The Daily Iowan
Friday, September 14, 2012 Iowa vs. University of Northern Iowa Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City
FOOTBALL IS HIS FAMILY
CENTER JAMES FERENTZ CARRIES ON THE LEGACY OF IOWA FOOTBALL — AND OF HIS LAST NAME PAGE 4
LB ‘HITCH’ EMERGES PAGE 16
EXPERTS’ PICKS PAGE 18
2B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012
REMEMBER WHEN…
Iowa defensive tackle Broderick Binns blocks the ball in a Northern Iowa field-goal attempt during Iowa’s first 2009 home game on Sept. 5 in Kinnick Stadium. With one second left on the clock, though, UNI attempted a second field goal. But the Hawkeyes blocked that one as well, keeping their lead and winning the game, 17-16. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
Shonn Greene led the Jets in rushing in a 48-28 New York win over the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 9. He carried the ball 27 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. Following the retirement of LaDanian Tomlinson after last season, Greene will take over this year as the Jets’ full-time featured back. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
4
COVER STORY Surrounded by family, James Ferentz is in a “unique position in college football.”
8
FEATURED MATCHUP Iowa’s struggling quarterback will try to get on track against a talented UNI safety.
10
POINT-COUNTERPOINT
Does Northern Iowa have a chance?
12
GAME ROSTER Full roster for both the Hawkeyes and Panthers. Take it with you to Kinnick.
16
INSIDE FEATURE Anthony Hitchens is leading the Big Ten in tackles. And he’s still learning how to play linebacker.
Bill Casey Publisher Emily Busse Editor-in-Chief Sam Lane Managing Editor Sam Louwagie Pregame Editor Allie Wright Design Editor Adam Wesley and Rachel Jessen Photo Editors
WEB EXTRAS
On The Line Contest Want to win a free pizza? Go to www.dailyiowan.com/ontheline and place your college football predictions.
HAWKS IN THE NFL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
STAFF
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CONTACT US
18
LEADERBOARD Find out where linebacker Anthony Hitchens and the struggling Hawkeye offense stack up nationally.
18
ON THE LINE Check out DI football staffers’ predictions on some of the week’s biggest games in college football
Got a question for the Pregame staff or a story idea for a future issue? Email us at dipregame@ gmail.com.
Go to
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for a photo slideshow after the game
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 3B
4B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14,
2012
Family spelled ‘football’ James Ferentz discusses a call with the referee in the Iowa/Northern Illinois game at Soldier Field in Chicago on Sept.1. (The Daily Iowan/Adam Wesley)
By Ben Ross
J
benjamin-d-ross@uiowa.edu
ames Ferentz knows he is in “a unique position in college football.” His father, Kirk Ferentz, coaches him. His older brother, Brian Ferentz, serves as his position coach. His younger brother, Steve Ferentz, is a freshman tight end. “This is the first time in six or seven years when all three boys have been in the same city,” James Ferentz said. “It’s really fun. We try to get together once or twice a month, which is something we haven’t been able to do for years. It’s really exciting, and selfishly, I’m really fortunate to have my brothers around, and I’m happy.” The senior center has been an anchor on Iowa’s offensive line since his sophomore year, starting 27 games since 2010. He was an honorable mention All-Big Ten at the end of his junior campaign, and he was named to the Rimington Award watch list —given annually to the best center in college football — before the start of the 2012 season. James Ferentz was also named a captain of the Iowa football squad. He said he doesn’t pay too much attention to the hype and story lines surrounding him. He just wants to play football. “That stuff is very humbling,” he said. “It’s great to be recognized; at the same
time, those are for things I’ve done in the past, and that doesn’t mean anything this year. So I need to focus on how I can improve this year as a player and a leader.”
‘Like a dream come true’
His teammates are well aware his father is the face of the Hawkeye football program. But they all say he isn’t subject to any special attention during practice. Senior quarterback James Vandenberg lauded the efforts of the man behind whom he’s situated, saying there isn’t a center he’d rather have. “It’s literally like a dream come true,” Vandenberg said. “He’s as good as anybody at the position. He helps me out in a million different ways. The comfort level between us two, and knowing that he’s going to get all those guys up front on the same page, is something you really can’t put a price on as a quarterback.” James Ferentz came into this season one of two returning starters on the offensive line, which has been historically seen as a strength of Hawkeye football. Brian Ferentz also served as a center and a guard on the 2002-05 teams. See ferentz, 6B
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 5B
6B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012
ferentz
Continued from 4B Before Iowa hired him to coach the team’s offensive line in February, he was aware of the success his younger brother was having. He said he doesn’t want to interfere with the progress of his brother, just appreciate it. “I just hope I don’t screw up what’s already gone on with him,” Brian Ferentz said at the team’s media day, Aug. 6. “It’s neat to watch his career from afar, [and] it’s very rewarding to be around it up close.”
A family of football
It would seem James Ferentz was destined to be an Iowa football player. He grew up surrounded by the culture
of Hawkeye football, and even in high school, he and his brothers came into football as finely tuned athletes. Dan Sabers was the offensive-line coach at City High when Brian Ferentz played there. By the time James and then Steve entered the school, Sabers had become head coach. He said the Ferentz boys always came into the start of the football seasons with an advantage over everyone else. “There’s no question they came in with knowledge in the game of football and the skills it takes,” Sabers said. “They were stronger — their lifting technique would be advanced. And nutrition — they knew what to put in their bodies. That really helped them as well.” James and Steve also served as captains while playing for the Little Hawks. Sabers said Steve
received the most votes for captain that he has ever seen as a head coach. And despite his father’s position, James said he felt no pressure to attend Iowa from his family. “[My father] stayed completely out of my recruiting process,” he said. “He really wanted me to make my own decision. For a while, it wasn’t looking as if I was going to play Division I football. [Then-offensive-line coach] Reese Morgan really took over on my recruiting and helped me realize my dream was to play here for the university. It did happen to be for my dad, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Having the men in his immediate family around him for much of his time is something James Ferentz said he enjoys experiencing, too. He said it’s been nearly a decade since he’s spent
‘It’s neat to watch his career from afar, [and] it’s very rewarding to be around it up close.’ Brian Ferentz, James’ brother and offensive line coach this much time around his brothers and father. And though it may be tough, he said, the family tries to keep its dinners from turning into strategy sessions. But it isn’t always possible. “Church and State is not really separate anymore,” he said. “We try to keep football talk away — my Mom will be the first one to tell you that. But I’d be lying if [I said] we weren’t sitting around the pool every now and then trying to talk Xs and Os. It’s one of those things where our work has become a hobby for us, so they kind of intertwine.”
Playing incognito Teammates
say
the
skill and traits that James Ferentz brings to the team are invaluable. Senior defensive lineman Joe Gaglione said the motor James plays with is something to be feared when lining up opposite the center from Iowa City. “There’s only one button for him: it’s full-go all the time … sometimes after the whistle,” Gaglione said. “That’s what we need. But it’s all good especially when it’s against a different team. Vandenberg has also gone as far to say that the absence of his center, even in practice, makes him feel uneasy. “Even when he subs out in practice, I’m just like, ‘Oh God, I just want to be with James,’ ” Van-
denberg said. “He’s a guy who instills that confidence, because he’s been doing it so well for so long that guys want to follow. He’s a great leader on our team and a guy I definitely enjoy playing with.” Still, even considering his last name and the local celebrity it carries, James Ferentz doesn’t like to draw attention to himself — even for the right things. He just wants to be an ambassador for the program though which his family has gone. “That’s how I view myself,” he said. “I don’t want to stand out in a positive or negative way. I just kind of want to be a guy who displays what the program means through my actions.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 7B
8B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14,
2012
FEATURED MATCHUP
Defense Name: Garrett Scott Position: Safety Year: Senior
Scott is peaking this year. He racked up 15 tackles — 6 solo and 9 assisted — in one game this season against then-ranked Wisconsin, a career-best for the safety. The senior was crucial in holding the Big Ten power to 26 points. He earned Missouri Valley Player of the Week honors following his 15-tackle game against the Big Ten “power.” Last season, the safety intercepted 4 passes, deflected nine more, and made 105 tackles. His playmaking ability could give the struggling Iowa passing game trouble.
MOLLY OLMSTEAD MOLLY-OLMSTEAD@UIOWA.EDU
Offense Name: James Vandenberg
Position: Quarterback Year: Senior Vandenberg couldn’t make a touchdown happen against Iowa State on Sept. 8. The QB completed just 20-of-42 attempts. And he threw 2 interceptions, one at the Cyclone 24-yard line with just over a minute left in the game. That pick smashed the Hawkeyes’ momentum and made a comeback impossible, and Vandenberg blames himself for it. The senior’s confidence is probably lower than usual now, but Vandenberg will have to ignore the pressure and rely on instinct to fix his passing game against the Panthers.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 9B
10B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Does UNI have a chance? YES
Because Iowa’s offense seemed to be run by Harry and Lloyd against Iowa State, UNI’s locker room looks at Saturday’s matchup and says: “So, you’re telling me there’s a chance.” If this game were played 100 times, Iowa would win more than 90. But, as Arkansas found out last week after a loss to lowly opponent Louisiana-Monroe, only the one game played goes on the record. Iowa should’ve learned this lesson against Northern Iowa in 2009. In a seemingly impossible scenario, the Hawkeyes had to block two consecutive field goal attempts — the final one as time expired — to avoid an upset by the Panthers. That edition of Iowa football eventually won the Orange Bowl. This year’s UNI side is likely as good as the 2009 team, and the Hawkeyes aren’t nearly up to their 2009 standards. The Panthers (1-1) are ranked No. 6 in the Football Championship Series coaches’ poll and the squad’s only loss came by 5 points at then-ranked Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Iowa became part of a Big Ten epidemic of bad losses last week with its 3-point defeat against ISU. While coming off a tough loss at home does motivate some teams, there also needs to be enough talent for a recovery. Iowa’s offense has only scored 1 touchdown in two games; UNI scored 3 against Wisconsin alone. By no means will Northern Iowa blow out Iowa in Kinnick, but don’t think the Hawkeyes will win big, either. — by Ian Martin
NO
Another Iowa team is set to come into Kinnick on Saturday. This time around, things will surely be different. Iowa has been brutally awful on the offensive end, averaging 286 yards per game in its first two outings, but I expect the Hawks to run the Panthers out of the stadium. The Hawkeyes should be on the redemption trail because their first two outings have been horrible. The passing game has yet to score a touchdown. And after his impressive outing against Northern Illinois in the opener, Damon Bullock disappeared against Iowa State. I fully expect the passing game to put up more than 300 yards of offense and for Bullock to re-emerge as the every-down back he showed he could be in the first game. Given that the UNI defense allows 248 yards per game, Iowa should have an easy time moving the chains. James Vandenberg should also rebound from a rough start to out-perform UNI redshirt freshman quarterback Sawyer Kollmorgen. He should also face immense pressure from a Hawkeye defense that has surprised many critics. The Iowa defense is currently 20th in the nation in total defense and shouldn’t have too much trouble with Kollmorgen and the UNI offense. Iowa should rebound against a Football Championship Subdivision school. That Iowa could be beaten by its in-state rivals two weeks in a row should be reason enough for Kirk and his team to leave it all on the field. — by Carlos Sosa
12B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
ROS
- Friday, September 14, 2012
IOWA HAWKEYES 1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 25 27 28 29 31 31 32 33 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 49 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 63
Marshall Koehn Greg Castillo Barkley Hill Greg Garmon Kyle Anderson Tanner Miller Keenan Davis Sean Draper Trent Mossbrucker Don Shumpert Blake Haluska Collin Sleeper Kevonte Martin-Manley Anthony Gair Tom Donatell Kevin Buford John Wienke Jonny Mullings Jake Rudock James Vandenberg C.J. Beathard Jacob Hillyer Micah Hyde B.J. Lowery Cody Sokol Christian Kirksey Nico Law Torrey Campbell Jordan Cotton Ruben Lile Jordan Lomax Maurice Fleming Nick Nielsen Andre Dawson Anthony Hitchens Damon Bullock Jordan Canzeri Adam Cox Nate Meier Gavin Smith Cole Fisher John Lowdermilk Brad Rogers Travis Perry Jack Swanson Jacob Reisen Macon Plewa Jim Poggi James Morris Mark Weisman George Krieger Kittle Melvin Spears Palmer Foster Drew Clark Laron Taylor Quinton Alston James Ferentz Steve Bigach Marcus Collins Faith Ekakitie Tommy Gaul Eric Simmons Conor Boffeli Matt Tobin Casey Kreiter Austin Blythe
6-0/160 5-11/187 6-0/210 6-1/200 6-3/210 6-2/201 6-3/215 6-0/180 5-11/204 6-3/190 6-4/210 6-2/200 6-0/205 6-2/195 6-2/205 5-10/170 6-5/220 6-3/210 6-3/200 6-3/212 6-2/180 6-4/205 6-1/190 5-11/188 6-2/205 6-2/220 6-1/195 5-11/183 6-1/185 6-3/200 5-10/190 6-0/185 6-3/210 6-2/207 6-1/224 6-0/195 5-9/180 5-11/210 6-2/235 5-10/175 6-2/218 6-2/203 5-10/230 6-3/230 5-11/200 6-2/231 6-2/225 6-2/218 6-2/230 6-0/225 6-4/210 6-2/255 6-3/210 6-4/288 6-0/215 6-1/224 6-2/284 6-3/282 6-0/215 6-3/275 6-3/264 6-3/300 6-5/290 6-6/290 6-3/250 6-3/275
PK DB RB RB QB DB WR DB PK WR WR DB WR DB LB DB QB P QB QB QB WR CB DB QB LB DB DB WR DB DB WR WR RB LB RB RB FB RB/LB DB OLB DB FB DB DB FB LB LB LB FB ATH DE OLB OL LB LB OL DL LB DL OL OL OL OL LS OL
RS FR SR FR FR RS FR JR SR FR SR JR SO SR SO FR SR FR SR SO RS FR SR FR RS FR SR JR JR JR SO RS FR JR FR SO FR SR JR JR SO SO RS FR FR JR RS FR SO JR RS FR SR JR RS FR SO JR SO FR RS FR SO JR FR SO SR SR SO FR SO SO JR SR JR RS FR
IOWA VS. UNI • SATURDA Solon, Iowa Mount Laurel, N.J. Denver, Iowa Erie, Pa. Ames, Iowa Kalona, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Mooresville, Ind. St. Louis, Mo. Carroll, Iowa Solon, Iowa Pontiac, Mich. Plano, Texas Duluth, Ga. Canton, Mich. Tuscola, Ill. Canberra, Australia Weston, Fla. Keokuk, Iowa Franklin, Tenn. Somerset, Texas Fostoria, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Phoenix, Ariz. St. Louis, Mo. Clinton, Md. Naples, Fla. Mount Pleasant, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Upper Marlboro, Md. Chicago, Ill. Humboldt, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Lorain, Ohio Mansfield, Texas Troy, N.Y. Chana, Ill. Tabor, Iowa North Liberty, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Carrollton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Urbandale, Iowa Naples, Fla. Iowa City, Iowa Franklin, Wis. Towson, Md. Solon, Iowa Buffalo Grove, Ill. Norman, Okla. Allen, Texas Davenport, Iowa Marion, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Sicklerville, N.J. Iowa City, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Yeadon, Pa. Brampton, Ontario Des Moines, Iowa Madrid, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Worthington, Iowa DeWitt, Iowa Williamsburg, Iowa
65 Jordan Walsh 66 Casey McMillan 67 Jaleel Johnson 68 Brandon Scherff 69 Ryan Kolka 70 Brett Van Sloten 71 Carl Davis 73 Ryan Ward 74 Mitch Keppy 75 Dean Tsopanides 76 Nolan MacMillan 77 Reid Sealby 78 Andrew Donnal 79 Dominic Alvis 80 Henry Krieger Coble 81 Tevaun Smith 82 Ray Hamilton 83 Steven Staggs 85 Zach Derby 86 C.J. Fiedorowicz 87 Jake Duzey 88 Greg Mabin 89 Cameron Wilson 90 Louis Trinca-Pasat 91 Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara 92 Jonathan Gimm 93 Nathan Lyman 94 Riley McMinn 95 Drew Ott 96 Mike Meyer 97 Darian Cooper 98 Connor Kornbrath 98 Mike Hardy 99 Joe Gaglione
6-4/270 OL RS FR 6-4/305 OL SR 6-4/300 DL FR 6-5/310 OL SO 6-0/208 LS RS FR 6-7/292 OL JR 6-5/310 DL SO 6-5/275 OL FR 6-5/290 OL FR 6-2/240 DL RS FR 6-6/290 OL JR 6-4/250 OL FR 6-7/302 OL SO JR 6-4/265 DL 6-4/235 TE RS FR 6-2/190 WR FR 6-5/248 TE SO 6-3/195 WR SR 6-3/240 TE SR 6-7/265 TE JR 6-4/235 TE RS FR 6-2/190 WR FR 6-1/195 WR FR 6-3/270 DL SO 6-5/230 DL FR 6-3/240 FB SR 6-3/280 DL JR 6-7/245 DE RS FR 6-4/245 DL FR 6-2/185 K JR 6-2/280 DL RS FR 6-6/240 P FR 6-5/270 DL SO 6-4/264 DL SR
Glendale Heights, Ill. Billings, Mont. Westchester, Ill. Denison, Iowa St. Charles, Ill. Decorah, Iowa Detroit, Mich. New Lenox, Ill. Port Byron, Ill. Torrington, Conn. Toronto, Ontario Byron, Ill. Monclova, Ohio Logan, Iowa Mount Pleasant, Iowa Toronto, Ontario Strongsville, Ohio Oskaloosa, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Johnsburg, Ill. Troy, Mich. Plantation, Fla. Dublin, Ohio Chicago, Ill. Weston, Fla. Houston, Texas Grundy Center, Iowa Rochester, Ill. Trumbull, Neb. Dubuque, Iowa Elkridge, Md. Bridgeport, W.V. Appleton, Wis. Novelty, Ohio Keenan Davis WR #6
J.J. Swain CB #28 Chris Jepsen DE #91 Garrett Scott SS #15
Brett Van Sloten RT #70
Sam Tim LB #41
Damon Bullock RB #32
Austin Blythe RG #63
Mac O’Brien DT #44
James Vandenberg QB #16
Xavier Williams DT #98
Jordan Gacke LB #35
Max Busher LB #37 Wilmot Wellington FS #20
James Ferentz C #53 Tim Clark DE #12
Matt Tobin LG #60
Brandon Scherff LT #68
Mark Weisman FB #45
C.J. Fiedorowicz TE #86
Varmah Sonie CB #4 Kevonte Martin-Manley WR #11
C
STER
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 -13B
NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS
AY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2012 Carlos Anderson 5-8/172 RB Terrell Sinkfield 6-1/192 WR Zerrick Fuller 6-0/170 DB Varmah Sonie 5-9/166 DB Stephen Kaiser 6-3/222 QB Mike Weidemann 6-1/190 WR Jalen Barnes 5-10/170 DB Nick Jepsen 5-11/215 FB David Johnson 6-3/214 RB Charles Brown 5-10/175 DB Evan Williams 6-0/200 RB D.J. Hebert 6-2/185 WR Justin Black 6-2/210 QB Jarod Syndergaard 6-1/210 DB Wes Smith 5-8/170 WR Tim Clark 6-3/245 LB Will Roth 6-6/231 TE Jared Lanpher 6-1/206 QB Garrett Scott 6-0/201 DB Logan Cunningham 5-11/180 WR Sawyer Kollmorgen 6-2/215 QB Kevin Vereen Jr. 6-3/205 WR Chad Owens 5-11/183 WR Wilmot Wellington 5-10/205 DB Phil Wright 5-10/197 WR Alex Carr 5-10/170 DB Zach Cutkomp 6-0/202 LB Tim Kilfoy 6-1/191 DB Tavaughn Blair 5-10/175 DB Blake White 5-10/192 DB Edwin Young 5-11/170 DB J.J. Swain 6-0/170 DB Kyle Bernard 6-3/198 P
1 2 3 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
Terrell Sinkfield WR #2
SR SR JR SR SO SO JR FR SO FR SO FR FR SO JR SR SO SO SR FR RS FR SO SO SR JR RS FR JR FR FR JR RS FR SR SR
Blue Springs, Mo. Minnetonka, Minn. Brooklyn Park, Minn. Burnsville, Minn. St. Louis, Mo. Dike, Iowa Cedar Falls, Iowa Urbandale, Iowa Clinton, Iowa Fort Meyers, Fla. Minneapolis, Minn. Maple Grove, Minn. Naples, Fla. Sutherland, Iowa Brunswick, Ga. Oklahoma City, Okla. Marion, Iowa Blue Springs, Mo. Davenport, Iowa Arcadia, Ind. Jenks, Okla. Waynesville, Mo. Urbandale, Iowa Fairfield, Iowa Sioux Falls, S.D. Cedar Rapids, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Davenport, Iowa Minnetonka, Minn. Davenport, Iowa St. Louis, Mo. Burnsville, Minn. Cedar Falls, Iowa
Micah Hyde CB #18
Phil Wright WR #21
Anthony Hitchens WLB #31 Tanner Miller FS #5
Misha Danilov LT #74 Joe Gaglione DE #99
Dan Kruger LG #55
Carlos Anderson RB #1 Louis Trinca-Pasat DT #90
Sawyer Kollmorgen QB #17
Brian Palangi C #60
Jack Rummels RG #65
James Morris MLB #44
Christian Kirksey OLB #20 Steve Bigach DT #54
Sam Rohr TE #87 Tim Sauer RT #78
Brett LeMaster WR #89
Dominic Alvis DE #79
B.J. Lowery CB #19
Tom Donatell SS #13
30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 51 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 62 63 64 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 78 79 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98
Austin Ebertowski Deiondre’ Hall Tyvis Smith Jeremy Johnson Jeff Bright Jordan Gacke Jordan Webb Max Busher Tyler Sievertsen Casey DeHoedt Michael Schmadeke Sam Tim Griffin Gaeta Nate Shaw Mac O’Brien Shawn Rush Jake Farley Chad Gilson Wyatt Peiffer Brett McMakin Zach Kerndt Ethan Tindall Ryan Dixon Logan Bieghler John Hubbard Dan Kruger Kevin Hosch Dan Edem Collin Albrecht Blake Willson Brian Palangi Dustin Ihns Jake Boll Ty Soulek Mark Blessington Jack Rummells Spencer Hicks Trevor Hanson Brian Peters Kevin Carroll Robert Rathje Justin Putney Misha Danilov Kirk Harris Ryan Bingaman Tim Sauer Ben Wallace Isaac Lintz Carter Brandt Luke Smith Cody McCoy Braden Lehman Jacob Rathmacher Sam Rohr Steven Figueroa Brett LeMaster Chris Jepsen Rick Maynard Karter Schult Isaac Ales Ryan Mack Breion Creer Mohammed Kromah Xavier Williams
6-0/205 6-2/170 6-1/185 5-11/170 6-0/185 6-2/227 6-0/195 6-0/195 6-2/185 6-1/234 5-10/165 6-2/207 6-6/215 6-1/205 6-2/290 6-1/210 6-1/220 6-0/223 6-5/240 6-4/215 6-0/180 6-0/218 5-9/216 6-0/180 6-2/226 6-5/308 6-3/225 6-2/219 6-4/259 6-3/220 6-5/310 6-3/285 6-6/300 6-5/285 6-5/326 6-5/300 6-4/305 6-5/280 6-4/282 6-3/280 6-3/265 6-6/305 6-7/300 6-5/291 6-5/285 6-8/302 6-5/275 6-1/185 6-2/175 6-2/180 5-11/170 6-7/245 6-4/230 6-3/219 6-4/249 6-3/196 6-3/249 6-3/240 6-2/240 6-3/260 6-4/252 6-5/255 6-3/325 6-4/305
RB DB RB DB DB LB DB LB PK FB PK LB DE LB DL DB LB LB DL DL P LB LS P LS OL DE LB DL LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR TE TE TE TE WR DL DE DL DL DE DL DL DT
RS FR FR FR FR RS FR JR RS FR SO JR JR RS FR JR FR FR JR RS FR SO SO RS FR FR JR SO JR RS FR SR JR FR SR JR RS FR SR FR SR FR JR SO SO FR SO FR FR FR SR RS FR SO SR RS FR RS FR SO SR FR RS FR RS FR RS FR SR SO JR JR FR RS FR SO FR SO SO
Council Bluffs, Iowa Blue Springs, Mo. Davenport, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Minneapolis, Minn. Rock Rapids, Iowa Burlington, Iowa Rosemount, Minn. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Waterloo, Iowa Ames, Iowa Muscatine, Iowa Bettendorf, Iowa Waterloo, Iowa Columbia, Mo. Cedar Falls, Iowa Urbandale, Iowa Chaska, Minn. Overland Park, Kan. Ridgeway, Iowa Clear Lake, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Altoona, Iowa Parkersburg, Iowa Wesley, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Apple Valley, Minn. Cedar Falls, Iowa Shell Rock, Iowa Nahant, Mass. Tipton, Iowa Sanborn, Iowa Yankton, S.D. Auburn, Iowa West Branch, Iowa Long Grove, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Waukee, Iowa Edina, Minn. Van Horne, Iowa Forest City, Iowa Middleton, Wis. Overland Park, Kan. Overland Park, Kan. Rosemount, Minn. Grinnell, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Ankeny, Iowa Dubuque, Iowa Altoona, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Story City, Iowa Brookfield, Wis. Tempe, Ariz. Wichita, Kan. Urbandale, Iowa Rodney, Iowa Tripoli, Iowa Muscatine, Iowa St. Louis, Mo. Shakopee, Minn. Blaine, Minn. Grandview, Mo.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 15B
16B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012
Not a ‘hitch’ at linebacker
Iowa linebacker Anthony Hitchens (31) prepares to run onto the field before the game against Iowa State at Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 8. (The Daily Iowan/Adam Wesley)
Anthony Hitchens is leading the Big Ten in tackles. And he’s still learning to play linebacker.
By Sam Louwagie samuel-louwagie@uiowa.edu
It starts to hurt when you collide at full speed with someone 19 times. Anthony Hitchens learned that on the morning of Sept. 9. As he got out of bed, he found there is a downside to leading a game in tackles, to landing atop the Big Ten — and in the top five nationally — in the statistic. “Oh, yeah, I was sore,” he said with a smile. “But that’s what we have trainers for. It’s all good.” Hitchens, whom coaches and teammates call
“Hitch,” was all over the place against Iowa State on Sept. 8. He said on Tuesday it was the most tackles he has recorded in a game. His active play has been a big part of the reason the Hawkeye defense has been so stout in the season’s first two games. James Morris and Christian Kirksey started all season at linebacker in 2011. They’re two of the most experienced, well-known commodities on the Iowa defense. And yet there is Hitchens, racking up more tackles than either of them. But the Lorain, Ohio, native waved off any implications that statistic might have. “All three of us put in a lot of work,” he said. “And
it’s just Week 2. Those stats don’t mean anything. I’ve got to go out and prove it every week.” Hitchens has only been a linebacker for a little more than a year — he came to Iowa as a safety in 2010. But that season, he started playing some running back when the Hawkeyes found themselves thin there. Finally, he settled in as a linebacker, where he backed up Kirksey and Morris last season before injuring his knee. Head coach Kirk Ferentz said Hitchens, seeing consistent snaps for the first time, is a work in progress. “He’s coming around and coming along,” Ferentz See hitchens, 20B
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 17B
18B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012
ON THE LINE Matchups
Molly Olmstead
Sports Editor (6-4)
Northern Iowa at Iowa No. 20 Notre Dame at No. 10 Michigan State No. 18 Florida at No. 23 Tennessee No. 2 USC at No. 21 Stanford
North Carolina at No. 19 Louisville
Iowa Let’s hope so, because the drunk tank isn’t big enough to handle another in-state rival loss.
Michigan State I’m a Michigander, I can’t betray my roots.
Tennessee Just because orange is my favorite color
USC
I just can’t imagine an upset here, especially now that Stanford has no Luck
North Carolina The ‘Heels have only allowed 53 rush yards in two games.
Ben Ross
Ian Martin
Asst. Sports Editor (7-3)
Iowa
Offense offensive Hawks block three kicks at the end Just to top ‘09
Notre Dame More woe for Big Ten Leprechaun: In the Hood is A classic movie
Football Reporter (8-2)
Iowa
Time to find out who’s the second best team in Iowa, eh?
Michigan State Picking Notre Dame to lose will never get old
Tork Mason
Football Reporter (8-2)
Iowa
USC When luck leaves a team It tends to have a bad year Standard condom joke
Louisville Cards have axe to grind UNC, meanwhile, mediocre Hansbrough’s Mom got paid
The Vols will emerge victorious from the smoky mountains, just like Lt. Aldo Raine
MIchigan State
Tennessee
USC
USC Please.
Louisville Brian Brohm is still on the team, right?
Michigan State You’re our last Big Ten hope, Sparty.
Rocky Top proves to be the difference in this one.
Louisville Charlie Strong has brought the Cardinals back.
Sam Lane
Managing Editor (7-3)
Iowa
Iowa has never lost to an FCS team.
The Spartans are the Big Ten’s flag-bearers this year. They keep that title for at least another week.
Matt Barkley is good.
Pregame Editor (7-3)
Iowa
I know the Panthers gave Wisconsin a game. But the Badgers have proven they aren’t so hot, either.
Tennessee
Tennessee Gameday in Knoxville Underrated rivalry Statement victory
Sam Louwagie
Florida It worked last week, so I’ll stay on the Gator train.
This time maybe they’ll block three field goals.
Michigan State I make “luck” jokes every time the Irish are on here. Does that make me a hack?
Florida Tebow must still be praying for this team.
USC
USC
It’s tempting to pick an upset until you realize there’s going to be no upset.
Could have been different if Barkley made the right decision.
North Carolina Why not?
Louisville Cardinals continue to rise.
LEADERBOARD Fewest team points per game, NCAA
1. Army, 7.0 2. Idaho, 8.0 3. UTEP, 8.5 4. Oregon St., 10.0 5. Navy, 10.0 6. Hawaii, 10.0 7. Tulane, 11.0 8. Iowa, 12.0 9. Washington, 12.0 10. Florida Atlantic, 12.0
Tackles per game,NCAA
Turnover margin, Big Ten
1. Jonathan Stewart, Texas A&M 17.0 2. Isaiah Bruce, West Viriginia 16.0 3. Bryce Hager, Baylor 14.0 4. Anthony Hitchens, Iowa 13.5 5. Derrick Mathews, Houston 13.5 6. Jake Fischer, Arizona 13.5 7. Phillip Steward, Houston 13.0 8. Rufus Porter, Louisiana Tech 13.0 9. Jamie Collins, Southern Miss 13.0 10. Deron Wilson, Southern Miss 13.0
1. Northwestern +4 2. Iowa +3 3. Ohio State +3 4. Illinois +2 5. Minnesota +2 6. Indiana +1 7. Penn State +1 8. Nebraska +0 9. Michigan State +0 10. Purdue -2
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 19B
20B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14,
2012
Iowa’s Anthony Hitchens celebrates after recovering a fumble against Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana on November 19, 2011. (The Daily Iowan/Adam Wesley)
Hitchens
Continued from 16B said. “We have two linebackers who are pretty confident, and then Hitch is kind of the newest of the group. He has not played a lot, but he certainly has the potential to be a good player. And he was very productive [on Sept. 8].” Hitchens said it felt as if Iowa State had picked him out as a potential weak link and was targeting his area of the field. He pointed to a pair of screen passes they threw specifically designed to get past him. In the first half, Hitchens misread the play and Iowa State gained good yardage. But later in the game, he saw it coming and snuffed it out for just a short gain. “Coach tells me all the time when I’m hesitant, I’m not the player I can be,” Hitchens said. “I’m better when I read and react. They ran that screen play twice. They got me the first time, and I was more alert the second time and made the play.” It’s all part of getting up to speed with his more experienced linebackers. Hitchens is a student behind in class, cramming to catch up. And Ferentz pointed to the two screen passes as evidence that his studies are paying off. “The first time he didn’t look real good on it, and the second time, he came back and played it really well. When you see that, that’s really encouraging … The
‘Coach tells me all the time when I’m hesitant, I’m not the player I can be. I’m better when I read and react.’ Anthony Hitchens, linebacker challenge is for Hitch to get up there with the proficiency that James has or [Kirksey] has. He’s making progress.” Meanwhile, Hitchens’ speed and instincts are keeping him plenty afloat while he brings down more ball carriers than almost anybody else in college football. Micah Hyde called him “a freak” of an athlete. And Hyde said that Hitchens is better for having learned how to play safety. “Hitch doesn’t surprise me one bit,” Hyde said. “I’m happy for him. For me personally, I learned so much more after moving to safety — and that’s just switching over one position. He switched from D-back to linebacker, so he knows what the whole defense is doing now. It’s definitely paid off for him.” Hitchens will keep his nose in his playbook off the field and his eyes on his fellow linebackers during practice. “Coach said if you come in every day and work, you’re going to find a role for yourself somewhere,” he said. “I believed that, and I still believe it. I’ve come a long way. I’m learning from the guys around me. As a player, I’ve really improved a lot.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 21B
22B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14,
2012
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14, 2012 - 23B
24B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 14,
2012