GAMEDAY: Eastern Illinois at Iowa | What Happened?

Iowa got off to a quick start scoring on the games opening drive after electing to receive the kick. Ricky Stanzi found tight end Brad Herman for a 36 yard pass that moved the Hawkeyes down within five yards of the endzone. Adam Robinson carried it in for the first touchdown of the 2010 season.

Freshmen walk-on Mike Meyer drove his first Hawkeye kickoff into the endzone and EIU took the touchback. The defense played with high intensity, which was good to see since Iowa seemed a bit groggy last year in early (11am kickoff) games.

Iowa scored again, Adam Robinson scored his second touchdown of the quarter driving the score to 14-0 Iowa. He ran off the left side where there was great blocking by both Reilly Reiff and Brett Morse.

The Eastern Illinois offense is similar to what Iowa can expect to see out of future opponents Iowa State and Arizona. All three teams like to put the quarterback in the shotgun formation and split out four or five wide receivers. The running game consists of motion backs taking an end around or the quarterback reading the end on the read option. The passing game is full of quick slants and a lot of swing passes getting the ball into the hands of speedy players in space.

Eastern Illinois lined up in a rugby punt formation and Hawkeye senior Paki O'Meara ran through two blockers to not only block the punt but scoop it up and return it for a touchdown. Iowa had the punt return called and Paki's outstanding play brought flashbacks of Adrian Clayborn against PSU in 2009.

Following the punt block/return, which put Iowa up 21-0, the defense lost a little bit of their fire. After a three-and-out, EIU ran a punt fake up the middle for the first down and more. Following that they completed a long pass down the left side gettin them in easy scoring position. Micah Hyde probably wishes he had that series back as he lost his man in the end zone netting EIU their first touchdown of the season.

Things got a bit scary when Ricky Stanzi scrambled to his right and went to the turf. He limped off the field and Hawkeye Nation held their breath. James Vandenberg entered the game but Stanzi was cleared to play and returned before the half.

Adam Robinson continued his big day crossing the goal line three times in the first half. The Hawkeyes had a lead of 28-7 thanks to three rushing touchdowns from Robinson and 9 for 10 passing from Ricky Stanzi. The Hawkeyes were penalized a total of zero times in the first half. Well, there was one but it was declined when EIU scored their only touchdown. A sign of a focused group.

The third quarter was a lot of meh. The only score between the teams was a safety Iowa recorded after a poor play call to throw a swing pass in the endzone. That made the score 30-7.

There were firsts for Iowa in the second half. The first punt of the year from Ryan Donahue came at the start of the fourth and it was a beauty. The first offensive penalty came with 4:36 left in the third quarter on an illegal shift.

Other firsts, Zach Derby caught his first pass of his Hawkeye career. James Morris, CJ Fiedorowicz, BJ Lowery, Tanner Miller, Christian Kirksey, and Mike Meyer all lost their redshirts when they saw action on the field today.

Final Score: Iowa 37 EIU 7

Stats of Note:

Stanzi 18/23 229 Yards 1 TD
Adam Robinson: 24 Carries 109 yards 3 TD's 3 Receptions 43 Yards

Defensively, both Mike Daniels and Lebron Daniel recorded sacks

Second team looked like this:

Defense DL: Alvis/Nardo/Bigach/Daniel LB: Johnson/Morris/Tillison DB: Lowery/Bernstine/Miller/Lowe

Offense OL: Van Sloten/Tobin/Boffeli/Orne/Haganmann TE:Derby WR: Nordmann/Davis/Chaney QB: Vandenberg RB/FB: Rogers/Paki/White

GAMEDAY: Eastern Illinois at Iowa

For starters, if you are watching the game today at home like me, head on over to Hawkeye Lounge to join the game chat. If you are in Kinnick stop by later today, when you get home, and tell us what you saw.

FightforIowa blog has a "what we need to know" Gameday post this morning. You can catch up here.

Adam Rittenberg's Big Ten blog has Big Ten game day weather for Week 1

Adam Jacobi, of Black Heart Gold Pants, makes his prediction in Eastern Illinois Preview: Release The Clayborn! I'm giving my "Friend of the Pants" T-shirt a shot today. It has the chance to be my go-to shirt for 2010.

If you missed Fry Fest last night there are stories, pictures, and videos from the event:

Video: Hokey Pokey world record broken

Video: Coach Hayden Fry at 2010 Fry Fest

Photos: Fry Fest 2010

9/3/2010: I-Club breakfast video (Kirk Ferentz)

Preseason depth, talent at wide receiver inspires ‘The Crew’

and finally, every GAMEDAY needs a song. It's been a superstition of mine that I post on HawkeyeLounge the ***Official Gameday*** starter so here we go.

Josh Koeppel Versus a Ford F150 Remix

A very special thanks to BrantsHawks for making and sending me this.

Game Week (EIU) | Christmas Eve er, Friday Night Link Dump

If you don't yet have the rosters memorized, Hawk Central has a downloadable pocket roster for you to take to tomorrow's game.

Hawk Central was also busy cranking out these stories:

Iowa football: Black Friday game for Hawks, Huskers?

Iowa football: Thursday games not likely at Kinnick Stadium

Iowa football: Five Hawkeye storylines to watch

Harty: 2010 season finally here

Five things to know about Eastern Illinois University

Hawkeye countdown ends Saturday
 
From KCRG: Coach Hayden Fry Talks Hokey Pokey and More
 
From Mike Hlas, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, The 1985 Hawkeyes gather to reflect on their Big Ten championship season
 
Also from Hlas, Iowa’s longest preseason is finally over
 
Susan Denk, of the Burlington Hawk Eye, tells us that the Offensive line ready for opener
 
From John Bohnenkamp's blog, 1985 Hawkeye team felt like a family
 
and finally,
 
If you haven't seen it, Coach Ferentz signed his new deal with Iowa today. Also, GoHawks.com released a new video of Adrian Clayborn. You can see it all here.

Game Week (EIU) | Prediction Time Plus Hawkeye Links

First, the injury report for the Hawkeyes. Adam Gettis, Shaun Prater, and Daniel Murray will not participate tomorrow due to injury. Also, Josh Koeppel was ruled out for this week on Wednesday night, he is still recovering from minor injuries due to his accident.

So, who is the next man in? These are guesses, I would pencil in Greg Castillo at the corner position and Nolan MacMillan at right guard. Kirk Ferentz already mentioned walk-on kicker Mike Meyer will  handle kickoffs. I'm going to assume Mossbruker will take FG/EP duty.

On to the prediction, according to a near record number of entries on Hawkeye Lounge, the sample of fans are predicting a 37-7 game. My predicted score is 38-3, an easy Iowa victory.

Here is why. Eastern Illinois is coming to Kinnick with a new quarterback and runningback. The new QB, Brandon Large, has never played at any level above community college. Their runningback situation has EIU looking at a fourth string guy. They lost their starter to injury in camp and the number two and three guy are out. They also are replacing  three starters on the offensive line, including two new tackles. The lack of a running game could make EIU one dimensional on offense and they don't want Iowa's DL to be in full pass rush mode all day.

Offensively, Iowa will get a chance to work on zone blocking as they should get a lot of work on run game. I look for Stanzi to air it out early but eventually Adam Robinson to get a lot of work. Last season ARob got his feet wet against UNI and the inexperience was obvious. He missed several holes and a time or two tried to outrun the defense to the sideline. Now the experienced sophomore should have a big day and I expect him to break 100 yards.

I think the Hawks will start fast tomorrow and win the field position battle early. The defense should stuff EIU and if the O struggles punter Ryan Donhue will pin EIU deep. If things go as I hope we should get to see a lot of Hawkeyes getting reps.

Hawkeye links,

From Luke Meredith, of the AP, Young guns may crack Iowa lineup

From over at FightforIowa blog, The Final Bit of Off-Season News

 The Off Tackle Empire is recapping last night's games in Kneejerk Reaction, Thursday Night Games

Black Heart Gold Pants says that Pick Six Just Got Real

Also, from RossWB of BHGP, Better Know An Iowa Football Opponent 2010: Minnesota Golden Gophers (Part Two)

The Daily Iowan says that Past failures drive Ferentz into future

Also, from the DI, This week in Hawkeye History

The Hawkeye Nerd continues his 12 days of Hawkeye football with Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi is celebrating a birthday today. He is 23 and hopefully not planning on 23 pitchers of beer tonight.

and finally,

The Cedar Rapids Gazette writes that Hawkeye players, fans, deployed troops ready for season to start

Game Week (EIU) | Thursday Night Hawkeye Links

I'm going to make this quick and easy. A link dump, I'm watching football!

A Rank Amateur's Take on the Hawks: A Thumbnail Sketch of the Eastern Illinois Panthers

Hawk Central: Keeler: Grading how each Big Ten team fared in realignment

ESPN: Iowa wisely locks up Ferentz through 2020

Hawk Central: Brett Morse, magician behind the Hawks’ offensive curtain

WCF Courier: Young guns may crack Iowa lineup

BHGP: Ferentz signs extension

Hawkeye Sports: Hawk Talk Daily: Random Thoughts

CID Gazette: Death of a rivalry: Iowa-Wisconsin

WGAL.com: Week 5 Preview: Clayborn And Co. Welcome PSU's New QB

AP Wire: Top 25 Preview Capsules

THOnline: This Week's TH College Football Crystal Ball

WQAD: No. 9 Iowa will lean on veterans in 2010 but talented newcomers could work way into lineup

Hawkeye Links | Plus: A Way Too Early Look Ahead to 2011

Yeah, I know, really early. But, with the announcement of the new Big Ten Divisions I thought what the hell, let's take a quick (probably meaningless) look ahead to 2011.

First, here is the newly announced 2011 Iowa Hawkeye Football schedule:

Sep. 3 Tennessee Tech @ Iowa

Sep. 10 Iowa @ Iowa State

Sep. 17 Pitt @ Iowa

Sep. 24 Louisiana Monroe @ Iowa

Oct. 1 Bye

Oct. 8 Iowa @ PSU

Oct. 15 Northwestern @ Iowa

Oct. 22 Indiana @ Iowa

Oct. 29 Iowa @ Minnesota

Nov. 5 Michigan @ Iowa

Nov. 12 Michigan St @ Iowa

Nov. 19 Iowa @ Purdue

Nov. 26 Iowa @ Nebraska

The Hawkeyes will lose QB Ricky Stanzi, FB Brett Morse, RB Paki O'Meara, WR's DJK, Sandeman, Chaney Jr., Nordmann, TE Reisner, OL Vandervelde and Koeppel, DL Clayborn, Ballard, Klug, LB's Tarpinian and Hunter, P Donahue, K Murray, and FS Greenwood.

As you see you lose a lot of talent and leadership. The defensive line will take the biggest hit with Iowa having to replace three starters, all of which may end up in the NFL. The linebacking corps will lose two out of three and the quarterback of the secondary will be gone. It will certainly be a new era for Hawkeye defense.

Offensively you lose your three year starter at quaterback that may very well leave Iowa with 25 to 30 wins under his belt. The wide receiving group loses nearly half of it's depth, including DJK who may leave Iowa holding several wide receiver individual school records. The Oline only looses one starter and one real quality back-up. The backfield will miss fullback Brett Morse but the runningbacks should all be back for 2011.

So, what does the 2011 Hawkeye line-up potentially look like? How about this:

QB: Vandenberg/Weinke
RB: Hampton/Robinson
FB: Rogers
WR: McNutt/Davis/Martin-Manley/Cotton
TE: Fiedorowicz/Herman
OL:Reiff/Boffeli/Ferentz/Gettis/Zusevics
K: Mossbruker/Meyer

DL: Binns/Daniels/Davis/Daniel
LB: Nielsen/Davis/Morris/Kirksey
DB: Hyde/Sash/Bernstine/Prater
P: Mullins

Obviously just guessing here. The freshmen I listed (Morris/Kirksey/Fiedorowicz/Meyer) because Hawkeye Sports reported they plan to skip the redshirt and play in the opener for 2010. My assumption here is that Ferentz wants Morris and Kirksey to get some game speed experience so that they are ready in 2011.

Other potential players to make the starting lineup are: Tanner Miller FS, Castillo CB, Van Sloten OL, Nolan McMillan OL, Marcus Coker and De'Andre Johnson RB, Dominic Alvis and Mike Hardy DL, BJ Lowery and William Lowe DB, and AJ Derby LB (snuck that in).

The Hawks currently have 14 verbal commitments in the 2011 class. With the loss of Griggs, Hundertmark, Wegher (maybe), and a heavy senior class, look for the Hawks to sign close to the magic number of 25 next January. By the looks of it, there may be the possibility of immediate playing time at the wide receiver position.

Okay, like I said, waaay too early to look at this and so many things will happen in a year. Based on the returning experience at QB and along the Oline and running back position I think the Hawks will be fine offensively. The defense will be the biggest concern for 2011. Based on the newly released schedule 2011 could be another fun season for Hawkeye fans.

Hawkeye links,

For starters, Rob Howe, of Hawkeye Insider, gives us a Hawkeye Insider Preview - Eastern Illinois.

The Football Writers Association of America released it's preseason poll and the Hawkeyes come in at number 10.

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg has been busy providing content this morning. Here are links to his three stories:

Big Ten reaction to new divisions

Big Ten predictions: Week 1

What to watch in the Big Ten: Week 1

Hawk Central has a video for us, watch the VIDEO: Iowa football players practice Hokey Pokey.

BamaHawkeye has this post on Off Tackle Empire: About Those Divisions: I See a Parallel

Black Heart Gold Pants has some pretty cool news: Iowa Touchdowns For Kids Update (And More)

Also, from BHGP and Maize n' Brew, MAIZE PANTS PODCAST #3: ENTER DR. STRANGELOVE

and finally,

Scott Dochterman, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, says that Big Ten gives Iowa 2 out of 3

Game Week (EIU) | Big Ten Divisions and Hawkeye Links 2

Looks like Andy Katz nailed it. Iowa gets Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Minnesota in their new Big Ten division. The other division will consist  of Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Penn State, Indiana, and Illinois. Of the opposite division Iowa will get Purdue as its protected rivalry (they'll play each year). Also, the schedule for the next two seasons were released. Iowa and Nebraska will finish the season playing the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Here are your links with all the details, including schedules, protected rivalry's, and game dates.

Cedar Rapids Gazette

Big Ten: Iowa in football division with Nebraska, Minnesota

Hlas column: Iowa scores very well in Big Ten’s football division set-up

VIDEO: John C. Campbell, Marc C. Morehouse and I discuss Big Ten football divisions and the Josh Koeppel footage

Here are the divisions (with schedule, Iowa statement)

Minnesota’s Brewster on retaining Iowa, Wisconsin rivalries

Iowa has history with new divisional rivals

ESPN.com

My take on Big Ten divisions, schedules

Jim Delany discusses division alignment

Hawk Central

Iowa football: Ferentz and freshmen: To play or not to play

Hawkeye ‘D’ aims at being better than 2009 version

Less of Ohio State is a good thing for Iowa

Keeler: Hawkeyes fared well in Big Ten realignment

Off Tackle Empire

Crisis Averted - Big Ten Gets Division Splits Right

Quad-City Times

Hawkeyes joined Nebraska, Michigan in Big Ten division

WOWT.com

Fans React to Big Ten Alignment

and to wrap this post up I'll give you the best of Twitter regarding Coach Ferentz's call-in show that just ended.

RT @marcmorehouse: Ballard at DE and Daniels at DT for EIU.

RT @marcmorehouse: On requiring mopeders to wear helmets: I'm a coach, not a king. I wish it was a law.

RT @marcmorehouse: Koeppel on CBS morning show tomorrow.

RT @marcmorehouse: Working on Tarp for Saturday. Will play, just see how effective he can be. Tyler Nielsen also has had aggravating injuries.

RT @marcmorehouse: Nolan MacMillan improved each week, KF.

RT @marcmorehouse: KF talked with Wegher today. KF wants him to concentrate on school. If he does well, he'll have the option to comeback at semester.

RT @ScottDochterman: MAJOR Big Ten scheduling quirk: Illinois and Iowa won't play from 2009 through at least 2013.

RT @bvak: Barta said he's been at Iowa 5 years. If McCaffery doesn't pan out, he won't be there another 5.

Game Week (EIU) | Big Ten Divisions and Hawkeye Links

The Big Ten Network Special tonight is slated for 6pm Central. The topics will include future Big Ten divisions and schedules. That didn't stop ESPN from scooping the Network's special broadcast. According to Andy Katz, the divisions will shake out like this:

Division 1: Michigan, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, Minnesota

Division 2: Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Purdue, Indiana, Illinois

The rumored protected rivalry for Iowa if these are the two divisions is Purdue (sarcastic yaaay).

But wait a minute! Rumors are also running places that the Big Ten Network is giving away the future divisions in the picture located on it's website front page. Here, take a look:

(photo: Hawk Central)

HawkeyeLounge has a lengthy discussion brewing on the news, follow along here.

Certainly a developing situation, tune in tonight to find out.

Hawkeye links,

Scott Dochterman, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, writes that a Source: Iowa’s division includes Minnesota, Nebraska.

From Marc Morehouse, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Stanzi: Still loves America, despises interceptions.

Mitch Smith, of the Daily Iowan, writes Hawkeyes look to start anew among the hype.

With tailgating season just around the corner, Hawkcentral says that the Fate of Magic Bus remains up in air.

Rob Howe, of Hawkeye Insider, offers more free videos up on his subscription site. Here is the list:

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Tyler Sash

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Allen Reisner

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Marvin McNutt

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Julian Vandervelde

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Trent Mossbrucker

RossWB, Black Heart Gold Pants, continues to educate us fans with his Better Know An Iowa Football Opponent 2010: Minnesota Golden Gophers (Part One)

ESPN's Adam Rittenberg posted to his Big Ten blog today:  Video: Iowa DT Christian Ballard

The Off Tackle Empire blog has its Closing Arguments - Iowa

From the No, it's Iowa blog, author Jessie Gavin believes Iowa fans should be Tempering the Expectations

John Bohnenkamp, of the Burlington Hawk Eye, wonders Will it be 1985 all over again?

Andy Staples, of Sports Illustrated, wants us to Please keep these non-traditional choices on your Heisman radar.

and finally,

The Out of Towner is back at Hawkeyes.net, he writes: Great Expectations for Hawkeye Football in 2010

Best of Cyclone Fanatic 5 | It's the Economy Stupid

Randy Peterson, of the Des Moines Register, reported yesterday that Student (football) season-ticket sales down 30 percent. The Cyclones are coming off an Insight.com Bowl victory and seemed to have righted the ship under new skipper Paul Rhodes. So, how can this be? Let's head over to Cyclonefanatic and get an explanation.

(A Packed Jack Trice Stadium)

Oh, look, a good place to start is a thread entitled Important question for ISU students regarding tickets. It begins with Chris Williams looking for feedback from his members. Let's take a look at that feedback:

farminclone thinks:

A lot of kids are buying hill tickets becuase they are cheaper, then just sneaking into the student section. And I hate to admit this but more people than I would have ever imagined seem to be planning on driving to Iowa City on gamedays this year, which really ticks me off.

Al_4_state blames closet Hawk fans?
 

Where in the hell are all these closet Hawk fans coming from? You'd see a few when I was in school, but not that many, and we're talking like 3-4 years ago. It's like they've multiplied.

I think I knew one guy my whole tenure at ISU who was a Hawk fan, and he ended up going to more games in Ames than IC, just because he knew more people here.

 FDWxMan blames the stupid freshmen:
 

I really think the University just completely dropped the ball here, and somehow confused a bunch of the incoming freshman. It would be interesting to see if the drop in tickets is due to lower freshman buys.

Reason being, I talked to my brother yesterday (new freshman) and asked if he had picked up tickets yet and he said "No they just scan your ID right?" and I said, well yeah if you bought them, and he thought that was already taken care of/paid for with U-bill when you got the id.

And then after I got him to go online to buy, that's when we discovered this "can't use your U-bill" nonsense. I bet this is a significant chunk of the drop if in fact the university did make it confusing to the newbies.

cycoOJfan89 just thinks times are tough and has a tear jerking tale:

I was just trying to come up with ideas, I have my tickets. In fact, I get the student tickets even though my family gets 50 yard line and club section seats. I usually watch from the 50 and say screw the student section even though I got the student tickets. The student section is fun and all but I'd rather have 100% focus on the game.


Actually though, this will be the first year without the Club Section seats... and I know I can blame this one on the economy. My father owns a pretty successful business in Marion that sells Menards, Wal Mart, Pep Boys, etc but business has been so slow that the Club seats had to go bye bye. I had been sitting in those Club Section seats since I can remember too... We will never see those seats again since someone else will swoop right in!

motorCYcle says it's the tricky $10 fee:

Student Season Tickets

Season Student Football $145.00

Season Student Men's $125.00

Student Game Day T-Shirt $7.00

Student Ticket Fee $10.00

TOTAL: $287.00

While I knew I was going to buy season tickets, it was still extremely hard to see the price. And WTF is a Student Ticket Fee?! They didn't even tell you about it until you were about to type in your credit card number. If I was not an ISU fan and just a student, I would not have bought tickets this year.

 Clone5 blames the lazy students:

I really don't think this is all on the athletic department though. Students want more and more things done for them so I think maybe parents should be given information too whether it be at orientation or whatever.

 There is a lot more in that thread but I got bored and decided to take a look at another. Let's look at the student ticket sales thread.

Palmer says:

We just do not have the bandwagon hoppers to push sales in tough economic times....

Clonebydesign blames the booze:

My point being I think the students are being (have always been) to focused on the party and not on the game. Just look at how many stay outside and never go in. But that goes for some adults also. We just dont have large enough fan base to be lazy.

And there are many more excuses, faulty logic, and strange reasons over there. I'll let you find the rest.

In case You Need Proof That Josh Koeppel is a Bad Dude

Hawkeye Lounge regular Brantshawks showed us all why the senior center may miss this Saturday's game against Eastern Illinois.

Monday morning Koeppel was involved in an accident, his moped struck a Ford F-150. Here is a quote from KCRG:

''Sergeant Denise Brotherton of Iowa City Police Department said Koeppel was heading westbound on Burlington Street on his Yahama motorcycle when John Logan, 54, of Iowa City turned left onto Gilbert Street and struck Koeppel. Logan was driving a Ford F-150.''

Here is the video uploaded by Brantshawks:

Game Week (EIU) | Ferentz PC Hawkeye Links 3

Okay, so the Twitter notes have died down but there are still plenty of stories rolling out.

There is one interesting tidbit:

RT @johnbohnenkamp: Sounds like the Big Ten is ready to announce divisions as early as tomorrow. After that, let the bowl prognostication begin.

Hawkeye Insider's Rob Howe has more videos, (these are free to all btw):

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Micah Hyde

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Markus Zusevics

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Ricky Stanzi

EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Adam Robinson

The Cedar Rapids Gazette has several more stories up:

VIDEO: Kirk Ferentz on his kickers and more

Helmet-less Hawkeye football players worry their coach

Ferentz: At least 4 true frosh to see action

Running on not quite empty

From ESPN.com:

Josh Koeppel to miss opener

Nuggets from Iowa practice

From Hawk Central:

Ferentz advising Wegher to focus on academics

Prater’s patience getting hamstrung

From Luke Meredith, of the AP, Air Hawkeye? No. 9 Iowa hopes to open things up

From the WCF Courier, Hawkeyes will have new look at linebacker.

NBC Sports has a E. Illinois-Iowa Preview for us.

and finally,

Chris Hassel, of TV13 Sports (the Adam Sandler lite guy) tweeted this bit of info:

RT @hassel13: Iowa favored by 38 vs Eastern Illinois. Give me the Panthers.

According to MikeyJoe, the average predicted margain of victory on Hawkeyelounge.com is 31.2. It seems that among the predictors 38 is the popular amount of points scored by the Hawks. The sample size is +/- 30.

Game Week (EIU) | Ferentz PC Twitter Notes Plus Hawkeye Links 2

I'll start this post just like the last, some more tweets from Hawkeye media types.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: QC native Jason White will be the third team RB this week behind ARob and Paki. KF would rather not play DeAndre Johnson

RT @HawkeyeInsider: McNutt said he thinks Martin-Manley could play the role Keenan Davis did last year as true frosh.

RT @HawkeyeInsider: KF called Hundertmark situation a "Gray area"; Said Cody still deciding what he wants to do

RT @HawkeyeInsider: KF not too surprised by Austin Grey exit. Coach made reference to girlfriend back home.

RT @marcmorehouse: The only thing Stanzi hates more than interceptions is when someone burns an American flag.

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: KF on RB situation "That deep, deep pool got shallow pretty fast"

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: Week 1 Captains: Clayborn, Klug, Stanzi, Vandervelde

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: KF on OL: "fairly settled" picture becomes more clear with each day. There is a Top 7 and after that it's a bit cloudy.

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: RB Depth chart for EIU w/out Jewel: A-Rob, Paki, Jason White, DeAndre Johnson. KF would prefer to not need Johnson against Panthers.

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: Special teams update: KR: DJK & Keenan Davis PR: Sandeman & McNutt PK: still working through things KO: Mike Meyer (frosh walkon)

RT @VoiceoftheHawks: On Brett Van Sloten: Extremely coachable. Grown into body. Great attitude. Has good future.

Moving on to Hawkeye links,

For the full Kirk Ferentz transcript visit here.

Scott Dochterman, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, nabbed some interviews today with some Hawkeye players. He has Iowa CB Micah Hyde, LB Bruce Davis.

Also, from the Gazette, the always busy Marc Morehouse has these stories:

No comment on suspensions: EIU coach Spoo

Tuesday Talk (updating)

Eastern Illinois pregame — Players video

Eastern Illinois pregame video — Kirk Ferentz

Scout.com's Hawkeye Insider gives us EIU Pregame: Kirk Ferentz On The Side. Rob Howe gets Ferentz to discuss Hundertmark, Austin Gray, and Mopeds. Also from Howe EIU Pregame: VIDEO - Greg Castillo.

Some news of walk-on kicker Mike Meyer getting kickoff duty spurred this article from THOnline.

Elsewhere, CJOnline.com says that former Hawkeye Chuck Long to tell Pick vomit story.

FoxNews.com says that With experience at quarterback and receiver, No. 9 Iowa hopes to air it out more in 2010.

and finally,

The Sioux City Journal writes that Ferentz says Hawkeyes eager to get started.

There are still more updates and "content" rolling out so it looks like I'll have an update #3 later tonight.

Game Week (EIU) | Ferentz PC Twitter Notes Plus Hawkeye Links

Ferentz kicked off Game Week with the first of his weekly press conferences. Here are a recap of quick hits and notes (via Twitter) from Hawkeye media covering the PC. Do me a favor, and if you have a Twitter account follow those linked below. They do awesome work and as you can see, it will be worth it.

RT @marcmorehouse: Meyers, CjF, Kirksey, Morris true frosh who'll play.

RT @marcmorehouse: Meyers kickoffs.

RT @marcmorehouse: Tarp hand, he's practicing. Koeppel fortunate. OK, scraps and sore. Not this week. 3 or 4 watch during week.

RT @JosephLarsen3: Returners will be DJK, Davis, and Sandemann on punts.....

RT @JosephLarsen3: Kirk has not spoken with BW in over a week, not sure of short term ideas, rather thinking long term, not sure if going to class......

RT @JosephLarsen3: Mike Daniels will start out DT as BBinns is out, Ballard will be DE, very versatile

RT @marcmorehouse: Prater, they're hopeful.

RT @marcmorehouse: Couple OL nicked up. Not saying who.

RT @JosephLarsen3: OLine top 7 is pretty figured out, injuries always a factor too......

RT @marcmorehouse: Planning to redshirt De'Andre Johnson.

RT @JosephLarsen3: Marcus Coker: Still rehab...starting to run and will xray again Friday...still a week or two away from full speed.

RT @marcmorehouse: DjK has missed some time.

RT @Andy_Hamilton: KF: Hopeful on Prater for Saturday

RT @JosephLarsen3: Micha Hyde: He just competes. Doesnt think about starting. Very level headed guy.

RT @JosephLarsen3: No comment about Hundertmark, assumed non issue....


Hawkeye links,

Ryan Suchomel, of Hawk Central, gives us an update on Shaun Prater and Josh Koeppel.

Andrew Logue, of the new Hawk Central, says that we should Expect Hampton to contend for rushing title.

Also, from Hawk Central, we get a NFL camp weekend roundup.

From Big Ten Network, we get a Big Ten Week 1 Preview.

Back for 2010, Stoopsmyass, of BHGP, gives us the Top 10 Reasons Why Iowa Will Lose to Eastern Illinois.

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg caught ups and recorded an interview with Ricky Stanzi.

Also, Rittenberg breaks down the Big Ten's potential Heisman Trophy candidates.

SpudHawk is back and his Rank Amateur's Take on the Hawks has a couple of new blog posts. First, he tells us the The Ten Things he Would Like to See Saturday. Second, he tells us why he thinks EIU Won't be UNI All Over Again.

Game Week (EIU) | Hawkeye Links Koeppel Injured Hundertmark Leaves

Hawkeye senior Josh Koeppel was injured while riding his motorcycle in Iowa City this morning. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports that Koeppel was hit by a Ford F-150. Koeppel was listed as "OR" with Ferentz in last weeks two-deeps. Hawk Central says he went to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Black Heart Gold Pants reports that the F-150 burst into flames upon striking Koeppel. They also report that may not be true ;).

In other news, Rob Howe, of Hawkeye Insider, reports that redshirt junior Cody Hundertmark has left the team. Hundertmark played defensive tackle for Iowa his true freshmen season. He then took a redshirt to for further time to develop. Last season, he was switched from defensive line to the offensive line. He was listed as 2nd string guard in the Spring but may have been passed on the depth chart this Fall.

Other Hawkeye personnel notes (former Hawkeye that is): RT @RSuchomel: Kyle Calloway released by the Buffalo bills.

KCRG has a story: Bills Release Three Players, Including OT Calloway

Adam Rittenberg, of ESPN, gives us Personnel notes from around Big Ten.

Also, Rittenberg gives us: Video: Iowa TE Allen Reisner

If you are heading to Kinnick on Saturday, HawkCentral gives you some Gameday parking, traffic tips.

Changing gears a bit, Scott Dochterman, of the CID Gazette, says the Carver renovation moving right along.

Dochterman also writes that the Traveling trophies woven into Big Ten football fabric (with poll, video).

Mike Hlas believes A Boise State win over Virginia Tech next Monday could be bad for the Big Ten (and Iowa?)

and finally,

From the Quad-City Times, Iowa's Donahue nearly punted away career.

It's Game Week | Monday Afternoon Hawkeye Links

Here we go, we awake to this tweet from @HawkeyeFootball: Gameweek is officially here! The feeling around the office is totally different than the last few weeks.


Well, where to start. Hawkeye Nation has a video going over 2010, Game by Game. They also debut 2010's Monday morning quarterback with former defensive lineman Jared Clauss.

Scout.com's Hawekye Insider starts the week off with Top Story Lines Week 1: Eastern Illinois

If you haven't had enough Hawkeye hype yet, check out this newly released website: Ricky Stanzi, Heisman and Hawkeyes

Marc Morehouse, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, is catching up with Hawkeye recruiting. He has three recruiting articles on his blog, they profile Melvin Gordon, Torrey Campbell, and Cole Fisher.

Morehouse is in full game week mode as he also gives us: Hawkeyes 2010: 5 reasons why, and Off-field drama seems settled at Eastern.

From HawkCentral:  Iowa football: Eastern Illinois coach Spoo evolves along with the passing game

We also get: Marv Cook discusses pressure of preseason rankings.

Mike Hlas has A few quick questions with former Iowa Hawkeye/NFL player Matt Bowen.

ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg's Big Ten blog is full of predictions. First he has Big Ten season predictions, and follows it up with Fearless predictions in the Big Ten.

Black Heart Gold Pants also have two new blog posts for us. First they have Assume the Position 2010: Running Back and second, Better Know An Iowa Football Opponent: Northwestern Wildcats (Part Two).

FightforIowa blog also has two new entries for us. He has a Iowa Football 2010 Season Primer: Depth Chart and he also provides a Hawkeye Recruit Roundup: Week 1.

Tailgating is less than a week away but KCRG says Still No Decision on Former Magic Bus Property.

SBNation Chicago gives us Big Ten Digest: Week One Action Is Only Three Days Away.

So there I was, minding my own business…(V9)

By: THE NoLookPass (Special contributor to PSD.com)

my own business, cause that's how I roll. It's the year of our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy and I'm already hopeless, a Cub fan for life. My Dad signs us up for a bus trip to Wrigley through our church. It's my first journey into the city and I can hardly sleep the night before.

I'm playing baseball in two leagues and my dad has taught me how to play catcher. He has me go out to the infield and field grounders during practice with my catcher's mitt and taught me how to shift my feet just slightly prior to catching a pitch with runners on base so I can get rid of the ball quickly if they run.


We go through the hills of Galena and pass through Rockford on our way into Chicago. Once we get in the city I am all eyes and I am surprised at how grimy and dirty it is for the most part. We cruise down Irving Park Road forever and finally we get to Mecca-Wrigley Field.

My Dad is a huge Dodger fan and Don Drysdale is throwing that day. While he is warming up I can hardly see the ball and I realize that my Dads dream of me playing in the majors will never come true. Drysdale is around 6'5 or so and the mound is higher than it is today and it looks like he is right on top of the hitter. The grass is greener, the balls are whiter and it seems like we are in heaven that whole day. I don't even remember who won but I do recall all the sights and sounds of that day in my mind's eye.

Prior to the game we were down by the Cubs bullpen and Randy Hundley was walking towards the clubhouse down the line. There was a group of gum popping, tight pants wearing, Italian girls in their early 20s standing on the rail, yelling "Randy, Randy!" Hundley, always the pro, ignored them but as he walked right under then he looked up grinned and in his southern drawl said, "hi ladies"

The leader of the group then shrieked, "do you know Johnny Bench?" Randy turned red and I laughed, even as a ten year old I recognized she had busted his balls.

My Dad got sick not long after that day and we never made it to another major league game together. He went to all my games, yelled at the umps and blamed the coaches when I fell short. He taught me everything I needed to know about life through sports. While I don't recall the scores of any games I played, I do remember the lessons learned.

In 1993 Drysdale died, and a few weeks later, my Dad died. Almost exactly 23 years to the day of that game. There's symmetry in life and in baseball. A lot of things in baseball are subtle, just like in life.

Ive been to Wrigley a couple dozens times since then. Every time I walk in, for a minute, I'm ten years old, my Dad is healthy and strong and everything is as it should be. Which is why I keep going back.

 I gotta run, I am out of coffee and my surgically repaired back needs to stretch.

Week 1 Gambler's Picks | Plus Sunday Morning Hawkeye Links

Gambling season is almost here? I mean the College Football season. I finally caught up with my man Kenny Rodgers and he passed on his wisdom for week one of the season.

First, he isn't the real Kenny Rodgers. He picked up the nickname in college when he watched the movie 6 Pack 900 times in a row. So quit sending autograph requests.

Second, he wanted to write this himself but he recently hit a rough run betting on baseball in Costa Rica. He mumbled something about losing his laptop and finding a boat ride back to the states.

Remember kids, Kenny's picks are for entertainment only.

Let's get started with the top picks. These are the games where Kenny is putting his largest action on. (Kenny's bets are in bold.)

USC -21 @ Hawaii

Florida -35 vs. Miami Ohio

Texas -28.5 vs. Rice

Purdue +11.5 @ Notre Dame

These are games Kenny will lay smaller action

Mid Tenn St +3 @ Minnesota

New Mexico +33.5 @ Oregon

LSU -4 vs. North Carolina

Wisconsin -20.5 @ UNLV

Virginia Tech +3 vs. Boise State

Clemson -23 vs. North Texas

Here are some other games of interest that Kenny may take a closer look at come Wednesday/Friday night.

N. Illinois +3 @ Iowa State

Pitt +2.5 @ Utah

Arizona -14.5 @ Toledo

Western Michigan +22.5 @ Michigan State

Missouri -11.5 vs. Illinois

Northwestern -5.5 @ Vanderbilt

Uconn +3 @ Michigan

Nebraska -35.5 vs. Western Kentucky

Okay, now to Hawkeye links,

If you wanted a reason why Iowa could lose any of the games this upcoming season you should start with BHGP's The Top Ten Top Ten Reasons...of 2009 (a refresher).

Big Brother will be watching you. HawkCentral says that Surveillance cameras at Kinnick will monitor fan behavior.

From Sean Keeler: Iowa fans could be in for surprise at Big Ten’s realignment.

In the Columbus Dispatch's forecast for the Big Ten, Iowa comes in third due to Stanzi's penchant for the Stanziball.

Mlive.com is asking readers Who is your pick to win the Big Ten and where will Michigan and Michigan State finish?

The IndyStar wonders Can Big Ten return to days of running back domination?

AnnArbor.com is looking at how the Michigan football team stacks up against its 2010 opponents.

From the Des Moines Register, Where are they now: Former Iowa football player John Harty.

From the Quad-City Times, Hawks chock full of quarterbacks.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says that the Big Ten has returned to elite ranks.

From FloridaToday.com, 10 key questions to kick off college football.

From Mike Hlas, of the Cedar Rapids Gazette, The Hokey Pokey: One of Hayden Fry’s many indelible stamps of Hawkeye lore.

Finally, from the Mason City Globe Hawks preach football security.