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THE ERASERS
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Inside: NEW KIRK, SAME RESULTS
PREGAME
22 -- The The Daily Daily Iowan Iowan -- PREGAME PREGAME -- Iowa Iowa City, City, Iowa Iowa -- Friday, Friday, November September6,19,2015 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 ...
Remember When ...
Iowa linebackers Reggie Spearman and Bo Bower tackle Indiana quarterback Chris Covington in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 11, 2014. Iowa defeated Indiana, 45-29. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
TABLE of OF Contents CONTENTS Table
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Cover Story Fullbacks are a dying breed in college football. Why are they so valuable to the Hawkeyes?
Inside Feature Despite the “New Kirk” era, Iowa is still Iowa deep down.
By the Numbers A numbers-based look at Iowa’s matchup with Indiana Saturday.
COVER PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MARGARET KISPERT
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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.
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Around the Big Ten Our weekly conference power rankings, plus some players and this week’s big game to watch.
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Iowa fullback Macon Plewa looks determined as he comes out of the tunnel with the rest of the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium on Sept. 21, 2013. Iowa defeated Western Michigan, 59-3. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
Unsung heroes full in
Iowa’s two healthy fullbacks have brought something a little extra to Iowa’s offense this season. By Jordan Hansen jordan-hansen@uiowa.edu
Midway through the first quarter in Iowa’s Oct. 31 game against Maryland, LeShun Daniels Jr. lined up behind fullback Macon Plewa with the ball on the 1-yard line. Hawkeye quarterback C.J. Beathard put tight end Jake Duzey in motion to the right and as soon
as he was in position, and took the snap. Duzey proceeded to pick up a corner flowing in off the edge, leaving Plewa to pick up the advancing linebacker. It was a short-yardage play with little room to do much, but Plewa made a decent block on the Maryland linebacker, giving Daniels just enough room to squeeze by. As Daniels passed, the Terrapin linebacker
disengaged from Plewa, but by then, it was too late. The fullback simply pushed and fell with both players into the end zone. The Hawkeyes had their first touchdown of the day. It wasn’t flawless or pretty, but gritty and enough to get the job done — a play encompassing of what Iowa’s two fullbacks have been doing all season long. “The fullback is kind of an eras-
er in our offense,” Iowa’s other fullback, Adam Cox said. “Either there’s a linebacker in there that we have to knock out of the way, or if someone makes a mistake, we’re there to clean it up.” And oh, how they do. Cox and Plewa have delivered plenty of blows to opposing players See COVER, 16
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New Kirk, same results Kirk Ferentz hasn’t changed; effective ball control is the difference.
By Charlie Green charles-j-green@uiowa.edu
A lot has been made about Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and his apparent overnight rebirth into the modern age of college football. He’s been dubbed “Ferentz 2.0 and 3.0,” and he jokingly referred to himself earlier this season as the “new me.” Sure, morning practices, a new and highly improved facility, and adrenaline-pumping hype videos have brought a fresh aura to the program. But in terms of philosophy, not much has changed. Iowa is still running the ball and playing defense, and perhaps most importantly, controlling the clock “I think [game control] is just a byproduct,” center Austin Blythe said. “The defense goes out and gets a stop, and then we get the ball and take it 10, 11, 12, 13 plays, and try to take some time off the clock, and at the end of the drive score some points.” This season, the Hawkeyes rank 11th nationally and third in the Big Ten in time of possession, controlling the ball for an average of 33:26 minutes per contest. The two facets that play into that most, running and defense, are not coincidentally the foundation of the team’s success this season. Defensively, the Hawks rank fourth in yards (286.6) and fifth in points (15.3) per game among Big Ten teams. They’ve been especially stout against the run, limiting the ball-control ability of programs built from the same brick. The unit allows teams to convert around 33 percent of third downs, which is middle-of-the-pack in the conference. What it lacks in that department, it more than makes up for in turnovers. As of now, the Hawkeyes have forced 19 turnovers, one more than next-best Penn State — which has played one more game. That mark ranks second nationally of teams that have played eight games. And each turnover gives the ball directly back to an offense that has shown an ability to sustain long and devastating drives. Offensively, the Hawkeyes are averaging better than 200 yards per game on the ground through their first eight contests. Physicality from the line, to the fullbacks and tight ends, and even out to the receivers, tailors this offense to succeed at the tempo it pleases. “Every offense wants to control the clock,” tackle Boone Myers said. “They
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz runs off the field with his team after warming up before the game against Maryland in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 31. The Hawkeyes overturned the Terrapins, 31-15. (The Daily Iowan/Alyssa Hitchcock) want to control the game, control the ball, move it up and down the field at their tempo, and score points. “We like to run the ball; we like to come up and block guys, and that’s how you take up time.” On Oct. 3 against Wisconsin, the Hawkeyes controlled the ball for 29:14, the only game of the season they lost the possession battle. In games against Illinois on Oct. 10 and Oct. 17 at Northwestern, the team had its two most productive games running the ball to date. As a result, it had its top outputs in possession time as well. “That’s just kind of the way our offense works; run the ball with a few
passes here and there,” fullback Adam Cox said. “I think that just happens when you run the ball effectively. The clock runs, your team’s [offense is] on the field, and the other team’s [offense is] off the field.” It’s a style that has also helped alleviate a lack of production from quarterback C.J. Beathard and the passing game, which has fallen off a cliff since the start of the Big Ten schedule. A revival in passing is probably going to be necessary in the road ahead, both on third down and for more balance in general. But the most important facet offensively for time of possession is the ability to run, because it has allowed
the Hawks to wear down opponents late in games and keep the ball in their hands for extended stretches. Continued strength on defense is the other part of the formula. It looked shaky in the final quarter against Maryland after shutting the Terps down for the first three. On the whole, it’s been exceptional in the second half all season long. “I think any traits of Coach Ferentz’s good teams have been good offense, defense, and special teams, playing together,” Blythe said. “And I think that’s how we’re playing now, understanding that all three phases have to play together.”
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By the Numbers: Iowa vs. Indiana By Ryan Rodriguez ryan-rodriguez@uiowa.edu
Now at 8-0, the Iowa football team will head to Bloomington this weekend to take on Indiana as the Hawkeyes’ bid for a 12-0 season moves into its final act. So far, Iowa has escaped unscathed each week, but will that trend continue in this week? A closer look at the numbers provides a good idea of what to expect Saturday.
Total offense — Indiana 467 yards per game, Iowa 405.1 yards per game The numbers speak for themselves, but these are two teams that really like to move the ball, and more importantly, like to put points on the board. Injuries to and fatigue for Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard and some turnover on the Hawkeye offensive line have caused the Hawkeye passing game to go a bit stale in recent weeks, but with the emergence of three — four when Jordan Canzeri comes back — finally healthy and capable options out of the backfield, the Iowa offense has lived on. Indiana running back Jordan Howard isn’t any slouch, either, currently sitting second in the conference in total rushing yards behind only Ezekiel Elliott of Ohio State. Add in a capable passer in Nate Sudfeld, and there is a recipe for some bigtime offensive plays on both sides in this one.
Third down conversions — Iowa 43.5 percent, Indiana 37 percent With so many dynamic offensive weapons on both teams, keeping the other offense off of the field as much as possible will be paramount. Time of possession, and by extension, third-down conversions, are huge factors in executing the game plan. And luckily for the Hawks, they’ve got a real advantage over the Hoosiers. The Hawkeyes have been one of the Big Ten’s best teams at extending drives and taking advantage of thirddown opportunities, converting at a clip that’s less than a percentage point behind No. 3 Wisconsin. If Beathard’s mobility is compromised in a meaningful way again this week, it could prove costly. Then again, LeShun Daniels Jr. is a pretty
Iowa defensive back Jordan Lomax intercepts a pass from Maryland quarterback Perry Hills in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 31. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins to stay undefeated, 31-15. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert) darn good short-yardage back should the situation arise.
Turnover Margin: Iowa plus-10, Indiana plus-6 Another one that goes hand-in-hand with time of possession but applies to the other side of the ball in turnover margin, in which both Indiana and Iowa have excelled this year. True, Iowa has played some pretty mistake-prone teams recently (looking at you, Maryland), but nevertheless, the Hawk defense seems to always be right there when the game is on the line.
Desmond King alone has had his share of game-changing picks, including his 88-yard pick-6 against Maryland. How the like of King, Greg Mabin, and Jordan Lomax fare against a quarterback such as Sudfeld, who has given up just 4 picks all year, should be one of the game’s more entertaining chess matches.
Red-Zone Efficiency: Indiana 90.9 percent, Iowa 83.3 percent One of the few areas in which Iowa’s offense has been just average, oddly enough, is red-zone efficiency.
That said, calling it a problem, or even a huge issue, is a tad misleading just based on the numbers. All things considered, these two are similarly matched in four-down territory. Iowa and Indiana have actually converted the exact same number of red-zone appearances this season (30), although the Hoosiers have had three more opportunities. What’s more, Iowa has converted 23 of those trips into touchdowns and seven into field goals, compared with 22 and eight from Indiana. Which team makes the most efficient use of its redzone trips should come out on top.
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ROS
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Iowa Hawkeyes
1 2 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 17 18 19 20 21 22 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 29 30 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 41 41 42 43 44 45 45 46 47 48 49 50 50 51 52 52 53 54 56 57 58 59 60 61 63 64
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. INDIANA • SATURDAY, NO 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.
STER
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Indiana Hoosiers
OVEMBER 7, 2015 • 2:30 P.M. ESPN 1 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 10 12 12 13 14 14 15 16 16 17 18 18 19 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 31 33
Cobbs Jr., Simmie Simmons, T.J. Booth, Dominique Green, Tyler Covington, Chris Jones, Ricky Harris II, J-Shun Patrick, Camion Walker, Zeke Bach, Ben Clark, Donovan Sudfeld, Nate Howard, Jordan Scales, Tegray Boudreau, Nate Hale, Donavan Diamont, Zander Jones, Reakwon James, Isaac Brown Jr., Andre Hawkins, Marqui Westbrook, Nick Fant, Rashard King, Austin Griffith, Isaac Cameron, Danny Padmore, Noel Fields, Tony Wilson, Andrew Green, Wesley Rodriguez, Alex Dunn, Danny Swann, Mario Walton, Kiante Jones, Arthur Dawkins, Will Fletcher, Dawson Dutra, Chase Booker, Andre Halford, James Brookins, Ricky
WR LB WR CB LB WR WR WR LB CB CB QB RB LB QB ATH QB LB WR CB WR WR CB QB WR QB CB S RB CB RB WR S S CB S LB S WR LB RB
6-4 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-2 5-10 5-8 6-2 6-2 6-1 5-10 6-6 6-1 6-0 6-4 6-4 6-1 6-2 5-11 6-0 6-2 6-3 5-10 6-2 6-0 6-1 5-11 5-11 5-11 5-10 5-10 6-3 6-1 6-2 5-10 5-11 6-0 6-1 5-11 6-1 5-8
212 232 205 190 228 188 170 225 221 195 180 240 230 227 225 207 180 218 188 194 216 210 177 198 195 208 182 203 215 175 218 190 215 205 195 200 218 206 188 215 190
So. Jr. So. Fr. So. R-Jr. So. R-So. R-Fr. R-So. So. Sr. Jr. So. R-Jr. Fr. So. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. Fr. R-So. R-Fr. R-So. So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-So. So. R-So. R-Fr. R-Jr. R-So. Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr.
Oak Park, Ill. Lakeland, Fla. Indianapolis, Ind. Waldorf, Md. Chicago, Ill. Sarasota, Fla. Fishers, Ind. Knoxville, Tenn. Columbia, S.C. Wheaton, Ill. Fort Wayne, Ind. Modesto, Calif. Gardendale, Ala. Cincinnati, Ohio Naperville, Ill. Largo, Fla. Los Angeles, Calif. Lynn Haven, Fla. Carmel, Ind. Decatur, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Lake Mary, Fla. Atlanta, Ga. Alpharetta, Ga. Fort Wayne, Ind. Baton Rouge, La. Flowery Branch, Ga. Tallahassee, Fla. Columbus, Ind. Lithonia, Ga. Indianapolis, Ind. Carmel, Ind. Greenwood, Ind. Columbus, Ga. Washington D.C. Vero Beach, Fla. West Chester, Ohio Brownsburg, Ind. Chesterfield, Mo. Mundelein, Ill. Terre Haute, Ind.
33 34 34 35 36 36 37 38 38 39 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 50 51 52 52 53 54 55 56 57 57 58 59 59 61 62 63 65 66 67 68 70 71 74 75 76 77 78 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 86 87 87 88 88 89 90 90 92 93 93 94 94
Shaw, Zack Henderson, Thomas Redding, Devine Sykes, Nile Albomonte, Johnny Toth, Erich Estes, Gabe Graham, Damon Welch, Garrett Arnold, Kenny Newton, Clyde Guedel, Nolan Willis, Jr., Dameon Oliver, Marcus Thomas, Tony Watercutter, Ryan McCray III, Robert Stringer, Omari Gooch, Greg Brown, Joshua Reed, Jake Barwick, Jr., Mike Burgett, Tyler Love, DaVondre Heffern, Shawn Bowen, Ja’Merez Ikudabo, Simeon Mangieri, Nick Gardner, Tim Loechel, Kyle Dougherty, Patrick Perdue, Noah Trainor, Jack Ramacca, Nick Knight, Brandon Lukens, Tyler Rogers, Wes Pericht, Josh Feeney, Dan Littlejohn, Hunter Bailey, Jacob Baker, Delroy Hoff, Nate Herron, DeAndre Martin, Wes Camiel, Dimitric Spriggs, Jason Thornton III, Leon Fuchs, Jordan Timian, Luke Dorris, Austin Friend, Danny Cooper, Michael Gedeon, Joseph Miller, Chandler Meinzer, Calob Paige, Mitchell Corsaro, Anthony Springer, Josh Shake, Jake Belden, Joe Del Grosso, Aaron Oakes, Griffin Campos, Nick Green III, Ralph Damaska, Sean Madison, Derrick
BAN DB RB BAN DB P LB WR S LB LB LS LB LB LB BAN DT LB BAN BAN C DL LB OL DT OL LB DE OL LB DE LB OL OL OT OL OL LS OL OL OL OL NT OL OL OT OT WR TE WR TE TE TE P WR K WR TE P K DL K K P NT TE DL
6-3 5-9 5-10 6-2 5-11 6-3 6-1 5-10 6-1 5-11 6-1 6-0 6-1 6-1 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-7 6-6 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-2 6-5 6-0 6-4 6-0 6-4 6-3 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-7 6-7 6-1 6-6 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-3 6-3 6-2 5-7 6-3 6-1 6-0 6-2 5-10 5-10 6-0 6-5 6-7 6-3
253 170 202 242 180 207 232 191 204 234 230 195 230 240 245 230 280 218 250 230 300 290 230 305 280 270 225 275 300 235 290 195 312 265 278 292 301 220 310 288 300 306 303 308 312 310 305 199 232 185 240 262 260 196 205 217 176 250 200 185 250 194 200 190 304 252 256
R-Sr. Fr. So. R-Fr. Fr. R-Sr. Fr. Sr. R-Jr. R-Fr. Jr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. So. Fr. So. Fr. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Sr. Sr. R-Fr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Fr. Fr. Fr. Fr. R-Sr. R-Jr. R-So. R-Jr. Fr. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-So. R-Jr. R-Fr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. So. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. R-Sr. R-Fr. R-Jr. Fr. R-Jr. Sr. Fr. R-Fr. Fr. R-So. R-So. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-Jr. R-So.
Coshocton, Ohio Bloomington, Ind. Youngstown, Ohio Oak Park, Ill. Schererville, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. New Palestine, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. Zionsville, Ind. Canton, Mich. Punta Gorda, Fla. New Palestine, Ind. Cleveland, Ohio Hamilton, Ohio South Bend, Ind. Fort Wayne, Ind. Rockdale, Ga. Crete, Ill. Longwood, Fla. Hillsborough, N.J. Columbus, Ind. Cincinnati, Ohio Sarasota, Fla. St. Louis, Mo. Carmel, Ind. Cleveland, Ohio Marion, Ind. Peoria, Ill. Indianapolis, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. Aurora, Ohio Indianapolis, Ind. Roswell, Ga. Bohemia, N.Y. Noblesville, Ind. South Bend, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. Orland Park, Ill. Orland Park, Ill. Powell, Ohio Carmel, Ind. Ocala, Fla. Solon, Ohio Avon, Ind. West Milton, Ohio Houston, Texas Elkhart, Ind. Lombard, Ill. Queens, N.Y. Southlake, Texas Shadyside, Ohio Morris, Ill. The Woodlands, Texas Columbus, Ind. Richmond, Ind. St. Louis, Mo. Carmel, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. Evansville, Ind. Lafayette, Ind. Avon, Ind. Hobart, Ind. Greenwood, Ind. Wheaton, Ill. San Antonio, Texas Milton, Ga. South Bend, Ind.
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AROUND THE BIG TEN Danny Payne daniel-payne-1@uiowa.edu
power rankings 1) Ohio State (8-0) Pssttt. I see both sides of the revoke J.T. Barrett’s scholarship argument, and don’t think one side is better than the other. *Ducks*
Offensive Impact 8) Indiana (4-4) Yeah, yeah, yeah. Indiana has four losses. Whatever, GUYS. This team can put up a whole bunch of points in a hurry. I don’t see any other team being able to do that.
2) Michigan State (8-0) Nebraska and Sparty actually might not be a terrible game. Nebraska will probably blow some shot at making it close at the end, but Shawn Eichorst will sweep that under the rug.
8) Minnesota (4-4) The ending of the Minnesota-Michigan game was equal parts infuriating and sad. Hope Jerry is doing OK. Also, Minnesota isn’t that bad. Mitch Leidner is, Minnesota is not.
3) Iowa (8-0) Obviously, I don’t have a rooting interest in Iowa going undefeated. But what I absolutely LOVE is how up in arms everyone is about the Hawkeyes. Pure entertainment.
10) Illinois (4-4) Aaaaand this is where I start to have a tough time defending Iowa’s strength of schedule. But Iowa is still good.
4) Michigan (6-2): Jim Harbaugh says to eat a steak every day. Well, Jim, if you want to give a college journalist the funds to complete that task, I’m sure said journalist wouldn’t be opposed.
11) Rutgers (3-5) Yes, Rutgers ahead of Nebraska. Iowa fans everywhere begin to rejoice. Also, Rutgers, I’d suggest figuring it out one of these days.
5) Wisconsin (7-2): Trying to think of something to write about the Badgers is making me realize that Iowa’s season really has been that impressive. Save your schedule arguments, this is a damn impressive turnaround.
12) Nebraska (3-6) Things I’m really curious to see how long the Eichorst/Riley marriage lasts. It’ll probably end when the Nebraska/Eichorst marriage ends.
6) Penn State (7-2): So we get to watch two golden-boy quarterbacks with long names in Christian Hackenberg and Clayton Thorson square off against each other this week? Sounds like fun.
13) Maryland (2-6): Is there someone out there that wants to explain why anyone with college football knowledge thinks Perry Hills can play quarterback in the Big Ten? No? Alright, good talk.
7) Northwestern (6-2): Could you detect the sarcasm in that sentence? Give Thorson some slack, I guess. He’s a freshman.
14) Purdue (2-6) Gross.
Side note — can’t wait for the Bears to draft Hackenberg.
Name: Jordan Howard, Indiana Position: Running back Year: Junior Howard lived his first few years in Bloomington in Tevin Coleman’s shadow, and rightfully so, but man, has he been good this season. He’s second behind Ezekiel Elliott (still my Heisman pick) in rushing in the Big Ten, with 131.17 yards per game. Iowa’s defense, which has allowed one rushing touchdown, has done a great job shutting him down
defensive Impact Name: Yannick Ngakouke, Maryland Position: Defensive line Year: Junior Assuming you watched Iowa and Maryland face off last week, you realize Ngakouke is a great defender. It’s just too bad he plays for the Terrapins. Awesome name, too.
GAME TO WATCH Penn state at northwestern When: 11 a.m. Saturday, ESPN Where: Evanston, Illinois Watch: ESPNU
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Iowa fullback Adam Cox blocks for running back Jordan Canzeri during the Cyclone-Hawkeye game in Ames on Sept. 12. The Hawkeyes defeated the Cyclones, 31-17. (The Daily Iowan/Alyssa Hitchcock)
COVER Continued from 4 this season. Iowa boasts the second-best rushing offense in the Big Ten, something that has the duo’s fingerprints all over it. Iowa uses its fullbacks in about half of the team’s plays during an average game, though it depends heavily on the level of competition and situation. Over the last three games, for example, head coach Kirk Ferentz has called for a fullback to be inserted into the game on 41-of-61 fourth quarter plays. This season, the Hawkeyes have had the luxury of having to run out the clock. One of the most consistent ways to move the ball forward is to add an extra blocker in the backfield and run down the other team’s throat. Whether it’s blasting a line-
backer or simply pushing the pile forward, their job is to do whatever dirty work needs to be done. “Macon gets in there, Cox gets in there, they open holes,” running back Akrum Wadley said. “It’s really them — with the offensive line — that lighten the load for us.” While “spreading” teams out to make running lanes easier to find for running backs is all the rage in college football these days, Iowa’s offense is quite different. Fullbacks and tight ends are used to play matchup games with the linebackers on the opposing defense. Offensive linemen also pull to create even more matchup issues for other teams. When combined with the bulk of a fullback or tight end, they can wreak havoc. Put another way, instead of creating more space, the attempt is to make a wall of humanity that over-
whelms the defense. Iowa’s offensive line has done a nice job this season of pushing defenders out of the way and making holes, but sometimes a bit of extra “oomph” is needed. In come the fullbacks, who have to be as aggressive and mechanically sound as anyone on the field. If they aren’t, injuries are common, and the walk-ons (who usually are the ones to accept the role of fullback) are aplenty. “You have to have leverage, you have to know leverage, you have to be able to use your hands,” Cox said. “There’s a lot more than people think, sometimes.” In fact, both fullbacks were injured last year, making life difficult for Iowa’s offense. Ferentz has noted that it was one of the biggest stories, at least to him, during the 2014 season was the lack of two solid college fullbacks.
The difference between this year and last has been most noticeable in rushing situations of 3 yards or shorter on third down. This season, Iowa is converting nearly 68 percent of the time in those instances; last season, it did so at a 58.6 percent. Of course, Mark Weisman, a fullback playing running back, fit perfectly in those plays — hence the respectable mark — but it should say something that the 185-pound Wadley has converted three-of-four in that situation that season. Why? That success starts with the fullbacks, who are in on nearly every short-yardage situation. In one of the group’s best performances of the year, against Northwestern on Oct. 10, four rushing touchdowns were scored from 14 yards or fewer. Each See COVER, 18
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- The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
ON THE LINE Taylor Brooks
Patrick Lyne
IOWA Just like Han Solo, I’ve got a bad feeling about this.
IOWA ANOTHER 2ND HALF LET OFF GAS.
IOWA Still can’t wait to go to Pasadena.
IOWA (84%) Best in the Big Ten West!
ALABAMA Betting against Nick Saban is a dangerous game.
ALABAMA Death, taxes, and Saban at home.
ALABAMA FOURNETTE GETS STUFFED.
LSU Time to gain a game on these nerds.
Alabama (70%) Tide show why they’re in the CFP even with one loss.
CLEMSON #BYOG (and #BYOB for this one, too).
CLEMSON Never was sold on FSU to begin with.
CLEMSON Because how great of a name is Dabo?
CLEMSON Clemson takes over.
CLEMSON And then I’ll pick the same as everyone to keep that lead.
clemson (69%) Tigers stay on top with quality win.
notre dame How long until Notre Dame loses a game?
NOTRE DAME This game will be very close, however.
NOTRE DAME If the Irish win by more than a last-second field goal, are they better than Iowa?
NOTRE DAME I’ve seen this movie way too many times before.
PITTSBURGH Pitt denies Notre Dame’s Playoff chance.
NOTRE DAME As always.
notre dame (71%) A Pitt win would give Iowa’s strength of schedule a boost, but Irish take it.
tcu Parlaying the over and TCU moneyline should give you a nice little pay day.
TCU Seriously, next year we’re picking against the spread.
TCU Final score will look similar to a basketball game between these two programs.
TCU Take the over.
OKLAHOMA state TCU no longer undefeated.
TCU Not really a fan of Oklahoma State, I dunno.
tcu (72%) Boykin puts on a show.
Danny Payne
Charlie Green
Ryan Rodriguez
INDIANA It’s a trap!
IOWA No. 9 in the CFP poll, No. 1 in our hearts.
alabama Pat, I’m breathing down your neck, nerd.
ALABAMA Can’t wait for Memphis to win the SEC.
clemson Charlie is to Florida State as I am to the Big 12.
MATCHUPS
PREGAME EDITOR (28-12)
No. 9 Iowa at Indiana
iowa I’ve been debating all week. This is not the time to try to gain a game on everyone.
No. 2 LSU at No. 4 Alabama No. 16 Florida St. at No. 1 Clemson No. 5 Notre Dame at Pittsburgh No. 8 TCU at No. 14 Oklahoma St.
COVER Continued from 16 time, there was a fullback making a critical block on the play. “They’re not afraid to start from 5 yards back and run head-on into a linebacker,” offensive lineman Sean Welsh said. “They’re very physical guys.” With how tough they’re reputed as being, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they are also some of the most respected players on the team. Both Cox and Plewa came to Iowa as walk-ons and had to earn a spot on the roster. Beyond that, neither started off playing offense. The two started off playing linebacker, and when they realized they would never see time there, they took on the challenge of becoming fullbacks. “They’re great team leaders … widely respected,” Ferentz said. “Part of it’s because their stories are walk-on guys who are tough, hardnosed guys, played defense, slipped over a couple of springs ago, and ever since then, they’ve done a lot of good
Jordan Hansen SPORTS EDITOR (27-13)
FOOTBALL REPORTER (26-14)
things to help our football team.” Both players appreciate the role they have been given and don’t seem to mind the bit of extra pressure it takes. “Every year, you get older, and the younger guys start looking up to you. It’s kind of weird, really,” Cox said. “You feel like you were one of those younger guys just one or two years ago. You have a lot of guys looking up to you, so you have to do the right things at the right times.” It may seem cliché, but unselfishness is a huge part of a fullback’s game, and he — perhaps better than any other player — exemplifies what it means to be a team player. After all, if it were stats the pair sought, the two have looked in the wrong place. While Iowa checks down to its fullbacks on occasion, the pair has a combined 9 catches for 42 yards over the last two years. Neither has a carry this season, and neither has a touchdown to his name. However, they have been the lead blockers for six scores over the past two games. “We do anything we can to help
FOOTBALL REPORTER (30-10)
DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (25-15)
DESIGN EDITOR (30-10)
Fan Picks
Iowa fullback Macon Plewa catches a pass in Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Illinois, on Nov. 15, 2014. The Hawkeyes defeated the Illini, 30-14. (The Daily Iowan/Valerie Burke) this team,” Cox said. “I think a lot of people could do it — just run into people — but I think to be a good
fullback, you have to understand technique and, honestly, the whole concept of the offense to excel at it.”
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