Game Watch Week 1: UNI Panthers (0-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (0-0) Saturday, August 30 @ 9 a.m.

Hello and welcome back fellow Western Washington Hawkeyes!

College football returns and our 2014 Iowa Hawkeyes have people buzzing with anticipation. The Hawks return their leading passer (Jake Rudock - JR), receiver (Kevonte Martin-Manley - SR), and rusher (Mark Weisman - SR) from last season. And Iowa’s favorable schedule has fans and alums dreaming big. The season kicks off at Kinnick Stadium next Saturday, August 30 at 9AM PST against UNI. Head to one of the three Puget Sound area game watch locations to catch the action and hoist a glass with fellow Hawkeyes.

Iowa holds a 15-1 record over UNI, including a 27-16 victory in 2012. UNI finished 7th in the MVFC in 2013 with a 3-5 conference record and 7-5 overall mark. The Panthers open 2014 at No. 15 in the NCAA FCS preseason poll. The Hawks rode Weisman's 113 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in the teams’ last meeting. He should have some help in the surprisingly healthy backfield this year (knock on wood), with junior Jordan Canzeri and senior Damon Bullock ready to help carry the rushing load. Eight of Iowa's nine starting linemen (offense and defense) are upperclassmen. The main guy opening the holes for our running backs is left tackle Brandon Scherff (6’-5”/320lb), who decided to stick around for his senior year instead of heading to the NFL. He was a second team All-American last year, and is on many preseason first team All-American lists this year.

*** During the first three weeks of the season, enter a drawing to win a homemade cornhole set by WWIC member, Dr. Jason Netland. Donations for the drawing go to the WWIC Scholarship Fund. Drawing entries will be available at the Buckley’s game watches or contact Nik to enter. The drawing will take place at halftime of the Sept. 13th Iowa State game watch at the pub.

On, Iowa! Go, Hawks!

WWIC Game Watch Locations:

Seattle Metro:
Buckley‘s on Queen Anne
232 1st Avenue West, Seattle
206/691-0232
www.buckleysseattle.com

Eastside:
Sluggers Bar and Grill
12500 NE 144th St
Kirkland, WA
425/821-6453
www.sluggerskirkland.com

South Puget Sound:
Buffalo Wild Wings at Tacoma Mall
4219 S Steele St
Tacoma, WA
253/473-7699