Eastern Illinois
N/A0-0
Iowa
5th Big Ten7-5
Eastern Illinois @ Iowa preview
Kinnick Stadium
Iowa’s breakthrough 2009 season was almost derailed before it even got going.
The Hawkeyes, who finished 11-2 and beat Georgia Tech 24-14 in the Orange Bowl, were nearly upset by Northern Iowa in a 17-16 season-opening win in which Northern Iowa had two chances at game-winning field goals.
Players and coaches say there won’t be a repeat this time when the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes host Football Championship Subdivision foe Eastern Illinois Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa has sights set on big things in 2010 and although the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Panthers (8-4 last year) are nationally ranked in FCS, they are far less experienced and talented than the Hawkeyes.
Iowa is expected to contend for the Big Ten title and a second-straight BCS bowl game, but first there are some questions that need answers. Head coach Kirk Ferentz is hoping some of the answers come this weekend.
The offense returns six starters, but only two on the offensive line, where there will be three new starters. Ferentz says he has a good idea who his top seven linemen are, but after that it’s a bit cloudy.
Another question mark may be depth at running back. Sophomore Adam Robinson, who set an Iowa freshman rushing record (834 yards), is back to start. But Brandon Wegher (641 yards, eight TDs) left the team for personal reasons and nobody knows when, or if, he’ll return. Redshirt sophomore Jewel Hampton returns after missing 2009 with an injury, but he won’t play in the opener for breaking team rules.
The key for the offense will be senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who is 18-4 as a starter and is sixth in career passing yards (4,373) at Iowa. Stanzi was mostly effective in 2009, completing 171 of 304 passes for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he also was prone to give up costly interceptions. Four of his 17 interceptions were returned for touchdowns.
If Iowa opens up the offense like many expect, Stanzi will benefit from an experienced and deep receiving corps, including leading receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.
If the offense stumbles, the defense is in great shape with eight returning starters from a unit that held nine opponents to 17 points or less in 2009. Defensive end Adam Clayborn and strong safety Tyler Sash are preseason All-Big Ten. Clayborn is expected to be a first-round NFL draft choice.
Eastern Illinois, the alma mater of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, is ranked No. 16 in FCS, but is breaking in a new starter at quarterback, Brandon Large, and will miss leading rusher Mon Williams (knee) for at least the opener. The Panthers’ strength may be on defense, where three linebacker and three secondary starters are back. All-OVB cornerback C.J. James is a productive playmaker.
Iowa appears fairly healthy for the game. Backup center Josh Koeppel, who was in a traffic accident last weekend, is out. Starting defensive end Borderick Binns is suspended for breaking team rules.
The Hawkeyes, who finished 11-2 and beat Georgia Tech 24-14 in the Orange Bowl, were nearly upset by Northern Iowa in a 17-16 season-opening win in which Northern Iowa had two chances at game-winning field goals.
Players and coaches say there won’t be a repeat this time when the 10th-ranked Hawkeyes host Football Championship Subdivision foe Eastern Illinois Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Iowa has sights set on big things in 2010 and although the defending Ohio Valley Conference champion Panthers (8-4 last year) are nationally ranked in FCS, they are far less experienced and talented than the Hawkeyes.
Iowa is expected to contend for the Big Ten title and a second-straight BCS bowl game, but first there are some questions that need answers. Head coach Kirk Ferentz is hoping some of the answers come this weekend.
The offense returns six starters, but only two on the offensive line, where there will be three new starters. Ferentz says he has a good idea who his top seven linemen are, but after that it’s a bit cloudy.
Another question mark may be depth at running back. Sophomore Adam Robinson, who set an Iowa freshman rushing record (834 yards), is back to start. But Brandon Wegher (641 yards, eight TDs) left the team for personal reasons and nobody knows when, or if, he’ll return. Redshirt sophomore Jewel Hampton returns after missing 2009 with an injury, but he won’t play in the opener for breaking team rules.
The key for the offense will be senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi, who is 18-4 as a starter and is sixth in career passing yards (4,373) at Iowa. Stanzi was mostly effective in 2009, completing 171 of 304 passes for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns, but he also was prone to give up costly interceptions. Four of his 17 interceptions were returned for touchdowns.
If Iowa opens up the offense like many expect, Stanzi will benefit from an experienced and deep receiving corps, including leading receiver Derrell Johnson-Koulianos.
If the offense stumbles, the defense is in great shape with eight returning starters from a unit that held nine opponents to 17 points or less in 2009. Defensive end Adam Clayborn and strong safety Tyler Sash are preseason All-Big Ten. Clayborn is expected to be a first-round NFL draft choice.
Eastern Illinois, the alma mater of Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, is ranked No. 16 in FCS, but is breaking in a new starter at quarterback, Brandon Large, and will miss leading rusher Mon Williams (knee) for at least the opener. The Panthers’ strength may be on defense, where three linebacker and three secondary starters are back. All-OVB cornerback C.J. James is a productive playmaker.
Iowa appears fairly healthy for the game. Backup center Josh Koeppel, who was in a traffic accident last weekend, is out. Starting defensive end Borderick Binns is suspended for breaking team rules.