BLACK FRIDAY!

Its Black Friday! The Heroes Game is upon us, and I have been anticipating this game since I first heard Nebraska was joining the Big Ten. It is on!!! This game may not be a huge rivalry yet, but in my opinion, it's well on its way. Apparently the Big Ten thinks so too, considering they immediately made this a trophy game and scheduled it for a national tv slot on Black Friday.


Anyways, to the game. Nebraska's offense WILL give Iowa headaches all day. Mobile quarterback in Taylor Martinez, and Rex Burkhead will make it even tougher to stop the offense. The Huskers generally cannot pass well, but their rushing attack is what has been and will always be their forte. To put it in perspective, Marcus Coker averages 117.9 yards per game, second in the Big Ten only to Montee Ball of Wisconsin. However, even with Coker, Nebraska's offense as a whole averages 76 more rushing yards than Iowa per game. That means Burkhead and Martinez, who work as a rushing tandem, can really control a game on the ground

Iowa's offense will focus solely around Marcus Coker today, since Mikail McCall and Jordan Canzeri have not made the trip to Lincoln. James Vandenberg will probably need to pass quite a bit today, and Marvin McNutt will probably be hard for the Blackshirt defense to handle. Vandenberg leads the conference in passing, so Nebraska will be challenged.

Just on  a sidenote, Nebraska has always been a team that inspires hatred, so Hawk fans should prepare for not only this game, but this whole future series. Prepare for a new rival. This will, I repeat, WILL be the most hated team by Hawkeye fans in a few years.

PREDICTION:

I am really on the fence for this one, but I gotta keep my pattern of picking Iowa in every game this year! Iowa pulls off the road win, 28-24! GO HAWKS!! BEAT NEBRASKA!!

Madness in Ames: Cyclones stun #2 Cowboys in Double-OT

Wow. I honestly don’t even believe that happened last night. It still seems like a dream to me. Last night was the best sporting event I have ever been to. A game that almost nobody thought Iowa State even had a chance at winning, and they somehow found a way to pull it off.

It wasn’t one or two people who won this game for Iowa State either. It was truly a combined team effort. The Iowa State defense picked off Heisman front-runner Brandon Weeden three times, forced two fumbles, and not to mention the special teams unit converting an unexpected onside kick to perfection.

Iowa State had many chances to take the lead in the game, but missed opportunities plagued the Cyclones throughout much of the first half.

Zach Guyer missed a field goal from 30 yards and Jared Barnett threw a pick-six in Oklahoma State territory, which gave the Cowboys the 7-0 advantage early on.

In the second quarter, Iowa State responded and Barnett found Darius Reynolds for a touchdown.
On the very next Oklahoma State possession, Weeden hit Justin Blackmon for his first and only touchdown of the night. After Quinn Sharp chipped in the extra points, the score was 17-7.

Turnovers and missed opportunities have been the biggest problems for Iowa State this season. These problems continued for the Cyclones in the first half of the game.

With the Cyclones trailing 17-7 at halftime, Paul Rhoads and his team were hanging in there with one of the best teams in the nation. In order to win the game, Iowa State needed to take advantage of every possession they were given in the second half and the Cowboys needed to make mistakes.

Things didn’t start well for Iowa State in the second half as Weeden drove the Cowboys down the field and connected with Tracy Moore for the 30-yard touchdown.

At this point, the Cyclones trailed by 17 points, their largest deficit of the night. The Cyclones needed an answer, and an answer they got.

Jarvis West returned the kickoff all the way back to the 50 yard line. A few rushes and a first down set up a 32 yards rushing touchdown for James White. A Guyer extra point put the Cyclones back within 10 points of the Cowboys.

As Grant Mahoney lined up to kick off, he attempted an onside kick and the Cyclones recovered it. But could the Cyclones take advantage of the opportunity?

Right off the bat, Barnett hit Albert Gary for a 31-yard completion, putting the Cyclones in scoring distance. A few plays later, Barnett took off running for a 19-yard gain, but fumbled the football a few feet from the sideline and the Cowboys recovered it. Another missed opportunity.

The defense stepped up big for Iowa State after the fumble, as Jake Knott popped the ball loose from Joseph Randle and was recovered by senior Leonard Johnson.

The offense was only able to manage a field goal, but it put the game within one score at 24-17.

The game would head to the 4th quarter. After an Iowa State punt, the Cowboys were driving when Leonard Johnson stepped in front of Justin Blackmon and picked off the pass. The Cyclones were unable to do anything with the turnover and had to punt.

The Cyclone defense would step up big once again and forced another Oklahoma State punt. This time, the Cyclones took advantage. Barnett drove the offense all the way down the field and hooked up with Albert Gary for the game-tying touchdown.

The Cowboys were once again stopped and forced to punt away. Iowa State was looking to take its first lead of the game, but Barnett’s pass was deflected and picked off by Alex Elkins.

Momentum was back in the hands of Oklahoma State. The Cyclone defense was able to hold the Cowboys to a 4th and 1 at the Iowa state 20-yard-line. Sharp came on to kick the 37-yard field goal and missed right.

The game would go to overtime, the second time for Iowa State this season. The Cyclones started on offense first, and on the first play Barnett found James White wide open along the right sideline for the 25-yard touchdown.

Oklahoma State answered with a touchdown tying the game again at 31-31, sending the game in to double overtime.

The Cowboys were back on offense when Weeden’s pass was tipped by Jake Knott and intercepted by Ter’ran Benton for Iowa State. The Cyclones only needed a field goal for the win, but Rhoads put the ball in the hand of the team’s most reliable back, Jeff Woody. The play-call was the same every time, “Give the ball to Woody.” On the third attempt, Woody hit pay dirt and for the first time in school history the Iowa State Cyclones defeated a top-six team.

What a perfect way to send off the Cyclone seniors. It looks like the Cyclones will be going bowling for the second time in three years under CPR.

Unbelievable.

-MVW

Postgame press conference after Oklahoma State win

Paul Rhoads

Paul Rhoads Postgame Press Conference vs Oklahoma State by MattVanWinkle


Jeff Woody


Jeff Woody after OK State win by MattVanWinkle

IOWA STATE UPSETS OKLAHOMA STATE!

Our very own Matt Van Winkle was on the sidelines for the Iowa State win! Check out the awesome footage he got from the game.









"Paul Rhoads Post-Game Locker Room Celebration vs. Oklahoma State" courtesy isuvideo

PURDUUUUUE!

Hi Purdue, we're the Iowa Hawkeyes. Remember us? I know we haven't seen each other since 2008, but we had met 8 straight times before this 2 year break. I guess that's how the Big Ten scheduling cycle goes...until now! Now, we will be playing you guys every year. Hear that? Every year. Thanks to the highly intelligent executives in the Big Ten, we finally can preserve the heated rivalry that is the Iowa-Purdue game. That was the best idea since the Legends and Leaders naming. Try not to get too excited, or they might just add a another trophy on to this game too

.

Shonn Greene stiff arms a Purdue defender
in Iowa's 2008 win at Kinnick

So let's just get to the point; there's a lot at stake for both of us when we pay a visit to West Lafayette this Saturday. Purdue, it's been awhile since you represented the Big Ten in bowl season, but this year you've got a real shot. With a 5-5 record, you're a game away from bowl eligibility, which would be your first bowl season since 2007. On the other hand, the stakes are high for us Hawkeyes too; we have 6 wins, but we really need another one for some insurance before we head into Lincoln next week for our regular season finale with the Huskers.

We hear that your offense is pretty balanced this season. You average 170.3 yards a game on the ground, and 196 a game in the air. You rank 7th in the conference in both passing and rushing offense. You may have heard about Iowa's offensive attack this year, which puts up over 30 points and 387 yards a game.

However, rumor has it that your defense is a little shaky. You give up 390 total yards a game. We Hawk fans can totally relate to that, as our D gives up 398 a game. Expect both offenses to have their way with some of the weaker defenses in the Big Ten.

Your Boilermaker special teams could be an X-factor, as your kickoff returns are the best in the conference, averaging 27.4 yards per return. We too have an X-factor here at Iowa, and his name is Marcus Coker. Expect to hear his name a lot in Ross-Ade Stadium, considering your rush defense is terrible, and Coker averages 115.8 yards per game.

Overall, we are looking forward to this important cross-over match-up. We both need a win, so it should be a highly competitive effort by both teams. Who knows, maybe it will even have the intensity of a cross-over rivalry game!

-Sincerely, Iowa

P.S. Prediction- Iowa 35 Purdue 28 GO HAWKS!

Cyclone Podcast #4

Matt and Drew talk Iowa State Basketball vs Drake and preview Friday's game vs the #2 Oklahoma State Cowboys!

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What the Michigan win means for Iowa

Two weeks ago, the talk in Hawkeye Nation reflected a lack of confidence, frustration, and despair. Some  were writing off Iowa from bowl contention. Now, here we are, on this familiar roller coaster that is Iowa football, with a mood of resurgence. The Hawks are back! The statement win against Michigan last Saturday provided all kinds of hope for Hawkeye fans. Iowa's defense can step it up in big games. Marcus Coker is consistently shining, and developing as a top B1G running back. We're bowl eligible with 3 games still to prove ourselves. The Hawkeyes, headed by Kirk Ferentz, have turned it around.

B.J. Lowery celebrates after batting
down the final pass of the game
in Iowa's 24-16 win over Michigan

Iowa just did something that is common to the program over the years- appear to be down, but surprise everyone with a huge win. What a win it was on Saturday, as Iowa really looked encouraging. Here's what Iowa did well: 

• The defense held Denard Robinson in check for 3 quarters, and stymied him at the 3 yard line to end the game
• Marcus Coker is rolling, and his 140 yards on Saturday added to his case as the best running back in the conference
• The wealth was spread in the passing game; Vandenberg hit 5 different targets, including a TD to TE Brad Herman and a career high 9 receptions for Marvin McNutt
• Special teams looked very solid, which has been a problem in some games this season. Eric Guthrie had a great punt that was downed at the 1 by an athletic play by Shaun Prater. Mike Meyer also made a 42 yarder

Also, its worth mentioning that those American themed helmets were a nice touch the the honoring of  our veterans at Kinnick. With that 24-16 win, Iowa is now bowl eligible. Here's the lowdown on Iowa's remaining schedule.

Iowa is currently 6-3, 2nd in the Legends Division

LEGENDS DIVISION
	Conference		Division		Overall
	Record	%	Record	%	Record	%
Michigan State	4-1	.800	2-1	.667	7-2	.778
Iowa	3-2	.600	2-1	.667	6-3	.667
Nebraska	3-2	.600	2-1	.667	7-2	.778
Michigan	3-2	.600	2-2	.500	7-2	.778
Northwestern	2-4	.333	1-2	.333	4-5	.444
Minnesota	1-4	.200	1-3	.250	2-7	.222

Iowa still has to play MSU and Nebraska, so those two games are huge for deciding the final legends standings, and who goes to Indianapolis.

Here's the remaining schedule....

11/12/11	vs. Michigan State (FW, FA, S) *	Iowa City, IA	11:01 AM
11/19/11	at Purdue *	West Lafayette, IN	11:00 AM
11/25/11	at Nebraska *	Lincoln, NE	11:00 AM

Obviously, best case scenario is Indianapolis, but even if the Hawks win 2, they are in good shape for a bowl game. With 8 wins (5 in conference), the Hawkeyes can set themselves up for an Insight or Gator Bowl appearance. With 7 wins, the picture is a little more blurry, and Iowa could end up in Houston or Dallas for the bowl game. 

Of course, the Hawks will be shooting for 3 of 3 in their final regular season games. It's hard to believe that Iowa still controls its Rose Bowl fate after listening to the chatter around the program after the Minnesota loss. One thing you can expect is that it will be a heck of a ride throughout November. 

*Also, check out the site tomorrow for our Friday Podcast on the upcoming game against Michigan State. 

-IS

Podcast: Kansas Postgame and Look Ahead

Matt and Drew discuss the win against Kansas last week and look at the schedule ahead for the Cyclones.

Pregame Podcast

Minnesota reax, Friday post part 1

This season, the parity in the Big Ten has been a real theme. No team has established themselves as the top dog, and that was made evident last weekend. Wisconsin, the original favorite, lost their second straight to a reviving Ohio State team. Michigan State, who had the biggest wins of any Big Ten team, was man-handled by Nebraska, who is now on fire after getting smoked by the Badgers earlier in the season. Unfortunately for Hawkeye fans, the most obvious example of parity came in Minneapolis, when the energized Golden Gophers pulled off the Big Ten upset of the season so far. Minnesota had only 1 win coming into the game, and shocked everyone in Big Ten country.

Iowa's second straight loss to Minnesota drew some very harsh reaction from the media and fans alike. Just listening to the post-game radio show was painful; callers were demanding that the Hawks clear house, including suggestions of firing Kirk Ferentz (I'll share my opinions in a bit). People were labeling this a "down year," and questioning the talent (or lack thereof) on this season's Hawkeye team. Comparisons to the 2007 team and their loss to Western Michigan were very popular.

Yes, Iowa's loss was BAD- probably the worst since that 2007 W. Michigan loss at home. The fact is, Iowa should have won. 252 rushing yards for Marcus Coker, but only 21 points? 2 missed FGs, and missing out on red zone opportunities? Is this the same Hawkeye offense that put up a combined 86 points the last 2 weeks?


Even though there are problems-some of them very big- remember these very important words: DON'T COUNT OUT THE HAWKEYES.

Kirk Ferentz is 89-60 at Iowa,
and has recorded 8 winning
seasons in 12 years

Iowa plays 2 more critical games at home. They have beaten Michigan and MSU the last 2 seasons, so we know it can happen. Iowa is undefeated at home this season. The team will be hungry, and the Kinnick crowd will be desperate. Here's some facts that show there's still hope; in 2005, Iowa won their last 2 critical Big Ten games to become bowl eligible and get up to 7 wins. In 2007, Iowa salvaged a .500 season by winning their final 3 Big Ten games. In 2008, Iowa was 5-4, but won their last 4 games to get to 9 wins. My point is this: Iowa has been down before, and has battled back to turn a potential failure into a winning season with a bowl appearance. Iowa has won critical games that they shouldn't have, and I trust Kirk Ferentz to get his team to battle through tough times to get to a bowl.

Remember this?

Kirk Ferentz has received a ton of criticism this week, and Hawkeye fans need to watch what they say about their coach. Anybody remember the fact that we won a BCS bowl just 2 years ago? What about the 3 straight bowl wins? The 8 winning seasons out of 12? That's called success my friends. Let's remember, this is Iowa we are talking about, not Notre Dame, Alabama, Michigan, or Oklahoma. There was a time when Iowa was a joke of a football school, and when Ferentz took over, the program was searching for a revival after Hayden Fry left a vastly improved program. Coach Ferentz has perpetuated a winning attitude at Iowa, and has made a tradition of winning. Iowa fans have to realize that what Ferentz has done is incredible, and we can't let a bad loss or two diminish what he's done. Have some hope Hawk fans, this season is not over! There are 4 more games, and you can bet Kirk Ferentz will have his team in a position to win every one of them.



-IS