GAME DAY IOWA; the Hawkeyes hit the road for a game in ACC Country vs. the Pittsburgh Panthers @ Heinz Field

The Hawekeyes and Panthers square off in this Big Ten-
ACC showdown on ESPNU in Week 4 of '14.

Pittsburgh, PA -- The Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1) face a huge hurdle in their first road game of the 2014 season at the Pittsburgh Panthers (3-0, 1-0 ACC Coastal division) with an 11 a.m. game on ESPNU from Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Hawkeyes look to rebound, after a disappointing home lost in their Cy-Hawk Game with Iowa State in a 20-17 defeat at historic Kinnick Stadium.

The Pitt-Iowa game could develop into a game of strengths, with the undefeated Panthers averaging 344.3 yards a game rushing the football on offense, while the Hawkeyes have allowed only 65.7 yards rushing, while on defense in the early 2014 season.

"It is going to come down to who wants it more and that will determine who is going to win that battle," said Iowa senior defensive tackle Louis Trinca-Pasat. "We have an opportunity to make some plays and we accept the challenge."

Pittsburgh's rushing attack (344.3) is fourth in NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Sophomore running back James Conner has carried the ball 81 times for 544 yards (6.7 yards per attempt) with eight touchdowns. Only Aaron Jones on UTEP has more yards on the ground this season.

"It will be a big test for us and we look forward to it up front," said Iowa senior defensive tackle Carl Davis. "It is going to be a new stage compared to the teams we have been playing, but we look forward to the challenge and how we match up."

Iowa is sixth (65.7) in NCAA FBS against the rush and has 19 tackles for loss. Trinca-Pasat leads the way with four tackles for loss, followed by junior defensive end Drew Ott (3.5) and senior linebacker Quinton Alston (three).

"It is going to come down to who wants it more and that will determine who is going to win that battle. We have an opportunity to make some plays and we accept the challenge." Louis Trinca-Pasat Iowa defensive tackle

"I love physical football so this is a great test for us," Alston said. "It is a test that we need especially since we are about to go into Big Ten play. I feel good; it's going to be a race to the ball and I want to be the first to the ball and try to get some TFLs (tackles for loss) out of it."

Iowa and Pitt have played twice since 2008, with each team winning a tight game on its home field. In 2008, the Panthers held on for a 21-20 victory despite 147 rushing yards from Hawkeye Shonn Greene. In 2011, Iowa overcame a 24-3 third-quarter deficit by scoring the final three touchdowns -- two to wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley -- to post a 31-27 win.

"It was a great atmosphere and it was a big win for that team at that point," Martin-Manley said of the 2011 matchup. "Being a young guy, you're confident, but at the same time when you don't see the plays happen you kind of get down. When you do see those plays, you're like `alright I can do it' because you have done it before."

The Panthers have a new head coach, since the two games earlier in the four game series Iowa-Pitt are playing. Former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst is in his third season at the helm at Pitt.

Chryst said the following of Iowa's head coach ahead of today's game: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Kirk Ferentz, and it’s going to be a well-coached team. He believes in physical offense, physical defense. It’s always going to be a challenge. I’m excited for our guys to play. It’s going to be a good atmosphere. It’ll be a good physical game, and we’ve got to rise up and meet that challenge. It’s a great opportunity for us. The amount of success that he’s had for a long time—there’s a lot of programs across the country trying to do that.”

Iowa head coach Ferentz said statistics after three weeks -- like rankings -- tell something, but not everything. He was referring to the Panthers running for 1,033 yards and passing for 304. They can do both well, Ferentz warns.

"Pitt isn't throwing the ball much right now because they haven't had to." Ferentz said. "They can throw the ball." Sophomore Tyler Boyd is the #1 wide receiver and top return specialist in the Panthers attack.

The Hawkeyes have not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. Ball State ran the ball 39 times for a total of 90 yards -- 81 coming from running back Jahwan Edwards. Northern Iowa rushed 25 times for 25 yards and Iowa State attempted 26 runs for 82 yards.

"It's going to be a real challenge (slowing Conner)," Ferentz said. "He's strong and fast. He has the ability to see and pick holes. They're big and athletic up front. It's a tough group to prepare for."

"The statistics reflect what they are," said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz on Tuesday at his weekly news conference inside the Hayden Fry Football Complex. "They're a very good football team, and we have a big challenge ahead of us."

Pitt's James Conner leads the nation
 in rushing TDs (eight) and is second
in rush yards (544).

The Panthers' offense has been potent early, ranking 15th nationally at 44.7 points per game in victories over Delaware, at Boston College, and at Florida International. Pittsburgh ranks fourth nationally at running the football, with 181.3 coming from Conner, while sophomore quarterback Chad Voytik is second in rushing for the Panthers.

"Pitt is not throwing for much right now because they haven't had to," said Ferentz. "They've demonstrated they can run it, and they've run it against everybody. When you look at the film, they're impressive up front and the running back is a good player."

Ferentz sees a lot of Wisconsin in the Panthers and for good reason. Chryst was a member of Bret Bielema's staff in Madison in 2002 and served as the Badgers' offensive coordinator from 2005-11.

Ferentz said the Iowa offense has shown glimpses this season with long and productive drives, but the trouble has been consistency. He is steadfast in the identity he seeks offensively.

"One thing I am firm on, we have to have the ability to be balanced, and we would hopefully play in a physical nature," he said. "We're not going to be a finesse offensive football team. We have to have the ability to run or pass."

Iowa's rushing attack should be back at full strength at Pittsburgh after gaining 129 yards on 44 attempts against Iowa State. Ferentz expects junior Jordan Canzeri to play against Pittsburgh after getting dinged up on a kick return against the Cyclones. Canzeri has been dinged in fall camp and during the last couple of games for Iowa.

Iowa is also trying to find the right mix and rhythm to get sophomore LeShun Daniels, Jr., back in the mix. Daniels, Jr., didn't have an attempt against Iowa State on Sept. 13. He scored the first touchdown of the season for Iowa during the early part of the UNI game.

"We're not ruling anything out (with LeShun)," said Ferentz. "We haven't found the right rhythm or tempo. We'll keep working at it." Iowa senior running backs Mark Wesiman and Damon Bullock saw most game action vs. Iowa State. Freshman Jonathan Parker is another running back, who has seen game action during the 2014 season.

Ferentz confirmed sophomore Anthony Gair will make his first start at free safety at Pittsburgh, filling in for junior Jordan Lomax, who will miss the first half after being ejected for targeting against Iowa State -- a rule Ferentz says is hard to officiate.

"There are going to be a lot of mixed opinions," said Ferentz. "My feeling when it all started was when everybody in the stadium says, `Whoa,' that's when a guy should get tossed out. I thought Jordan was trying to avoid targeting. That was my view of it, but it's easier said than done."
Ferentz is stressing the importance of moving on from a last-second loss to Iowa State.

"We all have to move on," he said. "Whether we win or lose, that's how it goes. We can worry about it out-of-season. We need to worry about what we're doing and matching up against our opponent.
"People that can't do that aren't going to do very well over the long haul. That's how it is, and it's easier said than done."

ESPNU will have Adam Amin and John Congemi, a former Pitt QB from 1982-86, in the booth, with Niki Noto on the sidelines. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:01 a.m. Central Time.

The Hawkeyes have never won at Pitt over years. Pitt leads the series 3-2, with the average score Pitt 22-20, so another tight, close ball game could be on store in 2014?

This is the third game ever between the teams at Pitt. It is hard to rally and call it "three's a charm" for Iowa, with the last game at Heinz Field in 2008.

The Panthers are eyeing a 4-0 start for the first time since the 2000 season. The Panthers were 7-6, 3-5 for sixth in the ACC Coastal division in '13.

Iowa coach Ferentz is a graduate of nearby Upper St. Clair High School and served as a graduate assistant on Jackie Sherrill's 1980 Pitt coaching staff. He left Pitt for Iowa, becoming former Iowa head coach J. Hayden Fry's offensive line coach in 1981. The Hawkeyes ended a 19 season non-winning streak in Ferentz's first year, winning the Big Ten and representing the Big Ten in Fry's first Rose Bowl trip.

Iowa needs the offensive line to elevate their game in 2014 at Pitt, if Iowa is going to pull off a road win. The Hawkeyes front 7 and secondary will be tested, as well by Pitt.

“You’ve got good players and a good scheme, that’s always a key part of it. You’ve got to work to get yards on them. It’s a sound defense, and they’ve got good players. Whatever you get, you’ll earn. It’s fun to play them that way because nothing will be given,” said Pitt coach Chryst in talking about the Iowa defense.

Keys to the Game:

• Turnovers and miscues
• Establishing control of the line of scrimmage
• Explosive plays
• Special teams

While there isn't a lot of series history between Iowa and Pitt, both teams often see each other on the recruiting trail. Pitt true frosh WR Adonis Jennings' recruitment came down to Iowa and Pitt, for example.

Pitt is favored to win today's game. 

Iowa needs a spark, whether it is via turnover, the offense, defense and/or special teams delivering an explosive play. Iowa needs to establish something for more than two drives. It has been a struggle for Iowa week to week in '14. A coming out party at Pitt is a tall order. 

Phil Steele heading into 2014 called Pittsburgh a big question-mark, with the need to replace DT Aaron Donald, who was the most dominate Panther last year. The Panthers beat Bowling Green 30-27 in the Little Caesars Bowl in '13.

If Iowa is going to give Pitt a game today, the Hawkeyes will have to establish the line of scrimmage. Other than against the run this season, Iowa has not accomplished that ability very well in '14.

The 2008 and 2011 games are over. The only constant has been Iowa's head coach Kirk Ferentz. It is a homecoming for Iowa's ole ball coach. Can he lead his team to his first victory at Pitt?

We shall see. Last week, we called for a 25-15 win. Heck, maybe we were a week early? We shall see indeed.

In 1999, Iowa fans watched Ron Dayne roll over Iowa. It was an ugly game for the Hawkeyes. It is more likely a game that will be close today. Iowa will need turnovers and a spark going into Heinz Field.

Will the grass be greener for the Home Team or Visitors from the Big Ten?

GameDay Saturday Week 3: Cy-Hawk Game from Kinnick Stadium

Iowa City, Iowa - The real season begins in Week 3, with the first trophy game of the 2014 season for the Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0), with the in-state rival Iowa State Cyclones (0-2), with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ESPN from historic Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes have been solid in two fourth quarter games to remain undefeated. Iowa State has lost 14 and 15 point leads in back to back weeks to remain without of win in '14.

Throw out the stats, records and hype, it is a rivalry in the Hawkeye State as the Cy-Hawk Trophy is up for grabs between Iowa and Iowa State.

In 2012, the Cy-Hawk Game was a battle for field goals, with Iowa State knocking off Iowa 9-6, after the Hawkeyes-Cylcones battled to a 44-41 game in a three overtime clash the year before in Ames. The Hawkeyes struggled all season, finished 4-8 in '12, while the Cyclones went on to finish 6-7, with a 31-17 loss to Tulsa in the Liberty Bowl. The '12 win by Iowa State ended a three game home win streak by Iowa in the series at Kinnick.

Iowa rebounded in 2013, with a 27-21 win in Ames, flipping the 4-8 regular season in '12 into a 8-4 regular season in '13. The Hawkeyes celebrate the 125th anniversary of Iowa Football in 2014. It is also the 75th anniversary of the Iowa Ironmen season, the season Nile Kinnick won his Heisman Trophy.

Iowa State was 3-9 in '13 and this off season has brought in a new offensive coordinator, along with a good number of new assistants. Mark Mangino, the former Kansas head coach, is now head coach Paul Rhoads' new offensive coordinator, as the Rhoads era enters Week 3 of  Year 6, with a 27-38 record. Iowa State's new staff is looking for a rebound in Ames, like Iowa in '13.

Iowa's Kirk Ferentz (110-79) in his 16th season in Iowa City, as head coach, hired a new offensive coordinator in 2012, when he asked long-time Texas OC Greg Davis to join his staff. Ferentz has revamped his staff over the past three seasons and elevated Phil Parker from secondary coach to defensive coordinator, as well.

It has taken Iowa time to transition from the first 13 years of the Kirk Ferentz era to today's version in '14, offensively, defensively and on special teams. This should be an interesting Cy-Hawk Game, with the newer coordinators going head to head.

What is this Rivalry about, since renewing in 1977?

Iowa senior linebacker middle linebacker Quinton Alston says there aren't any funny stories surrounding the Iowa-Iowa State matchup because plain and simple, it's "Beat State" week inside the Hayden Fry Football Complex.

"It doesn't take long to get used to the rivalry and not like them," said Alston, who will be playing in his fourth installment of the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series today inside Kinnick Stadium. "There are no secrets here."
Alston says there isn't a game on the Iowa schedule that compares to this rivalry. From the pregame hype to the fan interaction to the music being blasted throughout the football complex.

"In the complex, they start playing the (Iowa State) fight song to make you more angry," he said. "They play it in the locker room, weight room... everywhere. You get tired of seeing Iowa State really quickly around here, and when you get to the game Saturday everything is let loose."

Iowa leads the all-time series over the Cyclones, 40-21, which includes a 23-13 advantage in games played in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes have won 4-of-6, 5-of-8, and 7-of-11 meetings in the series. Iowa has held Iowa State to single digits in several of the recent games in the series.

Iowa usually beats Iowa State teams that don't bowl.

Senior wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley didn't understand the rivalry when he arrived at Iowa from Michigan in 2010. Now he knows the game is personal.

"Those guys want their bragging rights; we want our bragging rights," Martin-Manley said. "We have to go out and make plays, play hard, and come out with a win."

Martin-Manley is Iowa's leading receiver and could finish his senior season as an all-time leader.

"(When I got here) I was told it is going to be a hard fought game. When I was younger, I didn't understand it, but now I do. You can tell it is amplified when you get on the field. It's a hard fought battle, just like it's going to be this weekend."

The last three games in the series have been decided by six points or less.

"This rivalry has been good every year I have been here," said junior quarterback Jake Rudock.

Last year, Rudock was in his first season of leading the Iowa offense. He is playing very effective in fourth quarters, thus far in '14.

"They're going to be ready to go, we'll be ready to go, and it's going to be loud. The fans get into it."
Rudock believes the passion shown for the rivalry is a testament to both team's fan bases.
"It means we have great fans in Iowa across the state, whether it's for Iowa or Iowa State," he said. "The fans here are passionate about football and love these two teams."

Even though it's a "different" game week, Alston says when the teams ultimately take the field it will be business as usual.

"It's a big game in the state, but we're going to go out there and prepare," he said. "We're not going to be blinded by who we're playing this week. We're going to go out there and play them like any other team."

Defense was the difference in the 2012 game for Iowa State and Iowa Hawkeyes hope it is for the Hawkeyes in 2014.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker knew going into the 2014 season that the Hawkeye defense would need to improve from game to game, with three new starting linebackers and half the secondary new. As the Hawkeyes prepare for Iowa State and the third game of the season, Parker feels his defense is moving in the right direction.

"From game one to game two, I feel we showed a lot of improvement," said Parker. "Our communication has improved on the back end, on the second level; the guys are getting more comfortable. We have a lot of first time guys out there playing. Our biggest goal from game one was to cut down on the big plays, and we went from eight to two. But, we need to cut that down even more. The biggest thing is being consistent and improving in all areas, from the defensive line, to the linebackers to the secondary."

The Hawkeyes wins came over Northern Iowa (31-23) and Ball State. After allowing a number of big plays and 23 points in the opening win, the defense was a bright spot in the win over Ball State. The Cardinal offense scored just two field goals in Iowa's 17-13 win and totaled just 219 yards total offense. And, the Cardinals had just two offensive plays of over 20 yards.

"I think its both preparation and experience," said Parker. "They are on the field working together as a group in a game for the first time. The film study and prep during the week has picked up, but that's all about football. If you are well prepared and know what to expect, you see things faster and the game slows down a little for you the more you prepare."

While senior strong safety John Lowdermilk started every game a year ago, Desmond King played as a true freshman a year ago, starting 12 games at cornerback. Sophomore cornerback Greg Mabin is new to the line-up this season and junior Jordan Lomax made the more from cornerback to safety.

"Like Desmond last year, the first couple of games he started, it was new to him," said Parker. "He picked up on it quickly and moved on. I think that is what everyone else is doing. Greg had done a good job in two games. Jordan is playing well in a new position. I think its all carry over, it's like building files in your computer, having the memory and recall when you see the different things. We need everybody to improve their level of play, their intensity and effort as we move forward. We have to continue to do that, and hopefully finish our preparation in the next 48 hours."

Saturday's game will kick off at 2:35 p.m. on ESPN with Sean McDonough calling the play by play, former Ohio State linebacker Chris Speilman adding color, and Todd McShay on the sidelines. The game is a sold out, which will be the third game this season for the Cyclones to be a capacity crowd.

Iowa State lost the season opener to North Dakota State in Ames 34-14, then lost 32-28 in the Big Twelve opener at home to Kansas State.

Keys to the Cy-Hawk Game today at Kinnick Stadium:

1. Control the line scrimmage
2. Play of the linebackers
3. Coaching adjustments
4. Turnovers and miscues
5. Explosive plays, 12+ runs, 16+ receptions
6. Special teams

This game could be highly competitive or a blow out. We shall see. 

Our Prediction: Iowa 25, Iowa State 15, as Iowa's defense steps up in the red zone in Week 3 in the Cy-Hawk Game.