<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Iowa Hawkeyes
Big Ten Conference
2009 Record: (11-2, 6-2)
2009 Bowl: Orange Bowl vs. Georgia Tech (W 24-14)
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (81-55 at Iowa, 93-76 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Ken O’Keefe
Defensive Coordinator: Norm Parker
Returning Leaders
Rushing: Adam Robinson, RB, 834 yards
Passing: Ricky Stanzi, QB, 2,417 yards
Receiving: Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, WR, 750 yards
Tackles: Jeremiha Hunter, LB, 89
Sacks: Adrian Clayborn, DE, 11.5
Interceptions: Tyler Sash, S, 6
Other Key Returnees: DT Christian Ballard, DE Broderick Binns, S Brett Greenwood, DT Karl Klug, WR Marvin McNutt, FB Brett Morse, CB Shaun Prater, OT Riley Reiff, G Julian Vandervelde, RB Brandon Wegher
Key Losses: LB Pat Angerer, OT Bryan Bulaga, OT Kyle Calloway, LB A.J. Edds, C Rafael Eubanks, TE Tony Moeaki, G Dace Richardson, CB Amari Spievey, WR Trey Stross,
Somehow Iowa seems to have more depth at running back than anybody ever expected. It has happened in the past and it happened again during the 2009 campaign. Jewel Hampton was coming off of a superb freshman campaign, but his sophomore season ended during spring practice. Jeff Brinson was supposed to be his backup, but he too was neutralized early due to injuries. That left redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, true freshman Brandon Wegher and Paki O’Meara. Robinson and Wegher, who both struggled with some injuries of their own, had some great outings. The 2010 version of Iowa’s running back woes have already started with the transfer of Brinson and the uncertain status of Hampton following a guilty plea to public intoxication. Hampton will likely be out of the doghouse sooner rather than later and with him and Robinson and Wegher, the Hawkeyes have a great group of backs.
Strengths:
Despite the strength and depth in the backfield, it is the defense that put Iowa on the national radar in 2009. The Iowa defense only gave up 153 passing yards per game, ranking fourth in the NCAA. With eight starters returning to the unit, the defense should be just as impressive. The rushing defense was nearly as impressive and the Hawkeyes return all four linemen who started all 13 games a year ago. Adrian Clayborn is a superb pass rusher and tackles Karl Klug and Christian Ballard are both experienced seniors. The secondary returns nearly intact with the only exception being Amari Spivey who left early for the NFL. Safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood are both game changers and corner Shaun Prater is ready to turn into the teams shutdown corner. The biggest issue on defense is replacing linebackers Pat Angerer and A.J. Edds. Jeremiha Hunter has not gotten the recognition he deserves due to Angerer and Edds, but this is his defense now and he has the skills to be a leader on the field.
Weaknesses:
The biggest problems again will be on offense. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi is a turnover machine. While he has made some nice plays and had some great games, Iowa can rely on their run game and defense to win games. Stanzi tends to throw interceptions at inopportune times instead of playing it safe and letting the defense win games. His development will be key this season, but the problem could get worse if Iowa has trouble replacing Bryan Bulaga, Kyle Calloway and Rafael Eubanks on the offensive line. Stanzi needs time to make decisions and not having experienced linemen could turn into a huge problem for the entire offense. As usual Iowa has plenty of talented linemen, but this is a rather inexperienced group.
The Bottom Line:
One thing playing in Stanzi’s favor is the talent at receiver. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos is a superb player who struggled with some injuries in 2009. Marvin McNutt also came on strong at the end of the year and should turn into a great secondary receiver who can make the big play. The absence of tight end Tony Moeaki is a concern, but the Hawkeyes lived without him for part of the 2009 campaign due to injuries anyway and Allen Reisner is more than capable of filling that role. While Reisner is not the pass catching threat that Moeaki was, he is a capable receiver and a fine blocker.
2009 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 114.23 (99th in nation, 10th in conference)
Passing Offense: 222.08 (55, 6)
Total Offense: 336.31 (89, 10)
Scoring Offense: 23.15 (86, 10)
Rushing Defense: 123.62 (34, 5)
Pass Defense: 152.92 (4, 1)
Total Defense: 276.54 (10, 3)
Scoring Defense: 15.38 (8, 3)
Turnover Margin: .15 (51, 6)
Sacks: 2.38 (32, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 2.23 (74, 7)
