowa will use the swarm, as the Hawkeyes
open the 20th season under head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Iowa's Kirk Ferentz is heading into his 20th season as head coach. On the other side, Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey is entering his sixth full season leading the Huskies out of DeKalb, IL. Both head coaches earned their first win, at their respective schools against each program. For Ferentz, it was a 24-0 win in 1999 against the Huskies, back when that program was lead by Joe Novak.
For Carey, his first win as a head coach came against Iowa in the 2013 season opener, when the Huskies pulled off a 30-27 win, at Kinnick. Carey is 4-1 against B1G teams over the past five plus seasons, as head coach. Both coaches have mutual respect for one another, as former offensive line coaches.

Back in 2013, clearly Northern Illinois had the edge at quarterback, since senior QB Jordan Lynch lead the Huskies to the Orange Bowl the previous season and a 12-2 mark. Iowa's QB was sophomore Jake Rudock, who was taking his first college snap and making his first start for the Hawkeyes. A turnover played a key in the Huskies upset win, as a +3 underdog.

Iowa QB 4 Nate Stanley is getting a lot of praise by the NFL,
as the junior heads into his second season, as a starter. He
finished just one TD behind the season record last year.
This year, both teams return starting quarterbacks, as Iowa turns to second year starter, junior Nate Stanley, who will make his 14th start for the Hawkeyes. Stanley is beginning to pick up a lot of interest in NFL draft boards. For the Huskies, sophomore Marcus Childers will be making his eighth start at QB. Iowa should hold the advantage at QB heading into the season opener.

Iowa will be lead by three sophomore running backs heading into
the 2018 season. Getting the start, 21 Ivory Kelly-Martin is penciled
as the new starter, replacing Akrum Wadley and James Butler.

Both Iowa and Northern Illinois have a new starter at running back in 2018. Both teams will employ running back by committees for 2018. For Iowa, sophomores Ivory Kelly-Martin, Toren Young and Mekhi Sargent are all expected to help in the Iowa ground and air attack in 2018. For the Huskies, redshirt junior Marcus Jones, with redshirt sophomore Tre Harbison and redshirt freshman Jordan Nettles up next at running back. Iowa's returning two backs had five touchdowns rushing last year, compared to six touchdowns by the Huskies returning two backs. Iowa has the stronger rushing attack, in general, though QB Childers is a threat in the ground game for the Huskies.

Iowa junior TE 87 Noah Fant and sophomore TE 38 T.J.
Hockenson provide the 1-2 punch in Iowa's air attack. They
are QB Nate Stanley's safety valve often in the air game.
Iowa appears to have a stronger receiving corp, lead by what could be the nations top TE corp in 2018. Northern Illinois' will take the field without their #1 wide receiver, junior Spencer Tears (suspended) and #1 tight end, sophomore Mitchell Beckman (injury). The Huskies will have two true freshman involved in the receiving corp, lead by Leon Payne, who is slated to make his first start. Iowa appears to have the edge in the receiving corp.

NIU senior LT 73 Max Scharping is one of the best returning
offensive lineman in the MAC and across the nation in 2018.
Like 2013, Northern Illinois returns all their starters in the offensive line, lead by all-MAC left tackle senior Max Scharping. The Hawkeyes lost their starting offensive tackles to suspension for the opener. This will be a new unit, with only 21 starts in the Hawkeyes line, with 20 starts by senior center Keegan Render. Clearly, the Huskies are at full strength, while the Hawkeyes are not heading into the season opener. Iowa will also make it an all-Iowa starting unit in the offensive line.

Due to suspension of both starting offensive tackles, Iowa
will start three players, without a previous start, in the
2018 season opener against Northern Illinois, with a strong
defensive line returning from a team that went 8-5 in '17.
Defense and special teams are often very important in season openers. Turnovers, miscues and explosive special teams can often make the difference in win or lost in an opener.

Northern Illinois is anchored in the defensive line by junior DE
15 Sutton Smith, who had a monster game in the 21-17 win over
Nebraska in Week 3 last season. Smith wasn't shy about the upcoming
game with Iowa, suggesting "We’re coming in there to punch
them right in the face, just like we did at Nebraska.”
Both teams are very strong in the defensive line heading into the 2018 season. Iowa will have two defensive tackles in the two deep unavailable, due to suspensions. Northern Illinois will be missing starting senior DE Josh Corcoran, due to injury. Otherwise, the Huskies do return three other starters, lead by junior all-American DE Sutton Smith, who collected 14 sacks in 2017. While Iowa will be short two defensive tackles, this is the Hawkeyes deepest units up front, outside of tight end. Look for seniors Parker Hesse, Matt Nelson, Sam Brincks, junior Anthony Nelson and sophomore A.J. Epenesa to lead the unit in the season opener. Like the offensive line, the starting defensive line is an all-Iowan unit as well. Both units are worth to watch in this one!

The"Full Nelson" debuted in the Pinstripe Bowl against Boston
College, as junior DE 98 Anthony Nelson and senior DT 96
Matt Nelson, moved inside next to his former running mate at DE.
Both teams have new starters in all three linebacker positions heading into 2018. Northern Illinois gets redshirt junior MLB Kyle Pugh back from injury. He is the anchor, while two Floridians flank him, with redshirt sophomore OLB Antonio Jones-Davis and OLB junior Lance Deveaux, Jr. make their debuts. For Iowa, junior MLB Amani Jones finally gets his starting assignment, after all-American Josey Jewell departed to the NFL Denver Broncos. Sophomore Nick Niemann will replace his brother, Ben, who is having a strong NFL camp with the Kansas City Chiefs, as an undrafted free agent. The final starter for Iowa will be junior WLB Kristian Welch, who had a nice interception at Nebraska last year, as Bo Bower's backup.

Iowa's front 7 for the 2018 season opener
against Northern Illinois (7-5 in '17). NIU
is picked first by the Media in the MAC West
for the 2018 season.
The secondary is always important to a successful defense. Iowa returns four defensive backs, with starting experience, lead by junior SS Amani Hooker and senior FS Jake Gervase. Northern Illinois returns two starters with redshirt senior Albert Smalls and redshirt junior BS Mykelti Williams. Preventing explosive plays, forcing turnovers and drops will be a component to watch in the 2018 season opener.

Special teams likely favor Iowa in the season opener. Iowa returns both kickers in senior PK Miguel Recinos and junior punter Colton Rastetter; while Northern Illinois welcomes grad transfer PK Andrew Gantz and sophomore punter Matt Ference. Iowa and Northern Illinois will have new return specialists, with some experience. What could we see at Kinnick on Saturday?

Iowa sophomore WR Ihmir Smith-Marsette should get an opportunity
to shine in both the kick and punt returning game in 2018. He showed
some explosiveness on kick return duties last year. Now, he will
get an opportunity on the punt return squad. Keep an eye on #6.

This game could go either way, but the Iowa Hawkeyes should win at home. Our prediction for this game:


  • IOWA HAWKEYES 30
  • NIU Huskies 20
The University of Iowa has had two coaches and three athletic directors over the
past forty years. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is the dean of College Football.
He enters his 20th season, after replacing Hayden Fry, who coached 20 at Iowa,
as well. Many around college football find this a very unique situation and place.
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Game Day Saturday: Week one of the 2018 College Football Season

Saturday, September 1st
Coastal Carolina at South Carolina11:00 amSEC Network
Florida Atlantic at Oklahoma11:00 amFOX
Houston at Rice11:00 amCBSSN 
James Madison at North Carolina State11:00 amESPNU 
Kent State at Illinois11:00 amBTN
Maryland vs. Texas (Landover, MD)11:00 amFS1 
Ole Miss vs. Texas Tech (Houston)11:00 amESPN 
Oregon State at Ohio State11:00 amABC 
Southern at TCU11:00 amFSN 
Texas State at Rutgers11:00 amBTN (alternate) 
Villanova at Temple11:00 amESPN News 
Furman at Clemson11:20 amESPN Extra / ACC Network 
Alcorn at Georgia Tech11:30 amESPN Extra / ACC RSN 
UMass at Boston College12:00 pmESPN Extra 

Albany at Pittsburgh2:30 pmESPN Extra
Appalachian State at Penn State2:30 pmBTN
Auburn vs. Washington (Atlanta)2:30 pmABC 
Austin Peay at Georgia2:30 pmESPN 
Central Michigan at Kentucky2:30 pmESPNU
Northern Illinois at Iowa (pick 30-20)2:30 pmBTN (alternate) 
Tennessee vs. West Virginia (Charlotte)2:30 pmCBS 
Washington State at Wyoming2:30 pmCBSSN
Eastern Illinois at Arkansas3:00 pmSEC Network
North Carolina at California3:00 pmFOX
UNLV at USC3:00 pmPAC-12 Network 
UT Martin at Missouri3:00 pmSEC Network alternate
Boise State at Troy5:00 pmESPN News
Delaware State at Buffalo5:00 pmESPN Extra 
North Carolina A&T at East Carolina5:00 pmESPN Extra
Cincinnati at UCLA6:00 pmESPN 
Grambling at Louisiana Lafayette6:00 pmESPN Extra 
Indiana at Florida International6:00 pmCBSSN

Charleston Southern at Florida6:30 pmSEC Network
Stephen F. Austin at Mississippi State6:30 pmESPNU / WatchESPN Video
Abilene Christian at Baylor7:00 pmFSN / FSGo Video
Akron at Nebraska7:00 pmFOX / FSGo Video
Alabama vs. Louisville (Orlando)7:00 pmABC / espn3 and Skycam Video
Bowling Green at Oregon7:00 pmPAC-12 Network / PAC-12 Video
Incarnate Word at New Mexico7:00 pmESPN Extra / espn3 Video
Michigan at Notre Dame6:30 pmNBC 
Northern Iowa at Montana8:00 pmALT2 / SWX (cable)
UTSA at Arizona State9:30 pmFS1 / FSGo Video
BYU at Arizona9:45 pmESPN / WatchESPN Video
Navy at Hawaii10:00 pmCBSSN / CBSSN Video
2018 College Football season
Middle Tennessee at Vanderbilt6:30 pmSEC Network alternate
Central Arkansas at Tulsa6:00 pmespn3 Video
Northern Arizona at UTEP6:30 pmESPN Extra 
Elon at South Florida5:00 pmespn3 Video
Fordham at Charlotte5:00 pm$espn+ Video
VMI at Toledo6:00 pmESPN Extra 
Howard at Ohio U1:00 pm$espn+ Video
Idaho at Fresno State9:00 pmFacebook Video / Stadium
Jackson State at Southern Miss6:00 pm$espn+ Video

Louisiana Tech at South Alabama6:00 pm$espn+ Video

Marshall at Miami Ohio2:30 pm$espn+ Video

Mercer at Memphis6:00 pmespn3 Video

Nicholls at Kansas6:00 pm$espn+ Video / Jayhawk TV

Old Dominion at Liberty5:00 pmespn3 Video

Richmond at Virginia5:00 pmACC Video

SEMO at Arkansas State6:00 pm$espn+ Video
Stony Brook at Air Force1:00 pmFacebook Video
SMU at North Texas6:30 pmStadium Video / Facebook Video / Stadium
South Carolina State at Georgia Southern5:00 pm$espn+ Video
South Dakota at Kansas State6:00 pmespn3 Video
South Dakota State at Iowa State7:00 pmCyclones.tv (cable IA) / $Video

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Thursday, August 30, 2018

Season opener approaches for Northern Illinois - Iowa game

Iowa City, IA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (8-5 in '17) will host  the Northern Illinois Huskies (8-5 in '17) out of the West division of the Mid American Conference on Saturday afternoon, at Kinnick Stadium. The 2:30 PM kickoff will be televised on the Big Ten Network.
NIU all-American junior DE Sutton Smith
provided some bulletin board material for
the upcoming game scheduled Saturday
in Iowa City, between the Huskies and the
Hawkeyes. Iowa posted it in preparation for
Saturday's season opener for both teams.
The Hawkeyes are coming into the game off a two game win streak, where Iowa defeated Nebraska 56-14 and pulled out their first bowl win, since 2010, with a 27-20 defeat of Boston College (7-6 in '17) in the Pinstripe Bowl

Like Iowa, Northern Illinois defeated Nebraska 21-17 last season. The Huskies opened the season against Boston College, in a home game, losing 23-20.

It is the first meeting between the two teams, since the 2013 season opener, when Northern Illinois defeated Iowa 30-27. Of course, none of the players on both rosters played in that contest. But, both coaches did.

Northern Illinois head coach Rod Carey won his first game, as coach, against Iowa, back in 2013. He is entering his 6th season leading the Huskies, with a 44-24 record.

For Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, the season opener against Northern Illinois could push him to his 144th career win, which would pass Hayden Fry in career wins at Iowa. Ferentz is entering his 20th season, with a mark of 143-97. His first win at Iowa was a 24-0 win over Northern Illinois, back during his first season in 1999.

On defense, NIU is lead by all-American DE, junior 15 Sutton
Smith. The former high school RB, lead the Huskies with 14
sacks, 15.5 tfl and 3 pbu. He shared some choice words heading
into the season opener with Iowa.
Northern Illinois hopes to continue their tradition of competitive games against Big Ten opponents. Coach Carey is 4-1 against Big Ten opponents, since picking up the first career win over the Hawkeyes.

Phil Steele ranks the Huskies defensive unit, the 19th unit, in the nation, according to his 2018 College Football preview magazine. The Hawkeyes rank 20th, in the same category.

Both head coaches pride themselves in line play, on both sides of the football.

NIU returns all five starting offensive linemen for 2018,
including senior LT 73 Max Scharping. Iowa OL coach Tim
Polasek was on the NIU staff in 2013, when they recruited
the future four year starter. Scharping was a redshirt in 2014.

The Huskies offensive line is rated 37th according to Phil Steele. They are lead by all-MAC left tackle, senior Max Scharping. The Huskies return all five starters from last year's offensive line.

Both Iowa and NIU will have new starters at all three linebacker positions in 2018.

Both teams are missing players heading into the season opener.  Iowa has suspended both starting offensive tackles and two defensive tackles for the opener.

This will certainly get the attention of the Huskies heading into the showdown at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Northern Illinois will be without #1 wide receiver and their starting TE, due to a suspension and injury, respectively. Four true freshmen are listed on the two deep, including WR Leon Payne, who is expected to start. Payne participated in spring drills and has earned the attention of the coaching staff.

NIU sophomore QB 15 Marcus Childers was the MAC 2017
Freshman of the Year. He returns to lead the Huskies offense
into Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. Childers rushed for 473 yards
and passed for 1674 yards in 7 starts at QB. He was 16-5 throwing.
Last season, QB Marcus Childers threw a 67 yard TD pass to former ISU WR Jauan Wesley against Duke in the Quick Lane Bowl. The Huskies lost their final two games of 2017, including a 36-14 loss against the Blue Devils in the bowl game.

Wesley is a reserve wide receiver, who transferred in 2016. While at Iowa State, Wesley played in the 2015 Cy-Hawk game against Iowa. Wesley lead all Iowa State receivers against Iowa, with 4 catches for 76 yards, including a 29 yard TD catch and another catch for 37 yards. The Hawkeyes won 31-17 in Ames.

     
Iowa OL coach Tim Polasek and WR coach Kelton Copeland were both previously on the NIU staff.

Over the past five seasons, after three straight MAC title games appearances under Coach Carey, Northern Illinois finished 5-7 and 8-5 the past two seasons. Iowa defeated Wyoming 24-3 in last year's opener. Two seasons ago, Northern Illinois opened the season at Wyoming, losing a 3 OT 40-34 game.

Iowa is 6-1 against Northern Illinois in Kinnick Stadium over the years. The other two games were played in Soldier Field in Chicago.
PFF rates NIU DE Sutton Smith the #4 player in College Football.
He is the highest graded player on the Northern Illinois roster
last year. He will be a focal point of the scouting report, when
Iowa lines up on offense. The Hawkeyes will be starting two players
at tackle, who have never started a college football game. One will be
making his first college appearance, as a redshirt freshman.

Iowa is 16-1 in season openers since 2001, with the lone loss, in 2013, against the Huskies, as mentioned.

Overall: Iowa leads 8-1
In Chicago: Iowa leads 2-0
In Iowa City: Iowa leads 6-1
Streak: NIU, 1
First Meeting: September 20, 1985: Iowa 48, NIU 20 (Kinnick)
Last Meeting: August 31, 2013: NIU 30, Iowa 27 (Kinnick)

Series History
9/21/1985: Iowa 48, NIU 20 (Kinnick)
9/20/1986: Iowa 57, NIU 3 (Kinnick)
9/28/1991: Iowa 58, NIU 7 (Kinnick)
10/6/1993: Iowa 54, NIU 20 (Kinnick)
9/18/1999: Iowa 24, NIU 0 (Kinnick)
10/28/2006: Iowa 24, NIU 14 (Kinnick)
9/1/2007: Iowa 16, NIU 3 (Soldier Field)
9/1/2012: Iowa 18, NIU 17 (Soldier Field)
8/31/2013: NIU 30, Iowa 27 (Kinnick)
Iowa's Kinnick Stadium will host the season opener on September 1st. The
north end zone project will be completed for the 2019 season, but seating will
be provided, as the Hawkeyes see back to back seasons of new looks at Kinnick.
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