OSU vs. Iowa, September 30, 8:13 PM, ABC
Series History
This will be the 61st matchup between these two schools, with OSU holding a 43-14-3 lead. OSU won most recently, last year in Columbus, 31-6, and Iowa won the last game in Iowa City in 2004, 33-7. OSU has won 9 of the last games against the Hawkeyes. In the game last year, OSU was led by Troy Smith on offense with 191 passing yards and 127 on the ground. AJ Hawk led the defense with 11 tackles, four sacks and an interception, which helped limit Iowa to 137 total yards with -9 rushing yards.
Coaches
Jim Tressel is 54-13 in his sixth year at Ohio State. He is 15-8 in away games, 23-7 against top 25 teams, 31-10 in the Big Ten and 2-1 against Iowa. Coach Kirk Ferentz is 53-36 in his eighth year at Iowa. He is 1-4 against Ohio State. He is currently second on the list of wins by a Hawkeye Coach, behind Hayden Fry ('79-'98) who has 143 wins.
Scouting the Hawkeyes
Iowa is 4-0 so far this season, having beat Montana 41-7, Syracuse 20-13 in double overtime, Iowa State 21-7 and Illinois 24-7. They are currently ranked 13 in both the AP and USA Today Polls. The Hawkeyes are averaging 380 yards and 28 points per game. They average 229 yards in the air and 151 on the ground. The defense is holding opponents to 265 yards, 11 points, 93 rushing yards and 172 passing yards.
Quarterback
Senior Drew Tate is 58 for 93 for 687 yards this season. He is starting for a third season. Last year he was 62% for 2,828 yards and 22 touchdowns. He missed the double overtime game in Syracuse, due to an abdominal strain. He is a mobile quarterback and could hurt OSU with the screen pass.
Running Backs
Returning starter, junior Albert Young has rushed for 280 yards and caught passes for 152 yards. He has run for three touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass. Also running for the Hawkeyes is Scott Chandler with 164 yards and Shonn Green with 79 yards.
Receivers
Iowa lost senior Calvin Lewis before the Iowa State game due to an achilles injury. Filling his spot is freshman Dominique Douglas, who leads the Hawkeyes with 195 yards and 1 touchdown. At the other positions are senior tight end Scott Chandler with 167 yards and 1 touchdown and sophomore receiver Andy Brodell with 110 yards (on only 5 receptions) and one touchdown.
O-Line
This unit is lead by senior left guard Mike Jones, who has experience starting at left and right tackle. Filling the other spots are senior Marshall Yanda at right tackle (junior college transfer), senior right guard Mike Elgin, sophomore Dace Richardson at left tackle and red shirt freshman Rafeal Eubanks will fill the spot left at center by the coach's son, Brian Ferentz.
Kickers
Returning at place kicker is Kyle Schlicher, who was an impressive 17 for 21 last year. So far this season he is 5 of 6 with a long of 45. Senior Andy Fenstermaker continues to struggle at punting, last year he averaged 38.5 yards per punt and this year he is averaging 35.3 with a long of 48 yards.
Linebackers
Gone are the talented Chad Greenway and Abdul Hodge. The only returning starter is Edmond Miles. The other two spots are being filled with junior Mike Klinkenborg and junior Mike Humpal. Klinkenborg leads the team in total tackles with 41.
Secondary
Iowa had to replace both cornerbacks this season. Juniors Adam Shada and Charles Godfrey are starting at corner for the first time. Godfrey, originally a safety, is learning the new position. Shada has two interceptions this season. Two seniors return at safety. Returning for his second season as a starter, Miguel Merrick is at strong safety. At free safety is third year starter Marcus Paschal.
D-Line
This unit had an outstanding defensive stand against Syracuse in the second overtime. The Orangmen were not able to get the ball in the endzone in eight attempts at the five yard line. Junior defensive end Kenny Iwebema stopped four of the attempts with solo tackles. Filling the other spots are Matt Kroul at tackle , Mitch King at tackle and defensive end Bryan Mattison.
No comments:
Post a Comment