Friday, September 27, 2013

Game Watch #5: Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1 0-0) vs. Minnesota Gophers(4-0 0-0): Saturday, September 28th @ 12:30 pm

Hello again Western Washington Hawkeye fans! 

This week marks the kickoff of the Big 10 season, with our beloved Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1) traveling up to the Twin Cities to take on the Minnesota Gophers. This game will be Minnesota's homecoming, as well as the game to decide where the famous bronze pig, Floyd of Rosedale, will reside for the next 12 months. Iowa beat Minnesota in Iowa City last year for Iowa's homecoming to take control of Floyd, 31-13. Iowa is coming of a resounding 59-3 drubbing of Western... Michigan that had Kevonte Martin-Manley return two consecutive punts for touchdowns, a University of Iowa first. He currently leads the nation with a 31.1 yards per return average. Defensive back BJ Lowery also set a University of Iowa football first by returning two interceptions for touchdowns against Western Michigan.

The Gophers (4-0) are coming off a 43-24 victory over San Jose State, mainly on the shoulders of their mobile freshman quarterback Mitch Leidner, who rushed for 151 yards and 4 touchdowns. He should pose an excellent challenge for the Iowa defense, which has yet to allow a rushing touchdown this year. Leidner was named the Big Ten freshman of the week for his performance, and will join two other Big 10 players of the week (Martin-Manley for special teams and Lowery for defense) when the two teams take the field on Saturday.

Kickoff is at 12:30pm (PST) and will be televised on ESPN2. We hope to see a good number of you at one of the official Iowa game watches this week, as the Minnesota game normally draws a good, raucous crowd! On Iowa and Go Hawkeyes!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Game Watch #4: Western Michigan (0-3) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1) Saturday, September 21 @ 9 a.m.

Hello again fellow Western Washington Hawkeyes!

Hopefully you were all able to enjoy the great 27-21 win over the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, which was the 600th win in the program's history. Running back Mark Weisman finished with 145 yards rushing, and now has 425 yards through the first 3 games, which ranks third in the country.

After that satisfying, much-needed victory over our long-time nemesis, Iowa moves on to play Western Michigan in Iowa City this Saturday at 9 AM Pacific time. Western Michigan, who beat the Hawks in Iowa City in 2007 during their last meeting, has already lost to two Big Ten teams this season-Michigan State (26-13) and Northwestern (38-17.) They also lost to Nichols State, an FCS team who went 1-10 last season. Iowa has not fared well this season against the highly-esteemed MAC conference, already losing to Northern Illinois at home, but are hoping for better fortunes this week.

Put on your black and gold this Saturday and come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne, Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma, or Sluggers in Kirkland and raise a glass and your voices with fellow Hawkeyes to root this team to victory!

Kickoff: 9:00am PST TV: B1G Network

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Game Watch #3: Iowa Hawkeyes (1-1) vs. Iowa St. Cyclones - Saturday, September 14th @ 3:00 p.m.

It’s rivalry week! Saturday's game will mark the 61st game in the series. Iowa holds a 39-21 advantage, and have won 21 of the last 30 meetings. Iowa State has won the last two games, both by three point margins. Iowa State won last year's contest 9-6, in Iowa City. A victory would be win No. 600 in Iowa’s program history.

Through two games, Iowa's offensive line has yielded just two sacks against sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, while paving the way for 498 rushing yards, including 296 yards against Missouri State. The 296 rushing yards are the most for an Iowa team since rushing for 301 yards vs. Illinois on Oct. 1, 2005. ISU lost at home to UNI 28-20 in Week 1, while giving up 228 yards rushing to the Panthers.

The weather forecast calls for a warm evening in Ames with a chance of rain and thunderstorms. But it’s going to be mid-80’s and sunny here in the PNW. So there will likely be some Iowa fans tailgating in the parking lot across the street from Buckley’s leading up to kickoff. Please note that this tailgating is not sanctioned by the WWIC. Individuals are responsible for following parking lot and city policies.

GO HAWKS!

Game Watch Locations: Buckley’s on Queen Anne, Sluggers in Kirkland, Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma TV: Fox Sports 1

Hawkeye Side Note: Friday is a big day for the Iowa men’s hoop team. Tyler Ulis, a Chicago area point guard and the #29 ranked HS player in the land, will decide between the Hawkeyes, Kentucky, and Michigan State. Iowa was the first major school to offer a scholarship and Ulis has remained loyal to the Hawkeyes since then, keeping them on his list through every cut.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Game Watch #2: Missouri State (0-1) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (0-1) Saturday, September 7 @ 9:00 a.m.

It's time to shake off that heartbreaking Week 1 loss. Let’s focus on the positive signs of Iowa’s performance, and look forward to crushing an obviously inferior opponent.

Yeah, there was probably a poor play call at the end of the game last Saturday, and yeah, newly christened QB Jake Rudock handed Northern Illinois the victory, but let’s not forget: NIU went to the Orange Bowl last year, had a Heisman candidate at QB, and will likely be ranked in the Top 25 for most of this year with a bid to another good bowl game. Meanwhile, Iowa amassed over 320 yards and 24 points in the first half – both of which were higher than the Hawks averaged PER GAME last year. The offensive line provided hallways for our RBs to run through and Rudock was never sacked. Baby steps…

The Hawks can get the season back on track with a win this week against Missouri State. It’s the first matchup ever between the schools and Iowa’s favored by 24 points. Missouri State is also 0-1 after a 23-17 opening loss to Northwestern State. Their head coach Terry Allen had a successful stretch at Northern Iowa back in the ‘90s.

Fun fact: With a blowout we may get to see talented backup CJ Beathard. His dad, Casey, is also a big-time country music songwriter who works with Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Eric Church. And his grandfather, Bobby Beathard, won two Super Bowls as the general manager of the Washington Redskins.

Game Watch Locations: Buckley’s on Queen Anne, Sluggers in Kirkland, Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma

Followers