UL Monroe @ Iowa preview

THE STORY: Coming off the biggest fourth-quarter comeback in school history last week against Pittsburgh, Iowa closes out its non-conference schedule against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. James Vandenberg threw all three of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter to help bring the Hawkeyes back from a 27-10 deficit. It was a much-needed win for Iowa, which had previously lost to rival Iowa State 44-41 in triple overtime. Louisiana-Monroe is coming off a 38-17 loss to No. 20 TCU. The Warhawks scored all 17 of their points in the first quarter before being outscored 24-0 in the final three. This is the first meeting between the two schools.

TV: Big Ten Network. LINE: Iowa -17.

ABOUT LOUISIANA-MONROE (1-2, 0-0 Sun Belt): Kolton Browning threw for 194 yards against TCU but was sacked five times, and Brent Leonard caught 13 passes — the second most in school history — for 92 yards for Louisiana-Monroe, which is averaging more than 17 points. Prior to giving up 207 rushing yards to the Horned Frogs, the Warhawks had held Grambling State and Florida State to 26 and 92 yards, respectively. Louisiana-Monroe is 5-63-1 against current BCS teams and has lost 11 straight against BCS opponents overall.

ABOUT IOWA (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten): Vandenberg threw for 399 yards, three touchdowns and rushed for another in the win over Pittsburgh. Keenan Davis caught 10 passes for 129 yards and a touchdown for Iowa, who ranks 29th in passing with 234 yards per game. The Hawkeyes defense, which has allowed 397 yards per game and 26 points, tallied three sacks and two interceptions despite giving up 422 yards against the Panthers. Iowa has won 11 straight home games against non-conference opponents.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 39-17 against non-conference opponents and the Hawkeyes are 23-1 in their last 24 non-conference games.

2. The Warhawks are 0-3 all time against Big Ten opponents, but all three games were against Minnesota.

3. Iowa’s 21 fourth-quarter points were the most since 2009 when it scored 28 in a 42-24 rout of Indiana. The Hawkeyes are 2-0 against Sun Belt opponents, with wins over Florida International in 2008 and Arkansas State in 2009.

PREDICTION: Iowa 34, Louisiana-Monroe 14 – Iowa’s Big Ten style of play will be too much to handle for the Warhawks, who are outmatched on both sides of ball.