2008 Iowa Hawkeyes - Recruiting Class

Iowa Hawkeyes 2008 Season Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz

Iowa Hawkeyes

2008 Recruiting Class

Star of the Class

John Wienke QB 6-4 196 Tuscola, IL
Prepstar.com Top 300 all-American team selection... Football Coaches Association first team all-state quarterback as a junior and senior... first team all conference quarterback as a junior and senior... Chicago Sun-Times first team all-state punter as a senior... first team all-conference punter as a junior and senior ... first team all-conference defensive end as a sophomore and junior... Owns conference record for single season touchdown passes (34 as a junior and senior)... finished career with 6,070 passing yards and 68 touchdowns... threw just nine interceptions in 620 attempts... also had 102 rushes for 441 yards and four touchdowns... collected 113 tackles, six sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles as a defensive end... punted 36 times for a 39.1 average as a junior and 14 times for a 41.1 average as a senior... team captain... awarded 14 varsity letters... lettered four times in baseball and three times in both basketball and track

Potential Instant Impact Players

David Blackwell

ATH

6-2

207

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Third team all-state as a junior... second team all-county as a sophomore and junior... honorable mention all-county as a freshman... Forced to sit out senior season with injury... collected 63 receptions for 1,352 yards and 15 touchdowns... played both quarterback and wide receiver junior season... finished 87-149 with 1,108 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns... also rushed 94 times for 861 yards, including 726 yards as a junior... finished with seven rushing touchdowns... team captain... also lettered in basketball.

Nate Guillory

RB

5-10

180

Coffeyville, KS

Prepstar.com JUCO all-American... honorable mention all-American as a freshman and sophomore... first team all-conference as a freshman... second team all-conference as a sophomore... Recorded 325 carries for 2,644 yards and 28 touchdowns in two-year career at Coffeyville Community College... junior college coach: Jeff Leiker.

Rest of the Class

Steve Bigach	LB	6-3	220	Cleveland, OH
Jeff Brinson	RB	5-11	203	Saint Petersburg, FL
Greg Castillo	ATH	5-10	158	Mt. Laurel, NJ
David Cato	DB	5-10	190	Mansfield, TX
James Ferentz	OL	6-2	250	Iowa City, IA
Joe Gaglione	DE	6-3	212	Mentor, OH
Jonathan Gimm	TE	6-3	235	Spring, TX
J.D. Griggs	DE	6-4	220	Piscataway, NJ
Jewel Hampton	RB	5-9	195	Indianapolis, IN
Brad Herman	TE	6-5	220	Metamora, IL
William Lowe	RB	5-9	165	Cleveland, OH
Casey McMillan	OL	6-4	285	Billings, MT
Trent Mossbrucker	K	5-11	195	Mooresville, IN
DeMarco Paine	ATH	5-10	175	St. Louis, MO
Shane Prater	WR	6-0	158	Omaha, NE
Shaun Prater	DB	5-10	159	Omaha, NE
Riley Reiff	DE	6-6	250	Parkston, SD
Jason Semmes	DE	6-3	218	Orchard Lake, MI
Khalif Staten	WR	6-3	219	Brooklyn, NY
Jack Swanson	DB	5-11	173	Naples, FL
James Vandenberg	QB	6-2	176	Keokuk, IA

- 2007 Iowa Preview
- 2007 Iowa Season
- 2006 Iowa Season

2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 9-3
2007 Record: 6-6

Sept. 1 NIU (in Chic.) W 16-3
Sept. 8 Syracuse W 35-0
Sept. 15 at Iowa State L 15-13
Sept. 22 at Wisconsin L 17-13
Sept. 29 Indiana L 38-20
Oct. 6 at Penn State L 27-7
Oct. 13 Illinois W 10-6
Oct. 20 at Purdue L 31-6
Oct. 27 Mich St W 34-27 2OT
Nov. 3 at Nwestern W 28-17
Nov. 10 Minnesota W 21-16
Nov. 17 Western Mich L 28-19

2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: The schedule is a joke. There's no Ohio State or Michigan, and Wisconsin and Penn State have to come to Iowa City. The road games are against Pitt, Michigan State, Indiana, Illinois and Minnesota; that's not that bad. Outside of the running back situation, everyone returns on offense. Everyone. The defensive line should be among the best in the Big Ten if Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard step up at end.
Why to be grouchy: Can the offense really be night-and-day better? With the indignity of finishing 11th in the Big Ten, the Iowa attack needs a jump-start from somewhere while hoping for overall experience to turn into production. The loss of Albert Young and Damian Sims from the running game means that Jevon Pugh is the only scholarship back on the roster, and he was thinking of transferring.
The number one thing to work on is: Getting more offensive pop, and it starts with the line. All five starters are back including all the backups, but the pass protection has to be much, much better after almost getting Jake Christensen killed. Head coach Kirk Ferentz has always put together good front fives, and now he has to mold this group into a strength for the Hawkeyes to be in the Big Ten hunt.
Biggest offensive loss: RB Albert Young
Biggest defensive loss: LBs Mike Humpal and Mike Klinkenborg
Best returning offensive player: C Rafael Eubanks
Best returning defensive player: DT Mitch King

2007 Recap
2007 Recap: After three straight ten-win seasons, the Hawkeyes have lost at least five games in three consecutive years, including 2007’s disappointing, bowl-less 6-6 campaign.  As stout as the defense was all season, it wasn’t enough to compensate for an anemic offense that was breaking in new starting QB Jake Christensen, and had a severe shortage of capable receivers.  Iowa was forced to remove the redshirts on 11 true freshmen, easily a record in the Kirk Ferentz era, and an indicator of how stretched the program was for depth in 2007.   

Offensive Player of the Year: RB Albert Young

Defensive Player of the Year: DT Mitch King

Biggest Surprise: Knocking off No. 18 Illinois on Oct. 13.  While hardly a thing of beauty, the 10-6 upset did end a nasty eight-game losing streak in Big Ten play, stalling the momentum of an Illini team that had beaten Penn State and Wisconsin in the previous two weeks.  Hawkeye S Brett Greenwood sealed the win on an interception at the goal line with 1:12 left in the game. 

Biggest Disappointment: Losing badly on Senior Night to 3-7 Western Michigan with a bowl berth hanging in the balance.  The Hawkeyes got shoved around, and never led, squandering a chance to cap an otherwise dismal season with a feel-good bonus game and 15 more practices in December.  

Looking Ahead: Is Iowa in a full-blown rebuilding mode for the first time since the beginning of the decade?  Maybe not.  The 2008 schedule is manageable, and the healthy returns of WR Andy Brodell and TE Andy Moeaki should help Christensen’s development in his second season as the starter.   

Nov. 17
Western Michigan 28 ... Iowa 19
Western Michigan stunned Iowa with three Tim Hiller touchdown passes including strikes to Anthony Middleton from 35 and seven yards out, with the first one making it 19-0 midway through the first half. Iowa found its offense with three Jake Christensen touchdown passes, but three turnovers proved costly hurt most by a fumble in the final few minutes leading to a game-clinching 30-yard Chris Kelly field goal. The Broncos outgained the Hawkeyes 489 yards to 397.
Player of the game: Western Michigan QB Tim Hiller completed 26 of 45 passes for 367 yards and three touchdowns.
Stat Leaders: Western Michigan - Passing: Tim Hiller, 26-45, 367 yds, 3 TD
Rushing: Brandon West, 30-116. Receiving: Brandon West, 9-93, 1 TD
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 20-37, 249 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Albert Young, 17-95. Receiving: Brandon Myers, 6-59, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All the positives coming from the good second half of the season are all erased in the shocking loss to Western Michigan. The offense didn't do nearly enough to control the ball, with three turnovers proving to be costly, while the defense got gouged by Tim Hiller and the WMU passing game. Now a bowl game is all but erased, with too many eligible Big Ten teams for the slots, and now this might be an ugly off-season. The offense will have to find more consistent playmakers, and get better play from the line.

Nov. 10
Iowa 21 ... Minnesota 16
In a tale of two halves, Iowa dominated the first, with Albert Young scoring from one and 12 yards out, and Brandon Myers catching a six-yard touchdown pass on the way to a 21-7 lead, and then Minnesota rallied with a 54-yard Joel Monroe field goal and, with 1:38 to play, a 22-yard Eric Decker scoring grab. The Gophers, who ended up outgaining the Hawkeyes 315 yards to 296, tried everything to come back, including going for it on three fourth downs, but couldn't get over the hump. Mike Klinkenborg finished with 13 tackles for the Hawkeyes.
Player of the game: Iowa RB Albert Young ran 21 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 14-25, 157 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Albert Young, 21-92, 2 TD. Receiving: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 4-46
Minnesota - Passing: Adam Weber, 24-41, 190 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Adam Weber, 11-70. Receiving: Justin Valentine, 6-37
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Iowa might have become bowl eligible with the win over Minnesota, but it also became the first team to not light up the Gopher defense like a Christmas tree. Who cares? Considering where the team was just a month ago, and with four wins in the last five games, this has been a big turnaround for the Hawkeyes as they're now on the verge of going to a bowl. The Big Ten doesn't have enough spots for all the eligible teams, so a win over Western Michigan next week is a must. Seven wins probably gets it done.

Nov. 3
Iowa 28 ... Northwestern 17
Iowa overcame an early 14-0 deficit with two Damian Sims touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, a 16-yard Albert Young run, and a 20-yard Trey Stross touchdown grab as part of a 28-3 scoring run. Northwestern got a two-yard Tyrell Sutton scoring run on the opening drive, and a two-yard Mark Woodson scoring catch late in the first, but three interceptions, a blocked field goal, and a missed field goal, helped keep points off the board. The two teams combined for 12 sacks, each getting six.
Player of the game: Iowa DB Bradley Fletcher made 12 tackles, one interceptions and broke up three passes
Stat Leaders: Northwestern - Passing: C.J. Bacher, 27-54, 264 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Sutton, 23-116, 1 TD. Receiving: Tyrell Sutton, 7-40
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 21-36, 299 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 16-59, 1 TD. Receiving: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 8-119
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The defense has stepped up its play in a big way when needed over the last few weeks, and after winning three of the last four, a bowl game is all but assured with layups ahead against Minnesota and Western Michigan. Beating Northwestern, and all but shutting down its hot offense after the first quarter, was tougher than the last two home games will be, and now this once lost season could turn into one of Kirk Ferentz's finest projects. Getting more from the O line over the final two weeks would be nice after having a nightmare of a time with the Wildcat defensive front.

Oct. 27
Iowa 34 ... Michigan State 27 2OT
Iowa got a one-yard Jevon Pugh touchdown run in the second overtime, and then came up with a fourth down stop to pull off a big comeback. Up 17-3 at halftime, the Spartans appeared on their way to an easy win, but the Iowa running game took over in the second half as Albert Young scored from 26 and three yards out. Daniel Murray connected on a 47-yard field goal for Iowa's first lead of the game, but MSU was able to force overtime on a 29-yard Brett Swenson field goal with four seconds to play. In the first overtime, Jehuu Caulcrick gave MSU the lead with his third touchdown of the game, but Iowa answered with a 23-yard Paul Chaney catch. Iowa outrushed MSU 230 yards to 160, but MSU had the ball 36:26 to 23:34.
Player of the game: Iowa RB Albert Young ran 34 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns, and LB Mike Humpal made 18 tackles and broke up a pass
Stat Leaders: Michigan State - Passing: Brian Hoyer, 25-42, 308 yds
Rushing: Javon Ringer, 23-103. Receiving: Devin Thomas, 9-139
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 5-15, 53 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 34-179, 2 TD. Receiving: James Cleveland, 2-17
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... All of a sudden, Iowa had a running game again. Neutralizing the Michigan State pass rush by committing to the ground game in the second half, the Hawkeyes were able to get Albert Young on a roll and the game turned around. Jake Christensen only connected on five of 15 passes, but it didn't matter. With Northwestern, Minnesota and Western Michigan left to play, this one-time lost season now could end up with a bowl bid. Considering how uneven and injured the Hawkeyes have been, that would be a tremendous achievement.

Oct. 20
Purdue 31 ... Iowa 6
Purdue pulled away from a punchless Iowa with a 33-yard Dorien Bryant touchdown catch late in the third quarter to spark a 17-0 run. Bryant also caught a 22-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, and Dustin Keller scored from 14 yards out in the first as the Boilermakers were never threatened. Iowa managed just 254 yards of total offense and two field goals.
Player of the game: Purdue WR Dorien Bryant caught nine passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 17-40, 177 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Albert Young 7-44. Receiving: James Cleveland, 7-101
Purdue - Passing: Curtis Painter, 29-48, 315 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Kory Sheets 18-71, 1 TD. Receiving: Dorien Bryant, 9-167, 2 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Iowa offense continues to have nothing going its way, mainly because the offensive line is struggling so much. Purdue's defense is hardly a killer, but it was able to generate consistent pressure without much of a problem. Iowa's defense struggled on third downs, but it did a decent job against the run for the second week in a row. That'll be the key against Michigan State next week. If the Spartans get up early, it's over.

Oct. 13
Iowa 10 ... Illinois 6
Iowa safety Brett Greenwood picked off Eddie McGee in the end zone with just over a minute to play to close out a brilliant defensive performance. The Illini gained just 287 yards of total offense and was outgained 141 yards to 137 on the ground, getting points on Jason Reda field goals from 46 and 23 yards out. Iowa tied it at three just before halftime on a 28-yard Daniel Murray kick, and took the lead for good at the end of the third quarter on a 29-yard Brandon Myers touchdown catch. The Illinois offense almost got its home run to change things around on an 83-yard pass play to Joe Morgan, but it was called back by an ineligible receiver penalty.
Player of the game: Iowa LB Mike Humphal made 18 tackles, sack, 2.5 tackles for loss and recovered a fumble
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 17-25, 182 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 25-99. Receiving: Albert Young, 4-25
Illinois - Passing: Juice Williams, 9-15, 98 yds
Rushing: Rashard Mendenhall, 15-67  Receiving: Arrelious Benn, 4-87
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The Iowa defensive front seven had itself a whale of a game against the Illinois offense. The Illini looked frustrated and never got on track because the option was always sniffed out by the Hawkeye linebackers, particularly Mike Humphal. The offense wasn't anything special, but Jake Christensen came up with a tremendous game to keep the chains moving, converting on ten of 17 third down chances and holding on to the ball for 34:26. Was this the game that's going to turn everything around? Maybe, but the offense will have to start doing even more to keep up with Purdue next week.

Oct. 6
Penn State 27 ... Iowa 7
Penn State outgained Iowa 256 yards to 48, with Rodney Kinlaw getting 168 of them with touchdown dashes from 12 and 23 yards out. The Nittany Lions got up 20-0, helped by a 24-yard Derrick Williams scoring grab, before Iowa finally got on the board with its best drive of the day, finished up by an 11-yard Trey Stross touchdown catch early in the fourth. That was the only positive moment for the Hawkeyes, who only amassed eight first downs and converted three of 16 third down chances.
Player of the game: Penn State RB Rodney Kinlaw rushed for 168 yards and two scores on 28 carries.
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 16-29, 146 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 13-44. Receiving: Trey Stross, 5-69, 1 TD
Penn State - Passing: Anthony Morelli, 18-31, 233 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs
Rushing: Rodney Kinlaw, 28-168, 2 TDs. Receiving: Deon Butler, 3-55
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... As shown against Indiana last week, and Penn State this week, Iowa doesn't have nearly enough weapons. The offensive line isn't giving QB Jake Christensen much help, and Albert Young isn't finding much room. The defense got beaten on by the Penn State offense, but the offense didn't provide any help. Now on an ugly four-game losing streak with a hot Illinois ahead. Moving the chains and getting a few positive early drives is a must.

Sept. 29
Indiana 38 ... Iowa 20
Indiana got up early 1-0 on two Kellen Lewis touchdown passes and a 71-yard scoring dash, technically, on a pass to himself, after picking up a fumble. Iowa managed a 33-yard Trey Stross scoring grab with no time left on the clock in the first half, and got a touchdown on a ten-yard Brandon Myers catch to pull within eight, thanks to a failed extra point. And then Indiana put it away, going on an 11-play drive that took 5:05 off the clock and finished with a one-yard Josiah Sears touchdown run, the first of two in the second half.
Player of the game: Indiana QB Kellen Lewis was 19-of-26 for 322 yards, three touchdowns, including a 71-yard fumble recovery for a score, and an interception, while running for 20 yards on four carries.
Stat Leaders: Indiana - Passing: Kellen Lewis, 19-26, 322 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Marcus Thigpen, 15-23. Receiving: Josiah Sears, 7-58
Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 24-42, 308 yds, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing: Albert Young, 15-94. Receiving: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, 6-68, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Iowa can't fall behind right now. The offense did the best it could with the receivers Jake Christensen has to work with, and while there were several different targets involved, there wasn't enough happening in the loss to Indiana. The real problem is the offensive line, which gave up nine sacks and didn't get enough of a push for the ground game. Now is when the defense has to become a brick wall, and it wasn't in the first 23 minutes. The formula has to be running game, tough defense, force turnovers, repeat. Christensen is certainly a talent, but he needs more time to work, and he needs Albert Young to get on a roll.

Sept. 22
Wisconsin 17 ... Iowa 13
After an ugly first 26 minutes, things got interesting in a hurry. Wisconsin answered an Iowa 41-yard Daniel Murray field goal with a seven-play, 72-yard drive in 1:39 that finished with a three-yard Travis Beckum touchdown catch, but only after a scramble for a fumble in the end zone a few plays earlier, and an apparent Badger score, got called back because of an inadvertent whistle. Iowa answered in 32 seconds as Derrell Johnson-Koulianos made a one-handed 21-yard grab for a 10-7 halftime lead. The Badgers took control of the second half with a big opening drive finished off with a two-yard P.J. Hill touchdown run, and got up by four late on a Taylor Mehlhaff field goal. Iowa had one last shot, but QB Jake Christensen overshot a wide open receiver on fourth down.
Player of the game: Wisconsin P Ken DeBauche had eight kicks for 381 yards, averaging 47.6 yards per kick, putting two inside the 20
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 17-37, 169 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 10-33. Receiving: James Cleveland, 4-77
Wisconsin - Passing: Tyler Donovan, 12-23, 138 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 29-113, 1 TD. Receiving: Travis Beckum, 4-18, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Iowa might have lost to Wisconsin, but that it was so close so late showed the heart and potential of the team. There weren't any receivers, with everyone banged up, the running game wasn't going anywhere, and the defense started to struggle against the Badger O line, but the team kept battling and just barely missed coming up with an all-timer of a late touchdown pass. The defensive line is going to win a few games by itself. Mitch King all but solidified a spot on the All-Big Ten team with a brilliant game. Now the receivers have to become more polished in a big hurry, and there can't be any let down against a good Indiana offense.

Sept. 15
Iowa State 15 ... Iowa 13
Bret Culbertson kicked five field goals including the game-winner from 28 yards out with one second to play to give Iowa State the stunning win. The Cyclones took a 12-0 lead into halftime on Culbertson field goals from 21, 33, 42 and 40 yards out, but Iowa fought back with an 11-yard Jake Christensen touchdown run and two Austin Signor field goals, including a 41-yarder with 3:38 to play, to take the lead for the first time all game long. The Cyclones got the ball on their own 33 with 3:34 to play, and after two plays, Bret Meyer connected with Phillip Bates for a 38-yard play to get into field goal range.
Player of the game: Iowa State K Bret Culbertson connected on 5-of-6 field goal attempts, including the game-winner with one second left on the clock.
Stat Leaders: Iowa - Passing: Jake Christensen, 12-23, 118 yds
Rushing: Albert Young, 14-60. Receiving: Tony Moeaki, 3-26
Iowa State - Passing: Bret Meyer, 21-29, 157 yds
Rushing: J.J. Bass, 25-80. Receiving: R.J. Sumrall , 7-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... The defense did a fine job until the final Iowa State drive, there wasn't much in the way of breaking, not allowing a touchdown, and the team fought back to take the lead after struggling all game long. Pin this stunning loss on the offense, with no production from the passing game. The receivers didn't have a good game, Jake Christensen was off, and Albert Young never got into a lather. As bad as this loss was, Iowa has to remember that the real season starts up next week at Wisconsin. Win that, and this loss won't matter too much.

Sept. 8
Iowa 35 ... Syracuse 0
Iowa had few problems with the Orange as Jake Christensen threw four touchdown passes with three to Tony Moeaki, Damian Sims ran for a one-yard score, and the defense allowed just 103 yards of total offense. Even the SU special teams had problems getting two field goals blocked. Moeaki took a pass 52 yards for the first score, and then Albert Young put the game well out of reach in the first quarter on a 36-yard touchdown. The Hawkeye defense came up with six sacks, with three coming from Bryan Mattison.
Player of the game ... Iowa TE Tony Moeaki caught eight passes for 112 yards and three touchdowns
Stat Leaders: Iowa- Passing: Jake Christensen, 23-32, 278 yds, 4 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Damian Sims, 12-62 yds, 1 TD  Receiving: Tony Moeaki, 8-112, 3 TD
Syracuse - Passing: Andrew Robinson, 7-20, 79 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Curtis Brinkley, 12-36  Receiving: Taj Smith, 3-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Northern Illinois and Syracuse don't have offenses (and neither does Iowa State next week), but Iowa's defense has had something to do with that. The defensive front overwhelmed the Orange front five, not letting the offense breathe, while the Hawkeyes got the game it was looking for out of QB Jake Christensen. With the issues in the receiving corps, playmakers have to step up in the passing game, and Tony Moeaki did that. Everything has to come together next week before dealing with a trip to Wisconsin.

Sept. 1
Iowa 16 ... Northern Illinois 3
It wasn't a game for the offenses, but Iowa was able to run well, outgaining the Huskies 250 yards to 21 on the ground, with Albert Young leading the way. Young started off the scoring with a seven-yard first quarter touchdown, and then Iowa put the game away with a 95-yard drive culminating in a five-yard Brandon Myers scoring grab. Austin Signor nailed a 22-yard field goal for the final Hawkeye points, while NIU was only able to get on the board with a 33-yard field goal.
Player of the game ... Iowa RB Albert Young ran for 144 yards and a score on 23 carries, and had a reception for five yards.
Stat Leaders: Iowa- Passing: Jake Christensen, 12-29, 133 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Albert Young, 23-144, 1 TD  Receiving: James Cleveland, 3-61
Northern Illinois - Passing: Dan Nicholson, 26-42, 214 yds, 3 INTs
Rushing: Montell Clanton, 13-49  Receiving: Britt Davis, 6-75
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Considering the problems Michigan and Minnesota had in week one, any win is a positive, but Iowa didn't look very good against Northern Illinois. Jake Christensen struggled with his depleted receiving corps, and did next to nothing on third downs, as Iowa converted just two of 14 chances. There were way too many penalties (10 for 173 yards), and there wasn't enough of a consistent pass rush, but the defense did its job, holding NIU to just one yard per carry. The running game should be able to get the Hawkeyes past Syracuse and at Iowa State over the next two weeks, but the passing game has to start to click to have any hopes of beating Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener.