College Previews: Iowa

   The final results of the 2009 season were an 11-2 overall record and a second place Big Ten (6-2) finish. The Hawkeyes finished in the Big Ten’s upper division for the eighth time in nine years. The 11 wins equal the most (2002) wins ever by an Iowa team. Iowa finished seventh in the final rankings of both major polls. It was Iowa’s highest season-ending rank since 1960 (third). And, Iowa has now won successive January bowl games after an Orange Bowl win over Georgia Tech.

   Offense - Iowa brings back six starters from last year's squad, including quarterback Ricky Stanzi.  The team averaged 23 points per game, eight more than their opponents.

   Stanzi has passed for 4,373 career yards to rank sixth on Iowa’s all-time list. Last season he was 171-304 for 2,417 yards and 17 touchdowns.  He will have to cut down on his interceptions, however, as he threw 17 in 2009.  Sophomore James Vandenberg (6-3, 212) replaced Stanzi following the ankle injury he suffered in the team's first loss of the season vs. Northwestern. His performance in the overtime loss at Ohio State and
the season ending win over Minnesota were impressive as he completed 42 of his 87 passes and had two touchdowns.

   The Hawkeyes began 2009 spring practice with sophomores Jewel Hampton and Jeff Brinson the top two contenders for the starting slot. Hampton was injured during the summer and Brinson played sparingly, because of injuries, in three games (one rush for seven yards). The Iowa running back situation was thin the rest of the season with redshirt freshman Adam Robinson, true freshman Brandon Wegher and senior Paki O’Meara left to carry the load. Robinson and Wegher also suffered injuries during the 2009 season that forced each to miss at least one game. But, the result turned in by the two freshmen was impressive. Robinson rushed for 834 yards, scored five touchdowns and had a 4.6 yards per carry average. Wegher rushed for 641 yards and a freshman record eight touchdowns.

   Senior Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was a second team all-Big Ten selection last year. He, along with junior Marvin McNutt, will be Iowa’s number one receivers.  Johnson-Koulianos led the way with 45 catches for 750 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 16.7 yards per catch.  McNutt started five games, caught 34 passes for 674 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season as a wide receiver.  He had previously been a quarterback.  Listed behind McNutt are sophomore Keenan Davis and senior Paul Chaney, Jr. Davis caught four passes for 55 yards and a touchdown as a true freshman. Chaney was injured and missed the final seven games of the 2009 season. He caught seven passes for 50 yards before the injury.  They will be looking for a replacement at tight end after Tony Moeaki graduated.  He caught 30 balls for 387 yards and four touchdowns last season.

   Defense - As usual, the defense was quite good last year.  They surrendered a mere 15 points per game and had 21 interceptions, fifth-most in the nation.

   The defensive line looks to be the strongest unit on defense, as it brings back all four starters, including All-American candidate defensive end Adrian Clayborn.  He had 70 tackles last year, including 20 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He also forced four fumbles.  Anchoring the starting end spot on the other side of the line will be junior Broderick Binns. He had 63 tackles in 2009.  Seniors Karl Klug and Christian Ballard are the returning starters at defensive tackle. Ballard has career tackles. Klug had 65 tackles last year, along with 13 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles. Ballard also had nine tackles for loss.

   Gone from last year's linebacking unit is first team all-American Pat Angerer (258 career tackles) and all-Big Ten outside linebacker A.J. Edds (226).  Senior Jeremiha Hunter is Iowa’s lone returning starter at linebacker. The all-Big Ten candidate has 25 career starts and started all but the Minnesota game last year. He was Iowa’s second leading tackler in 2009, for the second straight year, with 89 tackles.

   The defensive backfield returns three of four starters in 2010.  The 2009 pass defense was rated first in the Big Ten after allowing only 153 yards a game. That figure ranked fourth in NCAA statistics. The team’s 21 interceptions ranked second in the Big Ten and fifth nationally.  Senior Brett Greenwood returns at the free safety position. A second team all-Big Ten selection, he had 55 tackles and three interceptions last year.  Tyler Sash returns at strong safety. He was named third team 2009 all-American by the Associated Press and first team all-Big Ten. Sash was Iowa’s third leading tackler with 85 tackles. He intercepted a team leading six passes.  One cornerback spot should be anchored by Shaun Prater. He totaled 41 tackles and two interceptions last year.

   Recruiting - The Hawkeyes bring in 21 student-athletes in its 2010 class, including four linebackers.  Only seven of the recruits are on the offensive side of the ball.  Linebacker Christian Kirksey comes in after having a monster senior season.  He finished his senior campaign with a whopping 163 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions.  Defensive back B.J. Lowery comes in after putting up impressive numbers in his senior season as well.  His senior season saw him in on 128.5 tackles and four interceptions.  Jim Poggi comes in as a linebacker after putting up huge numbers as a senior too.  His 2009 season saw him collect 137 tackles, 12 sacks, three fumble recoveries and three interceptions.  C.J. Fiedorowicz comes in trying to replace Moeaki at tight end.  Coincidentally, both are Illinois products.  He had 44 catches for 921 yards and 15 touchdowns as a senior. 

   Schedule - The Hawkeyes face seven of their 12 opponents at home in 2010.  The Hawkeyes open with four of their first five games at home. Eight of the 2010 opponents appeared in bowl games last year. Three of the four non-conference games will be played in Iowa City.  They start out with home games against Eastern Illinois and rival Iowa State before traveling to Arizona.  The team then faces Ball State before starting Big Ten play by hosting Penn State.  The PSU game is followed by a bye week and a trip to Michigan.  The last six games of the year including road games at Northwestern, Indiana and Minnesota, while home games are against Ohio State, Michigan State and Wisconsin.  So the team's three biggest conference games (Penn State, Wisconsin and Ohio State) are all at home.