FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27 | IOWA VS. NEBRASKA | TOM OSBORNE FIELD AT MEMORIAL STADIUM | 2:30 P.M., ABC
THE FAMILY BALANCE INSIDE: RELISHING THE GRIND, FIRST-DOWN SUCCESS
The Daily Iowan
PREGAME
22 -- The November19,26, 2015 The Daily Daily Iowan Iowan -- PREGAME PREGAME -- Iowa Iowa City, City, Iowa Iowa -- Thursday, Friday, September 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
REMEMBERWHEN WHEN... ... REMEMBER
Iowa defensive back Jordan Canzeri runs into the end zone in Kinnick Stadium on Nov. 28, 2014. Canzeri rushed for 55 yards and a touchdown. Iowa was defeated by Nebraska in overtime, 37-34. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Cover Story Austin Blythe is the center of the Iowa offensive line, and it’s his family that keeps him centered.
Inside Feature Iowa has been good on first and second downs all season, and it has contributed greatly to their success.
Roster Full rosters for both the Hawkeyes and Huskers. Plus, a legit poster!
10 12 15
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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Nebraska has a bad habit of turning the ball over. It could be a difference-maker on Friday.
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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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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 3
4 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe blocks Michigan State defensive lineman Tyler Hoover in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 5, 2013. The Spartans defeated the Hawkeyes, 26-14. (The Daily Iowan/File photo)
Blythe spirit sparks Hawks Family is an essential part of Iowa senior Austin Blythe’s life.
By CHARLIE GREEN charles-j-green@uiowa.edu
Iowa center Austin Blythe’s pre-snap routine has become second nature. He makes calls at the line of scrimmage, identifying the middle linebacker to set up blocking assignments on
run plays, and counting blitzers in passing situations. It’s his job to keep his fellow linemen in place on the field, and it’s his family’s to keep him balanced off of it. … The Blythes don’t just play football,
they are a wrestling family through and through. Austin’s father, Curt, wrestled at Williamsburg (Iowa) High in the early 1980s. His older brothers, Holden and Trenton, wrestled and played football before him, and his younger brother Corbin followed the same path As impressively athletic as the fam-
ily is, Blythe began to stand out at the age of 15. He didn’t play varsity football his freshman year, but he contributed on the wrestling team. Observing the potential his younger brother had, Holden, then a senior, took it upon himself to SEE COVER, 10
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 5
6 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
Relishing the grind Iowa’s been extremely good on first and second downs this year, which has set it up for success. By JORDAN HANSEN jordan-hansen@uiowa.edu
For a team such as Iowa that’s built to run the ball and rely on the play-action game for its passing yards, gaining ground on first and second down to set up an easier third-down situation is important. The Hawkeyes average 4.9 yards per carry on first down and 6.09 yards on second down, a huge jump from the 4.06 and 4.39 they averaged on those downs, respectively, last season. “Especially when we get pinned down with our back to our own end zone, it’s not like, ‘OK, we need to make a big play so we get out of here, get us down to score,’ ” running back Jordan Canzeri said. “It’s taking one play at time and knowing we can grind on and get the job done.” Grinding out yards has been Iowa’s mantra all season and speaks to the basis of what it wants to do on offense — get a couple yards on first down, several more on the next play and be in a situation on third down where it doesn’t take much to move the chains. On second downs, Iowa has scored 17 touchdowns and has picked up 49 first downs — 25 by Canzeri — with its rushing attack. In fact, it’s not a stretch to say the Hawkeyes are one of the best second-down rushing teams in the country. Those 17 touchdowns on second down rank No. 2 in the nation, while the 925 yards they’ve rumbled to on the ground ranks 11th. “We’re just trying to hit those goals we set for ourselves, which is being good on first and second down,” center Austin Blythe said. “Getting into those third-and-shorts allows Coach [Greg] Davis to call really good plays and us to execute them.” As Blythe said, a bonus that comes along with short-yardage third-down plays is the variety of calls it gives coordinators and coaches to make. Iowa has had a good mix this season, passing for 38 first downs on third and running for 32. It has worked — Iowa has converted 46.75 percent of its third-down conversions, second in the Big Ten and tied for 18th nationally. “We put an emphasis on that this off-season,” quarterback C.J.
Iowa running back Jordan Canzeri leaps over a Wisconsin player at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin, on Oct. 3,. The Hawkeyes defeated the Badgers, 10-6. (The Daily Iowan/Rachael Westergard) Beathard said. “Our goal was to get at least 4 to 5 yards on first down and stay ahead of the chains. Then when you get to a third-and-short or a third-and-medium — which aren’t too hard to get — you get a better chance of converting those than you do third-and-long.” When Iowa does get in a third-
down passing situation, Beathard and his receivers have been good. On third and 7 or more yards, Beathard is 23-of-49 for 457 yards, 2 touchdowns, no picks, and 20 first downs. It’s not perfect, but Iowa’s thirdand-long attempts are in the bottom quarter of the Big Ten, a good sign. Regardless, the Hawkeyes have
been winning the early downs, something that very likely is a direct contributor to their success this season. “I think it’s just kind of Football 101,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “First-down success is as important and plays into third-down success a lot of times. So we chart it weekly, and we always discuss that.”
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ROS
8 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
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. NEBRASKA • FRIDAY, 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 Michael 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, lll. 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
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 9
Nebraska Cornhuskers
OVEMBER 27, 2015 • 2:30 P.M. ABC 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 20 20 21 21 22 23 24 25
D.J. Knox SO Brandon Roberts RS FR Jonathan Curry JR Da’Wan Hunte SO Elijah Sindelar FR Leroy Clark JR Bilal Marshall JR Ja’Whaun Bentley SO Keith Byars II SO Austin Logan JR Domonique Young JR Evyn Cooper FR Myles Norwood SO Robert Gregory JR DeAngelo Yancey JR Tim Cason RS FR Markell Jones FR Anthony Brown SR Dan Monteroso JR Matt Burke SO Mike Little FR David Blough RS FR Antoine Miles SO Austin Appleby JR Gelen Robinson SO Ra’Zahn Howard JR Andy Chelf FR Trae Hart SO Garrett Hudson SO Fred Brown FR Cameron Posey JR Eddy Wilson FR Aaron Banks FR Dezwan Polk-Campbell SO Gregory Phillips SO David Rose FR Markus Bailey FR Anthony Mahoungou SO Sawyer Dawson FR Keyante Green SO Frankie Williams SR Antonio Blackmon RS FR
RB S TE CB QB S WR LB RB S WR CB CB S WR S RB CB WR DE CB QB RE QB RE DT S WR LB DT WR DT QB LB WR CB LB WR LB RB CB CB
5-7 5-11 6-2 5-9 6-4 5-10 6-2 6-2 5-10 6-0 6-3 6-2 6-0 6-1 6-2 5-11 5-11 5-11 6-3 6-6 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-5 6-1 6-3 6-0 5-10 6-3 6-1 6-1 6-4 6-4 6-3 6-0 6-0 6-1 6-3 6-1 5-9 5-9 6-0
197 198 250 183 216 190 195 260 204 200 205 195 170 219 223 195 207 190 192 240 175 202 236 239 250 310 190 168 240 260 183 265 196 210 191 175 230 207 215 219 190 181
Fairburn, Ga. Naylor, Ga. Phenix City, Ala. Miami, Fla. Princeton, Ky. Miami,Florida Miami, Fla. Glenarden,Md. Boca Raton, Fla. Tallahassee, Fla. Los Angeles, Calif. Buford, Ga. Arlington,Texas Chicago, Ill. Atlanta, Ga. Clarkston, Mich. Columbus, Ind. Tampa, Fla. Saint Clairsville, Ohio West Palm Beach, Fla. Newhall, Calif. Carrollton, Texas Canton, Ohio North Canton, Ohio Schererville, Ind. Asbury Park, N.J. Southlake, Texas Mesquite, Texas Tallahassee, Fla. Boutte, La. Boca Raton, Fla. Pontiac, Mich. Indianapolis, Ind. Columbus, Ohio Lithonia, Ga. Temple Hills, Md. Columbus, Ohio Paris, France Lakeland, Fla. McDonough, Ga. Tampa, Fla. Fort Wayne, Ind.
25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 36 37 38 40 41 42 43 45 46 47 47 48 49 49 50 50 51 52 53 54 55 55 56 57 59 60 65 66 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 77 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 87 88 89 90 91 92 94 95 96 97 98
Tario Fuller Stefan Certa Evan Feichter David Yancey Jimmy Herman Thomas Meadows Joe Schopper Evan Pulliam Danny Anthrop Austin Sullins Danny Ezechukwu Richie Worship Paul Griggs Brian Bravo Tim Faison Jacob Thieneman Andy James Garcia Myles Homan Lane Beeler Race Johnson Micah Budzinski Shayne Henley John Vargyas Wes Cook Tyler Duncan Keiwan Jones Bearooz Yacoobi John Strauser Johnny Daniels Kirk Barron Jake Replogle Ryan DeBusk Michael Mendez Wyatt Cook Robert Kugler Langston Newton Eric Swingler Ben Makowski Cameron Cermin Peyton Truitt John Bednar Jordan Roos Corey Clements Jason King J.J. Prince Martesse Patterson David Hedelin Joey Warburg Matt McCann Jarrett Burgess Keenan Schon Alex Hilger Malcolm Dotson Jess Trussell Jordan Jurasevich Shane Mikesky Cole Herdman Brycen Hopkins Will Colmery Chazmyn Turner Ryan Watson Grant Ellington Evan Panfil Jake Herr Michael Rouse III Will Schott
FR SR JR SO JR SR FR JR SR FR SO FR SR FR FR RS FR JR FR RS FR SO SO JR FR SO RS FR RS FR RS FR SO SO RS FR JR JR FR FR SR JR RS FR FR JR FR SR JR SR JR JR RS FR SR JR FR FR JR RS FR FR FR SR SR RS FR FR RS FR FR SR SR JR FR SR JR
RB CB S RB LB K-P P LB WR CB LB RB K K LB S LB K RB CB TE DE LS S K DT OL DE DT OG-C DT RE OL LB C DE OL LS OT OL LS OG OL OG OT OL OT OL OL WR WR WR WR TE TE WR TE TE DT RE DT LS DE P DT DE
6-0 5-11 6-0 5-10 6-4 6-0 6-0 6-2 6-0 5-10 6-2 6-1 6-2 6-2 6-2 6-0 6-0 6-1 5-10 5-11 6-6 6-3 5-11 5-10 5-11 6-2 6-5 6-2 6-3 6-2 6-5 6-1 6-4 6-2 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-2 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-8 6-4 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-5 6-6 6-2 5-10 6-2 6-2 6-6 6-3 6-4 6-4 6-5 6-5 6-5 6-2 6-0 6-5 6-5 6-4 6-3
186 187 191 213 230 182 180 225 193 190 246 242 205 190 200 205 228 195 219 180 215 265 250 189 190 278 297 270 287 305 275 251 282 240 300 284 303 263 301 295 242 312 420 305 297 345 298 285 315 195 185 192 200 230 250 218 243 235 263 250 298 234 262 220 301 209
Sugar Hills, Ga. Crown Point, Ind. Fort Wayne, Ind. Schererville, Ind. Carmel, Ind. Maidens, Va Indianapolis, Ind. Indianapolis, Ind. WestLafayette, Ind. Casper, Wyo. Lithonia, Ga. Cleveland, Ohio Charlotte, N.C. North Aurora, Ill. Tallahassee, Fla. Noblesville, Ind. Miami, Fla. Cincinnati, Ohio Westpoint, Ind. Carmel, Ind. Knox, Ind. Simi Valley, Calif. Wheaton, Ill. Westminster, Md. Danville, Calif. Ocala, Fla. Dearborn, Mich. Champaign, Ill. Chicago, Ill. Mishawaka, Ind. Centerville, Ohio Atascadero, Calif. Los Fresnos, Texas Westminster, Md. Pittsburgh, Pa. Indianapolis, Ind. Munster, Ind. Osceola, Ind. College Station, Texas West Lafayette, Ind. Valparaiso, Ind. Celina, Texas Birmingham, Ala. Little Rock, Ark. Southlake, Texas Columbus, Ohio Stockhom, Sweden Louisville, Ky. Fishers, Ind. Miami, Fla. Fort Wayne, Ind. Natick, Mass. Indianapolis, Ind. Arlington, Texas Crown Point, Ind. Zionsville, Ind. Leesburg, Va. Nashville, Tenn. Western Spring, Ill. Mooresville, N.C. Ellicott City, Md. LaGrange, Ill. New Lenox, Ill. Carmel, Ind. Flossmoor, Ill. Greenwood, Ind.
10 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
By the Numbers: Iowa-Nebraska By RYAN RODRIGUEZ ryan-rodriguez@uiowa.edu
At 11-0 for the first time in program history, Iowa be trying to finish the regular season undefeated Friday. The Hawks and Huskers are two teams familiar with each other, with the Huskers owning a 29-13-3 series record against the Hawkeyes. How will this year’s matchup turn out? A look at the numbers is telling.
Time of Possession: Iowa 32:58, Nebraska 31:31 Iowa’s ability to sustain drives and put up points on the board at a consistent clip has been one of its biggest strengths in 2015, and Friday against Nebraska will likely follow a similar pattern. Averaging nearly 33 minutes of possession per game, Iowa ranks in the top 20 nationally in time of possession and is fourth highest in the Big Ten. The Huskers clock in around 31.5 minutes a game, a respectable number, no doubt. These are two teams that like to control the pace and keep possession of the ball as much as possible. It’s going to come down to which of the two can convert and make the most of those opportunities. Speaking of which …
Red Zone Efficiency: Nebraska 91.1 percent, Iowa 87.5 percent The Huskers, despite a poor record, are remarkably similar to the Hawkeyes in a number of offensive categories. Big Red has scored in 41 of 45 red-zone appearances, with Iowa right behind them at 42 of 48. The key difference will be how those points come. The Hawks have a slight edge in redzone touchdowns, with 34 compared with Nebraska’s 32. What’s more, a staggering 28 of Iowa’s red-zone touchdowns have come on the ground, compared to only 15 for the Huskers.
Turnover Margin: Iowa plus-11, Nebraska minus-10 One key area of the game in which Iowa has an unbelievably huge advantage is turnover margin. Being mistake-free has served Iowa well and has made an enormous difference. The opposite has killed Nebraska.
Iowa running back LeShun Daniels, Jr. runs the ball during the game against Maryland in Kinnick Stadium on Oct. 31. The Hawkeyes defeated the Terrapins, 31-15. (The Daily Iowan/Alyssa Hitchcock) Only the bottom-feeding Maryland Terrapins have a worse turnover margin in the Big Ten than Nebraska, which has coughed up an astounding 17 picks and five fumbles. Desmond King has one more shot to break the Iowa single-season interceptions record before postseason play, and he should have a good shot at doing so. Husker quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. has thrown 12 picks, the worst in the Big Ten. The junior is
tied with Maryland quarterback Perry Hills, whom King intercepted and returned 88 yards for a touchdown on Halloween.
Opponents’ fourth-down conversion rate: Iowa 57.1 percent, Nebraska 34.8 percent It’s almost comical given how good the Hawks have been in almost every other aspect of the defense this season, but they have struggled mightily at stopping oppo-
nents on fourth down. After allowing 50 percent of opponents’ fourth-downs to be converted in September and 33 percent in October, the Hawkeyes have allowed fourth-down conversions at a staggering 70 percent in November. The Huskers, on the other hand, are the conferences’ third-stingiest defense on fourth down. Want to beat the Hawks? Go for it as much as you can.
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12 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
AROUND THE BIG TEN By Danny Payne daniel-payne-1@uiowa.edu
POWER RANKINGS
OFFENSIVE IMPACT
1) Iowa (11-0) Dare I do it??? I mean, the Hawkeyes are the only undefeated team left, so I guess it’s almost a given? What a time to be alive.
8) Nebraska (5-6) Iowa fans are to Nebraska what Minnesota fans are to Iowa, and I just don’t understand why.
2) Michigan State (10-1) If Connor Cook isn’t healthy, Iowa’s chance at going to the playoff is too high for Iowa’s fan base to survive.
9) Indiana (5-6) Just from an entertainment perspective, I’d really like to see Indiana get a competent defensive coordinator. Chaos would ensue.
3) Ohio State (10-1) I have no problem with what Zeke Elliott said following the Sparty game. People complain about not getting honest answers, and then, when they do, they act as if the world is burning down.
10) Minnesota (5-6) Gophs could be a Big Ten West contender next year. We said that this year, but I actually believe it next year. Maybe.
4) Michigan (9-2) I have no problem with what Zeke Elliott said following the Sparty game. People complain about not getting honest answers, and then, when they do, they act as if the world is burning down.
11) Illinois (5-6) I head Illinois is lowering admissions standards for in-state students and increasing financial aid. As logical as that sounds, it wasn’t the case before. And yes, the state is even more messedup than you think it is.
5) Northwestern (9-2) Good for the ’Cats. Really don’t understand how they beat Wisconsin, but alas.
12) Rutgers (4-7) Knock, knock.
6) Wisconsin (8-3) Oh, I know how. Joel Stave is a starting Division-1 quarterback.
13) Maryland (2-9) Who’s there?
7) Penn State (7-4) And thus begins the Big Ten’s slip into irrelevancy, unless it actually ended after Michigan or after Northwestern. I’m not sure.
14) Purdue (2-9) Be better.
Name: Saquon Barkley, Penn State Position: Running back Year: Freshman I looked at the Big Ten’s rushing leaders and was surprised to see Barkley at No. 4 overall. Penn State has that going for it, at least.
DEFENSIVE IMPACT Name: Carl Nassib, Penn State Position: Defensive line Year: Senior Nassib is leading the Big Ten in sacks and forced fumbles and has been a bring spot for a mediocre team. And for some reason, I chose two Penn State players.
GAME TO WATCH NO. 8 OHIO STATE AT NO. 10 MICHIGAN When: 11 a.m. Saturday Where: Ann Arbor, Michigan Watch: ABC
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14 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015
COVER
CONTINUED FROM 4
help in typical older-brother fashion. “He just pushed me in the practice room; it wasn’t fun going against him,” Austin said. “He would just destroy me. At the end of the year, I think I was 60 pounds heavier than him, and he would still kind of mop the mat with me.” Austin wrestled well enough to qualify for the state wrestling tournament, where his dominance in the sport officially began. According to his high-school wrestling coach, Grant Eckenrod, one match foreshadowed the athletic prowess the state became familiar with over the next few years. It came in the quarterfinals of the tournament. Blythe took on a senior named Marcus Roths from New Hampton who Eckenrod referred to as a “monster,” complimentary in the way only sports can make it. Blythe’s opponent was ranked No. 3 in his class. Blythe came out on top. To this day it gives him chills. “He hit a takedown in overtime that was an athletic move that usually you see out of your 130-pound kids; it was just incredible,” Eckenrod said. “When I saw that takedown, in that situation, it was unbelievable. I pretty much knew he had a shot at being very, very, very special after that.” Austin and Holden competed in back-to-back matches in the semifinals that year — both advanced. Holden won the state championship at 215 pounds in his next bout, Austin lost and took runner-up at heavyweight. He won state each of his last three years of high school. … Blythe’s father believes it was his son’s performance as a 15-year-old wrestler that put him on the map of Iowa football. Head coach Kirk Ferentz prefers multisport athletes over today’s generation of the specialized “pick-a-sport-and-stick-with-it” crop. After his sophomore season of highschool football, his first on varsity, the Hawkeyes were sold and Blythe committed to the program, making a decision to eventually leave wrestling. “It was a tough decision, but at the end of the day, it’s the total team aspect of football that I love,” he said. He redshirted in 2011, sacrificing playing time for the chance to develop. What he gained was invaluable. In camp that season, Blythe roomed with Ferentz’s son, James, then the
Tennessee defensive back LaDarrell McNeil gets tackled by Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe after intercepting the ball at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, on Jan. 2. Tennessee defeated Iowa, 45-28 to win the TaxSlayer Bowl. (The Daily Iowan/File photo) starting center. James, now a Denver Bronco, carried on what his father calls a program tradition in bringing his eventual successor under his wing. “I was overwhelmed a little bit by what college football took to be good,” Blythe said. “And he had it, and he did a good job of relaying that information to me. And just watching him, how he carried himself in practice throughout that first year really showed me how to be a good football player, how to be a good teammate, a good leader. He did a lot for me.” Blythe started at guard his redshirt freshman season in 2012, then
took over at center when James Ferentz graduated at season’s end. Blythe hasn’t missed a start since. … Blythe is often asked to reflect on 2014 — the meltdown against Tennessee in the TaxSlayer Bowl, the 7-6 finish, and the outside discussion surrounding his coach’s job security. He’s perhaps the exact person Kirk Ferentz wants to face the media. Well-spoken and intelligent, he knows how to stay in bounds in front of the press. On the field, it’s much of the same.
Blythe’s background fits nicely with his unique position. He’s mentally prepared to handle his role before the snap and physically prepared to be one of the best centers in the Big Ten. Because of the example he sets, teammates see in him as a leader. “He’s another leader of this offense, and he’s the leader of the offensive line, he gets them in the correct blocking schemes and all that kind of stuff,” quarterback C.J. Beathard said. “We have to be on the same page, or I’ll get hit in the back and not know who’s picked up and who’s protected.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015 - 15 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
- The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
ON THE LINE MATCHUPS
Danny Payne
PREGAME EDITOR (38-17)
Jordan Hansen SPORTS EDITOR (36-19)
Charlie Green
Ryan Rodriguez
FOOTBALL REPORTER (35-20)
FOOTBALL REPORTER (38-17)
Taylor Brooks
DITV SPORTS DIRECTOR (34-21)
Patrick Lyne DESIGN EDITOR (38-17)
Fan Picks
No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska
IOWA Hey, Iowa fans, I can provide Jordan’s address, phone number, DOB, SSN. Whatever you need, I got it.
NEBRASKA Iowa walks into an upset and I gain ground on everyone.
IOWA The Hawkeyes have 12-0 on the mind.
IOWA A very meaningful meaningless game.
IOWA Why not finish out the regular season with a perfect record?
IOWA Don’t want 12-0. Need it.
No. 8 Ohio State at No.10 Michigan
OHIO STATE As bad as I want a C.J.-Rudock title game, I can’t pick against the Buckeyes.
OHIO STATE Ohio State has lost to Michigan State and Michigan in the same season eight times. That’s way more than I expected.
OHIO STATE Urban Meyer holds off the coup for one more week.
MICHIGAN Good to see the egos inside the Buckeye locker room starting to tear the team apart.
MICHIGAN Let’s make things messier than they already are.
MICHIGAN Zeke made OSU sound like a real well-rounded team after last game.
No. 15 Navy at Houston
NAVY A pick against Navy is a pick against America. Also, two of my cousins go there.
NAVY Now that Zeke and Fournette are out of Heisman contention, lets start the #ReynoldsForHeisman campaign.
NAVY Navy being good is a nice throwback to the 1940s, which is cool.
NAVY Because I look good in dark colors.
NAVY I love a man in a uniform ;).
NAVY Dunno, might as well.
No. 6 Notre Dame at No. 9 Stanford
STANFORD Pat’s my roommate, so even if he wins this, I’ll drink the beer the loser has to buy him.
STANFORD Notre Dame’s due for a loss, right? Maybe?
STANFORD ND is due for another loss. Christian McCaffery gives it to them.
STANFORD ND is not that good.
STANFORD ND can’t handle road tests.
NOTRE DAME I like how everyone still doubts them each week.
The Irish fight to get back into the CFP top 4.
No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 11 Oklahoma St.
OKLAHOMA Stoops v. Ferentz in the Playoff? I could get down with that.
OKLAHOMA Sooners make their case for the playoff. It’d help if they had a conference championship, though.
OKLAHOMA The Sooners are the closest thing to a great team in the Big 12.
OKLAHOMA STATE Boomer Bust.
OKLAHOMA STATE I don’t think their fight is over yet.
OKLAHOMA I guess they’re the best of the crummy Big 12.
Sooners win a wild Bedlam game.
IOWA (68%)
Huskers try to play spoiler, but the Hawks pull out the win and a 12-0 record in Lincoln.
OHIO STATE (70%)
Not sure what is less appealing: Jim Harbaugh or OSU players’ attitudes.
HOUSTON (65%)
Navy’s one-dimensional attack will be easy to stop.
NOTRE DAME (59%)
OKLAHOMA (61%)
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Will Iowa finish with an undefeated regular season?
Yes
Before the season started, when you looked at the Hawkeyes’ schedule, how many wins did you see? The most optimistic fans would say nine, maybe even 10 wins. Not one person can say they saw the Hawkeyes finishing the regular season undefeated, yet here we are, one win away from that happening. And they’ll get it done against Nebraska on Friday. Nebraska is long removed from its 1990s glory, and even the Bo Pelini ninewin-per-season era seems like a distant memory. This year’s Husker squad has posted a 5-6 record, with losses to BYU, Illinois, and Purdue — a game in which they gave up 55 points to the Boilermakers. Nebraska is 83rd in the nation in total defense, the side of the ball the Cornhusk-
ers normally hang their hat on. They give up 415 yards per game, with 305 of those coming through the air. Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard had a game against Purdue that gives you confidence in the junior to win a game throwing the ball. The junior had a QB rating of 83.6 against Purdue while averaging more than 10 yards per pass. All of that was done in the harshest conditions the Hawkeyes will play in all season. Iowa will play for history and an undefeated regular season, while Nebraska will play to get to .500. In a rivalry game, the Hawkeyes are sure to get Nebraska’s best shot, but the Huskers will get Iowa’s as well. There’s no such thing as a “trap game” for Iowa at this point; the Hawks can’t afford to look past a team if they want a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Iowa will bring its “A” game, and I don’t think Nebraska can win if that happens. — by Blake Dowson
No Before I begin my argument, there’s no surprise that Iowa has had a solid season thus far. Going 11-0, moving up in the national polls, and winning the Big Ten West. Everything has seemed “perfect” for Hawkeye fans. However, there’s still one game left in the regular season, and if Iowa isn’t ready now, it had better be soon. The Hawkeyes will travel to Lincoln to compete against the Huskers in a contest that won’t be an easy one to grab. Nebraska had a bye week to prepare for Iowa. This is a program that’s itching to make a bowl game and needs a big win to move
the program forward. The Huskers also beat Michigan State this year and are on a two-game winning streak. If Iowa comes into this contest comfortably thinking it can coast into the Big Ten Championship Game 12-0, that “confidence” should disappear quickly. The Hawkeyes have a way of building a strong lead in a game, but it quickly dissipates because they play to their opponents’ level. They never fully execute with a strong lead, which allows other teams to catch up. If they let a team such as Nebraska get in the game and play like they know they can, it won’t be easy for the Hawkeyes. Iowa has played well on the road, yes, but this game marks the last for the Huskers, they’re at home, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they’re fired up to be the first to knock Iowa out of a perfect season. — by Mario Williams
16 - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Thursday, November 26, 2015