Insight Bowl Game Watch: Oklahoma Sooners

Iowa Hawkeyes (7-5, 4-4) @ Oklahoma Sooners (9-3, 6-3)

Friday, December 30th, 7:00pm kickoff PST

TV: ESPN

Happy Holidays Hawk fans! I can’t think of a better way to kick off New Year’s Eve weekend than watching the Hawkeyes in a primetime Friday night football game at Buckley’s on Queen Anne with the WWIC. It’s deja vu for the Hawks as they’re heading back to the Insight Bowl in Tempe, AZ for the second straight season. This year they’ll face another top ranked Big 12 team, the Oklahoma Sooners.

As we’ve done at past bowl game watches, we will be holding a 50/50 raffle to raise funds for club events. Tickets will be available for the following: 1 ticket for $5, 5 tickets for $10, and 15 tickets for $20. The usual half-time raffle will still also take place. Thanks in advance for your support.

There are a lot of questions going into this game for both teams. Big news this week coming out of Iowa City is that running back Marcus Coker (MVP of last year’s Insight Bowl) has been suspended for this game after violating the university's student-athlete code of conduct. In coaching news, defensive line coach Rick Kaczenski will not be coaching in the bowl game as he’s leaving the Hawks for Nebraska. And finally, long time defensive coordinator Norm Parker has announced his retirement and that the bowl game will be his final game as defensive coordinator. Let’s hope the defense plays out of their minds in honor of Norm.

The biggest question for the Sooners is will they be inspired to play in this game? They started off the year as the #1 team in the nation with dreams of a national championship. Their losses this season came against Texas Tech, Baylor, and rival Oklahoma State the last weekend of the season. The loss to OSU was their worst loss against the Cowboys since 1945. Mix in a couple of key injuries and nobody is sure what Sooners team is going to show up for the game.

**Random Insight Bowl Game Notes**

• The Hawkeyes and Sooners haven’t faced each other since September 15th, 1979, when Oklahoma won 21-6 against an Iowa squad with a defensive back named Bob Stoops, now the Sooners’ head coach.

• Iowa will wear white jerseys and be on the West bench, which is the opposite of last year against Mizzou.

• Texas Tech, which defeated Oklahoma in Norman, was 1-7 against the rest of the Big 12. Minnesota, which defeated Iowa in Minneapolis, was 1-6 against the rest of the Big Ten.

• Oklahoma has allowed only nine quarterback sacks. That’s one sack for every 62 passes.

• Iowa is just one of four programs in the country with a three-game winning streak in bowls.

Wishing all a safe and merry holiday season and hope to see you next Friday. Go Hawks!

Game Watch Week 11: Purdue

Iowa Hawkeyes (6-4, 3-3) @ Purdue Boilermakers (5-5, 3-3)
Saturday, November 19th, 9:00am kickoff PST
TV: Big Ten Network

Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday morning and join the WWIC in watching the Hawkeyes head to West Lafeyette, IN to take on the Purdue Boilermakers. This is the first meeting between the schools since a 22-17 win by Iowa on Nov. 15, 2008 in Iowa City.
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Iowa's 37-21 loss To Michigan State last weekend marked the first Iowa loss by more than 10 points in 53 games, dating back to a 31-6 loss at Purdue on Oct. 20, 2007. Going on the road hasn’t been kind to the Hawks as of late, they are 0-3 this season, and 2-6 since the start of last season. One item to note is that they are 3-0 this season following a loss.

Purdue is coming into the game hungry for their 6th win of the season which would give them bowl eligibility for the first time since 2007. They are also coming into the game confident after a 26-23 OT victory vs Ohio State, although have yet to have back-to-back wins this season.

**Random Hawkeye/Boilermaker Notes**
• The Boilermakers and Hawkeyes are slated to play every season now as the "crossover rivals" in the Leaders and Legends divisions.
• The Boilermakers are 9-1 during head coach Danny Hope's tenure in which they rush for 200 or more yards.
• After last week’s performance Marvin McNutt became Iowa's single-season (1,089) and career (2,635) leader in receiving yardage.
• Purdue ranks second in the nation in KO returns, averaging 27.4 yards per return.
• Purdue holds a 45-33-3 advantage in the series that began with a 16-0 Iowa win in 1910. The Hawkeyes have won four of the last five and 16 of the last 22 meetings.
• The Hawkeye/Boilermaker Rivalry now has its own facebook fan page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Purdue-vs-Iowa-The-Greatest-Rivalry-on-Earth/112201052226715

**UPCOMING EVENT NOTICE** All Seattle area Big Ten fans are invited to watch the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game on December 3rd at Sport Restaurant & Bar. Location confirmation and more details to follow.

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

B1G Ten Seattle: Northwest Food Harvest Drive - This Weekend

WWICers,

The Seattle area alumni clubs and fans of all the B1G universities will band together Saturday, November 12, for a Northwest Harvest Food Drive to help fight hunger in Washington State during the Thanksgiving season.

The WWIC B1G Food Drive will take place during our Iowa game watch this Saturday against Michigan State at Buckley's on Queen Anne. Collection will take place at the all of the local B1G game watches and will be a friendly competition between all 12 teams to gather the most items.

Here's a list of food items that Northwest Harvest recommends for donation: Food items

We have much to be thankful for, Hawkeyes. Let's share with those less fortunate and show the Seattle B1G which club has the biggest heart and best participation.

GO HAWKS!

Game Watch Week 9: Michigan

#13 Michigan Wolverines (7-1, 3-1) @ Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 2-2)
Saturday, November 5th, 9:00am kickoff PST
TV: ESPN

Show the Hawkeyes some love and come join the WWIC at Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday morning in watching the Hawks host the 13th ranked Michigan Wolverines. The Hawkeyes look to bounce back in the friendly confines of Kinnick Stadium after the tough loss at Minnesota. The Hawks will also once again try... and get their 6th win and become bowl eligible for the 11th straight season.

The Wolverines are having a good season under new head coach Brady Hoke. Their only loss came at the hands of 17th ranked Michigan State. Michigan is a similar team to the one Iowa faced last year, they are once again lead by the explosive QB Denard Robinson who leads the Big Ten in total offense with 281 yards a game. It's not all good for Robinson, as he leads the Big Ten in interceptions with 11 on the season. The addition of the defensive-minded head coach Brady Hoke is showing great improvements as their defense is second in the Big Ten in takeaways and second in fewest points allowed this season, both behind only PSU.

This game marks the start of a big month of November for the Hawkeyes where three out of the four teams they will face are currently ranked.

**Random Hawkeye/Wolverine Notes**
• Last weekend’s loss to Minnesota was Iowa’s 9th loss as a double-digit favorite since 2006.
• As a starting QB, James Vandenberg is 6-0 at home, and 0-4 on the road.
• Marcus Coker’s 252 rushing yards vs Minn ranks third best for a single game at Iowa, behind Tavian Banks (314 yds vs. Tulsa, 1997) and Ed Podolak (286 yds vs Northwestern, 1968).
• Iowa and Michigan are tied for 27th in the nation in red zone offense (88%), with both teams scoring points on 29 of 33 red zone possessions.
• Michigan leads the nation in red zone defense (59%, 13-22), while Iowa is tied for 16th at 72% (26-36).
• Michigan holds a 40-12-4 advantage in the series with Iowa, but the Hawks have won the last two meetings and four of the last seven. It is worth noting, the Hawks have never won three straight over the Wolverines.
• Michigan is 7-1, but it has beaten only one team that received a single vote in this week’s AP Top 25. (That would be Notre Dame, which literally received a single vote.)

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

WWIC BIG Food Drive - Nov. 12th

WWICers,

The Seattle area alumni clubs and fans of all the B1G universities will band together next month for a Northwest Harvest Food Drive to help fight hunger in Washington State during the Thanksgiving season.

The WWIC B1G Food Drive will take place on 11/12 during our Iowa game watch against Michigan State (time of kickoff TBA) at Buckley's on Queen Anne. Collection will take place at the all of the local B1G game watches and will be a friendly competition between all 12 teams to gather the most items.

By "friendly competition", we mean bragging rights because there wasn't a consensus on a "prize" at the Seattle B1G Clubs recent board meeting. Got any good ideas for a friendly prize? Lemme know.

Here's a list of food items that Northwest Harvest recommends for donation. We have much to be thankful for, Hawkeyes. Let's share with those less fortunate, and show the Seattle B1G which club has the biggest heart and best participation.

I will send this same message out each week leading up to the collection as a reminder.

GO HAWKS!

Game Watch Week 8: Minnesota

Iowa Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1) @ Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-6, 0-3)
Saturday, October 29th, 12:30pm kickoff PST
TV: Big Ten Network

Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday for the annual rivalry game versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Hawkeyes look to bring Floyd of Rosedale back to Iowa City after being upset by Minnesota in 2010. Iowa has won eight out of the last ten meetings with the Minnesota. A win this weekend will make the Hawkeyes bowl eligible for the 11th straight season.

The Gophers are having a rough season under new head coach Jerry Kill. They are last in the Big Ten in rushing offense, total offense, scoring offense, passing efficiency, and turnover margin. Versus Big Ten opponents they have been outscored 144-31 and have been outgained by an average of 274 yards per game. Yikes. But before you get too comfortable, remember that this is a trophy game, and Minnesota very well might be treating this game as their biggest game of the year.

**Random Hawkeye/Gopher Notes**
• Marvin McNutt’s record setting performance against Indiana (3 TDs, 6 catches for 184 yards earned him co-offensive player of the week honors from the Big Ten.
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in Red Zone Offense with scores in 26 out of 27 possessions.
• Iowa leads the Big Ten in fewest penalty yards per game.
• Iowa has lost two out of the last three visits playing at Minnesota.
• The Gophers are the only team yet to intercept a pass in conference play.
• Minnesota holds a 40-34-2 advantage in the series with Floyd of Rosedale on the line.
• Iowa is continuing to average over 31 points per game, which they have not done since the 2002 season.

**Future game announcement, Iowa’s game vs Michigan on November 5th will be a 9am PST start time and will be televised on ESPN.

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

Game Watch Week 7: Indiana

Indiana Hoosiers (1-6, 0-3) @ Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2, 1-1)
Saturday, October 22nd, 9:00am kickoff PST
TV: Big Ten Network

First off, thanks for everyone that came to the game watch last weekend, the atmosphere at Buckley’s was electric! Special thanks as always to Mike for rock’n the trombone all game long. This Saturday, the Hawkeyes celebrate homecoming with the struggling Indiana Hoosiers coming to town. The WWIC will be watching the game at Buckley’s on Queen Anne, so come on down for some breakfast and Hawkeye football.

The Hawkeyes are looking to build off of last week’s big win, but in the last couple of years Iowa has struggled against the Hoosiers. In 2009 Iowa rallied from a 14-pt second half-deficit to defeat the Hoosiers and in 2010 a dropped TD pass by Indiana at the end of the game helped the Hawks squeak out a victory.

The 2011 Hoosiers are having some struggles under new head coach Kevin Wilson. In their three Big Ten losses, the Hoosiers have been outscored 116-37, including last week’s 59-7 loss at Wisconsin, in which Indiana used three different quarterbacks. Their lone win of the season came against South Carolina State in week 3.

**Random Hawkeye/Hoosier Notes**
• Iowa holds a 41-27-4 advantage in the series with Indiana that began with a 13-6 Iowa victory in 1912.
• Iowa has scored 31 points or more in five of its first six games. The last time the Hawkeyes accomplished this was 2002.
• Last Saturday, Marvin McNutt, Jr tied the Iowa career record for TD receptions. He is now tied with Tim Dwight (1994-97) and Danan Hughes (1989-92).
• Iowa holds a 53-41-5 record in 99 homecoming games.
• Iowa has won 53 of its last 64 games at home in Kinnick Stadium.
• The Hoosiers haven’t finished about .500 in Big Ten play since 1993.

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

Game Watch Week 6: Northwestern

Northwestern Wildcats (2-3, 0-2) @ Iowa Hawkeyes (3-2, 0-1)
Saturday, October 15th, 4:00pm kickoff PST
TV: Big Ten Network

What better way to forget about last week’s tough loss than joining the WWIC at Buckley’s in Queen Anne in watching the Hawkeyes take on the Northwestern Wildcats in a special Black and Gold Spirit night game at Kinnick Stadium. If you’re going to the game, be sure to check http://www.hawkeyesports.com/ for your seating sections designated color. Hopefully a little home cookin’ at Kinnick will rally the Hawks to a must-needed win to draw level in Big Ten play.

Northwestern has recently owned Iowa on the gridiron as they have beaten the Hawks the last three games, and five out of the last six. Northwestern comes into town with a three game losing streak which includes their first two Big Ten games. In those two games, they have blown second half leads and have been outscored 56-21 in the second half and 35-7 in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats are led once again by QB Dan Persa, who is a couple of games returned from the achilles injury he suffered vs Iowa last season.

**History Lesson** Northwestern has had some bad blood towards the Hawkeyes in recent years; here’s a little history about why they do. Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald played linebacker for the Wildcats from 1993-1996 under Gary Barnett. Barnett took over as head coach for the Wildcats in 1992. At the beginning of the 92 season he looked at his teams schedule and decided to focus in particular on beating one team, and he chose the Hawkeyes. The Hawkeyes at the time had just gone to the Rose Bowl the previous season and were tops in the Big Ten. That year when the two teams faced off Iowa punished NW 56-14 (even pulling off an on-side kick just for good measure). After the game during the coach’s handshake Hayden Fry told Barnett, “I hope we didn’t hurt any of your boys.” Barnett just stared back at him and later on in an interview said, “That took (the rivalry) to warp speed.” To add to that, a couple of years later, during the 1995 season the Wildcats were led to the Rose Bowl by linebacker Pat Fitzgerald. However, Fitz was unable to play in the bowl because in the second to last game of the season he broke his leg against, you guessed it, Iowa. So let’s just say, Fitz has a special place in his heart for beating the Hawks.

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

Game Watch Week 5: Penn State

Iowa Hawkeyes (3-1, 0-0) @ Penn State Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-0)
Saturday, October 8th , 12:30pm kickoff PST
TV: ABC or ESPN (check regional coverage)

Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday and join the WWIC in watching the Hawkeyes travel to Penn State to open the Big Ten season. I know everyone is craving some Hawkeye football after the bye week and this one should be a great game with Beaver Stadium and it...s 107,000 rowdy fans providing the atmosphere. Hopefully the bye week won’t slow down Iowa ’s recently explosive offense and has given the defense more time to continually improve.

Iowa has been the thorn in the side of Penn State recently winning the last 3 meetings, and 8 out of the last 9. It hasn’t come without some memorable moments, such as the comeback wins of 2008 & 2009. And who can forget the thrilling 6-4 victory in 2004.

Nobody is sure what to expect of the Nittany Lions this weekend. They are coming off a lackluster performance in their win at Indiana this past Saturday. In five trips into the red zone PSU didn’t score a single touchdown, they had three field goals, and two turnovers. But they still managed to win the game behind their defense, which ranks 5th nationally in total defense.

**Fun fact from the archives. In every season that Iowa started 3-1 in the Fry/Ferentz era, Iowa has gone on to at least 7 wins and a bowl game. Below are the seasons where Iowa started 3-1, the final record, and the bowl game.

1981: 8-4 – Rose Bowl
1983: 9-3 – Gator Bowl
1987: 10-3 – Holiday Bowl
1990: 8-4 – Rose Bowl
1991: 10-1-1 – Holiday Bowl
1996: 9-3 – Alamo Bowl
2001: 7-5 – Alamo Bowl
2002: 11-2 – Orange Bowl
2008: 9-4 – Outback Bowl
2010: 8-5 – Insight Bowl

Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

Would you pay $1 to put the Hawkeyes in the endzone?

Then why not $1 for the kids at UI Children's Hospital for every touchdown the Hawks score?

At every game watch this season we'll pass out forms for you to pledge at least $1 for Iowa Touchdowns For Kids. We'll gather the forms after the 3rd quarter and mail them in for you. We'll also keep track of the total dollars pledged by the WWIC. Last year Iowa scored 45 touchdowns; with over 1,300 pledges and more than 30 sponsors, Iowa Touchdowns for Kids raised nearly $180,000 for UI Children's Hospital.

Click here for more info or to send in a pledge form on your own: http://www.iowatouchdownsforkids.com/. If you do, make sure to note that you're with the Western Washington Iowa Club.

Thanks - GO HAWKS! (ya know, for the kids)

Game Watch Week 2: Iowa State

Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0, 0-0) @ Iowa State Cyclones (1-0, 0-0)
Saturday, September 10th, 9:00am kickoff PST
TV: Fox Sports/ROOT Sports (check your provider/package for confirmation if you can't make it to Buckley's)

Come join the WWIC at Buckley's On Queen Anne to watch the Hawkeyes travel to Ames to take on the Cyclones. Over 100 Hawk fans attended the first game watch of the season, when Iowa played a no-name opponent, on a beautiful holiday weekend - an impressive turnout. Thanks everyone! This Saturday should be a completely full house of black & gold. Remember that Buckley's expanded last fall and we've got lots more tables and TVs.

Saturday's game will mark the 59th game in the series. Iowa holds a 39-19 overall advantage, and they have also won 21 of the last 28 meetings, including the last three games.

Both teams are 1-0 after Week 1 where Iowa defeated Tenn. Tech in monsoon-like conditions and Iowa State squeaked out a victory in the final minute versus Northern Iowa.

Big Ten Happy Hour - Football Season Kick-off

Kick-off the 2011 college football season at a Big Ten Happy Hour at Buckley's in Queen Anne on Wednesday, August 31st, from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.! We'll be joined by members of the other local big Ten alumni/fan clubs to kick-off the 2011 season. The regular happy hour menu includes food and beverage specials with an additional $1 off every beverage if you're wearing Iowa gear.

Go Hawks!!!

Game Watch Week 1: Tennessee Tech

Game Watch Week 1: Tennessee Tech
Saturday, September 3, at 9:00 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Buckley's On Queen Anne

Go Hawks!!!