Showing posts with label Ricky Stanzi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ricky Stanzi. Show all posts

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Iowa 3, Indiana 3, in Bloomington at the end of the first quarter

Iowa using freshmen running backs Marcus Coker and Brad Rogers, converted fullback, in replacement for injured sophomore RB Adam Robinson, in Bloomington.

Iowa has had some miscues early, including a INT of a Ricky Stanzi pass.

Iowa running game looks strong, but passing game doesn't look in sync yet.

peace

Iowa throws INT with Ricky Stanzi making mistake at midfield

Ricky Stanzi throw number three of the season on second drive of game @ Indiana. IU has ball, in 3-3 game.

peace

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Iowa Hawkeyes lose Heartland Trophy for at least a couple of years, after 30-31 loss to Wisconsin on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium


The Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) and Wisconsin Badgers (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) will not play football again, until after the 2012 season. Next season, the Big Ten will add Nebraska, as the 12Th member, and break up into to separate divisions costing the annual series between the Hawkeyes and Badgers. Off course, if both are successful in winning their division they can

Iowa 30, Wisconsin 31 - as the Hawkeyes lose for the third time, since 2002 in the series and the series is now knotted up 42-42-2 throughout the years.

Saturday of Week 8 was an interesting day in College Football, with the #1 team in the BCS Poll falling in Missouri. Other teams, like Texas, Iowa and West Virginia fell at home. Iowa State knocked off Texas 28-21 in Austin, while Syracuse beat West Virginia 19-14 in Morgantown.

Football Releases from the University of Iowa:

It wasn't a good Saturday for Iowa, as penalties and special teams cost Iowa dearly. Wisconsin played a solid game. Iowa had an early extra point blocked, a field goal attempt was blown and penalties hurt special teams.

"The real things that hurt us were the special team's gaffes. There's a
lot of football left. We have a good team, but we have to play better and play
cleaner. There are still five games left; this game is going to hurt awhile, for
good reason, then we'll have to move on."
- Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

No question, failure to call a "safe punt" defense on the final drive by Wisconsin was key to Iowa's loss at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa will have to regroup and get ready fast, since the Big Ten's top team, Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) will come to Kinnick Stadium this Saturday.

peace

Monday, October 18, 2010

ESPN: BCS Countdown talking Iowa vs. Wisconsin


Look for a classic game in a series that Iowa leads 42-41-2 on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

Hawkeyes host Badgers as part of Family Weekend ...

Both Iowa and Wisconsin are pretty good in run defense. Iowa's defensive line is among the nation's best, as is Wisconsin's offensive line. Strength vs. Strength.

Does defense win out on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium?

Iowa has a good set of wide receivers per ESPN. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Marvin McNutt are talented and they have the #3 rated QB in senior Ricky Stanzi throwing to them. The Big Ten Conference honored Iowa's Stanzi on Monday.

Senior helped direct Iowa's offense to 38 points on the road ...

Kirk Live Tuesday - The University of Iowa
Iowa's head coach to meet the media, talk Iowa-Wisconsin at 12:30 Iowa time ...

Hawkeyes No. 15 in First BCS Poll - The University of Iowa
Iowa one of four Big Ten teams in college football most elite list ...

peace

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Iowa picks up 38-28 win @ Michigan on the Wolverines Homecoming to remain undefeated in the Big Ten




The Iowa Hawkeyes win for the fourth time over Michigan in the coach Kirk Ferentz era. Iowa has back to back wins under coach Ferentz in 2002-2003 and now in 2009-2010.

The Hawkeyes (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten) won 38-28 over Rich Rodriquez and his Michigan Wolverines (5-2, 1-2 Big Ten) to spoil Homecoming festivities in Ann Arbor. Iowa is now 4-5 as a Homecoming guest at Michigan.

Iowa, which did not commit a turnover, is 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference with
wins over Penn State and Michigan. It is the second consecutive Hawkeye win in
the series and their first in the Big House since 2002. The Wolverines are 5-2,
1-2.


Points fly, teeth chatter during 38-28 Iowa win - University of Iowa
Hawkeyes build 21-point lead, improve to 2-0 in the Big Ten Conference ...

The game in Ann Arbor resembled a past Iowa game in 2002. The road opener @ Penn State, where Iowa build up a big lead, only to see the home team strike back. Unlike the 2002 game, Michigan couldn't get it tied up, as Iowa was able to get a key late field goal from true freshman Mike Meyers. Like 2002, Iowa won in Ann Arbor and on the Wolverines' Homecoming, again.

"This is a happy lockerroom. Winning on the road is difficult anywhere.
Winning on the road in this league is really difficult."
- Iowa coach Kirk
Ferentz

Big Plays Key to Big Win - The University of Iowa
Big plays by a number of Hawkeyes key to big win over Michigan ...

"It was a great team effort," who noted Iowa's 4-0 advantage in
turnovers. "They are always critical to the outcome, particularly in league
games, and proved to be again today."
- Kirk Ferentz

  • Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos receiving - 3 TD receptions
  • Sophomore RB Adam Robinson's running and receiving - 2 TD runs
  • Senior QB Ricky Stanzi's composure, after a couple slow starts to open each half
  • Junior S Tyler Sash's interception and block FG return in the first half
  • Senior DT Karl Klug's forced fumble in the Iowa red zone to end a Wolverine drive in the 3Rd quarter
  • Iowa's red zone success, while Iowa's defense stepped up and spoiled the Wolverines twice in the red zone
  • True freshmen PK Mike Meyers converted on all five XPs and his 30 yard FG attempt

Postgame Notes - The Unversity of Iowa
Iowa vs. Michigan ...

The 38 points scored by the Hawkeyes are the most for Iowa in the series against Michigan. Iowa scored 37 points in 1958. This series with Michigan has been a very exciting one, since the 1981 game in Ann Arbor, in coach J. Hayden Fry's third season. Like 2002 and 2010, Iowa won the 1981 game.Coach Kirk Ferentz was in his first season as an offensive line coach at Iowa in 1981.

Iowa's path to the Rose Bowl and a Big Ten Championship doesn't get any easier in the final six games. Iowa will host back to back home games at Kinnick Stadium to close out October. Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1 Big Ten) and Michigan State (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are up next for the Hawkeyes in back to back Saturdays.

peace

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Will #13 Iowa get it done in the Big House @ Michigan in Week 7?

Iowa has enjoyed some nice victories in Ann Arbor over Michigan. The 1981 game in coach J. Hayden Fry's third season was a huge 9-7 win for the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes won in 1990 by the score of 24-23, with a late TD, then a interception to seal the game for Iowa.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz in his fourth season at the helm picked up a huge win in Ann Arbor. The 2002 Hawkeyes beat Michigan 34-9 in Ann Arbor.

Now, we have #13 Iowa (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) @ Michigan (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten) for the Wolverines Homecoming game. Will Iowa pull off another Homecoming game win against the Wolverines in Ann Arbor? They did in 2002, as Hawkeyes took it to the Wolverines in the second half on way to Iowa's lone 8-0 season in Big Ten play and a share of the Big Ten title.

How strong will Iowa's veteran team play in Ann Arbor on Saturday? None of the Iowa players have played at Ann Arbor, since Iowa's last game in the Big House was in 2006. Iowa is coming off a bye week, so will the Hawkeyes get off to a strong start or will they start slow?

Iowa senior QB Ricky Stanzi is 21-5 as a starting QB, while Michigan sophomore QB Denard Robinson is 5-1 as a starter. Stanzi is #3 in the country in QB rating, while Robinson is the top dual threat QB in the country right now.

Iowa sophomore RB Adam Robinson is the #1 guy for the Hawkeyes now. He didn't have a good outing in his first road game of the season at Arizona. Iowa needs their Robinson to play well. Michigan's sophomore RB Vincent Smith and junior RB Michael Shaw haven't made the yards on the ground that Denard Robinson has, but could they figure more into the offense vs. Iowa?

Iowa has a talented group of receivers and tight ends. Senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos could become the leading receiver lifetime in either yards or receptions for the Hawkeyes today in Ann Arbor. TE Tony Moeaki is playing on Sunday's now, but look for the Iowa TEs to play a huge role in Ann Arbor. Success at TE may be the difference as Iowa looks to click on offense in the Big House. Senior Allen Reisner and junior Brad Herman are players to watch on Saturday.

The Hawkeye defense is missing two outstanding LBs from last season. Thus far, the Hawkeyes have not yielded a scoring TD on the ground on defense this season. Will Denard Robinson and the Michigan Wolverines make Iowa pay on the ground on Homecoming? Iowa has one of the outstanding defensive lines in the country in 2010.
The linebackers are the key in Saturday's game at Ann Arbor. Will senior MLB Jeff Tarparian play, after injury knocks him out of back to back games? Will Iowa see true freshman James Morris leading the team in Ann Arbor? Tall order, if the youngster must step in and play for 60 minutes.

Iowa over Michigan has a nice ring to it. Illinois pulled off a big win at Penn State last week and we are taking Iowa @ Michigan by the same score. Defense trumps Michigan's offense. Look for Iowa to take control in the second half and beat Michigan in Ann Arbor to spoil the Wolverines Homecoming.

Prediction:
#13 Iowa 33
Michigan 13
in the Big House<>

peace


Saturday, October 2, 2010

Game Day: #21 Penn State @ #17 Iowa on ESPN, 7 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium

The Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1) have won seven of eight in this series under coach Kirk Ferentz, as Iowa hosts Joe Paterno and the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-1) in Iowa City tonight for a Homecoming for the Hawkeyes. The all-time series is tied at 11-11. Does Iowa get to +1 vs. the Nittany Lions on Satuday?
The Quarterbacks

  • #12 senior Ricky Stanzi for Iowa vs. #1 true freshman Rob Bolden for PSU

  • Iowa needs to avoid turnovers, Stanzi has 9 Tds to 1 INT

  • PSU's true freshman has 5 INTs to 3 TDs

The Running Backs

  • #32 Iowa sophomore Adam Robinson is the #1 gun now for the Hawkeyes

  • PSU has #22 senior Evan Royster and #21 junior Stephon Green

  • Establishing the run game is always a big priority for either program

  • Can Iowa shutdown the Nittany Lions ground attack and force Bolden to make plays?

The Receivers and Tight Ends

  • QB Ricky Stanzi and the Iowa attack should be healthier than the '09 game

  • #15 senior WR Derrell Johnson-Koulanos missed last year's game in Happy Valley and leads Iowa's solid WR/TE squad

  • The TE position is often a huge part of the Iowa passing game

  • #6 junior WR Derek Moye leads Penn State's receiving crew

  • #83 senior Brett Brackett is a large WR at 6-6 242

Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line

  • Iowa's defensive line is considered one of the best in the nation

  • #94 Iowa senior DE Adrian Clayborn has been a little quiet thus far in '10

  • #93 Iowa junior DT Mike Daniels doesn't start, but he is getting national attention

  • PSU typically finds d-lineman to complement the Linebacker U motto

  • #85 PSU senior Ollie Ogbu is a three year starter for the Nittany Lions

Linebackers

  • Penn State is Linebacker U
  • Iowa's linebackers were huge in '09
  • #42 Iowa senior WLB Jeremiha Hunter is from York, PA and only returning starter for either squad and like last season is #2 in tackles for the Hawkeyes

  • #33 Iowa senior MLB Jeff Tarpanian leads the Iowa's LBs in '10

  • #48 PSU senior Chris Calasanti leads the 1-2-3 punch at LB U

Secondary

  • Iowa's secondary is lead by returning safeties #9 junior Tyler Sash and #30 Brent Greenwood, while #28 junior Shaun Prater is the top corner this year

  • #1 PSU junior FS Nick Sukay leads the Nittany Lions in the back 4

Special Teams

  • Iowa has won the past two games in the kicking game

  • Many would give the edge to Penn State heading into Kinnick Stadium

  • Is this Joe Paterno's ace, as he heads into Iowa City?

  • How will teams execute on Saturday night?

Coaching

  • Joe Paterno - 45 years as head coach for PSU

  • Kirk Ferentz - 12 years as head coach for Iowa

  • The most seasoned staffs in the Big Ten squaring off

  • Iowa will be missing long-time DC Norm Parker, for the third straight game, due to health reasons.

Outlook:

Field position is always important in football. Over the past nine games, there may not be any Big Ten game that field position hasn't turned out to be as huge factor for the winning program.

If Iowa can control field position and the line of scrimmage, Iowa is clearly worthy of the 7 point favorite.

Turnovers, penalties and special teams are likely statistics to keep a good eye on. Penn State has a true freshman at QB. Penn State has been very disciplined in there 3-1 start and have avoided penalties. Special teams could be an area where the Nittany Lions can be successful. Iowa is 3-1 and entered the season in the Top 10 by many. Special teams has been the only negative thus far.

Iowa and Penn State are usually close games. Iowa has played well at home scoring 35 points or more in three ball games. But, Penn State is clearly a better opponent, other than #16 Arizona, who upset Iowa 34-27, in Iowa's only road game in the out of conference. Penn State has already traveled to #1 Alabama, where they lost 3-24. So, a trip to Kinnick Stadium will not likely be as big a hurdle as it may have been had PSU had a traditional four game start at home, like Ohio State, this year.

Prediction:

#17 Iowa Hawkeyes 22

#21 Penn State 15

@ Kinnick Stadium

peace


Saturday, August 14, 2010

Three weeks 'til paydirt: Iowa Football '10


The Iowa Hawkeyes hosted its Kid's Day from Kinnick Stadium on Saturday. It appears some interesting news is coming our way from Iowa City. Iowa should be one of the nations better programs in '10.


  • Sophomore RB Brandon Wegher is not practicing. The door is open, but he may choose not to return for the '10 season, due to personal circumstances. One would hope that he would not walk away from an outstanding opportunity on the field.

  • Sophomore CB Greg Castillo is a player to watch in the secondary. He has one start and could emerge in '10 along side sophomore Micah Hyde. Look for junior CB Jordan Bernstine to backup at safety, but see a lot of his time as Iowa's top nickel back in '10.

  • Senior QB Ricky Stanzi is likely on the brink of a very special season. There is a lot of talent in the receiving corp and RB again could be a 1-2 punch with sophomores Jewel Hampton and Adam Robinson.

  • Senior DT Christian Ballard is the third senior in the defensive line for the Hawkeyes and may be ready for a break out season, with senior DE Adrian Clayborn and senior DT Karl Klug at his side. Many rank Iowa one of top 3 defensive lines in college football, if not the best.

  • Iowa has one of the most stable coaching staffs in the country, lead by head coach Kirk Ferentz, entering his 12Th season. Iowa's success in '10 will be fueled by all three phases of the game.

  • Iowa has some outstanding experience in special teams. This is an area where Iowa could make a huge step in the football ladder in '10.

Iowa football: Prater sits out practice; battle at kicker continues - ‎DesMoinesRegister.com
Iowa City, Ia. — Cornerback Shaun Prater did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage because of a “leg pull.” “He's been practicing pretty well, ...

See comments above, regarding Iowa's CB position. Junior Shaun Prater is Iowa's most experience CB, but two sophomores may lead the attack at times. Iowa also has a veteran CB in junior William Lowe, who has played a lot on special teams.


PHOTOS: Hawkeye football scrimmage & Wegher update ‎- Gazette Online
Iowa players give their autographs to fans during Iowa Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2010, in Iowa City. A good size crowd showed up to ...
Camp Central: Hawkeye fans flock to Kid's Day ‎ - University of Iowa Athletics
Wegher watch ‎ - Gazette Online (blog)

peace

Saturday, August 7, 2010

Big Ten Players think highly of Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and DE Adrian Clayborn


Players around the Big Ten Conference have a lot of respect for Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz, as well as Iowa's top all-American candidate, senior DE Adrian Clayborn.





Which Big Ten coach would you most like to play for?

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa - 4
Comment: "They just always have such a well-coached team."


Big Ten player poll: Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor exciting, overrated

- AnnArbor.com

"He's (Adrian Clayborn, pictured above) a big play waiting to happen. He gets after the quarterback. He's a really intense player, and I love his game and just love watching him play." ~ Illinois cornerback Tavon Wilson
Big Ten players' top pick if they were starting a team? It's not Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor - Cleveland.com
CHICAGO — There's an obvious game-changer among the best football players in the Big Ten, and he's not Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor. He's the antidote to Terrelle Pryor ...

News out of Iowa's Media Day and opening of 2010 College Football camp in Iowa City ...

The Hawkeyes have three sophomores seeking the #1 spot on the RB depth chart heading into '10. The Iowa Hawkeyes return 48 lettermen, 6 offensive, 8 defensive starters and basically everyone back on special teams for the 2010 season ...

Iowa RB Jewel Hampton seeks starting job - ‎The Associated Press
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Iowa running back Jewel Hampton entered his sophomore year with the starting job all but locked up. It's a plum gig in an offense that ...
Now healthy, Iowa's Hampton back to compete ‎ - Gazette Online (blog)
Hawks have three-way race at running back ‎ - Quad City Times
IOWA MEDIA DAY: Packed backfield a good problem for Iowa ‎ - Marshalltown Times Republican

For Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker, retirement simply isn ... ‎- Gazette Online (blog)
One more year for Norm, and get the gold watch ready. For 15 minutes or so Monday morning, that rumor hatched and then sprouted wings. ...
Hawkeye football: Transcript of Kirk Ferentz's press conference ‎ - DesMoinesRegister.com
Notebook: Kickers to start camp in 'dead heat' - Quad City Times
Iowa Hawkeye football: Johnson-Koulianos embraces expectations ‎ - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier

John Gaines/The Hawk Eye ‎- Burlington Hawk Eye
Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi (12) gets plenty of attention during media day Friday at the Hawkeyes' practice field in Iowa City. Iowa is ranked 10th in the ...
Stanzi not afraid to be out in front ‎ - Clinton Herald
Stanzi carries the flag for Hawkeyes - Sporting News

IOWA MEDIA DAY: Hawks' high hopes riding on Clayborn-led defense - ‎Marshalltown Times Republican
We know we have a lot of guys back on the defense," said starting strong safety Tyler Sash at Iowa's media day on Friday. Sash and fellow safety Brent ...
Big Ten players' top pick if they were starting a team? It's not ... ‎- Plain Dealer
Which Big Ten player would you pick first if you were building a ... ‎- DesMoinesRegister.com (blog)
Hawkeyes' Clayborn simply trying to improve - Clinton Herald

peace

Monday, August 2, 2010

August 2, 2010: Big Ten Media Day with Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz


Listening to Iowa Hawkeyes coach Kirk Ferentz address Media in Chicago on the Big Ten Network rebroadcast of the 2010 Big Ten Media Day. Coach Ferentz begins with a little joke about his off season ...

"It's been a good month." ~ Kirk Ferentz about his off season

First up, Iowa has three outstanding defensive players to replace. But, Iowa has outstanding returning starters, as well as experienced reserves filling those remaining spots as the Hawkeyes enter the 2010 season.

The strength is the returning defensive line for Iowa, all four starters back.

On offense, Iowa must replace three starting offensive linemen and an outstanding TE. The offense is lead by senior QB Ricky Stanzi. Iowa returns outstanding skill players. Senior TE Allen Reisner was like a starter, as the second TE in Iowa's offense in '09.

Iowa returns just about everyone in special teams, which is usually a strength of a Kirk Ferentz team.

The Hawkeyes have a solid schedule in 2010.

It's great to see Nebraska coming to the Big Ten in 2011. We agree with Coach Ferentz. It should be a good rivalry game and Nebraska will enjoy some other solid match ups as well in the Big Ten.

The national prospective of the Big Ten Conference. Coach Ferentz was an offensive line coach under J. Hayden Fry from 1981 to 89. He was hired to replace Fry in November 1998 and is entering his 12Th season as head coach at Iowa.


"I just think the Big Ten is fantastic in all regards. I don't think we have to
defend ourselves to anybody. And let the results speak as they may, and that's
really what football's all about anyway. But things are going to swing back and
forth, and that's just how it works."
~ Kirk Ferentz

The team to beat is Ohio State. The Buckeyes have been the most consistent team the past five seasons, winning a share or outright championship. We agree Ohio State has been very solid throughout the Ferentz era as an offensive line coach and as a head coach.


"Ohio State has done a tremendous job the last five years, and, really, since I
go back to 1981, ever since I've been really paying attention to the Big
Ten. And I know there's more than 13 years prior to that."
"But they've traditionally been an outstanding program. And one thing for sure, if
you're going to try to win a Big Ten Championship, you're going to have to find
a way to compete with them and beat them. And not many people have had
much luck doing that."
~ Kirk Ferentz

The game in the desert with Arizona in Tucson in Week 3. Arizona coach Mike Stoops has yet to win a game vs. a FBS program during his tenure in Tucson during Week 3. As Coach Ferentz mentioned, he has been to Tucson twice as an assistant at Iowa in the 1980s. By the way, Iowa picked up important wins each time.

Coach Ferentz recapped the exciting 2009 season, which Iowa nearly missed out of the gate vs. Northern Iowa. But, they pulled out the win and won nine straight, until QB Stanzi's injury stalled Iowa (2 losses). The Hawkeyes pulled out a very good BCS win at Miami in the Orange Bowl over the ACC champion, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

Iowa kicks off the 2010 College Football Season on September 4Th vs. Eastern Illinois, an FCS program out of the OVC.

peace

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Big Ten Media Day is just around the Corner; SEC and Pac 10 hold events


The Big Ten Conference will hold annual Kickoff Luncheon and Football Media Day, August 2-3, 2010 in Chicago. Thirty-three student athletes will be on hand. The University of Iowa will spotlight...

  • Senior Quarterback Ricky Stanzi

  • Senior Defensive End Adrian Clayborn

  • Senior Defensive Tackle Karl Klug

  • with head coach Kirk Ferentz, who will be entering his 12Th season as head Hawkeye
Big Ten Conference Official Athletic Site
Big Ten Announces 33 Football Standouts to Appear at 2010 Kickoff Luncheon ... BTN: Men's Golf - Big Ten Match Play Championship (2010), 1:00 a.m. ET ...
2010 Football Media Day - Big Ten Network
The TV network will offer four hours of live televised coverage that day, including the full press conferences for all 11 head coaches and Big Ten ...


At the recent SEC Media Day, the talk of the town was not the conference's continued dominance in the world of college football, but rather it's prevalence ...
2010 SEC Media Days: UF meets Pouncey controversy head-on‎ - Alligator Army (blog)
SEC Media Days: Saban, Alabama Do Best To Downplay Expectations ...‎ - ArkansasSports360.com
SEC Media Days: Nick Saban tells Alabama football team to forget ...‎ - NOLA.com

Back To Football At SEC Media Days‎ - ESPN - Chris Low
Robbie Caldwell took over for Bobby Johnson just a week before SEC media days. "Ah'm from New York originally," Caldwell purred. ...
2010 SEC MEDIA DAYS: ROBBIE CALDWELL, COMMODORE OF OUR HEARTS‎ - EDSBS
2010 SEC Media Days: Vanderbilt Interim Coach Robbie Caldwell ...‎ - SB Nation
Vandy's Caldwell gets a first: SEC media days‎ - WSFA

Top storylines for 2010 college football conference media days‎ - ESPN - Mark Schlabach -
Nebraska, and possibly Colorado, will be making a last appearance at Big 12 media days. The Buffaloes are leaving for the Pac-10, and the Cornhuskers are ...
Rounding up Wednesday in Hoover‎ - Jackson Clarion Ledger (blog)
SEC Media Days Notebook‎ - Dothan Eagle

Pac-10 Football Media Day Scheduled For July 29 at Rose Bowl‎ - UCLA Athletics Official Site
The 2010 Pac-10 Football Media Day will be held next Thursday, July 29. For the first time, it will be held at the Rose Bowl, home of the Bruins. ...
Fans Can Take Part in Pac-10 Football Media Day‎ - Pac 10
Defensive Back Rahim Moore Talks UCLA Football and Pac-10 Competition‎ - FS West

Catch the 2010 College Football Season on television, as games kick-off on Thursday, September 2Nd.

peace

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

It's Great to be a Hawkeye: Iowa wins first ever BCS bowl with 24-14 win over Georgia Tech in 2010 Orange Bowl!


What a win for the Iowa Hawkeyes (11-2 for season) with a 24-14 win over Georgia Tech (11-3) in the 2010 Orange Bowl to win first BCS bowl and finish a 11-2 for the second time in school history (2002 season). Iowa dominated Georgia Tech at the line of scrimmage. The Pick 6 by Iowa's QB Ricky Stanzi kept the game close for the Yellow Jackets to end the 1st quarter.

Iowa dominated on the ground, in the air and defensively by controlling the line of scrimmage.

Some articles on the 2010 Orange Bowl: (10) Iowa 24, (9) Georgia Tech 14

Jackets' Orange Bowl sours - AJC
Stymied by Iowa's swarming defense, Georgia Tech found itself out of options...


Iowa beats Georgia Tech in Orange Bowl, 24-14‎ - Mason City Globe Gazette

peace

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Orange Bowl: Iowa vs. Georgia Tech: A look at the match up on Tuesday


The BCS got it right matching Iowa vs. Georgia Tech, two 10-2 teams, in the 2010 Orange Bowl.

Like the Rose Bowl, this should be one of the better bowl match ups, as should the Fiesta Bowl, with TCU vs. Boise State on Monday night. While it was not likely known at the time, but with the Urban Meyer saga, it was poetic to have Florida vs. Cincinnati in the final BCS match up. Of course, Brian Kelly's bolt to Notre Dame, didn't set up things well for the Cincinnati Bearcats.

Back to Iowa-Georgia Tech, just how good of bowl game will this be?

The last time Iowa was in the Orange Bowl, it was all USC, after halftime, with the Trojans cruising to a 38-17 rout in the 2003 Orange Bowl. But, remember, it was a 10-10 game at halftime. The Hawkeyes, like Penn State and Ohio State in the 2010 Capital One and 2010 Rose, respectively, had to settle for field goals in those bowl games. Iowa should have likely had 21 points in the first half, the last time around in the Orange Bowl, but they didn't get it done and went into the half with USC knotted at 10-10.

Unlike Penn State and Ohio State, it would appear Iowa can't settle for field goals in this year's Orange Bowl. Georgia Tech has too good of offense. Like USC in 2003, it is critical to get touchdowns, not field goals, when you are in the red zone.

What would have been, had Iowa lead 21-10 vs. USC in 2003 at halftime?

Maybe, it would been a far more competitive game, like every other bowl game under Kirk Ferentz. Of course, South Carolina wasn't competitive last year, in Iowa's bowl blow out win in the 2009 Outback Bowl. Can Iowa bounce back from the long layoff again in 2010?

So, what are we likely going to see in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Two well coached football teams, with each team happy to be in Miami, with desires of earning their first BCS bowl win? Iowa and Georgia Tech both have had success and shortcomings in major bowls, but success hasn't been late for either program in the top flight bowls. Actually, Georgia Tech has a bowl draught going, when it comes to winning.

Entering the 2009 regular season, Phil Steele had Iowa #20, with the following preseason comment ...

"Last year I had Iowa #34, which was higher than any other magazine and they
finished #20 coming off a 6-6 non-bowl year. This year they have a great back 7
on defense with my #5 LBs and #11 DBs and I rate their D #8 overall. They do
have to play Ohio State and Penn State on the road (Michigan
State and Wisconsin also) but are a stronger team."
In another section of the magazine, Steele compared Iowa to the 2008 Alabama team. In many ways, Iowa has played like the 2008 Alabama team, falling short at the end of the season, like Alabama in '09.



What did Phil Steele have to say about Georgia Tech?

"28. Georgia Tech: Tech showed LY that they could play with anyone knocking
off 3 ranked teams and that was the first year of HC Paul Johnson's systems.
They have 18 starters back and will have one of the top offenses in the
FBS?"
By the way, last season, Georgia Tech lost its bowl game 3-38 to LSU in the Chick-fil-A. Of course, more is at stake in Miami on Tuesday night.

How does that outcome impact the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Georgia Tech is playing in their 13Th straight bowl game, but has not won a bowl, since 2004. Tech won the Champs Sports Bowl 51-14 over Syracuse.

How much does the senior class of Georgia Tech want to go out a winner?

This could be huge as we have seen with other programs during bowl games. While the strength of each team is Georgia Tech's offense and Iowa's defense, the other phases of the game deserve attention in the keys to the game.

The key to the 2010 Orange Bowl is Iowa's offense or Georgia Tech's defense, for that matter. We already know the strengths of each team, as mentioned. Of course, one cannot discount special teams play in bowl games. But, like the Ohio State - Oregon game in the 2010 Rose Bowl, the ability of the Big Ten teams to be successful on offense can be a real key in defending and taking away an opponent's high-powered attack.

Iowa rolled in the 2009 Outback Bowl with a 31-10 win over South Carolina. The Iowa offense with QB Ricky Stanzi was at full trottle for much of the game. Stanzi had his coming out party of sorts, after starting 2009 as one of two co-starters.

Just how good will Iowa's Stanzi be in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Will he be rusty from the two month lay off? Is he fully recovered? Like Ohio State's Terrelle Pryor, the QB position has had some questions throughout the season. For Stanzi at Iowa, it has been turnovers. Before the injury vs. Northwestern, Stanzi was leading the nation with interceptions as a starting quarterback. He entered the game at 9-0 though.

Like the Ohio State-Oregon (Rose) and Penn State-LSU (Capital One) bowl games, we expect this game to be just as strong of match up with Iowa-Georgia Tech.

Will it be true in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Georgia Tech and Iowa are both young teams, to a degree. Who's senior leadership will step up farther in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Will it be senior leadership that is the difference in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

Right now, we think Georgia Tech is right to be a 4 point favorite over Iowa. However, Iowa is very dangerous as a underdog traditionally. The game at Penn State on the East Coast in prime time was a coming out party for Iowa. Will the Orange Bowl continue Iowa's coming out at the national level?

Who will have the upper hand, Iowa as an underdog or the ACC Champion as a favorite?

For those traveling or already in South Beach, have a safe and enjoyable Orange Bowl. It wll be interesting to see if this is the next win in the Kirk Ferentz era? Kirk Ferentz is completing his eleventh season at Iowa and a BCS win is missing from the resume.

By the way, Georgia Tech is 22-15 in bowl games, but they are not typically in BCS bowls. This is the first major bowl for Georgia Tech, since the 1966 loss to Florida in the Orange Bowl.

Georgia Tech has played in multiple Sugar and Orange Bowls and they even have one win in their only visit to the Rose Bowl in 1928. Georgia Tech beat Cal, as Iowa did in the past in the Rose Bowl. The Rose Bowl was Georgia Tech's first bowl game and first bowl win. By the way, Tech has never lost in the Sugar.

Georgia Tech is 2-2 vs. Iowa common opponents in bowl games. Georgia Tech beat Michigan State in the 1985 All-American and won in 1972 vs. Iowa State in the Liberty. The two losses bowl games vs. common opponents were against fellow a fellow Black & Gold in the 1978 Peach, losing to Purdue. Georgia Tech also played Penn State back in the 1961 Gator and lost.

Could three be an unlucky charm for Georgia Tech on Tuesday night? Will Iowa beat Tech for their third loss in the Orange Bowl hisotry to drop to .500 in the Orange Bowls at 3-3?

Will Iowa make it five straight bowl losses for Georgia Tech with a win in the 2010 Orange Bowl?

On Iowa! Knock or Beat the heck out of Tech! was seen on a local digital sign on First Ave. East in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz and Georgia Tech's coach Paul Johnson are two of the better head coaches in College Football right now. Both were head coaches were previously in the FCS at one time, before finally landing jobs in the FBS. Of course, Coach Johnson had more success in the FCS, than Coach Ferentz. Ferentz spent time in the NFL, before landing at Iowa.

None of that really matters. For the players, Iowa's 2003 visit to the Orange Bowl likely doesn't matter too, but it likely did help the Iowa coaching staff some heading into South Beach.

It should be an outstanding match up and Tuesday night on FOX. Should be must see TV, if you are a College Football fan.

peace

Saturday, October 31, 2009

And that's good enough for another Iowa Win today at Kinnick!

Iowa goes to 9-0, 5-0 in the Big Ten ...

The fanfare in Section 138 was outstanding today. The joy of Iowa fans watching Halloween unfold in the first half and witness All Saints Day in the Fourth Quarter was rejoicing.

The only sadness today is the passing of Evy at age 91. RIP Evy, Former Hawkeye football coach Forest Evashevski dies - Press-Citizen

It will not get any easier next week with Northwestern, the last team to beat Iowa at Kinnick, ironically, off five Iowa turnovers, in the Big Ten opener last season. But, it's time to rejoice in today's game Hawkeye fans.

Today, despite six turnovers (five Stanzi interceptions) by Iowa in the first three quarters. QB Ricky Stanzi, who has turned out to money in the fourth quarter this season. Iowa pulls off their 4Th fourth- fourth quarter comeback to reach 9-0 on the season.

Great performances by the coaches, the players and the fans today, despite the flat performance early by Iowa's offense, defense, special teams and coaching staff. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz was the first to admit such on his post-game show.

The Wind was a huge play maker in this game. Of the eight interceptions in the game, seven were against the wind.

The other interception was none other than the Tyler Sash play of the day, that brought Iowa from a 7-21 deficit to make it 14-21 at the 7:45 point of the third quarter. It clearly gave many The Feeling that Iowa may just be in this game, despite the Halloween Thriller unfolding.

IU 38 Iowa 20 in 2007 turns into ...
Iowa 42, Indiana 24 in 2009.

On Iowa! The Hawkeyes move to 9-0, 5-0 in the Big Ten with the win today. Iowa will face Northwestern, who are tied 13-13 going into the 4Th quarter in Evanston vs. Penn State. But, PSU is starting to move away from Northwestern, as Iowa did vs. Indiana today at Kinnick!

Wow! Luckeyes! Who cares!

It's Great to be a Hawkeye!

peace

Saturday, September 26, 2009

#20 Iowa 9 to 10 point underdog at Happy Valley tonight: No Surprise vs. # 7 Penn State and a Joe Pa's team


Last year, Iowa was a +7 dog at home, no less. In 2000, Iowa was a +17 dog at Happy Valley, they won 26-23 in 2 OT. Iowa has won 3 of the last 4 in Happy Valley, 6 of the last 7 in the series and Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 6-2 lifetime vs. Penn State's Joe Paterno.

We don't know much about #7 Penn State, except they are 3-0 after wins vs. Akron, Syracuse and Temple. #20 Iowa is 3-0 and we do know they survived a close game with the University of Northern Iowa in the opener, 17-16. UNI is only a FCS team and in the national polls eyes, Iowa was out, after a win in the home opener. Iowa picked up wins @ Iowa State 35-3 and last week vs. Arizona 27-17 at home.

Can Iowa hold down Penn State's run game and make the Nittany Lions beat Iowa in the air? In 2007, a poor Iowa team was blasted by the Nittany Lions 27-7 behind a very strong running game. Iowa was a +3 in take aways in '07, but they had no offense vs. the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. This is a different Iowa team, now lead by QB Ricky Stanzi, who lead Iowa to the 24-23 upset win over Penn State at Kinnick in '08.

Keys to the game in Happy Valley today:
  1. Run Defense and the Line of Scrimmage.

  2. Which QB makes will limit mistakes?

  3. Which defense gives up the big plays?

  4. Does a team have to settle for Field Goals?

  5. Special teams play ...

This should be an entertaining game in front of a national television audience on ABC at 7 pm tonight CDT. Penn State is clearly favored and typically has been a +3 to +17 favorite this decade vs. Iowa at home.

By the way, the '96 Iowa team was a +10 underdog at Penn State, when Tim Dwight and company came to town. The '96 team was a -6 favorite vs. Arizona to open the season and pulled off the win over U of A by 1. Later, they pulled off the win in Happy Valley. Deja vous again for Iowa? Does the weather factor in and create an advantage for one?

Prediction:

#20 Iowa 24
#7 Penn State 22

peace

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Iowa's 27-17 win over Arizona in Week 3 of College Football


It was a great afternoon at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, as the Iowa Hawkeyes beat the University of Arizona 27-17 in front of a packed house, that included a little of the red and blue.

Iowa had a very nice drive lead by quarterback Ricky Stanzi to take a 7-0 lead. But, after holding Arizona to a 3 and out on defense, the next drive turned out to be a Hawkeye mistake, when Stanzi threw a pick 6. Arizona took an early 10-7 lead, when the defense nearly gave up the big play on a Nic Grigsby run for Arizona to the Iowa 1. A huge defensive stand, fueled by a minus 4 yard loss by reserve Iowa safety David Cato's run blitz on 2Nd down kept the U of A drive to 3 points rather than 7.

The 2nd period run by Adam Robinson on 3 and 23 was the other huge play of the day by the Iowa team. The Hawkeyes took a nice 14-10 lead at halftime. They never looked back fueled by the Iowa defense and a Wildcats' team that just didn't make many plays on Saturday in Iowa City.

The Hawkeyes take a 3-0 record into Big Ten play next Saturday. The Hawkeyes will travel to Happy Valley for the 7 pm game on ABC to a national audience, ESPN Game Day and white out crowd for PSU. Penn State (3-0) will be ready and capable, as the Hawkeyes look to rebound in Happy Valley, after losing 7-27 @ Penn State in '07. Of course, the Nittany Lions are remembering last year's 23-24 loss to Iowa that threw Penn State out of the BCS title game hunt.

peace

Saturday, September 12, 2009

#20 Iowa leads Iowa State 28-3 after 3 quarters in Ames


#20 Iowa has brought all three phases of the game to Ames today. Will they close it out in the final 15 minutes? We will have to see.

Iowa appears to have the parts of the Top 20 team, but they need quarterback play to pick up. QB Ricky Stanzi has left some plays on the field this afternoon.

peace

Can #20 Iowa get first win at Iowa State, since the '03 season?


The kickoff of the Iowa (1-0) @ Iowa State (1-0) game is at 11 am on FSN.

The Hawkeyes, our #20 team, lead the series basically 2 out of every 3. But, since '98, the series has become very competitive, with the visiting team losing five straight in the Cy-Hawk Series. Iowa last won in Ames in '03, while Iowa State pulled off a big victory at Kinnick in '02. The Hawkeyes have held the Cyclones without a touchdown in 10 quarters.

Iowa beat Northern Iowa 17-16 fueled by dramatic back to back field goal blocks in Week 1. While Iowa State won Paul Rhoades opener at the helm of the Cyclones, with a sound 34-17 win in Ames over UNI's fellow Missouri Valley Football Conference team, North Dakota State.

Cidsports Pick:

#20 Iowa 24

Iowa State 23

  • Iowa picks up first win since '03, when QB Nathan Chandler lead the Hawkeyes to victory ... does QB Ricky Stanzi = Chandler in this game and solid '09 season?
  • Look for Iowa TEs Tony Moaki and Allen Reisner to play a big role
  • Special teams will be important in a rivalry game: Iowa has a solid punter in Ryan Donahue
  • Turnovers - since we are picking Iowa they must win the turnover battle
  • ISU has talent, but not enough of it in Year 1 for Coach Paul Rhoads, who was a good hire for the Cyclones
  • Iowa's O-Line and D-Line step up in this cliffhanger in Ames
peace

Friday, July 17, 2009

Good News around Iowa Athletics as we enter the weekend


The Class of 2010 for Coach Todd Lickliter and the Iowa basketball program grew to four today with the verbal commitment of a Sioux City prep.

McCabe is a Hawkeye -DesMoinesRegister.com
McCabe committed to Iowa's basketball program Friday, the final piece in a four-player Class of 2010 that promises, on paper, to help move the program in ...
Another Heelan prep picks Hawks - Gazette Online
Zach McCabe Joins Hawkeye Nation - FightOnState.com

Former Iowa defensive back Bradley Fletcher is scheduled to begin his NFL career this fall.

Rams sign CB Fletcher - Seattle Post Intelligencer
Fletcher, chosen 66th overall, played at the University of Iowa and had five interceptions while starting 21 of 46 career games. He started all 13 contests ...

Unlike entering 2008, Iowa has a clear #1 at quarterback for '09.

Consistency the next step for Iowa's Stanzi -ESPN
Kirk Ferentz calls them Ricky Stanzi's Kodak moments, and Stanzi had an album full of them last season for Iowa. Consistency and limiting mistakes will be ...

peace

Monday, June 22, 2009

What college football magazines have you purchased or looked at for 2009?


The flow of college football magazines seems a little out of sync this off-season. For starters, seeing Phil Steele's 2009 College Football Preview so early in Barnes & Noble this off-season was a surprise.

The other early purchase was Athlon® Sports College Football National Edition, which like Phil Steele 2009 preview, spotlights all 120 FBS teams.

On Father's Day, I headed into Barnes & Noble again and purchased two Big Ten 2009 preview magazines.
  • Athlon's with Iowa's returning quarterback Ricky Stanzi on the cover

  • Lindy's with Iowa's returning linebacker Pat Angerer on the cover

In the coming weeks, we will breakdown the 2009 College Football season in many of our posts. We will poke into some of the commentary, opinions and spotlights these magazines take season in and season out.

peace