Iowa vs. Penn State Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City Saturday, October 20, 2012
“Mike is in. We’ve got three points.” Featured Matchup Experts’ Picks Hyde vs. Robinson
2B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
REMEMBER WHEN...
Iowa kicker Daniel Murray kicks the winning field goal for the Hawkeyes against Penn State in 2008. Murray’s 31-yard field goal put the Hawkeyes ahead of the No. 3 Nittany Lions, 24-23, with one second remaining in the game. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
STAFF
Bill Casey Publisher Emily Busse Editor-in-Chief Sam Lane Managing Editor Sam Louwagie Pregame Editor Allie Wright Design Editor Adam Wesley and Rachel Jessen Photo Editors
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HAWKS IN THE NFL
DITV Program
Tyler Sash returned to action on Oct. 14 after serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s banned-substances policy. He recorded one solo tackle for the New York Giants in a 26-3 victory over San Francisco. And Sash figures to play a bigger role going forward: One Giants safety, Will Hill, was just suspended for four weeks. Another, Kenny Phillips, is dealing with a sprained MCL he suffered on Sept. 30. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Catch the most extensive weekly Iowa football preview show in the state at www.dailyiowan.com. This week, tune in for an interview with kicker Mike Meyer.
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COVER STORY GAME ROSTER AROUND THE BIG TEN Mike Meyer struggled to recovFull rosters for both the Hawkeyes Check out our weekly conference er from misses early in his career. and Nittany Lions. Take it with you to power rankings and players to watch Former Hawkeye great Nate Kae- Kinnick ding has taught him how to keep ON THE LINE his cool and become one of college POINT-COUNTERPOINT See which teams our football staff football’s best kickers What’s more surprising: Iowa’s of- picked in some of the weekend’s bigfensive failures, or defensive success? gest games FEATURED MATCHUP Micah Hyde will be tasked with : BEHIND ENEMY LINES slowing down a breakout star reLEADERBOARD See what a football reporter from ceiver from Penn State See where Iowa’s passing game, The Daily Collegian had to say about Anthony Hitchens, and Joe Gaglione the Nittany Lions at dailyiowan.com stack up in the Big Ten
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The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 3B
4B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
Kicking with confidence Confidence is a tricky thing for a kicker. After three seasons of experience, a belated scholarship offer, and some tutelage from an all-pro, Mike Meyer has it. By Molly Irene Olmstead molly-olmstead@uiowa.edu
It’s 40 degrees at Spartan Stadium on Oct. 13. It’s raining. The wind blows across the uprights, and the turf is slick with mud. Iowa placekicker Mike Meyer stands past the 50-yard line, looking at the spot — right on the 42-yard line — where the ball will be snapped. He looks at the neon yellow goal. He takes a breath. He shakes his arms. “It’s going right down the middle,” he thinks. The snap. The crunch of pads. Meyer runs, counting his steps. He feels the ball come off his foot. It sails between the uprights. Iowa jumps ahead of Michigan State, 19-16, and stays alive in double-overtime. Minutes later Iowa intercepts a Spartan pass and wins. Meyer, during his junior year, has blossomed into a specialist nominated to three season-award watch lists and a placekicker who’s earned eight weekly honors over the course of six weeks. He’s received coaching and personal tips from All-Pro Charger (and ex-Hawkeye) kicker Nate Kaeding since his freshman year and has become a strong leader because of it. Meyer is confident. Before every kick he takes a deep breath and refuses to think negatively. He watches the offense push within field goal range and stays calm. It’s an opportunity, he tells himself, not a test. He believes in himself, and that’s something he’s learned to do over three years with the Hawkeyes, three years with a pro such as Kaeding at his side. But that wasn’t always the case. It’s Sept. 25, 2010. It’s raining. Mey-
Iowa kicker Mike Meyer kicks off against Minnesota at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa on Saturday, September 29, 2012. (The Daily Iowan/Adam Wesley) er stands on the sideline, watching the Iowa offense in the final seconds of the first quarter. Adam Robinson rushes for no gain, then Ricky Stanzi misses a pass to Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. That brings up fourth and 6. Meyer had watched Iowa placekicker Daniel Murray suffer a hip-flexor injury six days before the season-opener, and then he watched sophomore Trent Mossbrucker’s PAT get blocked the week before. Meyer kicked a PAT in the first quarter — his first career point. But this is a 37-yard field goal. Meyer is a true freshman, and he’s a walk-on. He wasn’t supposed to kick at all this year, not with Murray and Mossbrucker ahead of him on the twodeep. But these points are on him.
He watches the snap. He sees the ball plunge toward the holder. He kicks. Miss.
Learning football, then getting the call
Meyer and twin brother Eric both started playing AYSO soccer at 5 years old. The twins were wholeheartedly dedicated to the sport their entire childhood. But then the pair entered their freshman year at Dubuque-Wahlert High and joined the football team — a football team sans kicker. “Everyone knew Mike had a really good leg,” Eric Meyer said. “So going into that year, he was really our only guy who could kick, so he started placekicking.”
Mike Meyer realized after a few practices that he was destined to be the full-time placekicker and then dedicated himself entirely to that project. Eric Meyer — who played defensive lineman and wide receiver — would go out to a local football field and shag balls for Mike Meyer, watching his passion for football kicking grow every week. “I always loved soccer,” said Eric Meyer, who plays intramural soccer at the UI. “I have liked soccer the best my whole life, but Mike really started to like football. He became a football player.” Meyer set the Mississippi Valley Conference record with a 56-yard field goal and earned first-team all-state and all-conference honors his senior See MEYER, 6B
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 5B
6B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
MEYER
CONTINUED FROM 4B
year in 2009. His high-school accolades grabbed the eye of Northern Iowa’s football program. But Mike Meyer turned down a scholarship offer from the Panthers because he wanted to be a Hawkeye, whether that meant playing football or not. He had grown up amid a family of Iowa fans, so when he got a phone call from head coach Kirk Ferentz offering him an opportunity to walk on, the placekicker realized what football had done in his life. “We’ve always been in love with Iowa. Always,” Eric Meyer said. “Any chance Mike could get to kick in Kinnick Stadium, even if it was as a walk-on, he was going to take it.” Ferentz told him he’d be in the running for kickoff opportunities his freshman year. That opportunity was enough for Mike Meyer, Eric said. Mike Meyer handled 69 kickoffs his freshman season, yes, but he also hit 14
field goals and 31 extra points.
The turning point
Mike Meyer is a shy person. He likes to watch movies. He doesn’t talk too much, and he’s fidgety and anxious in the spotlight. He’s never lacked confidence, father Brian Meyer said, but sometimes struggled during his freshman year, especially after a missed kick. “It happened a lot in the past; after misses, I would kind of struggle to move on,” Mike Meyer said. “Sometimes you miss big kicks, and that hurts. It’s hard to keep moving on, but I’ve gotten a lot better at it, and it’s helped me.” Brian Meyer said his son has turned a corner, however, into being a more confident kicker. It started with a scholarship offer. The Meyer family were in the car, going to an early Christmas dinner on Dec. 23, 2010. One half of the two sets of Meyer twins wasn’t there, though. Mike Meyer was with the Hawkeyes, prepping for the 2010 Insight Bowl, which was five days away. Then Brian Meyer’s phone rang. “Dad, I have an early Christmas present for you,” his son said. “I earned a scholarship.” “I remember calling my dad then,”
Mike Meyer said. “It was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my entire life. I won’t forget that, not ever, probably.” It wasn’t just the fact that his schooling would be paid for. It was a sense of selfworth; he was now an integral part of the team. He felt as though he belonged.
Meyer ‘leans on’ Kaeding
Nate Kaeding still lives in Iowa City when he’s not in season with the San Diego Chargers. The former Hawkeye and current All-Pro NFL kicker has invested time into making Meyer the next great Hawkeye kicker. Kaeding, who won the 2002 Lou Groza Award, is passionate about coaching and teaching. He’s become an essential part of Mike Meyer’s career. “Nate has definitely helped me so much to move along with maturity in tough kicking situations,” Meyer said. “He’s taught me that kicking is a game of confidence, and he’s helped me find that, in a way … I talk to him a lot more often [this season], just to keep my mindset where it should be.” Meyer and Kaeding talk once or twice a week during football season with phone calls and text messages. Meyer is doing a lot of things right, Kaeding said, but the pro tries to give his protégé “tips and tricks” throughout
the season. “Kickers are unique creatures, a unique position in sports,” Kaeding said. “I realized it early on in college — no offense to the coaches there or anything — but that sometimes the kicker is a little lost. It’s just like anything; it’s hard to relate and coach a kicker if you haven’t done what they’ve done. So I decided I wanted to coach him to help him.” Kicking is a skill of mind games, so the majority of Kaeding’s tutelage centers on confidence and positive thinking. The Charger can relate to everything Meyer is experiencing now, whether it’s the pressure of “stringing together a bunch of makes” or falling victim to a bad miss. “Confidence is something that we talk a lot about, which is a tricky thing,” Kaeding said. “Confidence isn’t given, or it isn’t taught. You can’t just sprinkle some magic dust and suddenly believe in yourself … but Mike is an even-keeled, calm guy who has this great inner confidence, this centered positivity. I’ve seen that grow and I’ve seen it change him.” Brian Meyer said he’s seen his son change dramatically this season since he’s started to talk with Kaeding more. SEE MEYER, 9B
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 7B
8B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 9B
Iowa place kicker Mike Meyer kicks a 37-yard field goal during the first quarter of the Iowa vs Michigan State football game in Kinnick Stadium on in 2010. (The Daily Iowan/File Photo)
MEYER
Continued from 6B
The father said his son has learned new pre-kick routines — such as shaking out his arms to relieve the stress — — and that the Hawkeye has a different attitude about issues of confidence and self-doubt. “Going out onto the field, he just looks like a much more confident kid; I can see it even in the way he walks out there,” Brian Meyer said. “He seems much more comfortable; he never worries about his protection or his snap or his hold. Nate Kaeding has taught him to think like the great player he is.” Mike Meyer knows the names of the nation’s best kickers — Brett Maher from Nebraska, Steven Schott from Ball State, Dan Conroy from Michigan State — and the Hawkeye finally realizes that he belongs with them. He is tied for third in the NCAA in made field goals. “It’s been neat for me to watch him progress,” Kaeding said. “I see a lot of the qualities that I encountered; I see him doing a lot of the things that I did, and I see him growing a lot faster than I ever did.”
Leading the Hawkeyes Over three years as Iowa’s primary placekicker, Mike Meyer has earned the unwavering trust and respect of his teammates. “We all trust him,” wide receiver Keenan Davis said. “The guys are just like, ‘OK, Mike is in. We’ve got 3 points.’ He comes in here and works just as hard as anybody.” And part of that is his confidence. “It means a lot to me that my teammates trust me, and I work to make sure I get it,” Meyer said. “Throughout the week in practice, I think that the more I can put confidence into my team, the more they can put confidence into me when it’s a game.” Kaeding’s mentorship has transformed the placekicker into a Hawkeye leader, transformed him from a walk-on freshman being devastated after a missed attempt to a placekicker so confident that he’s mentoring other teammates. “Mike’s got a lot of confidence, and he really helps me in that,” long-snapper Casey Kreiter said. “Confidence really just radiates off him, and it affects everyone around. That really affects the team. I don’t even know if he realizes how much it does. He can change us just by walking into a room, really. Confidence is such a tricky thing, but he’s really got it down.”
10B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
FEATURED MATCHUP
TORK MASON TORK-MASON@UIOWA.EDU
OFFENSE Name: Allen Robinson
DEFENSE Name: Micah Hyde
Former Penn State coach Joe Paterno developed a reputation for being averse to playing freshmen. Robinson has people wondering how Paterno didn’t see the talent waiting to shine. The sophomore has caught 41 passes for 574 yards and 7 touchdowns this season and has emerged as one of the Big Ten’s top receivers. He’s been the primary target for a resurgent Matt McGloin, who has 12 touchdown passes and just 2 interceptions. Hyde said he expects a stiff test on Saturday. “He’s good,” Hyde said. “He catches the ball, he’s quick, he’s fast. He’s a good receiver in the Big Ten, and we’ve seen in the past couple years that the Big Ten has good receivers. And I think he’s one of the tops.”
Hyde has been able to lock down his side of the field for most of this season and has been a major factor in the defense’s success thus far. The Fostoria, Ohio, native has broken up 6 passes this season and is the Hawkeyes’ top NFL draft prospect this year. Hyde has made his presence felt in the Hawkeyes’ first two Big Ten games. The senior broke up a combined 4 passes and recorded 13 tackles in wins over Minnesota and Michigan State. He’ll have his work cut out for him when the Nittany Lions enter Kinnick Stadium.
Position: Penn State Year: Sophomore
Position: Iowa cornerback Year: Senior
12B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa
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IOWA HAWKEYES
Marshall Koehn Greg Castillo Barkley Hill Greg Garmon Kyle Anderson Tanner Miller Keenan Davis Sean Draper Trent Mossbrucker Don Shumpert Blake Haluska Collin Sleeper Kevonte Martin-Manley Anthony Gair Tom Donatell Kevin Buford John Wienke Jonny Mullings Jake Rudock James Vandenberg C.J. Beathard Jacob Hillyer Micah Hyde B.J. Lowery Cody Sokol Christian Kirksey Nico Law Torrey Campbell Jordan Cotton Ruben Lile Jordan Lomax Maurice Fleming Nick Nielsen Andre Dawson Anthony Hitchens Damon Bullock Jordan Canzeri Adam Cox Nate Meier Gavin Smith Cole Fisher John Lowdermilk Brad Rogers Travis Perry Jack Swanson Jacob Reisen Macon Plewa Jim Poggi James Morris Mark Weisman George Krieger Kittle Melvin Spears Palmer Foster Drew Clark Laron Taylor Quinton Alston James Ferentz Steve Bigach Marcus Collins Faith Ekakitie Tommy Gaul Eric Simmons Conor Boffeli Matt Tobin Casey Kreiter Austin Blythe Jordan Walsh Casey McMillan Jaleel Johnson Brandon Scherff Ryan Kolka
ROS
- Friday, October 19, 2012
6-0/160 5-11/187 6-0/210 6-1/200 6-3/210 6-2/201 6-3/215 6-0/180 5-11/204 6-3/190 6-4/210 6-2/200 6-0/205 6-2/195 6-2/205 5-10/170 6-5/220 6-3/210 6-3/200 6-3/212 6-2/180 6-4/205 6-1/190 5-11/188 6-2/205 6-2/220 6-1/195 5-11/183 6-1/185 6-3/200 5-10/190 6-0/185 6-3/210 6-2/207 6-1/224 6-0/195 5-9/180 5-11/210 6-2/235 5-10/175 6-2/218 6-2/203 5-10/230 6-3/230 5-11/200 6-2/231 6-2/225 6-2/218 6-2/230 6-0/225 6-4/210 6-2/255 6-3/210 6-4/288 6-0/215 6-1/224 6-2/284 6-3/282 6-0/215 6-3/275 6-3/264 6-3/300 6-5/290 6-6/290 6-3/250 6-3/275 6-4/270 6-4/305 6-4/300 6-5/310 6-0/208
PK DB RB RB QB DB WR DB PK WR WR DB WR DB LB DB QB P QB QB QB WR CB DB QB LB DB DB WR DB DB WR WR RB LB RB RB FB RB/LB DB OLB DB FB DB DB FB LB LB LB FB ATH DE OLB OL LB LB OL DL LB DL OL OL OL OL LS OL OL OL DL OL LS
RS FR SR FR FR RS FR JR SR FR SR JR SO SR SO FR SR FR SR SO RS FR SR FR RS FR SR JR JR JR SO RS FR JR FR SO FR SR JR JR SO SO RS FR FR JR RS FR SO JR RS FR SR JR RS FR SO JR SO FR RS FR SO JR FR SO SR SR SO FR SO SO JR SR JR RS FR RS FR SR FR SO RS FR
IOWA VS. PENN STATE • SATURD Solon, Iowa Mount Laurel, N.J. Denver, Iowa Erie, Pa. Ames, Iowa Kalona, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Mooresville, Ind. St. Louis, Mo. Carroll, Iowa Solon, Iowa Pontiac, Mich. Plano, Texas Duluth, Ga. Canton, Mich. Tuscola, Ill. Canberra, Australia Weston, Fla. Keokuk, Iowa Franklin, Tenn. Somerset, Texas Fostoria, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio Phoenix, Ariz. St. Louis, Mo. Clinton, Md. Naples, Fla. Mount Pleasant, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Upper Marlboro, Md. Chicago, Ill. Humboldt, Iowa Cedar Rapids, Iowa Lorain, Ohio Mansfield, Texas Troy, N.Y. Chana, Ill. Tabor, Iowa North Liberty, Iowa Omaha, Neb. Carrollton, Ohio Toledo, Ohio Urbandale, Iowa Naples, Fla. Iowa City, Iowa Franklin, Wis. Towson, Md. Solon, Iowa Buffalo Grove, Ill. Norman, Okla. Allen, Texas Davenport, Iowa Marion, Iowa Detroit, Mich. Sicklerville, N.J. Iowa City, Iowa Cleveland, Ohio Yeadon, Pa. Brampton, Ontario Des Moines, Iowa Madrid, Iowa West Des Moines, Iowa Worthington, Iowa DeWitt, Iowa Williamsburg, Iowa Glendale Heights, Ill. Billings, Mont. Westchester, Ill. Denison, Iowa St. Charles, Ill.
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Brett Van Sloten Carl Davis Ryan Ward Mitch Keppy Dean Tsopanides Nolan MacMillan Reid Sealby Andrew Donnal Dominic Alvis Henry Krieger Coble Tevaun Smith Ray Hamilton Steven Staggs Zach Derby C.J. Fiedorowicz Jake Duzey Greg Mabin Cameron Wilson Louis Trinca-Pasat Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara Jonathan Gimm Nathan Lyman Riley McMinn Drew Ott Mike Meyer Darian Cooper Connor Kornbrath Mike Hardy Joe Gaglione
6-7/292 6-5/310 6-5/275 6-5/290 6-2/240 6-6/290 6-4/250 6-7/302 6-4/265 6-4/235 6-2/190 6-5/248 6-3/195 6-3/240 6-7/265 6-4/235 6-2/190 6-1/195 6-3/270 6-5/230 6-3/240 6-3/280 6-7/245 6-4/245 6-2/185 6-2/280 6-6/240 6-5/270 6-4/264
OL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL DL TE WR TE WR TE TE TE WR WR DL DL FB DL DE DL K DL P DL DL
JR SO FR FR RS FR JR FR SO JR RS FR FR SO SR SR JR RS FR FR FR SO FR SR JR RS FR FR JR RS FR FR SO SR
Decorah, Iowa Detroit, Mich. New Lenox, Ill. Port Byron, Ill. Torrington, Conn. Toronto, Ontario Byron, Ill. Monclova, Ohio Logan, Iowa Mount Pleasant, Iowa Toronto, Ontario Strongsville, Ohio Oskaloosa, Iowa Iowa City, Iowa Johnsburg, Ill. Troy, Mich. Plantation, Fla. Dublin, Ohio Chicago, Ill. Weston, Fla. Houston, Texas Grundy Center, Iowa Rochester, Ill. Trumbull, Neb. Dubuque, Iowa Elkridge, Md. Bridgeport, W.V. Appleton, Wis. Novelty, Ohio
Keenan Davis WR #6
Adrian Amos CB #4 Deion Barnes LE #18 Malcolm Willis FS #10
Brett Van Sloten RT #70
Greg Garmon RB #4 Gerald Hodges LB #6
DaQuan Jones DT #91
Andrew Donnall James Vandenberg RG #78 QB #16
Jordan Hill DT #47
Glenn Carson LB #40
James Ferentz C #53
Michael Mauti LB #34 Sean Stanley RE #90
Stephen Obeng-Agyapong SS #28
Brad Rogers FB #38
Matt Tobin LG #60
Brandon Scherff LT #68
C.J. Fiedorowicz TE #86
Stephon Morris CB #12 Kevonte Martin-Manley WR #11
STER
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 13B
DAY, OCTOBER 20, 2012 • 7:00PM Bill Belton 5-10/202 RB Jake Kiley 6-0/170 CB Shane McGregor 6-1/211 QB Da’Quan Davis 5-10/161 CB Adrian Amos 6-0/205 CB Nyeem Wartman 6-1/236 LB Gerald Hodges 6-2/237 LB Shane Phillips 6-5/192 WR Paul Jones 6-3/258 QB Eugene Lewis 6-1/199 WR Stephen Obeng-Agyapong 5-10/207 S Allen Robinson 6-3/201 WR Gary Wooten 6-2/230 LB Michael Zordich 6-1/236 RB Malcolm Willis 5-11/209 S Matthew McGloin 6-1/210 QB Steven Bench 6-2/204 QB Stephon Morris 5-8/186 CB Tyler Lucas 6-2/191 WR Jordan Lucas 6-0/188 S Garrett Venuto 6-0/219 QB Mike Wallace 5-9/195 CB Patrick Flanagan 5-8/158 CB Alex Kenney 6-0/192 WR Devin Pryor 5-10/162 CB Christian Kuntz 6-4/218 WR Steve Stephenson 5-10/175 CB Deion Barnes 6-4/246 DE Jesse James 6-7/264 TE Matt Marcincin 5-11/182 K Malik Golden 6-1/182 WR Bryant Harper 5-10/188 S Trevor Williams 6-1/186 WR Akeel Lynch 6-0/209 RB T.J. Rhattigan 5-10/193 LB Ryan Keiser 6-1/200 S Derek Day 5-9/193 RB
1 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 7 7 8 8 9 10 11 12 12 13 14 14 14 15 15 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 24
Allen Robinson WR #8
SO FR SR FR SO FR SR FR SO FR JR SO FR SR JR SR FR SR FR FR JR JR SO SO SO JR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR FR SO SR
Sicklerville, N.J. Plymouth, N.H. Ebensburg, Pa. Rosedale, Md. Baltimore, Md. Philadelphia, Pa. Paulsboro, N.J. Saint Albans, N.Y. McKees Rocks, Pa. Wilkes-Barre, Pa. Bronx, N.Y. Southfield, Mich. Miami, Fla. Youngstown, Ohio Marbury, Md. Scranton, Pa. Bainbridge, Ga. Greenbelt, Md. Bellefonte, Pa. New Rochelle, N.Y. Ithaca, N.Y. Silver Spring, Md. State College, Pa. State College, Pa. San Bernardino, Calif. Camp Hill, Pa. Westville, N.J. Philadelphia, Pa. Glassport, Pa. Malvern, Pa. Hartford, Conn. McKeesport, Pa. Nottingham, Md. Toronto, Ontario Naperville, Ill. Selinsgrove, Pa. Bellefonte, Pa.
Micah Hyde CB #18
Brandon Moseby-Felder WR #81
Anthony Hitchens WLB #31 Tanner Miller FS #5
Donovan Smith LT #76
n
Joe Gaglione DE #99
Miles Dieffenbach LG #65 Bill Belton RB #1
Louis Trinca-Pasat DT #90
Matt McGloin QB #11
Matt Stankewitch C #54
James Morris MLB #44
Christian Kirksey OLB #20 Steve Bigach DT #54
John Urschel RG #64 Kyle Carter TE #87 Mike Farrell RT #78
Alex Kennedy WR #19
Dominic Alvis DE #79
Greg Castillo CB #2
Tom Donatell SS #13
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PENN STATE
Jonathan Duckett 6-1/188 Curtis Dukes 6-1/245 Jacob Fagnano 6-0/206 Colin Bryan 6-0/192 Zach Zwinak 6-1/232 Reynolds Parthemore 6-4/196 Andre Dupree 5-11/246 Charles Idemudia 5-11/224 Brad Bars 6-3/254 Joe Baker 5-8/190 Michael Yancich 6-2/233 Dominic Salomone 5-10/231 Pat Zerbe 6-1/236 Deron Thompson 5-10/192 Jack Haffner 5-10/206 Evan Lewis 5-9/174 Ben Kline 6-2/224 Jesse Della Valle 6-1/190 Glenn Carson 6-3/235 J.R. Refice 6-0/246 Michael Mauti 6-2/232 Mike Hull 6-0/228 Michael Fuhrman 5-10/213 Alex Butterworth 5-10/206 P.J. Byers 6-0/246 Adam Cole 5-11/215 Jordan Hill 6-1/292 Kevin DiSanto 5-10/175 Jordan Kerner 6-4/239 Brennan Franklin 5-10/220 Anthony Stanko 6-4/307 Drew Boyce 6-1/217 Brent Smith 6-2/240 Derek Dowrey 6-3/311 Matt Stankiewitch 6-3/301 James Van Fleet 6-0/219 Wendy Laurent 6-2/278 Anthony Alosi 6-4/287 Emery Etter 6-1/221 Adam Gress 6-6/311 Pete Massaro 6-4/256 Ty Howle 6-0/298 Frank Figueroa 6-3/298 Joe Marvin 6-4/247 John Urschel 6-3/307 Miles Dieffenbach 6-3/300 Angelo Mangiro 6-3/291 Bryan Davie 6-2/296 Nate Cadogan 6-5/293 Brian Gaia 6-3/271 Mark Arcidiacono 6-4/293 Eric Shrive 6-6/305 Donovan Smith 6-5/316 Mike Farrell 6-6/306 Kevin Blanchard 6-7/311 Matt Zanellato 6-3/198 Shawney Kersey 6-1/197 Brian Irvin 6-3/242 Brent Wilkerson 6-3/239 Kyle Baublitz 6-5/287 Matt Lehman 6-6/258 Brandon Moseby-Felder 6-2/195 C.J. Olaniyan 6-3/248 Bryce Wilson 6-3/248 Kyle Carter 6-3/247 Tyrone Smith 6-4/251 Jonathan Warner 6-1/198 Garry Gilliam 6-6/262 Sean Stanley 6-1/243 DaQuan Jones 6-3/324 Albert Hall 6-4/250 James Terry 6-3/316 Evan Schwan 6-6/223 Carl Nassib 6-6/239 Cody Castor 6-3/295 Sam Ficken 6-2/172 Anthony Zettel 6-5/253 Austin Johnson 6-4/297
S RB S RB RB P FB LB DE P LB FB FB RB FB WR LB CB LB FB LB LB LS P FB LB DL K DE LB G LB DE DT C LB C G LS OT DE C C LS G C G G OT DT G G OT OT OT WR WR TE TE DT TE WR DE TE TE DT WR TE DE DT DE DT DE DE DT K DE DT
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Harrisburg, Pa. Evans Mills, N.Y. Williamsport, Pa. Windber, Pa. Frederick, Md. New Cumberland, Pa. Waldorf, Md. Grosse Pointe, Mich. Nashville, Tenn. West Chester, Pa. Washington, Pa. Carlisle, Pa. West Lawn, Pa. Lititz, Pa. State College, Pa. Gettysburg, Pa. York, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Manahawkin, N.J. Jessup, Pa. Mandeville, La. Canonsburg, Pa. Pittsburgh, Pa. Indianapolis, Ind. Harrison City, Pa. Belle Vernon, Pa. Steelton, Pa. State College, Pa. Fairview, Pa. Peoria, Ariz. Warren, Ohio Olathe, Kan. Hughesville, Pa. Winchester, Va. Orwigsburg, Pa. Williamsport, Pa. Hamilton, N.J. Marlton, N.J. Chambersburg, Pa. West Mifflin, Pa. Newtown Square, Pa. Wake Forest, N.C. San Antonio, Texas Rockville, Md. Williamsville, N.Y. Pittsburgh, Pa. Succasunna, N.J. Greenbelt, Md. Portsmouth, Ohio Pasadena, Md. Holland, Pa. Scranton, Pa. Owings Mills, Md. Pittsburgh, Pa. Katy, Texas Burke, Va. Woodbury, N.J. Orrtanna, Pa. Clinton, Md. York, Pa. Newport, Pa. Fort Washington, Md. Warren, Mich. Camp Hill, Pa. Bear, Del. Pittsburgh, Pa. Camas, Wash. Carlisle, Pa. Rockville, Md. Johnson City, N.Y. Warwick, N.Y. New Castle, Del. Media, Pa. Malvern, Pa. Uniontown, Pa. Valparaiso, Ind. West Branch, Mich. Galloway, N.J.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 15B
16B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
POINT/COUNTERPOINT
Which is more surprising: Iowa’s defensive success or offensive struggles? Offensive struggles
Defensive success
Iowa’s defense didn’t look like much on preseason paper. First, there was a new coordinator in Phil Parker. Also, there were two outside linebackers in Christian Kriksey and Anthony Hitchens listed at a seemingly undersized 220 pounds. The defensive line returned two starters — Steve Bigach and Dominic Alvis — paired with Louis Trinca-Pasat and Joe Gaglione. The latter two had 8 career tackles coming into 2012. Even redshirt freshman lineman Darian Cooper admitted to The Daily Iowan in a season preview that “who knows who’s going to have to step up and play [for the defensive line].” Allegedly, the defensive backs, bolstered by future NFL player Micah Hyde and his fellow upperclassmen cornerbacks were the only strong side of Hawkeyes’ defense, according to numerous preseason projections. But this past weekend, Trinca-Pasat tipped the eventual game-winning interception in double-overtime, in a game in which Hitchens again led Iowa in tackles (15) with Gaglione and James Morris also recording double-digit tackles (11 and 10, respectively). And, after another great week, Hitchens now leads the NCAA in tackles per game with 13. In a down year for the Big Ten, the Iowa defense is on a surprising up. A unit many deemed disappointing in 2011 and projected to be as bad in 2012 has emerged as the catalyst for a 2-0 Big Ten start, and as a possible vehicle to a Big Ten Legends division championship.
Iowa’s offense has been bad this year. Really bad. And it’s easily the surprise of the year. Do you remember last year? When James Vandenberg threw 25 touchdown passes? And when Marcus Coker ran for almost 1,400 yards? Coker was the second best rusher in the conference. Vandenberg was third in passing yards per game. Marvin McNutt was the best receiver in the Big Ten, raking in 12 touchdowns through the air. Even though McNutt left for the NFL and Coker for prestigious Stony Brook, Vandenberg was still widely projected to pace the conference this year in all things passing. Iowa’s running backs have always been inconsistent, but a young receiving group was going to make up for that with Keenan Davis and Kevonte Martin-Manley. So, what’s happened, exactly? The Hawkeyes’ offense has been abysmal, with the exception of running back Mark Weisman. And that’s being pretty generous. Vandenberg has only tossed 2 touchdowns this year — and that’s with Weisman sucking in defenders and freeing up the secondary for downfield passes. Let’s not forget that one of those passes came on a flea-flicker trick play in which nobody was within 20 yards of Jordan Cotton. It’s not even funny how bad the offense has been. Without Weisman, the Hawkeye attack would have nowhere to turn. Thank goodness for the consistent defense, or Iowa would start to resemble my hometown Kansas City Chiefs.
—by Ian Martin —by Cody Goodwin
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 17B
18B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
LEADERBOARD Passing efficiency, NCAA
111. Eastern Michigan: 108.07 112. Hawaii: 107.77 113. Auburn: 107.59 114. Iowa: 106.59 115. Army: 102.38 116. Kansas: 101.11 117. Tulane: 97.76 118. New Mexico: 97.61 119. Southern Miss: 96.24 120. SMU: 95.51
Tackles/game, NCAA
1. Anthony Hitchens, Iowa: 13.00 2. Dan Molls, Toledo: 12.71 3. Bryce Hager, Baylor: 12.20 4. Nick Clancy, Boston College: 12.17 5. Phil Steward, Houston: 12.00 6. Daren Bates, Auburn: 11.67 7. Dominick LeGrande, Marshall: 11.50 8. Travis Freeman, Ball State: 10.86 9. Perry Mcintyre, U Mass: 10.83 10. Yawin Smallwood, UConn: 10.71
Tackles for loss, Big Ten
T1. Kawann Short, Purdue: 9.0 T1. Mike Taylor, Wisconsin: 9.0 3. John Simon, Ohio State: 8.5 4. Joe Gaglione, Iowa: 8.0 T5. Tyler Scott, Northwestern: 7.5 T5. Jake Ryan, Michigan: 7.5 T5. Chris Borland, Wisconsin: 7.5 8. Eric Martin, Nebraska: 7.0 T9. D.L. Wilhite, Minnesota: 6.5 T9. Jonathan Brown, Illinois: 6.5
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 19B
20B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
AROUND THE BIG TEN
TORK MASON tork-mason@uiowa.edu
POWER RANKINGS
1. Ohio State The Buckeyes struggled to put away Indiana on the road last week in a 52-49 win in Bloomington. But now, Urban Meyer’s crew returns to Columbus, a house of horrors for Big Ten teams. They host Purdue in a game that could all but eliminate the Boilermakers from contention in the Leaders Division. 2. Michigan The Wolverine offense has roared back to life in the first two weeks of the Big Ten season. Quarterback Denard Robinson has led the Maize and Blue to 89 points in those games and cut down on his turnovers. He hasn’t thrown an interception since throwing 4 in a 13-6 loss at Notre Dame on Sept. 22. 3. Penn State Bill O’Brien’s team was idle last week, but the Nittany Lions are on a roll. They’ve won four straight after an 0-2 start, and they are riding strong defense and the arm of senior Matt McGloin. McGloin has thrown 12 touchdown passes and run for 5 more, with just 2 interceptions. 4. Northwestern The Wildcats are bowl-eligible following a 21-13 victory over Minnesota. Tailback Venric Mark has rushed for 393 yards and 4 touchdowns in Big Ten play — including a 182-yard effort against the Gophers. The diminutive junior (5-8, 175 pounds) also leads the conference in all-purpose yards at 184.6 yards per game. 5. Nebraska Head coach Bo Pelini will have to figure out how to stop the spread and mobile quarterbacks. If he doesn’t, Northwestern quarterback/running back/wide receiver Cain Kolter will shred the Cornhuskers for the second year in a row, and Nebraska could find itself two games back in the Leaders Division race. 6. Wisconsin Montee Ball is back. The preseason Heisman favorite rushed for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns in a 38-14 shellacking of Purdue last week. Ball’s three scores pushed him past former Badger Ron Dayne in career touchdowns, making Ball the Big Ten’s all-time leader. Expect more of the same against Minnesota’s porous run defense.
GAMES TO WATCH Nebraska at Northwestern
Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Evanston, Ill. Where to watch: ESPN 2/ ABC regional Key Highlights Northwestern tailback Venric Mark has electrified the Big Ten in recent weeks with his speed and elusiveness. Mark and quarterback Cain Kolter will pair up in hopes of winning their second-straight game against Nebraska. Winner gets at least a share of second place in the Legends Division.
7. Iowa Running back Mark Weisman may miss this weekend’s game after suffering an ankle injury on his game-tying touchdown against Michigan State. Hawkeye fans could get their first look at sophomore Jordan Canzeri since the 2011 Insight Bowl. He’s cleared to play and on the two-deeps after recovering from an ACL tear in the spring. 8. Michigan State The Spartans will continue to rely on their defense and running back Le’Veon Bell as they try to bounce back from last week’s 19-16, double-overtime loss to the Hawkeyes. But quarterback Andrew Maxwell will also have to step up his game if Michigan State is to extend its four-game winning streak against Michigan. 9. Purdue Yikes. The Boilermakers are reeling hard and fast after a pair of blowout losses to open their conference slate. The road doesn’t get any easier this week — they travel to the Horseshoe to take on Ohio State. Purdue is 5-21-2 all-time in games at Ohio Stadium. 10. Minnesota Head coach Jerry Kill suffered a seizure following last week’s 21-13 loss to Northwestern. He’ll be back on the sidelines this week for the battle for Paul Bunyan’s Ax. The Gophers will have to step up their run defense if they have any chance of winning. Wisconsin running back Montee Ball is partying like it’s 2011, and that spells trouble for Minnesota. 11. Indiana The Hoosiers keep getting close. They take on Navy this week after a pair of near misses against Michigan State and Ohio State. Sophomore Cameron Coffman has thrown for 1,071 yards and 7 touchdowns in five games. 12. Illinois It’s tough to imagine things getting lower for the Illini and first-year head coach Tim Beckman. Sitting at 2-5 and 0-3 in the Big Ten after getting pummeled by Michigan, the season is quickly slipping away.
Minnesota at Wisconsin
Time: 11 a.m. Location: Madison, Wis. Where to Watch: ESPNU
Key Highlights The Gophers are in desperate need of a win in the Big Ten, but they’ll face a revitalized Montee Ball, who broke the Big Ten record for career touchdowns in a 38-14 romp over Purdue last week. Things don’t look good for Jerry Kill’s squad in his second season at the helm.
Michigan State at Michigan
Time: 2:30 p.m. Location: Ann Arbor, Mich. Where to Watch: Big Ten Network Key Highlights Spartan coach Mark Dantonio said this game comes at a good time, after a tough loss at home last week. His players can’t feel sorry for themselves if they want to stop Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, who has found his groove after struggling against Notre Dame on Sept. 22. Michigan needs the win to keep pace in the Legends Division. The Spartans need one to keep within striking distance.
OFFENSIVE IMPACT Name: Montee Ball Position: Wisconsin Running back Year: Senior Ball muddled through the nonconference schedule after being a preseason favorite for the Heisman Trophy, rushing for just 360 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first four games. But he’s regained his 2011 form and exploded for 456 yards and 8 touchdowns the last three weeks. Minnesota’s run defense has allowed a back to rush for 177 yards or more in each of its last two games. Badger coach Bret Bielema praised Ball for keeping a level head through the nonconference schedule. “He has been patient,” Bielema told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. “He never really presses. He just lets the game come to him, and obviously, he made a lot of really good reads [against Purdue on Oct. 13].”
DEFENSIVE IMPACT Name: Eric Martin Position: Nebraska Linebacker Year: Senior Nebraska has struggled against spread teams this year, and Martin will need to bring his best game if the Cornhuskers hope to bottle up Cain Kolter and Company. But the senior does lead the Big Ten in sacks with 5.5 on the year. If he can help generate pressure and keep the Wildcat offense off-balance, then the Cornhuskers may be able to stay in the division race. One thing’s for sure. Martin isn’t afraid to get physical. “That’s my favorite thing about football — contact,” Martin told the Lincoln Journal Star. “I just love to hit people.”
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 21B
22B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012
ON THE LINE
Ben Ross
Matchups
Molly Olmstead
Ian Martin
Sports Editor (16-14)
Asst. Sports Editor (21-9)
Penn State at Iowa
Without a healthy Weisman, the rushing game is doomed.
Under Musco lights Hawkeyes squeak past the Lions Meyer for Groza
Going for it on fourth down works only so many times.
NEBRASKA
NORTHWESTERN
NORTHWESTERN
Nebraska at Northwestern
No. 7 South Carolina at No. 2 Florida
PENN STATE
Huskers lost to Ohio State, yes, but the Wildcats lost to Penn State.
FLORIDA It will be close, but the Gators will take it.
IOWA
IOWA
Unless Cain Kolter starts and ’Cats are improving While Nebraska’s turnovers finishes the game at QB, the Huskers got this. Seem like charity
SOUTH CAROLINA Marcus Lattimore. Recall when Redskins’ coach was Stephen Spurrier?
WEST VIRGINIA
No. 4 Kansas State at No. 13 West Virginia
KANSAS STATE West Virginia collapsed against Texas Tech
Geno comes back hot As will the student body After seat on couch
No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 23 TCU
TCU
Red Raider Letdown First meeting between sides since Southwest Conference
TCU played hard against the Florida — impressive defense.
Football Reporter (18-7)
TCU
FLORIDA The Gameocks showed they’re mortal losing to LSU. Serves them right for beating Georgia.
K-STATE
Geno Smith is good, but Collin Klein might be gooder.
TEXAS TECH
TCU’s quarterback checking into rehab is something out of a movie. I bet some no-namer like Craig Sheffer would star as him.
Tork Mason
Football Reporter (20-10)
IOWA Mark Weisman plays this week. That’s all the Hawkeyes need.
NEBRASKA Nebraska struggles against the spread and mobile quarterbacks. I’m guessing Kain Colter isn’t a very welcome face.
FLORIDA
The Gamecocks are good, but Florida is one of the most well-balanced teams in the country, and the Gators are in the Swamp.
KANSAS STATE
West Virginia can’t win against good defenses.
TEXAS TECH TCU is ranked because of quarterback Casey Pachall. He gone.
Sam Louwagie Pregame Editor (16-14)
IOWA
Matt McGloin’s stats are lying to us.
NORTHWESTERN The Wildcats are kind of good.
FLORIDA Tough two weeks for the Gamecocks.
WEST VIRGINIA I need to make up some ground here. Help me, Geno.
TEXAS TECH Texas Tech. Sure.
Sam Lane
Fans’ Picks
Managing Editor (23-7)
IOWA
IOWA
But if they don’t have Weisman, it’ll be tough.
Gotta come down off our cloud and get serious with these guys.
NEBRASKA Northwestern isn’t anything special.
FLORIDA So I guess the Gators are legit?
NORTHWESTERN Because Nebraska sucks.
Florida If the Gamecocks thought Death Valley was bad, just wait until they’re in the swamp.
KANSAS STATE
Kansas State
West Virginia took it on the chin last week. Look for back-to-back Ls.
OptimusKlein is just too hot to handle right now.
TEXAS TECH
Texas Tech
I mean. TCU did lose to Iowa State.
Red Raiders run rampant.
The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012 - 23B
24B - The Daily Iowan - PREGAME - Iowa City, Iowa - Friday, October 19, 2012