Game Watch Week 5: Minnesota Gophers (4-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeys (2-2)

Minnesota Golden Gophers (4-0, 0-0) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (2-2, 0-0) 
Saturday, September 29th, 9:00am PST
TV: ESPN2 

Rivalry week is upon us once again! Come on down to Buckley’s on QA this Saturday morning to watch the Hawkeyes take on those pesky neighbors to the North, the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Saturday will be the 106th meeting between Iowa and Minnesota in which Minny holds a 61-42-2 advantage in the series that goes back to 1891. The last two Iowa-Minnesota games have been decided by a combined f

our points (Minnesota wins of 22-21 in 2011 and 27-24 in 2010, both played in Minneapolis). And while the Hawkeye’s stare into their empty rivalry trophy case every day the Gophers are really enjoying a constant reminder of owning Floyd:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A3k2JnZCQAE6_3N.jpg.

The Hawkeyes are looking to bounce back fast after the inexcusable loss to a MAC team last week. One positive for the Hawks is the continued stellar play of running back Mark Weisman. Weisman rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns and is the first player ever under Kirk Ferentz to score 6 TD’s (rushing/receiving) in 2 consecutive games. Saturday also marks the 200th game coached at Iowa for Kirk Ferentz. His overall record is 110-89.

Minnesota is riding high at 4-0 (the first time since 2008). They are led by a strong rushing attack and a defense that is playing well above expectations. One huge item of note is that the Gophers will be without starting QB MarQuies Gray this weekend. All of this winning is really messing with the Gopher fan-base. Check this link out for a good read from the point of view of a Gopher fan on how the team is stacking up this season and where they think they can go from here: http://www.thedailygopher.com/2012/9/24/3375400/the-monday-perspective-after-a-golden-weekend.

One final random fact to leave you with is this is the first meeting ever in the month of September between the Hawks and Gophers. Here’s to hoping that Saturday swings back in the positive direction for the Hawks! Hope to see you Saturday! Go Hawks! 

Game Watch Week 4: Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1)

Central Michigan Chippewas (1-1) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (2-1)

Saturday, September 22nd, 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 play host to the Chippewas out of Central Michigan. It’s the first early morning (9am) start of the season which means great breakfast food and Hawkeye Bloody Mary’s at Buckley’s! Iowa leads the all-time series 2-0 against Central Michigan as they defeated CMU in 94 & 98, both gam

es were played in Iowa City.

The Hawkeyes are looking to build off their interesting win against UNI. It looks like the offense is starting to come around with a “next man in approach” at running back and passing game where passes are finally completed. For those of you looking forward to seeing more of the hero of last week’s game fullback Mark Weisman, he’s listed as the starting running back this week with the other running backs still dinged up.

The Hawks defense continues to roll. They have yet to give up any points in the 4th quarter this season and have only allowed one second half touchdown in their first three games. The Hawkeyes rank 19th in the country in turnover margin (1.33), 23rd in total defense (294.0), 27th in pass defense (180.0), 28th in takeaways (6), 30th in red zone efficiency defense (.700), 32nd in pass defense efficiency (108.99) and 36th in rushing defense (114.0). Iowa has yielded 46 points through three games, which is the fewest a Hawkeye team has allowed the first three games since 2009 (36).

The Chippewas were off last weekend but started off the season beating Southeast Missouri State (38-27) and then losing to Michigan State (41-7). There’s not a lot of info on CMU out there yet and how they’ll match up with the Hawks, but I’ll post the Gazette’s match-ups later in the week on the event page.

Here’s to hoping the Hawkeyes continue to build momentum before Big Ten play opens up. Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks! 

Game Watch Week 3: Northern Iowa Panthers (1-1) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (1-1)

Saturday September 15th @ 12:42 p.m. PST

TV:  Big Ten Network

Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday to watch the Hawkeyes play host to the second straight in-state rival, the Northern Iowa Panthers. These two teams have a long history. After falling to UNI in 1898 in the very first meeting, Iowa has won the last 14 meetings, including a 17-16 triumph in the last meeting (2009) in Iowa City. 

The Hawkeyes look to shake off a tough loss against ISU. I could go on and on about the frustrating offense, but hey, our defense has been outstanding in the first two games. The Hawkeyes rank 13th in the country in red zone efficiency defense (0.57), 14th in pass defense (147.5), 18th in turnover margin (+3), 19th in takeaways (5), 20th in total defense (271.5), 25th in scoring defense (13.0), and 26th in tackles for loss (8). Let’s hope the offense catches up soon. 

UNI comes into this game ranked seventh in the FCS and very confident after blowing out Division II Central State this past weekend 59-0. Week 1 they came very close to upsetting Wisconsin in Camp Randall, 26-21. This Gazette article has some good notes and quotes on the Panthers: http://thegazette.com/2012/09/10/farley-feels-shift-in-expectations-vs-iowabig-ten/ 

Should be a closer game than what we’d typically expect against UNI, but it’s at home, it’s “Be Bold, Wear Gold” day at Kinnick, and the Hawks have plenty to be fired up about! Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!Come on down to Buckley’s on Queen Anne this Saturday to watch the Hawkeyes play host to the second straight in-state rival, the Northern Iowa Panthers. These two teams have a long history. After falling to UNI in 1898 in the very first meeting, Iowa has won the last 14 meetings, including a 17-16 triumph in the last meeting (2009) in Iowa City. 

The Hawkeyes look to shake off a tough loss against ISU. I could go on and on about the frustrating offense, but hey, our defense has been outstanding in the first two games. The Hawkeyes rank 13th in the country in red zone efficiency defense (0.57), 14th in pass defense (147.5), 18th in turnover margin (+3), 19th in takeaways (5), 20th in total defense (271.5), 25th in scoring defense (13.0), and 26th in tackles for loss (8). Let’s hope the offense catches up soon. 

UNI comes into this game ranked seventh in the FCS and very confident after blowing out Division II Central State this past weekend 59-0. Week 1 they came very close to upsetting Wisconsin in Camp Randall, 26-21. This Gazette article has some good notes and quotes on the Panthers: http://thegazette.com/2012/09/10/farley-feels-shift-in-expectations-vs-iowabig-ten/ 

Should be a closer game than what we’d typically expect against UNI, but it’s at home, it’s “Be Bold, Wear Gold” day at Kinnick, and the Hawks have plenty to be fired up about! Hope to see you Saturday and Go Hawks!

Game Watch Week 2: Iowa State Cyclones (1-0, 0-0)

Iowa State Cyclones (1-0, 0-0) vs Iowa Hawkeyes (1-0, 0-0)  Saturday, September 8th, 12:42pm kickoff PST TV: Big Ten Network  Rivalry week is upon us! Come on down to Buckley’s on QA this Saturday to watch the Hawkeyes host in-state rival Iowa State. Saturday's game will mark the 60th game in the series in which Iowa holds a 39-20 advantage. The Hawkeyes have won 21 of the last 29 meetings, including three of the last four, four of the last six and six of the last nine. Iowa has also won the last four meetings against Iowa City.  Both the Hawks & Clones are coming off Week 1 performances where they had to come from behind to win the game. Iowa scored nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete an 18-17 comeback win over Northern Illinois at Soldier Field and Iowa State rallied from a 16-7 deficit to post a 38-23 win over Tulsa last Saturday in Ames.  Iowa will be wearing throwback uniforms Saturday in honor of the 1921 and 1922 Hawkeye teams. Here’s a link to check them out: http://thegazette.com/2012/06/26/throwback-or-throw-it-back-iowas-jersey-for-this-years-iowa-state-game-circa-1921-22/.  With good reason the Hawks aren’t too pleased about the way they’ve performed in recent rivalry games. Here’s a good read on Iowa using a little bulletin board material:http://thegazette.com/2012/09/04/iowa-goes-moto/ Thanks to everyone who came out over the busy Labor Day weekend for the last game watch and we look forward to seeing more smiling faces this Saturday! Go Hawks!