2007 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2007 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa
during the 2007 college football season
. Heading into the season, several players left the team while several other players ran into criminal allegations. Following a disappointing 2006 season
that included losses to Indiana, Northwestern
and Minnesota
, the team was coached by Kirk Ferentz
and played their six home games at Kinnick Stadium
in Iowa City
, Iowa
.
Entering 2006 ranked 16th in the AP Poll and 17th in the Coaches Poll
, the Hawkeyes had high hopes for the season. Following victories over Montana, Syracuse
, Iowa State
and Illinois
, the Hawkeyes were 4-0 heading into their game with top-ranked Ohio State
. With tickets for the game going for $
500 on eBay
, the game was hyped as one of the biggest in Kinnick Stadium history. But quarterback
Drew Tate
threw 3 interceptions, and the Hawkeyes lost 38–17. In total, Iowa had 4 turnovers while Ohio State had zero.
Following the loss to Ohio State, Iowa proceeded to score a season-high 47 points in a victory over Purdue. But the most notable score came during the 4th quarter, when Adam Shada
intercepted a Curtis Painter
pass and returned it a school record 98-yards for the touchdown
. However, Iowa's joy would not last long, as the Hawkeyes were upset by Indiana only a week later. The 31–28 win was Indiana's biggest win since a victory over 9th-ranked Ohio State in 1987.
From there, the season unraveled, and the Hawkeyes lost four of their remaining five games en route to a 6-6 record. However, the Hawkeyes came out against Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl
with renewed energy, and quickly jumped out to a two touchdown lead. Later, after three straight Texas scores, Iowa once again took the lead 21–20. But it was not enough to win the game, as Texas won 26–24 behind the record-tying performance of freshman quarterback Colt McCoy
.
and Amari Spievey
were no longer on the team. Greene, a junior running back
, had 378 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his career. Another month later, and it was announced that Lucas Cox and Marcus Wilson
were leaving the team. Wilson, a sophomore defensive back
, played in all 13 games in 2006 and recorded 21 tackles and one interception. Earlier in July, senior defensive back Devan Moylan was given an additional year of eligibility. After suffering a leg injury in the fourth game of 2006 against Illinois, he applied for a medical hardship. Prior to the 2007 season, he had 28 tackles and one interception in his career.
. Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman, both sophomores, were suspended indefinitely by Ferentz following allegations that they bought more than $2,000 in merchandise with stolen credit cards. The crime is a felony
, and if convicted, the two players can face up to five years in prison
along with a $7,500 fine. Another player, Arvell Nelson, also experienced trouble with the law. Nelson posted a $545 bond for failure to appear in court after being charged with driving with a suspended license. He also paid a $390 fine for not having insurance.
on National Signing Day
, February 7, 2007.
or Ohio State
in 2007. Instead, Iowa will play Michigan State
and Penn State
, two teams that the Hawkeyes have not played against since 2004.
Iowa's schedule was ranked as the 9th toughest (or 3rd easiest) in the Big Ten by SI.com.
Note: Returning starters are shown in bold.
in Chicago
, the Hawkeyes defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies
16–3. Albert Young ran for 144 yards and a touchdown as Iowa's defense kept the Huskies from scoring a touchdown. Damian Sims
also made his mark by running for 110 yards. The Hawkeyes held Northern Illinois to 21 yards rushing, and Charles Godfrey intercepted two Dan Nicholson passes. Sophomore quarterback Jake Christensen
opened the season with 133 yards and one touchdown.
Behind a strong defensive performance, the Hawkeyes shut out the Syracuse Orange at Kinnick Stadium
. Rebounding from a shaky performance against Northern Illinois, Christensen threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to tight end
Tony Moeaki
. On special teams, Kenny Iwebema
blocked two field goals
to help preserve the worst loss for Syracuse coach Greg Robinson
in his tenure with the Orange. After the game, Syracuse running back
Curtis Brinkley
said:
The 35-point loss was Syracuse's most-lopsided since a 51–14 loss to Georgia Tech
in the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl
.
kicked its way to a 15-13 victory in Ames
.
Iowa's defense forced three Wisconsin turnovers, but could not hold off the Badgers' 4th quarter rally, losing 17–13.
passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns, he was sacked nine times, including four by Jammie Kirlew. The Hawkeyes also missed two field goals and an extra point.
was sacked twice, and the Hawkeyes were held scoreless until an interception near the Penn State end zone set up Trey Stross' 4th quarter touchdown reception in a 27–7 blowout loss on the road at Penn State. Iowa was held to eight first downs while Penn State had 26.
games, with their last win a 47–17 decision over Purdue on October 7, 2006. Illinois, however, entered the game ranked 18th in the country, and was looking to become bowl eligible with a win over the Hawkeyes.
From the very beginning, the game was a defensive one. The Hawkeyes held Illinois running back
Rashard Mendenhall to 67 yards, and slowed the nation's fifth-best rushing offense to 137 yards total. But the Illinois defense remained strong against the run, and held the Hawkeyes to a three yards per rush average.
Illinois did not trail until late in the third quarter, when Iowa quarterback
Jake Christensen
found tight end
Brandon Myers down the middle for the touchdown
. With the score at 10–6 in favor of the Hawkeyes, the Illini made a switch to Eddie McGee at quarterback, after starter Isiah Williams
had a fumble recovered by Iowa. With McGee in, the Illini appeared to have stunned the Kinnick Stadium
crowd with an 83-yard touchdown pass, but it was called back due to an Illinois penalty.
Despite the penalty, Illinois was not done. On Illinois' final drive, McGee drove the Illini down to the Iowa 12 with passes of 28 and 24 yards to Arrelious Benn. But with 1:12 left in the game, a McGee pass was intercepted at the goal line by Iowa's Brett Greenwood. The win was Iowa's first over a ranked team since 2005.
member Western Michigan
surprised the Hawkeyes, 28-19, in Iowa City.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
during the 2007 college football season
2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
. Heading into the season, several players left the team while several other players ran into criminal allegations. Following a disappointing 2006 season
2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team
The 2006 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa during the 2006 college football season. The Hawkeyes played their home games at Kinnick Stadium and were coached by Kirk Ferentz...
that included losses to Indiana, Northwestern
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
and Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
, the team was coached by Kirk Ferentz
Kirk Ferentz
Kirk James Ferentz is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999. From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He has also served as an assistant coach...
and played their six home games at Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
in Iowa City
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
.
Previous season
Coaches Poll
The USA Today Coaches' Poll is the current name for a weekly ranking of the top 25 NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and Division I college basketball teams....
, the Hawkeyes had high hopes for the season. Following victories over Montana, Syracuse
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
, Iowa State
Iowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
and Illinois
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
The University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign is a large public research-intensive university in the state of Illinois, United States. It is the flagship campus of the University of Illinois system...
, the Hawkeyes were 4-0 heading into their game with top-ranked Ohio State
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. With tickets for the game going for $
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500 on eBay
EBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
, the game was hyped as one of the biggest in Kinnick Stadium history. But quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Drew Tate
Drew Tate
Drew Tate is a professional American and Canadian football quarterback for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2007. He played college football at Iowa....
threw 3 interceptions, and the Hawkeyes lost 38–17. In total, Iowa had 4 turnovers while Ohio State had zero.
Following the loss to Ohio State, Iowa proceeded to score a season-high 47 points in a victory over Purdue. But the most notable score came during the 4th quarter, when Adam Shada
Adam Shada
Adam Shada was an American football player for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team. He graduated with the class of 2008, after starting for three years....
intercepted a Curtis Painter
Curtis Painter
Curtis Jeffrey Painter is a quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers.-High school career:...
pass and returned it a school record 98-yards for the touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. However, Iowa's joy would not last long, as the Hawkeyes were upset by Indiana only a week later. The 31–28 win was Indiana's biggest win since a victory over 9th-ranked Ohio State in 1987.
From there, the season unraveled, and the Hawkeyes lost four of their remaining five games en route to a 6-6 record. However, the Hawkeyes came out against Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl
2006 Alamo Bowl
The 2006 Alamo Bowl Game was a college football bowl game, part of the 2006–2007 bowl season of the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The 2006 Alamo Bowl was played in the 65,000-seat Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on December 30....
with renewed energy, and quickly jumped out to a two touchdown lead. Later, after three straight Texas scores, Iowa once again took the lead 21–20. But it was not enough to win the game, as Texas won 26–24 behind the record-tying performance of freshman quarterback Colt McCoy
Colt McCoy
Daniel "Colt" McCoy is an American football quarterback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft...
.
Before the season
On April 20, 2007, it was announced by Ferentz that two players, Ryan Bain and Justin Edwards, were leaving the team. Both are planning on transferring to other schools. Bain, who had 56 career tackles, was later found guilty on charges of disorderly conduct. About two months later, it was announced that Shonn GreeneShonn Greene
-New York Jets:On April 26, 2009 the New York Jets traded up 12 spots to select Greene in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft. On August 30 Greene made an appearance in the Jets preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. He rushed twice for six yards as well as catching an 85-yard pass...
and Amari Spievey
Amari Spievey
Amari Spievey is an American football safety for the Detroit Lions. He played college football at Iowa. He was considered one of the top cornerback prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft...
were no longer on the team. Greene, a junior running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
, had 378 rushing yards and two touchdowns in his career. Another month later, and it was announced that Lucas Cox and Marcus Wilson
Marcus Wilson
Marcus Ali Dwayne Wilson is a retired professional basketball player, who played his career in a variety of places across the world including South America, several countries in Eastern and Western Europe and the United States...
were leaving the team. Wilson, a sophomore defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
, played in all 13 games in 2006 and recorded 21 tackles and one interception. Earlier in July, senior defensive back Devan Moylan was given an additional year of eligibility. After suffering a leg injury in the fourth game of 2006 against Illinois, he applied for a medical hardship. Prior to the 2007 season, he had 28 tackles and one interception in his career.
Criminal charges
On August 20, 2007, two Hawkeye wide receivers were arrested and charged with the unauthorized use of a credit cardCredit card
A credit card is a small plastic card issued to users as a system of payment. It allows its holder to buy goods and services based on the holder's promise to pay for these goods and services...
. Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman, both sophomores, were suspended indefinitely by Ferentz following allegations that they bought more than $2,000 in merchandise with stolen credit cards. The crime is a felony
Felony
A felony is a serious crime in the common law countries. The term originates from English common law where felonies were originally crimes which involved the confiscation of a convicted person's land and goods; other crimes were called misdemeanors...
, and if convicted, the two players can face up to five years in prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
along with a $7,500 fine. Another player, Arvell Nelson, also experienced trouble with the law. Nelson posted a $545 bond for failure to appear in court after being charged with driving with a suspended license. He also paid a $390 fine for not having insurance.
Recruiting class
The Hawkeyes received 22 letters of intentLetter of intent
A letter of intent is a document outlining an agreement between two or more parties before the agreement is finalized. The concept is similar to a heads of agreement...
on National Signing Day
National Signing Day
National Signing Day most commonly refers to a day in February, usually on the first Wednesday of that month, which is the first day that a high school senior can sign a binding National Letter of Intent for college football with a school that is a member of the NCAA, the main governing body for...
, February 7, 2007.
Awards
- Kenny IwebemaKenny IwebemaKenny Iwebema is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.-Early years:...
-
- First-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.comRivals.comRivals.com is a network of websites that focus mainly on college football and basketball recruiting. The network was started in 1996 and currently employs more than 300 personnel.-Schools:The individual collegiate sites can be found...
- First-team all-Big Ten - CFN.com
- First-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.com
- Mitch KingMitch KingMitch King is an American football defensive tackle who plays for the New Orleans Saints . He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Iowa.-Early years:...
-
- First-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Bryan MattisonBryan MattisonBryan Mattison is an American football guard for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2008. He played college football at Iowa....
-
- First-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - CFN.com
- Mike KlinkenborgMike KlinkenborgMike Klinkenborg, born January 19, 1985, is a starting middle linebacker for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team. Born and raised in a farm near Rock Rapids, Iowa, Klinkenborg is an elementary education major at Iowa and has 145 career tackles...
-
- Lott TrophyLott TrophyThe Lott IMPACT Trophy is presented annually to the college football Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. IMPACT is an acronym for: integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. The award purports to equally recognize the personal character of the winning player as well as...
watch list - Bednarik Award watch list
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - CFN.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Lott Trophy
- Tony MoeakiTony MoeakiAnthony "Tony" Moeaki is an American football tight end. He finished his senior season at Iowa with 30 catches for 387 yards and 4 touchdowns. Moeaki was considered one of the top tight end prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft....
-
- Mackey Award watch list
- Albert Young
-
- Second-team all-Big Ten - CFN.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Dace Richardson
-
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Rivals.com
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Matt KroulMatt KroulMatt Kroul is an American football offensive guard for the New York Jets of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets in 2009...
-
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Adam ShadaAdam ShadaAdam Shada was an American football player for the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team. He graduated with the class of 2008, after starting for three years....
-
- Third-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Rafael Eubanks
-
- Rimington Trophy watch list
- Second-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
- Seth OlsenSeth OlsenSeth Olsen is an American football guard for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football at Iowa...
-
- Third-team all-Big Ten - Athlon Sports
Schedule
Schedule notes
Due to the Big Ten's rotating schedule, Iowa will not play either Michigan2007 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 2007 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 2007 college football season. This was Lloyd Carr's final season as Michigan head coach. The 2007 season began with a stunning loss to Appalachian State, but the Wolverines won eight straight games after...
or Ohio State
2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 2007 Ohio State Buckeyes football team competed in football on behalf of the Ohio State University during the 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Buckeyes were coached by Jim Tressel and played their home games in Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio...
in 2007. Instead, Iowa will play Michigan State
2007 Michigan State Spartans football team
The 2007 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the 2007–2008 college football season. Mark Dantonio began his first season as the Spartans' head coach. The Spartans play their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan.-Schedule:-2008 NFL...
and Penn State
2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team
The 2007 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represented the Pennsylvania State University in the 2007 college football season. The team was coached by Joe Paterno and played its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania....
, two teams that the Hawkeyes have not played against since 2004.
Iowa's schedule was ranked as the 9th toughest (or 3rd easiest) in the Big Ten by SI.com.
Defense
Defensively, the Hawkeyes return eight starters from 2006.
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Offense
On offense, the Hawkeyes return seven starters, two of which who are not currently listed on the two deeps.
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Special teams
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Note: Returning starters are shown in bold.
Roster
| 2007 Iowa Hawkeyes football roster | ||||||
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
Long Snappers
|
Offensive Line
Defensive Line
|
Linebackers
Defensive Backs
Punters
Kickers
 Redshirt (college sports) Redshirt is a term used in American college athletics that refers to a delay or suspension of an athlete's participation in order to lengthen his or her period of eligibility... (second-year freshman) |
||||
Coaches
| Name | Position | Year at Iowa |
|---|---|---|
| Kirk Ferentz Kirk Ferentz Kirk James Ferentz is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the University of Iowa, a position he has held since 1999. From 1990 to 1992, Ferentz was the head football coach at the University of Maine. He has also served as an assistant coach... |
Head Coach | 9th |
| Ken O'Keefe Ken O'Keefe -External links:*... |
Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks | 9th |
| Norm Parker | Defensive Coordinator and Linebackers | 9th |
| Chris Doyle | Strength and Conditioning | 9th |
| Lester Erb | Receivers and Special Teams | 8th |
| Carl Jackson | Running Backs | 22nd |
| Eric Johnson | Recruiting Coordinator and Tight Ends | 9th |
| Reese Morgan | Offensive Line | 8th |
| Rick Kaczenski | Defensive Line | 3rd |
| Phil Parker | Defensive Backs | 9th |
| Darrell Wilson | Outside Linebackers and Special Teams | 6th |
| Bill Dervrich | Director of Football Operations | 28th |
| James Dobson | Strength and Conditioning Assistant | 9th |
| Seth Wallace | Defensive Graduate Assistant Coach | 2nd |
| Ned Amendola | Director, UI Sports Medicine Center | 6th |
| Matthew Engelbert | Video Coordinator | 19th |
| Paul Federici | Director of Athletic Training Services | 4th |
| Bob Rahfeldt | Assistant Video Coordinator | 11th |
| Scott Southmayd | Quality Control Director | 6th |
| John Streif | Assistant Athletic Trainer | 35th |
Northern Illinois
Playing in Soldier FieldSoldier Field
Soldier Field is located on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, Illinois, United States, in the Near South Side. It is home to the NFL's Chicago Bears...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, the Hawkeyes defeated the Northern Illinois Huskies
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Northern Illinois Huskies are the athletic teams that represent Northern Illinois University. The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I and the Mid-American Conference...
16–3. Albert Young ran for 144 yards and a touchdown as Iowa's defense kept the Huskies from scoring a touchdown. Damian Sims
Damian Sims
Damian Sims is a professional Canadian football running back free agent. He was signed by the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League as a street free agent in 2009...
also made his mark by running for 110 yards. The Hawkeyes held Northern Illinois to 21 yards rushing, and Charles Godfrey intercepted two Dan Nicholson passes. Sophomore quarterback Jake Christensen
Jake Christensen
Jake Christensen, born August 15, 1986 in Lockport, Illinois, is a quarterback for the Dresden Monarchs football team, in the German Football League. His father is former nine-year NFL veteran Jeff Christensen, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns during...
opened the season with 133 yards and one touchdown.
Syracuse
Behind a strong defensive performance, the Hawkeyes shut out the Syracuse Orange at Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
. Rebounding from a shaky performance against Northern Illinois, Christensen threw for 278 yards and four touchdowns, three of them to tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Tony Moeaki
Tony Moeaki
Anthony "Tony" Moeaki is an American football tight end. He finished his senior season at Iowa with 30 catches for 387 yards and 4 touchdowns. Moeaki was considered one of the top tight end prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft....
. On special teams, Kenny Iwebema
Kenny Iwebema
Kenny Iwebema is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.-Early years:...
blocked two field goals
Field goal (football)
A field goal in American football and Canadian football is a goal that may be scored during general play . Field goals may be scored by a placekick or the now practically extinct drop kick.The drop kick fell out of favor in 1934 when the shape of the ball was changed...
to help preserve the worst loss for Syracuse coach Greg Robinson
Greg Robinson
-External links:**-References:...
in his tenure with the Orange. After the game, Syracuse running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Curtis Brinkley
Curtis Brinkley
Curtis Brinkley is an American football running back for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. He was signed by the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2009. He played college football at Syracuse.-Early years:...
said:
The 35-point loss was Syracuse's most-lopsided since a 51–14 loss to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represents the Georgia Institute of Technology in collegiate level football. While the team is officially designated as the Yellow Jackets, it is also referred to as the Ramblin' Wreck. The Yellow Jackets are a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
in the 2004 Champs Sports Bowl
Champs Sports Bowl
The Champs Sports Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that is played in Orlando, Florida, at the Citrus Bowl. The bowl is operated by Florida Citrus Sports, a non-profit group which also organizes the Capital One Bowl and Florida Classic...
.
Iowa State
Iowa StateIowa State University
Iowa State University of Science and Technology, more commonly known as Iowa State University , is a public land-grant and space-grant research university located in Ames, Iowa, United States. Iowa State has produced astronauts, scientists, and Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, along with a host of...
kicked its way to a 15-13 victory in Ames
Ames, Iowa
Ames is a city located in the central part of the U.S. state of Iowa in Story County, and approximately north of Des Moines. The U.S. Census Bureau designates that Ames, Iowa metropolitan statistical area as encompassing all of Story County, and which, when combined with the Boone, Iowa...
.
Wisconsin
Indiana
Iowa was unable to contain a scoring explosion from Indiana, including three early touchdowns by Hoosier quarterback Kellen Lewis. Iowa added to its difficulties with penalties and breakdowns in pass protection. Although quarterback Jake ChristensenJake Christensen
Jake Christensen, born August 15, 1986 in Lockport, Illinois, is a quarterback for the Dresden Monarchs football team, in the German Football League. His father is former nine-year NFL veteran Jeff Christensen, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns during...
passed for 308 yards and three touchdowns, he was sacked nine times, including four by Jammie Kirlew. The Hawkeyes also missed two field goals and an extra point.
Penn State
Quarterback Jake ChristensenJake Christensen
Jake Christensen, born August 15, 1986 in Lockport, Illinois, is a quarterback for the Dresden Monarchs football team, in the German Football League. His father is former nine-year NFL veteran Jeff Christensen, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns during...
was sacked twice, and the Hawkeyes were held scoreless until an interception near the Penn State end zone set up Trey Stross' 4th quarter touchdown reception in a 27–7 blowout loss on the road at Penn State. Iowa was held to eight first downs while Penn State had 26.
Illinois
Entering the game, Iowa had lost eight straight Big TenBig Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
games, with their last win a 47–17 decision over Purdue on October 7, 2006. Illinois, however, entered the game ranked 18th in the country, and was looking to become bowl eligible with a win over the Hawkeyes.
From the very beginning, the game was a defensive one. The Hawkeyes held Illinois running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
Rashard Mendenhall to 67 yards, and slowed the nation's fifth-best rushing offense to 137 yards total. But the Illinois defense remained strong against the run, and held the Hawkeyes to a three yards per rush average.
Illinois did not trail until late in the third quarter, when Iowa quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Jake Christensen
Jake Christensen
Jake Christensen, born August 15, 1986 in Lockport, Illinois, is a quarterback for the Dresden Monarchs football team, in the German Football League. His father is former nine-year NFL veteran Jeff Christensen, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cleveland Browns during...
found tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Brandon Myers down the middle for the touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
. With the score at 10–6 in favor of the Hawkeyes, the Illini made a switch to Eddie McGee at quarterback, after starter Isiah Williams
Isiah Williams
Isiah John "Juice" Williams is an American football quarterback who is currently signed to the Chicago Slaughter of the Indoor Football League. He was undrafted in 2010...
had a fumble recovered by Iowa. With McGee in, the Illini appeared to have stunned the Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium
Kinnick Stadium, formerly known as Iowa Stadium, and known in the area simply as Kinnick, is a stadium located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the home stadium of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes, in the sport of college football...
crowd with an 83-yard touchdown pass, but it was called back due to an Illinois penalty.
Despite the penalty, Illinois was not done. On Illinois' final drive, McGee drove the Illini down to the Iowa 12 with passes of 28 and 24 yards to Arrelious Benn. But with 1:12 left in the game, a McGee pass was intercepted at the goal line by Iowa's Brett Greenwood. The win was Iowa's first over a ranked team since 2005.
Purdue
Michigan State
Northwestern
Minnesota
Western Michigan
Mid-American ConferenceMid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
member Western Michigan
Western Michigan
West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrarily selected region in the U.S. state of Michigan in its Lower Peninsula. There is no official definition for what constitutes "West Michigan." The area of West Michigan may also include parts Southern Michigan.-Definition:In general,...
surprised the Hawkeyes, 28-19, in Iowa City.