Tuesday, Iowa was named #5 in CFP poll; Wednesday, Veterans Day was celebrated across America, ahead of Saturday night's Battle for Floyd of Rosedale ...

The Iowa Hawkeyes celebrating after winning their 9th victory on the 2015 season,
at Indiana on Saturday. It was the fourth road victory of the year against a Power 5
program for the Hawkeyes.

Iowa City, IA -- It has been a positive week heading into Saturday's return to Kinnick Stadium for the undefeated Iowa Hawkeyes. After last Saturday's 35-27 win at Indiana to propel Iowa to 9-0 for the second time in program history, the Hawkeyes were named #5 on Tuesday night, when the second College Football Playoff poll was announced. There was plenty of Iowa talk on Veterans Day, as the sports talking heads continued their conversations on the Hawkeyes and the new CFP ratings.

The Iowa Hawkeyes are #5, just outside the Final 4, in the second College Football
Playoff poll of 2015. The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota on Saturday night.

Iowa's run to a 9-0 start, 5-0 in the B1G West has been felt in all three phases of the game. 

Iowa junior QB #16 C.J. Beathard is the first Hawkeye signal caller to open 10-0
as a starter in the history of the program. Five wins on the road and five at home.

On offense:

• Iowa has the third most balanced offensive production in FBS. The Hawkeyes have 3,708 total yards -- 1,845 yards rushing, 1,863 yards passing. (Kent State 1,323/1,323; Auburn 1,700/1,712)
• Iowa has 25 rushing touchdowns, second in the Big Ten (Ohio State, 26) and ninth nationally
• Iowa ranks second in the Big Ten with 13 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards. The Hawkeyes had 12 scrimmage plays of 40-plus yards all of last season, and 13 such plays in 2012 and 2013 combined

The Hawkeyes have really improved in 2015, after a 7-6 record, last season.
The #1 area to look at for Iowa has been the development of the defensive unit.

On defense:

• Iowa has allowed just three rushing touchdowns; No. 1 nationally
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in takeaways (20), interceptions (13) and turnover margin (+11)
• Iowa allows 16.6 points per game. Among the five other unbeaten FBS schools, only Ohio State allows fewer points (15.0)

Iowa junior Desmond King has become an effective special team player in
2015, leading the Hawkeyes in punt and kick returning.

On special teams:

• Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard game-winning field goal vs. Pitt is the second longest in school history and the second longest in FBS this season
• Iowa’s two-man punt team of seniors Dillon Kidd (43.3) and Marshall Koehn (46.2) rank fourth in the Big Ten averaging 42.6 yards per punt
• Junior Desmond King averages 12.9 yards per punt return, No. 3 in the Big Ten, and 23.6 yards on KO returns, No. 6 in the Big Ten

Saturday is Military Appreciation Day at Kinnick Stadium

One of the University of Iowa football team's most famous alums is 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick. The first Hawkeye football player to earn first-team All-America honors was Fred Becker in 1916.

Both were United States veterans and both lost their lives serving in the military. Becker was killed in active duty in 1918 during World War I; Kinnick died during a training flight while serving as a United States Navy aviator during World War II.

Iowa's Nile Kinnick, the 1939
Heisman Trophy winner joined
the U.S. Navy as an aviator.
He was lost at sea in 1943.

Saturday's game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-5, 1-4 B1G West) is designated as Military Appreciation Day in honor of Veterans Day. The University of Iowa and its Veterans Association has organized events to honor veterans associated with the university and Hawkeye community.

Iowa students Jacob Stone and Sheena Anderson were among the participants in a Veterans Association 280-mile ruck march that brought the game ball from TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis to Kinnick Stadium to raise awareness for veteran suicide. Stone is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, Anderson is a U.S. Army veteran.

Participants marched in teams of three while carrying ruck sacks weighing 22 pounds, a symbol of the 22 veterans who take their own lives by suicide each day. The 57 members of the ruck march will form the tunnel the Hawkeyes swarm through onto the field for Saturday's game.

Thank you to our Veterans, as Kinnick Stadium celebrated a past Military
Appreciation Day, as Saturday night's game will celebrate ...

The Iowa football program and the Army ROTC also identified five distinguished veterans -- all Iowa graduates or former cadre -- to serve as the traditional color guard. The five individuals selected are: Colonel G. Dave Lewis, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Brothers, Lieutenant Colonel Brad Cook, Master Sergeant David J. Stoen, and Lieutenant Colonel Mark Coble.

The on-field events come on the heels of a Tickets for Troops initiative that was rolled out earlier this fall. The UI partnered with fans, giving them an option to purchase tickets at a reduced price and donate them to active duty and veteran military members to attend Saturday's game at no cost.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 10-5 against Minnesota, as a head coach.

The battle for the Floyd of Rosedale begins at 7:12 p.m. (CST) on Saturday night, in prime time for Iowa-Minnesota. The game, which is sold out, will be televised on BTN. It is the first November night game in Hawkeye history. It is the 80th anniversary of first battle for Floyd of Rosedale, back in 1935.

Minnesota DC Tracy Claeys was named
head coach on Wednesday of the Golden
Gophers, after 20 years as an assistant
with Jerry Kill, who stepped down, due
to health issues two weeks ago.

Minnesota has chosen to elevate Tracy Claeys as the permanent replacement for Jerry Kill, who resigned, prior to the Gophers games with Michigan and Ohio State, two weeks ago. After an 0-2 start, as an interim coach, Claeys was given a three year contract, beginning in 2016.

"They're playing better this year (Iowa), there's no question. They've kind of gelled. Things are going their way. It will be a tremendous challenge. At the same time, being a trophy game, our kids will be excited. I expect us to play well. It will be a tough environment," said Minnesota coach Tracy Claeys ahead of the Iowa game.

The Gophers and Hawkeyes battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
Minnesota beat Iowa 51-14 in Minneapolis, last season, which
was the most lop-sided loss for the Hawkeyes, since 1949.

"Offensively they've got a veteran quarterback who's a really good football player. They're a big, physical group up front like they traditionally are. Good backs, good receivers, so that's going to be a big challenge for our team," said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz.

Minnesota junior QB #7 Mitch Leidner leads the Golden Gophers offense.
He is a threat both running and passing the football for Minnesota.

"Then flipping it on the other side of the football, they're very aggressive defensively, run very well at all positions, extremely good in the secondary. I know they feel great about those guys, and rightfully so," Ferentz said this week, ahead of the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.

The strength of Golden Gophers defense is three returning starters in the
secondary. A match-up to watch will be Iowa's passing game vs. Minnesota,
including one of the top cornerback units in the Big Ten, with seniors #29 Brian
Boddy-Calhoun and #31 Eric Murray, who were 1st and 2nd team respectively.

"And then special teams wise they have two of the better specialists you're going to find in the conference. They're a very, very good football team, and we're going to have a big challenge on our hands," said Ferentz.

Last year, Maxx Williams was a highlight reel against Iowa. He has departed
to the NFL. Sophomore TE Brandon Lingen had a personal high 111 yards
on five catches against Michigan in the 29-26 loss for the Gophers. The
Golden Gophers took Michigan down to the final play and came up short.

"November as I said earlier is a big month, certainly a big month for any college football team. Certainly it is for us, and to be back in Kinnick is really special, and to be there in a night game is always a special thing," said Ferentz.

On Tuesday, the second College Football Playoff poll was announced.

"Twenty-sixth year now being involved in Kinnick Stadium. It never gets old. It's just a very, very special place to play college football. We'll have a great environment Saturday night. There's no doubt about that. But that being said, the fans can't play the game, just like when we're on the road, the opposing fans don't decide the game. It's going to get decided on the field, so we're going to have to have a great week of preparation. We'll have to be ready to go at kickoff against this team. We've got our work cut out and we've been working on that, and we look forward to trying to finish the week out well." - Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz

Iowa will host a "Blackout" game on Saturday night, with an all-black
alternate uniform for the Hawkeyes to breakout and attempt to reach 10-0
for the first time in Iowa football history.

Can Iowa make history on Saturday night, reaching 10-0 for the first time in program history?

"We'll find out Saturday because we've got a real big challenge and we're going to have to really have a good week of preparation. That's really the best way to get there, and we've tried to explain that to our players. Back during the bye week we told them to think big, but no matter how big they thought and whatever they may have been dreaming up, you can only get there week by week. That's about all you can control. I know it's boring and mundane. But for us to be focused or spend time on anything else right now is really counterproductive, and to me the best thing to do is worry about their academics, worry about the game plan, preparation, and maybe go on a date or something like that if they've got time. That's great, too. We just need to worry about this one because it's tricky sledding out there," said Ferentz on the historical game on Saturday night for Iowa.

Plenty of excitement surrounding the Iowa Football program this November.

Hawkeyes fall to 2-4 at home, 4-6 overall, as Purdue kicks 46 yard FG to win @ Iowa on final play

Happy Veterans Day weekend everyone.

This is a poor Iowa football team in '12.  Iowa got beat, trailing basically all game at home against a team that was on a five game losing steak.  Iowa continues four game losing streak and will have to win two straight, if they want to reach a bowl game in Kirk Ferentz's 14th season.

Iowa is now 2-4 on the season in Kinnick Stadium.  Overall, the Hawkeyes are 4-6 and 2-4 in the Big Ten Conference in '12.  The Hawkeyes will play back to back games vs. the top 2 programs in the Legends Division of the Big Ten to close out the '12 regular season.  Iowa travels to Ann Arbor next Saturday for a game @ Michigan, then closes out the '12 season with a Senior Day game vs. Nebraka.

Purdue at Iowa Postgame Notes - link

Purdue Downs Iowa on Last-Second Field Goal

Boilermakers down Hawkeyes inside Kinnick Stadium, 27-24

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Purdue placekicker Paul Griggs connected on a 46-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Boilermakers to a 27-24 victory over the University of Iowa football team on a blackout Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium.

The loss drops the Hawkeyes' record to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten Conference play; Purdue improves to 4-6 overall and 1-5 in league play.

Trailing 24-21 midway through the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes used an 11-play, 74-yard drive to tie the game at 24 with 3:32 remaining. Iowa used trickery to set up the score; sophomore Damon Bullock rushed to the right, fired back to senior James Vandenberg on the far hash before the quarterback connected with sophomore Kevonte Martin-Manley for a 35-yard gain to the Purdue 26.

Three Bullock rushes moved Iowa to the 14 before Vandenberg scrambled for 8 yards on second-and-8, setting up a first and goal from the 6. Iowa couldn't travel the final 6 yards, as it was forced to settle for Mike Meyer's 24-yard field goal.

After the defense did its job by forcing a Purdue punt, the Hawkeyes took over at the 14 yard line with 1:08 to play. On second-and-7 from the 17, Vandenberg avoided a sack before scrambling 20 yards to move the ball to the 37. He followed with an 11-yard completion to Martin-Manley and a 10-yard pitch-and-catch to senior Keenan Davis to move the ball into Purdue territory.

1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final 7 7 10 3 24 0 7 14 3 24  Stat Comparisons  First Downs 26 16  Rushing Att.-Yds 44-211 31-74  Passing Yds 279 190  Passing (C-A-I) 19-36-0 26-35-0  Total Offense 79-490 67-264  Punts-Avg. 5-46.0 7-40.3  Fumbles-Lost 3-3 0-0  Penalties-Yds 10-100 2-18  Time of Possession 32:39 27:21  3rd-Down Conversions 9-of-16 4-of-16  4th-Down Conversions 1-of-1 1-of-3  Iowa Statistical Leaders  Passing CMP ATT YDs TD  James Vandenberg 19 36 190 1  Rushing CAR YDs AVG TD  Damon Bullock 23 43 1.9 1  Receiving REC YDs AVG TD  Kevonte Martin-Manley 4 63 15.8 1  Defense S-A TOTAL SACKS INT  Micah Hyde 8-3 11 0 0  Purdue Statistical Leaders  Passing CMP ATT YDs TD  Robert Marve 25 33 266 2  Rushing CAR YDs AVG TD  Ralph Bolden 14 108 7.3/td> 0  Receiving REC YDs AVG TD  Antavian Edison 5 50 10.0 0  Defense S-A TOTAL SACKS INT  Landon Feichter 6-4 10 0 0

Following a pair of incompletions on first and second down, Vandenberg found Davis for a 7-yard gain on third down, setting up a fourth-and-3 with 21 seconds remaining. The Hawkeyes elected to go for it instead of attempting a 52-yard field goal into the wind. Vandenberg completed the fourth-down attempt to senior Zach Derby on a short route in the flat, but it was stopped for a 1-yard gain, giving Purdue possession at its 34 yard line with 16 seconds left.

Boilermaker quarterback Robert Marve opened the final drive with a 17-yard scramble up the middle, moving the ball to midfield with 10 ticks left. On the next play, Marve connected with Antavian Edison for a 20-yard completion to the Iowa 29 to set up Griggs' kick. Griggs was 3-of-6 this season with a long of 40 before connecting on the game-winner.

"We were getting ourselves in a position to win the ball game," said Purdue head coach Danny Hope. "We knew that if we could get protection for our quarterback, Robert Marve could be a difference maker like he was today.

"That last drive, we didn't have any second guesses in our minds that if we could protect for Robert, we could kick a field goal."

Purdue nearly doubled up the Hawkeyes offensively, holding a 490-to-264 advantage in total offense. Iowa finished with 74 yards rushing and 190 yards passing. The Hawkeyes made the game competitive by forcing and recovering three Purdue fumbles.

Vandenberg completed 19-of-36 attempts for 190 yards with one touchdown. Bullock finished with 43 yards on 23 carries with one score, and Martin-Manley had four catches for 63 yards. Senior cornerback Micah Hyde led a group three Hawkeyes with double-digit tackle totals, finishing with 11 stops, and he scored on a fumble recovery.

Marve was 25-of-33 for 266 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Boilermakers offensively. Senior Ralph Bolden had 102 yards rushing, and Edison had five catches for 50 yards.

After taking a 14-7 lead into the intermission, the Boilermakers used a nine-play, 56-yard drive to extend their lead on the first possession of the second half. On third-and-4 from midfield, Marve connected with O.J. Ross for a 28-yard gain when Iowa freshman Sean Draper lost his footing, allowing the Boilermakers to move into the red zone. The Hawkeye defense stiffened, holding Purdue to Sam McCartney's 36-yard field goal, making the score 17-7.

The Hawkeyes made it a one possession game with a 12-play, 69-yard drive, cutting the deficit to 17-14. Vandenberg connected with Bullock for a 15-yard gain on third-and-2 to move the ball to midfield. Iowa dug itself a hole when Vandenberg was sacked for a 10-yard loss on first down, setting up a second-and-20.

Purdue bailed the Hawkeyes out with a 15-yard face mask penalty on third-and-20, moving the ball to the Boilermaker 37. Iowa converted its third consecutive third down when Vandenberg connected with Jordan Cotton for an 11-yard gain to the 24. On the next play, the Boilermakers' Frankie Williams was whistled for pass interference on a delayed go route by Martin-Manley, setting up a first and goal from the 9. Three plays later, Vandenberg found C.J. Fiedorowicz for a 9-yard score.

The Boilermakers used a quick strike -- two plays, 66 yards -- to produce its third touchdown of the afternoon. After taking over at its own 34, Bolden emerged through traffic for a 56-yard gain down to the Iowa 10. On the next play, Marve connected with Gary Bush for a 10-yard score, pushing the Purdue advantage to 24-14.

After Iowa went three-and-out on offense, the Hawkeye defense set up its second touchdown of the game. Purdue started the drive at its own 8-yard line, and on the second play of the series, Marve fumbled a snap under center. Hyde snatched up the ball and returned it nine yards for the touchdown to make the score 24-21. It was Iowa's first fumble return for a score since the 2003 season.

The Boilermakers scored the game's first touchdown on their second possession, traveling 68 yards over nine plays. Marve connected with Akeem Shavers for a 23-yard gain on a misdirection route, moving Purdue to the Iowa 35. On third-and-1 from the 14, Bolden rushed nine yards to the five, and two plays later, Shavers scored on an option from three yards out, giving the Boilermakers the 7-0 lead.

The Hawkeye defense forced consecutive Purdue turnovers in the second quarter, but it only mustered seven points. Iowa got the first turnover when Marve threw a backwards pass to Bolden on third-and-7 from the Purdue 48, a play that was initially ruled incomplete.

After the play was overturned, the Hawkeyes took over on the Purdue 44, but promptly when three-and-out, punting the ball right back to the Boilermakers. On the first play of Purdue's offensive series, senior Steve Bigach knocked the ball loose from Akeem Hunt, and freshman Darian Cooper recovered the fumble, giving the Hawkeyes possession at the 22. After taking four plays to pick up the initial first down, Vandenberg converted a bubble screen to Martin-Manley to advance the ball to the 1. Bullock then followed with a 1-yard touchdown run on a pitch to the outside, tying the game at seven.

The Boilermakers responded with an 11-play, 75 yard drive to regain the advantage. Purdue converted a pair of third downs on the series, the first of which was a 26-yard completion to O.J. Ross to move into Iowa territory. The Boilermakers then used six consecutive rushes to move to the 9 yard line before Marve found Gabe Holmes for a 9-yard touchdown to give Purdue the 14-7 lead.

The Hawkeyes were fortunate to be down just seven at the half, as Purdue drove 71 yards to the Iowa 3 with the clock winding down. The Boilermakers' Sam McCartney missed a 20-yard chip-shot field goal on an untimed down.

Iowa returns to action Nov. 17 at Michigan. The game is set to begin at 11 a.m. (CT) in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Thank You Veterans: Iowa vs. Purdue in a Black Out Day in honor of Veterans Day

In 1971, I attended my first college football game with my family in West Lafayette.  It was in the middle of the win-less streak between 1961-1980 that Iowa had in football and vs. the Boilermakers.  Today, Iowa vs. Purdue in Iowa City, as the winner will snap a losing streak of their own.  The Hawkeyes have lost three straight in the B1G, while Purdue has lost five straight and is 0-5 in '12 in Big Ten play.

Iowa and Purdue are both witnessing disappointing seasons.  Purdue hired Danny Hope for the '09 season and '12 was supposed to be his best season yet.  Iowa is in the 14th season under Kirk Ferentz and '12 was supposed to be a rebuilding year, but some fans may say there is a dismantling project going on?


Hawkeyes to Honor Vets, Play Veteran Purdue  Story Link

UI head coach Kirk Ferentz meet with reporters in the Hayden Fry Football Complex

"We've got to get in better sync; we have to execute better in critical situations," Ferentz said. "It's a team thing. We win as a team and lose as a team."

The Hawkeyes are 2-3 at Kinnick Stadium in '12, so Parents Day and a salute to our Veterans Day should provide some motivation for the Hawkeyes, who are not in sync or 100%.  Iowa is a young team, but not the youngest in the B1G.  Purdue is a veteran team, but not playing well.  A win today by either team will knock off track an ugly losing streak.

Some good College Football in the Big Ten, but the conference is outside the road in any BCS talk in '12.  Iowa is 1-0 vs. Danny Hope as a Purdue head coach.

Our Pick for Today's Game vs. Boilermakers:

Iowa 27, Purdue 21 at 11 a.m. on Big Ten Network (HD) / btn2go

Other Big Ten games in Week 11:

• Northwestern @ Michigan, 11 a.m. on ESPN (HD) (3D) / espn3
• Wisconsin @ Indiana, 11 a.m. on ESPN2 (HD) / espn3
• Minnesota @ Illinois, 2:30 p.m. on Big Ten Network (HD) / btn2go
• Penn State @ Nebraska, 2:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2 (HD)

Bye week for Michigan State and Ohio State

Other games in College Football

Iowa, Creighton open 2011-12 season on Friday night, while Quicken Loans Carrier Classic tips off in San Diego

The University of Iowa tips off the 2011-12 college basketball season with a home game vs. Chicago State at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Over in Omaha, Creighton University opens the 2011-12 season hosting North Carolina A&T at newly named CenturyLink Center. It should be an exciting year for both the Hawkeyes and Bluejays, under second year coaches Fran McCaffery and Greg McDermott, respectively.

Over on ESPN, the Quicken Loans Carrier Classic opens with #1 North Carolina playing Michigan State. President Barack Obama and the First Lady will be on hand as College Basketball opens the 2011-12 season with a game on the U.S.S. Carl Vinson on Veterans Day 2011.

On Saturday, the Iowa Hawkeyes (6-3, 3-1 B1G Legends) will take the football field at Kinnick Stadium for Senior Day vs. Michigan State (7-2, 4-1 B1G Legends) for first place in the Legends Division. Iowa hasn't lost to MSU at Kinnick Stadium, since the 1989 season. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 at 11 a.m. Central Time.

November 11, 2008 - Happy Veterans Day

peace