The Daily Iowan's Pregame: Iowa vs. North Texas (09/26/15) by The Daily Iowan

SATURDAy, SEPTEMBER 26 | Iowa vs. NORTH TEXAS | KINNICK Stadium

Gruesome

Twosome INSIDE: C.J. Beathard, improv star

The Daily Iowan

PREGAME

22 -- The 2015 The Daily Daily Iowan Iowan -- PREGAME PREGAME -- Iowa Iowa City, City, Iowa Iowa -- Friday, Friday, September September 25, 19, 2014

GUIDE

STAFF

Publisher: 335-5788 William Casey Editor: 335-6030 Stacey Murray Pregame Editor: 335-5848 Danny Payne Sports Editor : 335-5848 Ian Murphy Jordan Hansen Copy Chief: 335-5855 Beau Elliot Design Editor: 335-5855 Patrick Pat LyneLyne, Taylor Laufersweiler Photo Editor: 335-5852 Joshua Housing Josh Housing

REMEMBER When WHEN ... Remember

Nah, we don’t remember when either. Iowa and North Texas have never played. Hope this wasn’t the only part of Pregame you were looking forward to this week!

Table TABLE of OF Contents CONTENTS

4 6 8 12

Cover Story Desmond King and Greg Mabin could be the best cornerback tandem of Kirk Ferentz’s tenure. What makes them successful?

Inside Feature C.J. Beathard has taken some heat off his young offensive line this season.

By The Numbers FInd out how Iowa and North Texas match up in various statistical categories.

Around the Big Ten Our weekly conference power rankings, plus some players and this week’s big game to watch.

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Web Editor : 335-5829 Tony Phan Business Manager: 335-5786 Debra Plath : 335-5784 Juli Krause Circulation Manager: 335-5794 Juli Krause Advertising Manager: 335-5193 Renee Manders

: Bev Mrstik: 335-5792 Cathy Witt: 335-5794 Production Manager: 335-5789 Heidi Owen BREAKING NEWS Phone: (319) 335-6063 E-mail: daily-iowan@uiowa.edu Fax: 335-6297 CORRECTIONS Call: 335-6030 Policy: The Daily Iowan strives for accuracy and fairness in all reporting of news. If a report is wrong or misleading, a request for PUBLISHING INFO The Daily Iowan (USPS 143.360) is published by Student Publications Inc., E131 Adler Journalism Building, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-2004, daily except Saturdays, Sundays, legal and university holidays, and university vacations. Periodicials postage paid at the Iowa City Post Office under the Act of Congress of March 2, 1879.

WEB EXTRAS Roster Full rosters for both the Hawkeyes and Panthers. Plus, a really poppin’ poster!

Stat Leaders Who are the best players, stat-wise, for the Hawkeyes and Mean Green? Find out here.

Featured Matchup It’s back! Well, for this week at least. Check out a matchup we’ll be watching this weekend.

Point/Counterpoint

On The Line Contest Want to win a free pizza? Go to dailyiowan.com/ontheline and place your college football predictions DITV Program Catch the most extensive weekly Iowa football preview show in the state at dailyiowan.com Social Media Follow Daily Iowan Pregame @DIPregame, Daily Iowan Sports @DI_Sports_Desk and on our Sports online Blog at www.dailyiowansports.com. at daily-iowan.com.

CONTACT US Got a question for the pregame staff or a story idea for a future issue? Email us at daily.iowan.newsroom@gmail.com

Has Iowa’s non-conference schedule prepared the Hawks for the Big Ten season? DI staffers debate.

OTL / Roundtable Our weekly college football picks, plus an excerpt from our weekly podcast.

GO TO DAILYIOWAN.COM FOR A PHOTO SLIDE SHOW AFTER THE GAME

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The Hawkeyes wait to leave the field after the Iowa-Illinois State game in Kinnick on Sept. 5. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

Turning the corner on defense

Iowa’s inexperienced defense can take solace in Greg Mabin and Desmond King having its back. And we do mean back. By Charlie Green charles-j-green@uiowa.edu

Quarterbacks be advised: throwing jump balls at Iowa’s cornerbacks is a risk to consider before letting it rip. “Any ball in the air, it’s ours,” junior cornerback Desmond King said. “If we have the chance to go get it, we’re going to go get it.” Pittsburgh found that out the hard way in week three — on its first pos-

session of the game. Panther quarterback Nate Peterman threw one up to All-ACC wide receiver Tyler Boyd; King came down with it for his first of two picks. The Detroit native’s second pick, which came a drive later, was his third interception in Iowa’s previous four defensive stands dating back to the Iowa State game. “You see ‘Detroit Boy’ go up and get a pick on the first [drive],” Pittsburgh

head coach Pat Narduzzi said. “They’re well-coached.” If performance is correlated with strong coaching, then King and fellow corner Greg Mabin have been wellcoached in their time at Iowa. Some programs believe in building from the line out. Iowa is no exception. Even on defense, stars in the front seven have traditionally been the cornerstones of the best defenses in the Kirk Ferentz era.

From Adrian Clayborn, Matt Roth, Aaron Kampman and others on the defensive line to such standouts as Chad Greenway and Pat Angerer at linebacker, these units are typically what grab the most attention on Iowa’s defense. Of course, the occasional star safety, such as Bob Sanders or Tyler Sash, leaves his mark as well, but in 2015 things are different — the cornerbacks See COVER, 10

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Quick feet, quicker decisions C.J. Beathard has taken some pressure off Iowa’s offensive line this season. By Ryan Rodriguez ryan-rodriguez@uiowa.edu

Kicker Marshall Koehn’s 57-yard, game-winning field goal against Pitt will go down as one of the biggest kick’s in Iowa football history. But the drive that set up that kick was just as impressive. With fewer than minute to go, Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard went to work doing what he does best: making quick decisions under pressure and improvising with his feet to keep drives alive. It’s that ability to make something out of nothing that has sustained the Iowa offense in 2015. “The longer I’m here, the more comfortable I get,” Beathard said. “I think that definitely plays a big part in it; just that I’m here finally getting the reps I need that I haven’t been getting, makes me feel more comfortable back there.” Whether it was Sept. 19 against Pittsburgh, a pair of pivotal quarterback scrambles in the second half against Iowa State, or a pair of sneaks in the red zone for touchdowns against Illinois State, Beathard has, at times, been a one-man show. It hasn’t exactly been by design, but Beathard’s ability to improvise and make plays on the fly have added another dimension to an Iowa offense that looks as dynamic and shifty as it has in years. “He’s just a playmaker; it’s something he’s done ever since he’s been here,” tight end Henry Krieger Coble said. “We all have faith in him to protect himself when he’s out there, but at the same time, we’re doing everything we can to help him with that.” The football equivalent of freeform jazz, Bethard’s improvising isn’t something that can be taught by any coach. “We haven’t really run and designed plays where I run, so I think a lot of it is just instinct,” Beathard said. “A lot of those, were just scrambles. I saw a hole that I thought was breaking down and thought I could make a play with my feet, so that’s what I did.” Beathard’s plays have also helped cover up for an offensive line that’s looked underwhelming at times this season. “I think all of us get a little bit ner-

Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard tries to break a tackle against Iowa State in Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 12. (The Daily Iowan/Joshua Housing) vous when he takes off and runs, but he loves to do it, and he’s very good at it,” offensive tackle Ike Boettger said. “Just make sure he gets down at the end, I guess.” Beathard was under pressure more often than not against the Panthers, evading a collapsing pocket to hit what seemed like an endless number of quick slants and out routes that

kept the ball moving forward. No team likes its quarterback having to scramble and make quick decisions with the ball to avoid a sack or worse yet, a turnover. But knowing he is capable of making up for it on his own if the situation does arise can really alleviate a lot of the pass-protection problems that arise having a young offensive line.

And in that respect, Beathard could not be better suited to compliment Boettger and Company. “We’re not trying to ever have that happen and put him in that position,” Boettger said. “It is nice knowing that he can get out of there if need be, but in an ideal situation, he would be able to just sit back in the pocket and do whatever he needs to do.”

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By the Numbers: Iowa vs. North Texas By Danny Payne daniel-payne-1@uiowa.edu

Iowa rushing defense: 51 yards per game, North Texas rushing offense: 143.5 yards per game Although the Hawkeyes haven’t exactly faced powerhouses in Illinois State, Iowa State, or James Conner-less Pittsburgh, their run defense has been nothing short of stout this season. Give credit to defensive coordinator Phil Parker’s entire front, but also to Iowa’s defensive backs. As you read (or should read) in this week’s cover story, Desmond King and Greg Mabin have done a fantastic job funneling ball carriers inside where there is help. Safeties Jordan Lomax and Miles Taylor have done a good job as well. It’s tough to tell what North Texas will do, as it has played only two games this season. But in the early-going, it has been more pass-heavy (more in a moment). In fact, with an average of only 30 rushes per game, they own the penultimate spot in Conference USA in that category. Western Kentucky is last, averaging 27.67 rushes per contest. Senior running back Antionne Jimmerson leads the Mean Green with 134 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. In theory, this will be a tune-up for Parker and company, as things will get tougher once the Big Ten season starts, but it’s so far, so good for the Hawkeyes.

North Texas sacks allowed per game — 2 Something Iowa’s been missing this season is a consistent pass rush. Against Illinois State and Iowa State, the Hawkeyes totaled nine sacks. However, with the absence of an effective Drew Ott against Pittsburgh, Iowa garnered only two sacks — both of which came from defensive end Nate Meier, who plays opposite Ott. North Texas has done a good job of protecting City High graduate Andrew McNulty, who is averaging 215.5 passing yards per game on 34.5 attempts. Senior linebacker Cole Fisher compared North Texas’ offense to Iowa State’s (which threw 35 times against the Hawkeyes), meaning the pass rush will be especially important this week. Where or who the pressure comes from does not matter, but should Io-

Iowa defensive lineman Drew Ott celebrates a sack in Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 5. The Hawkeyes defeated the Redbirds, 31-14. (The Daily Iowan/Rachael Westergard) wa sustain pressure on the not-somobile McNulty and North Texas’ pass-first offense, the Mean Green could be in for a very long afternoon in Kinnick Stadium.

Time of possession per game: Iowa, 32:51. North Texas, 21:10 In the early going, Iowa’s been best when it has sustained, controlled scoring drives. Of the Hawkeyes’ 15 scoring drives this year, seven have lasted longer than five minutes. The only five-plus-minute drive on which the Hawkeyes haven’t scored this year came against Iowa State,

when running back Jordan Canzeri fumbled in the red zone. Dictating the pace of play early in the game can be crippling to a lesser opponent (see: Illinois State). It would be beneficial to the Hawkeyes to end the game on the first few drives, just like against the Redbirds. If the statistics hold true, the Hawkeyes shouldn’t have much trouble putting the ball in the offense’s hands against the Mean Green.

North Texas total defense: 503 yards per game That is not a typo. The Mean

Green have been that bad through two games. That number ranks 117th among FBS schools. Of course, this is an enormous advantage for the Hawkeyes, who rank third in the Big Ten in total offense at 423 yards per game. Assuming the Hawkeyes don’t totally lay an egg, there’s no reason to think they could move into the top two in the conference. Now, the Hawks aren’t exactly playing elite defenses, so that number isn’t the Alpha and the Omega. But the only thing you can do if you’re the Hawkeyes is play well against the teams on your schedule, and that should be the case against an extremely lowly defense.

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COVER

Continued from 4

could carry the unit to the upper echelon of the Big Ten. King’s fourth-quarter interception of Iowa State quarterback Sam Richardson sealed the Cyclones’ fate in Ames. In Iowa’s opener against Illinois State, Mabin put his physical prowess on full display with a couple of jarring hits at the line of scrimmage. Both helped set the edge against Marshaun Coprich and Tre Roberson — the Redbirds’ star running back and quarterback who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in 2014. “It’s always fun to hit people, that’s why we play the game,” Mabin said. “You can’t play this game and be soft, so it’s definitely always fun.” One of them has three interceptions, the other has unique size and length at the position. Together, they compose Iowa’s best position group on either side of the ball. In 2014, that was not the case. Both Mabin — a converted wide receiver — and King — a true sophomore — had growing to do to become the players they have been in early going of their junior seasons. “The benefit of playing is if guys are thinking right, they have a chance to step forward,” Ferentz said. “And I think we’re seeing that certainly with Greg. I think we’re seeing that with Desmond, too, right now.” Mabin not only focused on his mistakes from last year, his first as a starter, but also on mentally bouncing back on the next play. King worked out and watched tape with former NFL cornerback Chris McAllister, who told him he needed to be more consistent. Both defensive backs knew they needed to limit big plays, which defensive coordinator Phil Parker defines as a run greater than 15 yards or a pass greater than 20. “Coach Parker told us, I think it was like 60 or more [big plays],” Mabin said before the season. “We gave up way too many of those last year, so we’re just trying to limit it this year.” By Parker’s definition, the defense has given up 12 big plays through its first three games: three versus Illinois State, five versus Iowa State and four versus Pittsburgh. That puts them on pace for 52 (including a potential bowl game) in 2015 after giving up 62 last year. And that’s not all that’s indicative of a changed unit from a season ago. The team is allowing 51 rushing yards per game, ranking No. 5 in the country and first in the Big Ten. Even

Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Tyler Boyd (23) scores a touchdown against Iowa in Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 19. The Hawkeyes beat the Panthers, 27-24. (The Daily Iowan/Joshua Housing) more, Iowa has yet to allow a 40-yard rusher (Pittsburgh’s Darrin Hall came closest with 38). Losing defensive linemen Carl Davis and Louis Trinca-Pasat to the NFL might have hurt Iowa in the running game worse if it were not for King and Mabin. Yes, King and Mabin have played the run well. But more importantly, their presence in the secondary might have the strongest effect against opponents’ rushing attacks. “Knowing that they’re back there, it really helps you to be able to play a lot more downhill, a lot more aggressive,” linebacker Cole Fisher said. “Obviously, you have to work out the play-action, but with those guys back there, they save a lot of the stuff on the play-action.” Iowa’s statistics in pass defense haven’t been as gaudy as those against the rush. As a unit, it has given up 233.3 yards per game through three

weeks. That mark ranks 66th in the nation and ninth of the 14 teams in the Big Ten. But in reality, the numbers don’t tell nearly the whole truth of what this duo has meant to Iowa’s defense. King’s two interceptions might have been the real difference in the last-second win over the Panthers, which advanced the Hawks to 3-0 for the first time since 2009. Peterman had little trouble driving his team down the field after his first interception, picking apart Iowa’s defense in the luxury of an all-too-comfortable pocket. Then, on third and goal from Iowa’s 5, King undercut Boyd and came down with the ball in the end zone. Iowa has 11 sacks this season, but beyond those it has not put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. That is one reason Boyd finished with 10

catches for 130 yards (the other reason is that Boyd is really good). Peterman finished with 211 yards despite playing as part of a quarterback platoon. It’s a theme that might pad opponents’ passing numbers. But it might also indicate the amount of time Iowa defensive backs are forcing quarterbacks to wait before they pull the trigger, which helps the pass rush. “It’s huge for us,” defensive end Drew Ott said. “I mean they give us time to lock down receivers, so we get a little bit of extra time to get to the quarterback and get some pressure on him.” The numbers show that the sacks have been there, but don’t show that consistent pressure has not. Iowa doesn’t blitz its linebackers often, meaning the pass rush relies heavily on the front four. See COVER, 18

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AROUND THE BIG TEN Jordan Hansen jordan-hansen@uiowa.edu

power rankings

Offensive Impact

1) Ohio State (3-0) Quarterback issues or not, Urban Meyer has built a top-five defense in Columbus. That alone might carry it this season.

8) Michigan (2-1) With the kind of defense and running game the Wolverines have, they might be a force down the road. BYU will be a good test for them.

2) Michigan State (3-0) Connor Cook has 8 touchdowns against just one interception so far this year. #Cook4Heisman lives on.

9) Penn State (2-1, 1-0 Big Ten) Somehow, Penn State drew 103,323 people to watch a game with Rutgers.

3) Wisconsin (2-1) The Badgers have allowed 3 points since losing to Alabama. Hawaii probably won’t add much to that number.

10) Maryland (2-1) A win over South Florida means something. Not a lot but something.

4) Iowa (3-0) A 4-0 start seems in the cards. After that comes a game with huge Big Ten West implications. Buckle up.

11) Illinois: (2-1) It was reality check time for Illinois against North Carolina. What happened? It lost, 48-14.

5) Northwestern (3-0) Northwestern, which has arguably the worst offense in the Big Ten, should not be nationally ranked. Yet, here we are.

12) Indiana (3-0) Statistically, Nate Sudfeld is among the best quarterbacks in the Big Ten. We’ll see how long that lasts.

6) Minnesota (3-0) Beating a team by 3 points that Illinois beat by 49 points isn’t ideal. Especially when that team is Kent State.

13) Purdue (1-2) The Boilermakers hung with Virginia Tech for most of the first half. Then things slid off the rails. Heh.

7) Nebraska (1-2) Someone should ask Mike Riley what’s worse — mounting a huge comeback and then losing in overtime or losing on a Hail Mary as the clock expires.

14) Rutgers (1-2) Having second thoughts, Jim?

Name: Aaron Burbridge, Michigan State Position: Wide receiver Year: Senior Burbridge had 8 catches for 156 yards and 3 touchdowns last weekend against Air Force. He leads the Big Ten in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns while averaging nearly 7 catches a game so far this season.

defensive Impact Name: Carl Nassib, Penn State Position: Defensive line Year: Senior Nassib, who started his Nittany Lion career as a walk-on, is having himself one hell of a start to the season. His 5 sacks rank first in the conference. Nassib has also tallied an interception, 2 fumbles, and 7 tackles for loss.

GAME TO WATCH No. 23 BYU at michigan When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan Watch: ABC

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Iowa Hawkeyes

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Marshall Koehn Mick Ellis Brandon Bishop Jay Scheel Jacob Black Tevaun Smith Ronald Nash Omar Truitt Emmanuel Ogwo Sean Draper Colten Rastetter Isaiah Kramme Tyler Wiegers Jerminic Smith Jonathan Parker Ryan Boyle Michael Ojemuida Anthony Gair Greg Mabin Desmond King Connor Keane Joshua Jackson Dillon Kidd C.J. Beathard Jacob Hillyer Ryan Schmidt Drew Cook Miles Taylor Andrew Stone Justin Jinning Angelo Garbutt John Milani Eric Graham Akrum Wadley Kevin Ward Jordan Lomax Maurice Fleming LeShun Daniels, Jr. Nick Wilson Jake Gervase Steve Manders Aaron Mends Derrick Mitchell, Jr. Jordan Canzeri Nate Meier Cole Fisher Brandon Snyder Adam Cox Travis Perry Parker Hesse Bo Bower Austin Kelly Macon Plewa Josey Jewell Ben Niemann Eric Grimm Drake Kulick George Kittle Lane Akre Jack Hockaday Melvin Spears Jacob Sobotka Jackson Subbert Drake Dunker Boone Myers Brady Ross Garret Jansen Steve Ferentz Faith Ekaktike Jake Newborg Eric Simmons Ross Reynolds Jacob Giese Kyle Terlouw Austin Blythe Cole Croston

6-0/200 5-10/180 6-9/170 6-1/195 6-0/205 6-0/200 6-2/210 5-11/180 6-0/170 6-0/190 6-2/205 6-3/205 6-4/222 6-1/180 5-8/185 6-2/215 6-2/190 6-2/200 6-2/200 5-11/200 6-1/195 6-1/185 6-2/215 6-2/209 6-4/212 6-5/220 6-5/220 6-0/195 5-11/175 6-2/210 6-2/210 6-1/185 5-9/195 5-11/180 6-1/205 5-10/205 6-0/205 6-0/230 6-2/206 6-2/200 6-1/235 6-0/200 6-1/212 5-9/192 6-2/252 6-2/236 6-1/210 5-11/234 6-3/234 6-3/240 6-1/228 5-11/245 6-2/234 6-2/230 6-3/205 6-2/200 6-1/228 6-4/235 6-0/220 6-1/215 6-2/268 6-3/225 6-3/205 6-2/225 6-5/300 6-1/220 6-2/255 6-2/278 6-3/290 6-3/280 6-2/295 6-4/300 6-3/270 6-4/288 6-3/290 6-5/295

PK K DB WR DB WR WR DB WR DB P DB QB WR WR QB WR DB DB DB WR DB P QB WR QB QB DB WR LB LB DB RB RB DB DB DB RB LB DB LB FB RB RB DE OLB DB FB LB LB LB FB FB OLB LB LB LB TE FB LB DE LB LS LB OL LB DL OL DL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL

SR FR RS FR RS FR SO SR SO FR FR SR FR FR RS FR FR SO FR FR JR JR JR SO RS FR SR JR SR FR FR SO SR FR FR FR FR SO SO SR JR JR FR RS FR SO RS FR SO SR SR SR RS FR SR SR RS FR SO RS FR SR SO SO RS FR SO JR FR FR SR RS FR SO FR SO FR FR JR SO FR SR RS FR FR JR SR JR

Solon, Iowa Allen, Texas Sugar Grove, Ill. Mount Auburn, Iowa Solon, Iowa Toronto, Ontario Sioux City, Iowa Fort Washington, Md. Mesquite, Texas Cleveland, Ohio Guttenberg, Iowa Ankeny, Iowa Lake Orion, Mich. Garland, Texas St. Louis, Mo. West Des Moines, Iowa Farmington Hills, Mich. Plano, Texas Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Detroit, Mich. St. Paul, Minn. Cornith, Texas Deerfield Beach, Fla. Franklin, Tenn. Somerset, Texas Linn-Mar, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Silver Spring, Md. Cedar Falls, Iowa The Colony, Texas Carrollton, Texas Iowa City, Iowa Prattville, Ala. Newark, N.J. Homer Glen, Ill. Upper Marlboro, Md. Chicago, Ill. Warren, Ohio Granger, Iowa Davenport, Iowa Crofton, Md. Kansas City, Mo. St. Louis, Mo. Troy, N.Y. Tabor, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Larchwood, Iowa Chana, Ill. Urbandale, Iowa Waukon, Iowa West Branch, Iowa Hickory Hills, Ill. Franklin, Wisc. Decorah, Iowa Sycamore, Ill. Damascs, Md. Muscatine, Iowa Norman, Okla. Geneseo, Ill. Forsyth, Ill. Allen, Texas Clearfield, Iowa Williamsburg, Iowa St. Louis, Mo. Webster City, Iowa Humboldt, Iowa Pella, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Brampton, Ontario Inwood, Iowa Madrid, Iowa Waukee, Iowa West Branch, Iowa Sully, Iowa Williamsburg, Iowa Sergeant Bluff, Iowa

IOWA VS. NORTH TEXAS â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDA 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 97 98 98 99

Jordan Walsh Levi Paulsen Jaleel Johnson Landan Paulsen Keegan Render Lucas LeGrand Brett Waechter Brant Gressel Ryan Ward Mitch Keppy Ike Boettger Dalton Ferguson Daniel Gaffey James Daniels Sean Welsh Henry Krieger Coble Jon Wisnieski Adrian Falconer Riley McCarron Andre Harris Nate Vejvoda Peter Pekar Jake Duzey Jake Hulett Matt VandeBerg Sam Brincks Miguel Recinos Brady Reiff Jameer Outsey Terrence Harris Michale Slater Drew Ott Matt Nelson Tyler Kluver Darian Cooper Anthony Nelson Nate Wieting Nathan Bazata

6-4/290 6-5/290 6-4/310 6-5/290 6-4/305 6-5/280 6-5/275 6-2/280 6-5/290 6-5/300 6-6/300 6-4/307 6-2/260 6-4/285 6-3/288 6-4/250 6-5/247 6-1/180 5-9/186 6-0/185 6-5/215 6-4/245 6-4/248 6-3/265 6-1/185 6-5/260 6-1/173 6-3/226 6-3/235 6-3/252 6-2/265 6-4/272 6-8/270 6-0/220 6-2/282 6-7/220 6-4/225 6-2/284

OL OL DL OL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL OL DL OL OL TE TE WR WR WR TE TE TE DL WR DE K DL TE DE DE DL DE LS DL DE TE DL

SR FR JR FR RS FR RS FR FR SO JR JR SO RS FR RS FR FR SO SR RS SO FR JR SO FR FR SR SO SO RS FR RS FR FR RS FR RS FR FR SR RS FR SO SR FR FR SO

Glendale Heights, Iowa Moville, Iowa Lombard, Ill. Moville, Iowa Indianola, Iowa Dubuque, Iowa Hartley, Iowa Centerville, Ohio Homer Glen, Ill. Port Byron, Ill. Cedar Falls, Iowa Solon, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Warren, Ohio Springboro, Ohio Mount Pleasant, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Leesburg, Fla. Dubuque, Iowa Kirkwood, Mo. Homer Glen, Ill. Greendale, Wis. Troy, Mich. Springville, Iowa Brandon, S.D. Carroll, Iowa Mason City, Iowa Parkston, S.D. Somerset, N.J. Englewood, N.J. St. Louis, Mo. Trumbull, Neb. Cedar Rapids, Iowa Marshalltown, Iowa Elkridge, Md. Urbandale, Iowa Rockford, Ill. Howells, Neb.

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Iowa Hawkeyes

IOWA VS. NORTH TEXAS â&#x20AC;˘ SATURDA 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 97 98 98 99

OL OL DL OL OL OL OL DL DL OL OL OL DL OL OL TE TE WR WR WR TE TE TE DL WR DE K DL TE DE DE DL DE LS DL DE TE DL

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STER

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North Texas Mean Green

AY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015 • 2:30 P.M. 1 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 10 11 11 11 13 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 17 18 19 19 20 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 27 29

Turner Smiley O’Keeron Rutherford Calvin Minor Tee Goree Darvin Kidsy Andrew McNulty Matthew Dash Sed Ellis Connor Means Jareid Combs Jamal Marshall Josh Greer Carlos Harris Jakii Moore Rashad Jackson Vershad Jackson Sam Wells Thaddeous Thompson Tre Johnson Kerrick Rhone Josh Cousins Chris Loving T.J. Tauaalo Caleb Chumley Chad Davis Nate Grimm Cortney Finney Marcus Smith John Schilleci Quinn Shanbour Rex Rollins Cedric Fernandes James Gray Antoinne Jimmerson Kishawn McClain Zac Whitfield Andrew Tucker Jeffrey Wilson Blake Bean Derris Prater Willy Ivery

WR WR LB WR WR QB DB LB QB DE DB QB WR DB DB DB DB WR RB DB QB TE DT QB DB WR LB TE DB QB RB DB DB RB DB DB RB RB LB WR RB

6-0 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-0 6-1 6-0 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 5-8 6-1 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-2 5-6 5-10 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-5 5-10 6-4 5-11 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-10 6-0 5-9 5-11 5-9 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-1 5-9

189 190 213 173 183 211 188 201 215 258 203 212 185 203 171 170 193 202 153 180 207 258 287 240 181 207 220 242 201 191 206 176 190 220 201 190 203 195 223 175 185

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Frisco, TX Carthage, TX Lewisville, TX Carthage, TX Missouri City, TX Iowa City, IA Willingboro, N.J. Paris, TX Deer Park, TX Minneapolis, MN Missouri City, TX Arlington, TX Frisco, TX Tulsa, OK Houston, TX Houston, TX Commerce, TX Cibolo, TX San Antonio, TX Pflugerville, TX Denton, TX Klein, TX Keller, TX Longview, TX Richmond, TX Cedar Park, TX Bay City, TX San Antonio, TX Denton, TX Oklahoma City, OK Tyler, TX Arlington, TX Atlanta, GA Dallas, TX Rosenberg, TX Sherman, TX Tyler, TX Elkhart, TX El Dorado, KS Copperas Cove, TX Sulphur Springs, TX

29 30 30 31 31 32 32 34 34 36 36 37 37 38 39 39 40 41 42 43 44 44 46 48 49 50 50 51 51 52 53 54 56 57 58 60 61 62 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 92 93 94 95 97 98 99

Garrett Strauss Trevor Moore Jarrian Roberts Tim Shields Kenny Buyers Fred Scott A.J. Ezzard Marcell Porter Nate Brooks Jalen Montgomery Cannon Maki Connor Davis Brandon Garner Andrew Jones Taylor Robinson Jarrod Lynn Blake Macek Ashton Preston Chad Polk Anthony Wallace Sid Moore Taylor Nelso n A.J. Smith Sir Calvin Wallace Roderick Young Kaydon Kirby Dakota Smith Jake Davis Darrien McNair Braelon Schwartz William LeMasters Creighton Barr Malik Dilonga Joustin Garror Tony Johnson Avery Fortenberry Darin Kyle Nick Weideman Sam Rice Micah Thompson Michael Banogu Chris Miles Chett Munden Kyle Mealey Trey Keenan Jordan Murray Ryan Rentfro Garrett Gunter Jordan Siegert Harrison Sorge Elex Woodworth Connor Trussell Dominick Walker Rodney Bendy Daniel Khan D’Aundrey Bradley Gavin Culberson Eric Keena B.J. Ebozue Kevin Dillman Kelvin Smith Wylie Reinhardt Willie Robinson Tillman Johnson Austin Orr Christian Flewellen Trey Enterline Julius Combes Mustafa Haboul Eli Howard DeMikal Har rison R.D. Wegmann Andy Flusche

DB K DE WR DB LB RB RB DB LB FB WR LB DB DB FB P DB DE LB DT RB LB DT DT OL DE DS LB LB LB OL DE LB DS OL DS LB OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR P WR TE TE TE WR DE DT FB DS DT DT DE DT DT DE

6-0 5-11 6-2 5-7 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-7 6-0 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-1 5-11 6-0 5-11 5-10 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-3 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-0 6-2 6-3 6-4 5-11 6-1 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-9 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-2 5-11 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-0 6-1 6-4 6-0 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-3

195 194 252 174 185 233 207 177 170 217 230 193 225 173 191 244 190 183 231 227 261 195 225 308 287 320 234 210 223 226 213 302 264 223 216 297 230 200 297 300 299 299 305 302 272 360 314 293 313 311 284 303 294 196 180 180 188 175 197 249 252 261 185 248 264 240 225 313 265 247 324 265 259

FR SO JR SR SR JR RS FR SO FR SO RS FR JR RS FR RS FR FR SR JR FR SR SR SO SO SR JR FR JR JR RS FR FR SO FR FR JR JR JR RS FR SO FR JR SR SR RS FR FR FR JR FR JR JR FR RS SO FR JR RS SO FR RS FR FR FR JR SO FR FR JR JR SO SR JR JR FR JR FR FR FR RS SO

San Antonio, TX Edmond, OK Clarksville, TX Dallas, TX Hurst, TX Kennedale, TX Southlake, TX Abilene, TX Whitehouse, TX Mesquite, TX Mansfield, TX Grapevine, TX Mansfield, TX Mesquite, TX Keller, TX Grapevine, TX Sulphur Springs, TX Edmond, OK Dallas, TX Dallas, TX Van, TX Carrollton, TX Miami, OK Tyler, TX Spring, TX Flower Mound, TX Plano, TX Katy, TX Ocala, FL Arlington, TX Dallas, TX Flower Mound, TX Cedar Hill, TX Mobile, AL Fort Worth, TX Era, TX Spring, TX McKinney, TX Coppell, TX Jones, OK McKinney, TX Flower Mound, TX Marshall, TX Austin, TX Argyle, TX Coppell, TX Flower Mound, TX Spring Branch, TX Cedar Park, TX Wichita Falls, TX Mesquite, TX Arlington, TX Sugar Land, TX Tyler, TX Sherman Oaks, CA Cedar Hill, TX Magnolia, TX Keller, TX Grand Prairie, TX Denton, TX Spring, TX Saginaw, TX Fort Worth TX Round Rock, TX Seabrook, TX Duncanville, TX Arlington, TX Washington, D.C. Arlington, TX San Angelo, TX Midwest City, OK Wichita Falls, TX Muenster, TX

16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 25, 2015

The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, September 25, 2015 - 17

GO HAWKS!

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Iowa defensive back Desmond King returns a punt during the game against Iowa State in Jack Trice Stadium on Sept. 12. (The Daily Iowan/ Alyssa Hitchcock)

COVER Continued from 10 And with Ott nursing a left elbow injury since the Iowa State game, the defensive line just hasn’t been the same, placing a larger strain on the back end. With his being at full health, one can only imagine how the secondary

might flourish — on and off the stat sheet. Even so, a defense filled with question marks entering the season has shown the potential to be one of the Big Ten’s best — doing so largely without a guy many consider to be its best player in Ott. Both King and Mabin have a chance to individually be two of the best cornerbacks of the Ferentz era,

joining Shaun Prater, Amari Spievey, Micah Hyde and others. But individual play is not what makes them special, it’s what they present to opponents as a duo. The two physical, athletic defenders can handle a pair of any teams’ top pass catchers, set the edge in the running game, get the ball back for the offense, and affect the front seven with its mere presence backing it up.

Will the juniors end up as the best tandem Ferentz has coached at the position? That remains to be seen, but in 2015, they’re off to a pretty good start. “They’re both playing really well right now,” Ferentz said. “We’ve had some good corner play here traditionally, so hopefully, those guys will take their place in line. “That would be great.”

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stat leaders IOWA vs. NORTH TEXAS PASSING

PASSING C.J. Beathard

Andrew McNulty

64.0 Completion Percentage 684 Yards 4 Touchdowns 1 Interceptions

RUSHING

Jordan Canzeri

50.7 Completion Percentage 431 Yards 2 Touchdowns 3 Interceptions

RUSHING

41 Carries 201 Yards 4.9 Yards/Carry 4 Touchdowns

RECEIVING

Matt VandeBerg

22 Carries 138 Yards 6.1 Yards/Carry 1 Touchdowns

RECEIVING

22 Receptions 218 Yards 9.9 Yards/Reception 2 Touchdowns

DEFENSE

Cole Fisher

8 Solo Tackles 16 Assisted Tackles 1.0 Sacks

Antoinne Jimmerson

Carlos Harris

13 Receptions 233 Yards 17.9 Yards/Reception 2 Touchdowns

DEFENSE

Kishawn McClain 21 Solo Tackles 4 Assisted Tackles 0 Sacks

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FEATURED MATCHUP

Iowa wide receiver Tevaun Smith scores a touchdown against Iowa State at Jack Trice Stadium on Sep. 12. (The Daily Iowan/Joshua Housing)

By Danny Payne | Tevaun Smith, Wide Receiver, Iowa At least part of the reason Tevaun Smith, arguably Iowa’s best receiver, is No. 2 to Matt VandeBerg in most receiving categories is because of the attention he draws. As the Hawkeyes’ best downfield threat, he and C.J. Beathard haven’t connected on a super deep ball yet. Smith was open on one deep ball against Pittsburgh, but Beathard overthrew him. North Texas has been susceptible to the home run — and that’s putting it lightly. Through two games, the Mean Green have given up 19 passes of 10 or more yards, nine of 20-plus yards, and six of 30 yards or more. Don’t be surprised if Beathard and Smith hook up for a big gain more than once Saturday.

daniel-payne-1@uiowa.edu

Kishawn McClain, Defensive Back, North Texas It’s not necessarily a good thing when a defensive back leads his team in tackles, but that’s the case for McClain and North Texas. McClain doesn’t have an interception this year — nor do any of his teammates — and they will face a tall task against Smith and the rest of the Hawkeye passing game. North Texas has allowed an average of 272 yards through the air. Iowa may focus more on getting its running game in order; it struggled last week against Pittsburgh. If that’s the case, don’t be surprised to see McClain step up and make his fair share of tackles; the Hawkeyes will presumably have their way against a defense allowing 231 yards on the ground per contest — a mark good for dead last in the Conference USA.

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Point/Counterpoint

Has Iowa football’s nonconference schedule prepared it for Big Ten play? Yes For the past few seasons, Iowa seems to play very well in nonconference games before coming out in the middle to lower half of the pack in the Big Ten. This year is going to be different. Besides for a fairly easy win against Illinois State, the Hawkeyes have encountered some tough competition. The yearly Cy-Hawk game was a tough but sweet victory for the Hawkeyes, who beat Iowa State 31-17. The Cyclones gave the Hawks everything they could handle, and the game wasn’t decided until an interception late in the fourth quarter. Even though the Cyclone game was relatively close until the final quarter of the game, last week’s contest with Pittsburgh was the Hawkeyes’ greatest test yet. It was a game of catch-up, and Iowa let Pittsburgh get closer and closer. The Panthers first tied the Hawkeyes at 17, then tied them again late in the fourth after answering a late Iowa touchdown. The Hawkeyes were eventually able to pull through with a game winning 57-yard field goal, but it was close. Iowa proved it’s able to perform under pressure and pulled through with the victory after letting Pittsburgh come back. With the team playing both solid offense and defense along with minimal injuries, the Hawkeyes should be ready to face the Big Ten. The Hawkeyes are set to face North Texas, an 0-2 team, this coming weekend, and that should be an easy win for Iowa. Although the Hawkeyes faced a couple teams that they beat easily, the Pittsburgh game gave the team a taste of what’s to come. The Panthers very much resembled a Big Ten team when they played Iowa, experience that will pay off when the Hawkeyes head to Madison for their conference opener. — by Rod Engblom

Hawkeye running back Jordan Canzeri avoids a tackle by Pitt’s Bam Bradley on Sept. 19 in Kinnick. Canzeri rushed for 49 yards and scored two of the team’s touchdowns. The Hawkeyes defeated the Panthers, 27-24, on a last-second field goal. (The Daily Iowan/Sergio Flores)

Iowa’s nonconference games have been memorable. From C.J. Beathard slinging a touchdown in the fourth quarter to top Iowa State to Marshall Koehn booming a 57-yard dagger into the heart of Pittsburgh, excitement has surrounded the team. However, as thrilling as the pre-Big Ten play as been, it has not prepared Iowa for conference play. On paper, a 31-17 victory over the Cyclones looks nice, including a strong second half in which the defense held Iowa State scoreless. But look at the bigger picture. Iowa State currently sits at 1-2, just having lost in double overtime to Toledo. These Cyclones will not compete for postseason play — they’ll battle to be a

two- or three-win team. This cellar-dweller Big 12 team led Iowa 17-10 at halftime. Iowa’s toughest test was Pittsburgh, and the score reflects that. Looking back, the score differential should have been much larger in Iowa’s favor. Two first-half interceptions by Desmond King resulted in 3 Hawkeye points. A special-team error resulted in 7 points for Pitt. Pittsburgh is a good team — don’t get me wrong — but being Iowa’s toughest test of the nonconference schedule does not fare that well heading into Big Ten play. It was a great emotional win, but physically, the Panthers do not stack up against Big Ten foes. After North Texas, Iowa moves on to a much

tougher opponent: Wisconsin. This game may end up being a wake-up call for Hawk fans. The Badgers are Iowa’s first ranked opponent of the season, coming in at No. 22. Two weeks after that, Iowa goes on the road yet again, this time to face No. 17 Northwestern. The 2015 nonconference schedule has been a favorable one for Iowa. The team has shown sparks of greatness, especially the resilience to finish strong when trailing or being tied in their games. Nevertheless, the competition Iowa has faced is not stellar, and that could hurt it heading into Camp Randall for a date with Wisconsin on Oct. 3. — by Adam Hensley

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- The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa

ON THE LINE

Taylor Brooks

Patrick Lyne

DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (10-5)

DESIGN EDITOR (13-2)

IOWA It’s a trap! Well, not really.

IOWA 4-0 looks nice.

IOWA The Mean Green don’t appear to be too mean this year.

IOWA (81%) Hawks ride high on the way to 3-0.

UCLA Don’t poke the bear.

ARIZONA Rodriguez needs his first win against Mora.

UCLA I don’t like Rich.

UCLA (68%) Bruins ground high-flying Wildcats.

OREGON All seven people in Utah should be in a for a good game.

OREGON Offense is looking impressive.

OREGON Feel the Vern.

Oregon (65%) Still don’t know what a Ute is…

BYU BYU has God and Mitt Romney on its side. Easy pick.

BYU Because why not?

BYU Michigan still hasn’t impressed me.

BYU I’ll just stick with who Ryan picks so he can’t jump ahead of me.

Michigan (71%) Wolverines take care of business at The Big House.

BOISE STATE Virginia plays football?

BOISE STATE Commonwealths are as out of date in 2015 as Mike London.

VIRGINIA Boise is out their starting QB.

BOISE STATE All I know is that Virginia is not v good.

BOISE STATE (75%) Broncos buck the Cavaliers.

Danny Payne

Jordan Hansen SPORTS EDITOR (11-4)

FOOTBALL REPORTER (9-6)

North Texas at Iowa

IOWA If I wasn’t obliged to put this game here, I wouldn’t have. Getting punished by the man, man.

IOWA If Hayden Fry was still coaching North Texas, maybe.

IOWA If Iowa loses, happy Kirk goes bye-bye.

No. 9 UCLA at No. 16 Arizona

UCLA Ryan’s uncle isn’t going to be able to help the Wildcats here. Also, look closely at UCLA.

UCLA None of UCLA’s top-three backs average less than 6.8 yards per carry. That’s insane.

UCLA It amazes me Rich Rodriguez isn’t working at Arby’s yet.

No. 18 Utah at No. 13 Oregon

OREGON Because they’re at home. Wait, does home-field advantage matter in the Pac-12?

OREGON Utah’s not quite there. Yet.

OREGON Chip Kelly watches, cries over the team he should still be coaching.

BYU Really tempted to go with the Harbaughs here.

BYU The only game featuring a Big Ten team worth watching this weekend.

BOISE STATE Thanks for giving me two free games, Brooks. THE COMEBACK STARTS NOW!

BOISE STATE Virginia only beat William & Mary by five points. Yeesh.

MATCHUPS

No. 22 BYU at Michigan Boise St. at Virginia

PREGAME EDITOR (10-5)

Charlie Green

Ryan Rodriguez FOOTBALL REPORTER (12-3)

Fan Picks

DI Pregame Roundtable Danny Payne, Pregame editor: Obviously, Iowa with the big win this past weekend, beat Pitt with a 57-yard field goal … Ryan, I know you were in the stands. How loud was it? Ryan Rodriguez, football reporter: That was probably the first time I’ve watched a game in the stands since my sophomore year, and I haven’t heard Kinnick that loud. The only other time where I can think of that the excitement level was that high would be the overtime game against Northwestern a couple years ago. Shades of that Penn State game in ’08 or ’09. I was sitting next to a couple who had been to every home game for the last 10 or 15 years, and they said it was the loudest they had heard it in the last five or six years. Charlie Green, football reporter: There just seems to be something about playing Pittsburgh that brings out the most exciting games at Kinnick. I just remember as a freshman in 2011 … Io-

wa was down something like 24-3, and it came back and won. This time against Pittsburgh it was the craziest I’ve ever seen. Jordan Hansen, football reporter: Fifty-seven yards, though — that’s a long field goal, I don’t care if it’s in the NFL or in college. Green: Right when it left his foot, though, you knew it was good. Hansen: It would have been good from 60, 61, maybe 62. It was a great kick. Payne: Yeah, it hit the net … I would have given it 60, I don’t know about anything past that. But if you’re hitting that kind of field goal … Green: It puts you on the map. Payne: Sure does.

Takeaways from Pittsburgh: Payne: One was the physicality of that contest. That comes from, at least a little bit, new head coach Pat Nar-

duzzi, who brought some of that from Michigan State when he came over to Pittsburgh. C.J. Beathard got banged up in the second quarter on his 9-yard touchdown run. Hurt his left hip and got some treatment on that. Didn’t really look comfortable at all after that until those last couple drives. That’s the most physical team Iowa’s played so far this year. A lot of blitzing, a lot of pressure on Beathard. The same goes for Iowa’s defense. Tyler Boyd is a freak of nature, but he’s physical, too. That’s a big guy, and that’s a physical guy. Green: I thought the major concern I should have is that they got beat up around the line of scrimmage. No pass rush on Peterman, Pittsburgh’s quarterback and also Beathard was under pressure, and Iowa’s running game struggled to get going. Did a little better in the second half, but the yards per carry were

still pretty low. Also when you looked at Beathard, he was looking to get out of the pocket. He never seemed as if he looked comfortable. He has a good sense of the rush, so he knows when to get out, but he was getting out quickly. He played a great game; a lot of credit to him. Hansen: Iowa’s offense changes so much when LeShun is not your every-down back. C.J. threw the ball 40 times. Granted, he was 27-of-40 and had a pretty decent passing game, but it kind of really showed that when Iowa can’t run with Daniels, it’s going to have to rely on the passing game quite a bit more. If Iowa can win through the air, that’s an option it really hasn’t had in a long time. Green: But it’s nice to have that option. It’s an option that hasn’t been there, and it’s probably the reason Iowa won that game.

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