|
QB
Drew Tate |
|
|
Coach:
Kirk Ferentz
42-31
,6 years |
2004
Record: 10-2 |
|
KENT
STATE |
WON
39-7 |
IOWA
STATE |
WON
17-10 |
at
Arizona State |
LOST
7-44 |
at
Michigan |
LOST
17-30 |
MICHIGAN
STATE |
WON
38-16 |
OHIO
STATE |
WON
33-7 |
at
Penn State |
WON
6-4 |
at
Illinois |
WON
23-13 |
PURDUE |
WON
23-21 |
at
Minnesota |
WON
29-27 |
WISCONSIN |
WON
30-7 |
CAPITAL
ONE BOWL |
vs.
Louisiana State |
WON
30-25 |
|
2004 Final Rankings
AP-8, Coaches-8, BCS-12
|
2005
Outlook |
After
going 11-24 in his first three seasons
at Iowa, Ferentz has finally fulfilled
expectations by leading this program
to a 31-7 record the past three. The
Hawkeyes have finished in the top
10 in each of those seasons and shared
the Big Ten title in two. This was
without ever landing a recruiting
class ranked higher than No. 35 (SuperPrep).
That changed this winter; Ferentz
completed his first top-10 group,
another sign that this program will
remain a conference and national power.
You
could also point to last fall as a
sign. Despite rebuilding with a young
but talented group, Iowa went 10-2
and beat LSU on a last-second TD pass.
Kinnick Stadium is under a renovation
project that won't be completed until
2006, but this team genuinely appears
ready to challenge for the national
title now. Tate has proven to be the
trigger-puller that is right for this
methodical offense, and the back-seven
will be enough to bolster the green
front line. The defense has three
non-conference warm-ups to get it
together, or the conference slate
will quickly take the Hawkeyes out
of any races in which they thought
they could stay. And, of course, in
the Big Ten, the second half only
gets tougher. Tested early, this team
will build character via confidence
and tough wins, making them feared
as mid-season rolls around.
Iowa
has an experienced quarterback? Wow,
Kirk Ferentz will be afforded the
luxury to build a scheme around already-developed
talent - a novelty at Iowa these days.
This should worry foes. The running
game and the defensive line are the
biggest areas of concern, but there's
enough talent in both areas (and around
each) to keep things afloat. Even
with the plague of injuries in the
backfield, Iowa solidified any doubt
about its commitment to the ground
dimension by running the ball 43 more
times that it threw - expect even
more of the same classic approach.
Accordingly, the Hawkeyes will be
even more effective at letting the
run set up the pass, resulting in
more points, which should make up
for any slippage on the defensive
side of the ball. Expectations of
another BCS bowl are not excessive,
which would also mean the first outright
Big Ten title under Ferentz, and a
likely swirl of speculation (once
again) of Ferentz's return to the
NFL. The Hawkeye faithful realize
that this much success could mean
losing their vaunted head man, but
we think they would gladly make that
trade if offered the chance to have
one championship season before he
went. Hmm, tough trade
Projected
2005 record: 9-2
|
|
IOWA
*POWER RATINGS |
Offense |
Defense |
QB
- 4 |
DL
- 3 |
RB
- 2.5 |
LB
- 5 |
WR
- 4 |
DB
- 4 |
OL
- 3.5 |
.. |
|
RETURNING
LEADERS |
Passing:
Drew Tate, 375-233-14, 2786 yds.,
20 TD
Rushing: Sam Brownlee, 94 att.,
227 yds., 0 TD
Receiving: Ed Hinkel, 63 rec.,
744 yds., 7 TD
Scoring: Kyle Schlicher, 21-26
FG, 29-32 FG, 92 pts.
Punting: None
Kicking: Kyle Schlicher, 21-26
FG, 29-32 FG, 92 pts.
Tackles: Abdul Hodge, 116 tot.,
79 solo
Sacks: Abdul Hodge, Chad Greenway,
3 each
Interceptions: Antwan Allen,
4 for 54 yds.; Jovon Johnson, 4 for
13 yds.
Kickoff Returns: Damian Sims,
6 ret., 20.3 avg., 0 TD
Punt Returns: Ed Hinkel, 22
ret., 11.8 avg., 0 TD
|
|
|
LB
Abdul Hodge |
|
|
|
IOWA |
|
|
OFFENSE
- 6 |
----RETURNING
STARTERS---- |
DEFENSE
- 5 |
|
KEY
LOSSES |
OFFENSE:
Jermelle Lewis-RB, Aaron Mickens-FB,
Warren Holloway-WR, Tony Jackson-TE,
Pete McMahon-OT, Lee Gray-OT (injured) |
DEFENSE:
Derreck
Robinson-DE, Tyler Luebke-DT, Jonathan
Babineaux-DT, Matt Roth-DE, George Lewis-OLB,
Sean Considine-FS, David Bradley-P |
|
|
2005
OFFENSE |
Quarterback
After
five years with five different guys under
center, the Hawkeyes finally have a mainstay.
The expectations for junior Drew Tate soared
after the Texan burst onto the scene with
a sophomore season that will be tough to
top, but will be assuredly matched. He became
Iowa's first all-Big Ten sophomore QB since
Chuck Long in '83, and that's produced enough
yardage for Tate to already rank among the
school's top-10 career passers. And all
of that was with a non-existent running
game. The ground support will be there this
fall, but, regardless, Tate is definitively
the fuel that makes this engine purr. If
Tate goes down, backup Jason Manson, who
will be in his fourth year with this offense
(though he's attempted just one career pass)
comes in. Manson had an 89-5 career TD-INT
ratio in prep (Connecticut state record
nine TDs in one game), so his obvious talent
just needs a little fine tuning if inserted.
The heir apparent is Lockport, Ill., recruit
Jake Christensen, a top-10 prospect who
will likely redshirt. Either of these QBs
makes an offensive shift occur, as each
runs effectively, the one thing Tate doesn't
really do. This fact is more aimed to warn
opponents than to inform fans - a change
would work, and foes had better realize
the dimensions available to this offense
given a QB switch.
Running
Back
The
stockpile of talent here has been tested
- back after back was replaced as the guy
in front of each went down. The result was
a two yards per carry average. But stability
and battle scars, along with defenses kept
honest by Tate, should easily vault Iowa
back into a top ground team. The talent
is there and ready - and healthy again!
Nothing in this arsenal packs more potential
boom than redshirt sophomore Albert Young,
a two-dimensional threat who can't seem
to stay healthy. After missing the '03 season
with a leg injury, Young played in just
three games before becoming one of four
(yes, four) Iowa backs to undergo knee surgery
last fall. With plenty of time to recuperate,
he will be back and strong. Young will be
a dangerous target for Tate out of the backfield.
Marcus Schnoor and Marques Simmons return
after their knee surgeries, as does senior
Sam Brownlee, a former walk-on who started
the last five games. None of those three
has Young's eye-popping talent, but each
fit in the dependable category when healthy.
Tom Busch, a 5-11 redshirt soph, takes over
at fullback after proving to be an option
on the ground and in the passing game despite
his lack of size. If Tate could lead this
team to 10 wins without a running game,
it's scary to think what he might do with
one (and a strong line, see below).
Receiver
The
potential here is scary, and Tate will get
to work with his two favorite targets once
again. With sure hands and breakaway speed,
leading wideout Ed Hinkel will keep opposing
secondaries busy. His counterpart, lanky
Clinton Solomon, is a deep threat who will
occupy safeties, or burn them accordingly.
This unit will spread the field that much
more with the return of junior speedster
Calvin Davis, who had a promising '03 but
was sidelined by a leg injury as a soph.
Eric McCollom, a talented all-around guy
who backed up Tate last fall, will be tough
to stop as an underneath target. With or
without a ground game, this unit will be
difficult to match up against and is good
enough to create even more impressive numbers
for Tate.
Tight
End
This
is the same offense that made Dallas Clark
a first-round draft pick, and the Black
and Gold still like to get big plays out
of the TE spot. Scott Chandler, a 6-7 junior,
emerged with fellow Texan Tate last fall,
making a 13.5 yards per grab average the
bane of LBs and safeties. He's another sure-handed,
dangerous target, and he'll (benefit) from/help
spread defenses. Chandler is not known as
a ferocious blocker. That's more of a role
for senior Mike Follett, who will see plenty
of time when Iowa goes to its frequent double-tight
sets. Anthony Moeaki comes in anew this
fall, and is highly touted enough (Rivals.com
No.2 TE) to get reps.
Offensive
Line
After
two years of rebuilding, there's finally
some cohesion up front. That's good news
for what has been a marginally weak link.
Having some raw size up front doesn't hurt,
either. Four starters (and a total of four
seniors in the two-deep chart) are back
from a unit that should improve on its -
ouch! - Big Ten-worst 40 sacks. There are
four other returnees who got starts last
fall. While developing linemen has been
a constant during the Ferentz era, don't
be surprised if someone - like Juco-transfer
Marshal Yanda or highly-touted recruits
Dan Doering and Dace Richardson - end up
starting at right tackle. Inexperience led
to a tough campaign for this group, but
there won't be a repeat as long as Ferentz
is on the sidelines to develop these diamonds
in the rough and mix them in with the solid
veterans.
OFFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
With
every excuse to fail in his first year as
starter, Tate emerged as one of the best
young passers in the game. Barring injury,
there's no reason he shouldn't exceed last
year's accomplishments, even with the expectation
bar raised considerably. Now, Tate will
have even more time to throw, experienced
receivers open all over the field, and a
dually-capable running corps to provide
the balance that was missing in '04. Any
hopes for a Big Ten (and therefore national)
title rest with Tate. The offensive dimensions
he brings to this side of the ball are rather
conventional, but he has them down pat.
Coach Ferentz will continue to pound the
running game to set up Tate's passing options
if
he can win 10 games this way with a barely
functioning ground game, think of what this
crew will achieve come September. Consistency
will again be the key to any success.
|
|
WR
Clinton Solomon
|
|
|
IOWA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
OFFENSE |
QB |
Drew
Tate-Jr (6-0, 185) |
Jason
Manson-Jr (6-1, 195) |
FB |
Tom
Busch-So (5-11, 231) |
Paul
Wilson-Sr (5-11, 242) |
RB |
Marques Simmons-Sr (5-8, 202)
Albert Young-So (5-10, 207) |
Marcus
Schnoor-Sr (6-1, 198)
Sam Brownlee-Jr (5-10, 200)
Damian Sims-So (5-9, 185) |
WR |
Clinton
Solomon-Sr (6-3, 196) |
Calvin
Davis-Jr (6-1, 197) |
WR |
Ed
Hinkel-Sr (6-1, 190) |
Matt
Melloy-Sr (6-3, 208)
Herb Grigsby-So (6-0, 170) |
TE |
Ryan
Majerus-Jr (6-3, 245) |
Scott
Chandler-Jr (6-7, 242) |
OT |
Ben
Gates-Sr (6-6, 286) |
Nyere
Aumaitre-Fr (6-5, 290) |
OG |
Ben
Cronin-Sr (6-5, 285) |
David
Walker-Sr (6-2, 295) |
C |
Brian
Ferentz-Sr (6-3, 282) |
Todd
Plagman-So (6-3, 295) |
OG |
Mike
Elgin-Jr (6-4, 277) |
Seth
Olson-Fr (6-5, 297) |
OT |
Mike
Jones-Jr (6-5, 299) |
Marshal
Yanda-Jr (6-4, 305) |
K |
Kyle
Schlicher-Jr (5-9, 179) |
.. |
|
|
2005
DEFENSE |
Defensive
Line
It
wouldn't be a Ferentz team without at least
one unit starting from scratch (his specialty).
While it's true that few players in this
game are irreplaceable, you're still going
to take a step back when you have to replace
an entire starting group that was one of
the best in the country (ranked 5th in run
stopping). "People are making a big
deal out of it," defensive coordinator
Norm Parker said before the Capital One
Bowl. "You just take the best four
guys you got, throw them out there, and
that's what it is." So simple and so
true, especially now. He'll toss a quartet
of inexperienced redshirt sophomores out
there in DEs Ken Iwebema (4.75-sec 40) and
Bryan Mattison (4.8), along with unrated
newbies DTs Alex Willcox and George Eshareturi.
None of these guys is overwhelmingly huge,
but their emphasis up front is typically
on speed, and this group is quick. Richard
"The Big Human" Kittrell, who
missed last year with an ACL tear and academic
problems, and incoming DE stud Ryan Bain
should also be key parts of a rotation that
will take its lumps in September, but be
sturdy by midseason.
Linebacker
There's
no dropoff here as this unit will again
be the heart and soul of the defense. MLB
Abdul "Hitman" Hodge and weakside
backer Chad Greenway, all-Big Ten the past
two seasons, earns NC.net first team all-American
honors, even without a stellar D-line capable
of garnering multiple double-teams. Hodge,
the defensive leader and an NC.net third-teamer,
was fourth in the conference in tackles.
Greenway was seventh, and his strong coverage
skills helped him to pile up three INTs
and five pass breakups. Ed Miles, a high
school wrestling and power-lifting standout
with 4.6 speed, takes over at the "leo"
spot after two starts last fall. These guys
are bone-rattlers who cover a lot of territory,
including on short routes (opponents averaged
just 10.3 yards per catch). With the inexperience
up front, they'll have to fight a lot harder
to keep up with last year's numbers. This
will be especially true in the early going,
as foes pound the running game to sucker
them into the box, which will allow them
to exploit the areas left open. Iowa can
win only if these guys are able to roam
and not made to baby-sit.
Defensive
Back
This
group will be a strength once again as three
starting DBs from the No.3 pass defense
in the conference (and No.17 pass efficiency
defense in all I-A) return. These guys will
be stingy enough to force opponents to focus
on running against that young line, which
will allow Parker to flood the box. They'll
still be at the top of their game even when
the line doesn't get much pressure on the
QB. Seniors Antwan Allen and Jovon Johnson
are back at the corners. Johnson is the
shut-down guy; he's four picks shy of the
Iowa career mark shared by Nile Kinnick.
Deadly in the open field, Allen was fourth
on the team with 41 solo stops. Tall, talented
Marcus Paschal is back after taking over
at strong safety last fall, and quick Miguel
Merrick would be a nice fit at the open
free safety spot. There's plenty of depth
here, so expect frequent nickel and dime
looks, which would allow the LBs to be in
the box as needed. Wallner Bellenus, a special
teams maven, has the ability to come in
and be a shut-down corner in three- and
four-receiver sets.
DEFENSIVE
BREAKDOWN
Not
many teams will be able to throw against
this secondary and linebacker group. Problem
is, Iowa doesn't play in the WAC. If the
line doesn't grow up fast, even Hodge and
company will struggle to contain the run,
and opponents won't need to pass. But don't
expect disaster. This program has made its
mark developing (to their fullest potential[s])
middle-of-the-pack-ranked recruiting groups.
With all the attention on the front four
entering the spring, Parker is sure to have
a steady/worthy group in place by kickoff
Sept. 3. The Hawkeyes will be easier to
run against up front, but they'll still
be stingy enough to keep this team near
the top of both the conference standings
and the polls. If the line steps up early,
the Hawkeyes have a chance at the BCS regardless
of whether they win the conference or not.
|
|
LB
Chad Greenway
|
|
|
IOWA
2005 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/Key
Players |
DEFENSE |
DE |
Kenny
Iwebema-So (6-4, 255) |
Jacob
Spratt-So (6-2, 245) |
DT |
Matt
Kroul-Fr (6-3, 267) |
Alex
Willcox-So (6-2, 280)
Ettore Ewen-Fr (6-0, 280) |
DT |
Nate
Roos-Sr (6-0, 280) |
Mitch
King-Fr (6-3, 250) |
DE |
Bryan
Mattison-So (6-3, 262) |
Mike
Follett-Sr (6-5, 255) |
OLB |
Edmond
Miles-Jr (6-1, 228) |
Chris
Kuehl-So (6-2, 230) |
MLB |
Abdul
Hodge-Sr (6-2, 234) |
Zachary
Gabelmann-Jr (6-1, 227) |
WLB |
Chad
Greenway-Sr (6-4, 244) |
Mike
Klinkenborg-So (6-2, 230)
Mike Humpal-So (6-2, 225) |
CB |
Jovon
Johnson-Sr (5-9, 177) |
Bradley
Fletcher-Fr (6-2, 195) |
CB |
Antwan
Allen-Sr (5-10, 180) |
Adam
Shada-So (6-1, 180) |
SS |
Miguel
Merrick-Jr (6-0, 201) |
Marcus
Paschal-Jr (6-0, 199) (inj.) |
FS |
Charles
Godfrey-So (6-1, 202) |
Andrew
Becker-Jr (6-1, 201) |
P |
Andy
Fenstermaker-Jr (6-3, 221) |
John
Gallery-Sr (6-2, 240) |
|
|
|
2005
SPECIAL TEAMS |
Kicker
Junior
Kyle Schlicher improved drastically as the season
progressed. He hit 21-of-26 field goals, missing
just once inside 39 yards, yet only going 3-of-7
from 40+. Along with missing three PATs and having
two kicks blocked, much has to be tightened up
here if this facet is to avoid losing the team
a few close ones. Kickoff coverage was stellar
(19.5 yards per return and no TDs), and should
again be a help to a defense susceptible to the
run.
Punter
Ferentz
has some holes to fill here if he wants to continue
the trend of near-flawless special teams play
he's enjoyed during his tenure. Four-year mainstay
David Bradley is gone, as is long-snapper Cody
Asmus. John Gallery, the younger brother of first-round
NFL draft pick Robert, is the likely pick to take
over.
Return
Game
Despite
splitting opportunities with Hinkel, talented
Juco-transfer Belleus emerged as the playmaker
needed here. He had the team's lone return TD,
going 83 yards on a punt return. He was second
in the Big Ten in punt return average (17.0) but
averaged only 18 on kicks.
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