Aug. 29, 2006

2005 Record: 7-5 (5-3 Big Ten) T-3rd
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz Record at Iowa: 49-36, Overall Record: 61-57
Starters Returning: Offense 7, Defense7, Special Teams 2

In the last four years the Hawkeye's have compiled a 38-12 record that includes two Big Ten Championships (2002, 2004) and two bowl wins. In that time, head coach Kirk Ferentz was honored as the Big Ten Coach of the Year twice and named national Coach of the Year in 2002. In addition, the Hawkeye's have won three of their last five bowl games and were ranked eighth nationally after the final 2002, 2003 and 2004 seasons. Yet it wasn't until the 2005 season that the national limelight finally shone brightly on Iowa City; the Hawkeye's ranked 10th in the coaches preseason poll. It wasn't a matter of self doubt more a reaction to the ferocity of attention thrown on the Hawkeye's that made them more like a deer caught in headlights. Ferentz admits in getting caught up in the hype but takes it all in stride, "Last year was interesting because for some we were the sexy, dark horse favorite for national champion...You have to deal with expectations, low or high. What people on the outside set forth, or predict for a team, you have to deal with it and you have to learn how to focus." This year the Hawkeye's garnered a No. 16th ranking in the preseason AP poll while falling slightly in the coaches poll to No. 17th as well as being slated third in conference. Undoubtedly, the Hawkeye's are focusing on living up to their own expectations, putting last year under their belt and using it as motivation to prove they are worth the hype. 

Two years ago, Drew Tate was thrown into a starting role as an unproven and inexperienced quarterback. In that year he led the Hawkeye's to a 10-2 overall record, Big Ten title and Capital One bowl win. In 2005, the 7-5 Hawkeye's tied for third in the conference but still made it into early January, eventually losing to Florida in the Outback Bowl. While garnering different results, the statistics speak for themselves. Tate's numbers were better his junior year than in his sophomore year. In 2005, Tate threw for 2,828 yards and 22 touchdowns. He completed 158-258 passes for a 61.2% passing efficiency that ranked him second only behind Troy Smith of Ohio State in conference play.

Trying to improve on his numbers his senior year, Tate will be among a strong cast. Tate will be handing the ball off to last year's Big Ten top rusher Albert Young. The 2005 second-team All-Big Ten selection ran for a total of 1,334 yards and eight touchdowns ranking him the 17th rusher in the nation.

Iowa lost four starters including top receivers Ed Hinkel and Clinton Solomon. Junior Herb Grigsby and senior Calvin Davis hope to fill that void.

Senior Drew Tate finished second in the Big Ten with a 61.2-percent pass completion rating.

Lining up on the strong side will be tight ends Scott Chandler and Tony Moeaki. Chandler was the second leading receiver last year catching 47 passes for 552 yards and two touchdowns. One of five true freshman to play in 2005, Moeaki appeared in all 12 games catching eight passes for 112 yards. In addition, senior Ryan Majerus scored two touchdowns last year and rounds out the deep position.

Perhaps one of Iowa's biggest strengths rests in their O-line. Among seven starters returning, three are linemen. Seniors Mike Jones, Mike Elgin and Marshal Yanda return to lead a solid frontline. This season, Elgin will contend for the Rimington Trophy that recognizes the most outstanding center in college football.

In 2005, the Iowa offense outscored their opponents 360-240 and averaged 30 points a game. They were ranked third in pass offense and fourth in total offense (436.9) in conference.

Starting from scratch last year, Iowa's young defense finally turned the corner mid way through the season. In the end, the Hawkeye's named three defensive players to All-Big Ten teams. One of those players is junior end Kenny Iwebema. A first team All-Big Ten selection, Iwebema recorded 48 tackles, seven sacks and two blocked kicks. In addition, sophomore tackle, Mitch King returns. King recorded 60 tackles, two sacks and forced three fumbles earning him honorable mention all-Big Ten honors by the media and Freshman All-America picks by various media outlets. 

All four starters and the top three reserves from last season return on the defensive line which will help fill the void left by Chad Greenway, Abdul Hodge and Jovon Johnson. However, this year Ferentz is ready and loaded with promising talent that he is confident will pick up right where the Iowa defense left off. Edmond Miles will take over the weak side linebacker position while junior Mike Humpal will start at outside linebacker after an impressive spring. Zach Gabelmann was behind Hodge all last year but has to battle with junior Mike Klinkenborg for the starting spot. Constants will be safety returnees Marcus Pashcal and Miguel Merrick. The duo combined for 121 tackles, 10 breakups and two recovered fumbles. Quietly watching and learning have been juniors Adam Shada and Charles Godfrey who will replace four-year starters Jovon Johnson and Antwan Allen at the two cornerback positions.

Seniors Kyle Schlicher and Andy Fenstermaker return as veterans to the special team's squad. Schlicher is 37-46 in career field goal attempts and 70-74 on PATs. He returns needing only three more points to tie Ronnie Harmon and Tim Dwight (192) for eighth place on the all time career points list. Schlicher, a second team all-Big Ten selection lead the league in field goal percentage (.810) last year. Fenstermaker earned his first varsity letter last year averaging 38.5 yards on 49 punts including 21 downed inside the 20 yard line. However, incoming freshman Ryan Donahue looks to challenge Fenstermaker for a starting role. Donahue was a USA Today first-team All-American as a senior.

Second string running back Damian Sims will add more playing time as a kick returner; hopefully helping on improving on last years last place ranking in conference in kickoff return average.

With a more experienced and deeper defensive bench the Hawkeye's have talent on both sides of the ball to make a good run in 2006. Iowa enters the season with a consecutive home sellout streak of 17. Near completion of a $90 million renovation project that includes a completely re-done south end zone and entirely new press box with an additional phase of upgrading concession and restroom facilities; Kinnick Stadium expects to continue to draw impressive crowds. This is bad news for conference foes Ohio State, Purdue, Northwestern and Wisconsin who will travel to Iowa City this year. The Hawkeye's won't have to leave home often either, hosting seven home games despite a 12-game regular season schedule with no off week. Away games include trips to Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota.