Indiana vs. Iowa Football 2009
Slumping Hoosiers Are Next Obstacle for Undefeated Hawkeyes
Oct 26, 2009
The No. 7-ranked Hawkeyes will try to keep it that way Saturday, Oct. 31, when they take on Indiana in a Big Ten Conference football game at Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa (8-0 overall, 4-0- Big Ten) is off to the best start in school history, and has won 12 consecutive games dating back to last season. That's the longest live streak in the nation, trailing only Florida’s 17-game string.
But coach Kirk Ferentz’s Hawkeyes haven’t walked an easy road to perfection. Only one of their eight wins have come by more than 11 points, and four have been by three points or less.
Iowa won 15-13 at Michigan State 15-13 last weekend when Ricky Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt with a 7-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the game.
Indiana (4-4, 1-3) has lost four of five games after a 3-0 start. Coach Bill Lynch’s Hoosiers blew a 28-3 second quarter lead and fell 29-28 in a conference game at Northwestern last weekend.
Saturday’s game will mark the 71st meeting between the Hawkeyes and the Hoosiers, and it will be telecast by ESPN. Iowa leads the series 39-27-4 and won 45-9 last year.
But Indiana has taken two of the last three, including a 38-20 decision in 2008 – the last the time the teams met in Iowa City. Indiana’s not far from being 3-1 in conference in 2009 as the Hoosiers dropped a 30-28 decision to Michigan in addition to losing narrowly to Northwestern.
Chappell, Doss Lead Indiana Aerial Game
The Hoosiers offense has moved briskly on some occasions and hardly at all on others, averaging 23.6 points and 360 yards per game.
Lynch has tried to spark the running game by utilizing pistol and wildcat formations, but most of the yardage (232.6, to be exact) is coming from the arm of Ben Chappell. The junior has connected on 63 percent of his passes, producing 1,827 yards and eight TDs against seven interceptions.
His top target is 6-foot-3 sophomore Tandon Doss, who’s made 54 catches for 716 yards and two TDs. Damarlo Belcher (37 catches, 439 yards, 2 TDs) and Terrance Turner (26 catches, 346 yards) are also regular targets.
Willis Energizes IU Ground Attack
Indiana’s fourth-leading receiver is Mitchell Evans, who also takes the snaps when the Hoosiers use the wildcat offense.
So Evans shows up in IU’s stats as a passer (3-for-7, 21 yards), a rusher (27 carries, 132 yards) and a receiver (17 catches, 172 yards).
But the most promising weapon might be redshirt freshman Darius Willis, who’s run for 405 yards and five TDs in five games. Willis, who averages 5.3 yards per carry, missed two games because of an ankle injury.
Another option is Demetrius McCray, who’s gained 277 yards with a 4.9 average.
DE Kirlew Stars for Indiana Defense
The Hoosiers, who yield 26.5 points and 392.5 yards per game, are powered by defensive end Jammie Kirlew. The 6-foot-3, 259-pound defensive end ranks seventh in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 13.5 tackles for loss, and has 5.5 sacks.
Kirlew is fourth on his team with 45 tackles, and has forced five fumbles. He’s one of two imposing Indiana ends. The other is Greg Middleton, who’s recorded 7.6 tackles for loss and three sacks among 28 total tackles.
Middle linebacker Matt Mayberry paces Indiana with 71 tackles – eight for losses – and linebacker Tyler Replogle has added 59 tackles. Safety Austin Thomas is third with 46 tackles and has three interceptions.
Ray Fisher is a standout from the cornerback position, where he’s made 40 tackles. Fisher is also a threat as a kick returner, having brought two punts back for touchdowns.
The Hoosiers defense put together some sharp outings earlier in the season, but has given up at least 440 yards in each of its last three games.
Iowa Offense Struggling
Iowa is averaging 23.6 points and 342.1 yards per game, but was held under 300 in its last two games. And last week, the Hawkeyes lost lineman Dace Richardson to a leg injury, top rusher Adam Robinson left with an ankle injury and receiver/return man Colin Sandeman was also banged up.
But one way or another, the Hawkeyes keep getting things done. The persistent Stanzi has led the way, passing for 1,715 yards and 12 touchdowns with eight interceptions. He’s completed 57.1 percent of his throws.
Robinson has gained 629 yards and scored five touchdowns, picking up 4.7 yards per carry. Brandon Wegher is the No. 2 rusher, with 321 yards and three TDs. But he’s had to battle hard, netting just 3.7 yards per attempt.
Derrell Johnson-Koulianos leads the receivers with 22 catches for 373 yards, while Tight end Tony Moeaki has made 21 receptions for a 251 yards and four TDs despite missing four games because of an ankle injury.
Trey Stross has 20 catches for 303 yards, and McNutt has hauled in 17 passes for 301 yards and three scores.
Iowa Defense Strong vs. Pass
Iowa has allowed more than 20 points just twice this season, and on the season is giving up 14.8, along with 296.5 yards. The Hawkeyes have been especially tough against the pass.
Iowa leads the FBS with 15 interceptions, including five by Tyler Sash and three by Brett Greenwood. And the Hawkeyes are fifth in the FBS in passing efficiency defense.
The defensive line provides a huge push. Adrian Clayborn has recorded 32 tackles, nine tackles for loss and six sacks, and Broderick Binns has contributed 39 tackles, six tackles for loss and four sacks as well as seven pass breakups. Karl Klug has made eight tackles for loss.
Linebackers Pat Angerer and Jeremiha Hunter are the leading tacklers, with 77 and 64, respectively. DB Sash has come up with 57 tackles, linebacker A.J. Edds has 47 and safety Greenwood has 46.
But Greenwood is trying to recover from a nasty helmet-to-helmet collision with teammate Sash, that knocked the former out of the Michigan State game.
