Happy Friday, Western Washington Hawkeye fans! This week Iowa faces the Northwestern Wildcats, who have given Iowa fits over the last few years under Coach Pat Fitzgerald. Coach Fitz hasn't hidden his dislike for the Iowa Hawkeyes very well, and usually has this game circled on his calendar. Last year the Hawkeyes fell in Evanston, 28-17, as Northwestern racked up 350 yards rushing.
The Hawkeyes are coming off a gutsy loss in Columbus, Ohio against the #3 team in the nation, Ohio State. Iowa led at halftime, but ultimately was on the losing end, 34-24. Iowa had some new faces leading the offense last week – Damon Bullock led the team in rushing attempts and yards, while relatively unknown tight end Jake Duzey tallied 138 yards receiving. Duzey also had a thrilling 85 yard touchdown reception (his first TD in an Iowa uniform) that went in the books as the ninth-longest reception in Iowa history.
The Hawkeye defense, even after giving up close to 300 yards rushing to OSU, still ranks 12th in the nation in total defense. They lead the nation with just 4 red zone touchdowns and 2 rushing TDs allowed this season. They’ve only given up one touchdown in the first quarter, which hopefully translates to an early lead for Iowa this week.
Northwestern comes into Kinnick this week banged up physically and emotionally. After starting the season 4-0 and being ranked, they have dropped 3 straight, including a 20-17 loss at home to the lowly Minnesota Gophers last week. The Wildcats will probably be without their star running back Venric Mark this week, and last year's Hawkeye killer, starting QB Kain Colter, is battling an ankle injury but says he’ll play Saturday.
Hope to see you out at one of the Western Washington game watches, and don't forget about the drawing for the Iowa Hawkeye cornhole boards, which were handmade by one of our fellow Western Washington Hawkeyes, Jason Netland. The raffle benefits the scholarship fund.
Our stock of WWIC t-shirts has been replenished, with the addition of long sleeve shirts. Short sleeve $15, long sleeve $20, benefits to the club & scholarship fund.
Cheers to the Hawkeyes and On Iowa!
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Gamewatch #7: Iowa Hawkeyes (4-2, 1-1) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (6-0, 2-0) Saturday, October 19th @ 12:30 p.m.
Welcome back from the bye week, Western Washington Hawkeye fans! Hopefully you've had enough time to digest the disappointing MSU loss just in time to watch the Hawkeyes head into the Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio to take on the #3 team in the nation, the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State, like Iowa, is coming into this game rested after a bye week, and currently owns the nation's longest winning streak at 18 games. OSU has also won the last 11 out of 12 against the Hawkeyes. Also, Iowa has a record of 4-6 coming off the last 10 bye weeks.
The Buckeyes are led by head coach Urban Meyer, who has faced off against Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz once before-the infamous 2005 Outback Bowl, when the Meyer-led Florida Gators controversially won 31-24.
The Hawkeye defense, which still boasts the 8th best rushing defense (88.5 yards per game) in the nation and still hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown this year, goes up against a rush-heavy OSU offense that already has 17 rushing TD's this season.
The Iowa offense will still rely heavily on Mark Weisman, who is currently one of 12 players on the Maxwell Award watch list, which honors the best running back in the nation at the end of the year. He is currently the Big 10's third leading rusher at 104 yards per game.
The special teams, which weren't so special against MSU with Iowa falling for yet another fake punt, will be led by Kevonte Martin-Manley, who still leads the nation on punt return average (25.8 yards per return.) It remains to be seen if Coach Ferentz lives up to his promise of never running a punt return again after the MSU's successful punt fake.
We look forward to seeing you at one of the WWIC game watches this Saturday to cheer on the Hawks and high-five your fellow Iowa brethren! On Iowa and GO Hawks!
Saturday, October 19, 12:30 PM (PT) on ABC or ESPN2
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
The Buckeyes are led by head coach Urban Meyer, who has faced off against Iowa's coach Kirk Ferentz once before-the infamous 2005 Outback Bowl, when the Meyer-led Florida Gators controversially won 31-24.
The Hawkeye defense, which still boasts the 8th best rushing defense (88.5 yards per game) in the nation and still hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown this year, goes up against a rush-heavy OSU offense that already has 17 rushing TD's this season.
The Iowa offense will still rely heavily on Mark Weisman, who is currently one of 12 players on the Maxwell Award watch list, which honors the best running back in the nation at the end of the year. He is currently the Big 10's third leading rusher at 104 yards per game.
The special teams, which weren't so special against MSU with Iowa falling for yet another fake punt, will be led by Kevonte Martin-Manley, who still leads the nation on punt return average (25.8 yards per return.) It remains to be seen if Coach Ferentz lives up to his promise of never running a punt return again after the MSU's successful punt fake.
We look forward to seeing you at one of the WWIC game watches this Saturday to cheer on the Hawks and high-five your fellow Iowa brethren! On Iowa and GO Hawks!
Saturday, October 19, 12:30 PM (PT) on ABC or ESPN2
Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio
Thursday, October 3, 2013
WWIC Scholarship Fundraiser - Hawkeye Cornhole Boards
Who doesn't like a good game of Cornhole in the backyard or during a tailgate? Now's your chance to win a homemade (by WWIC member Jason Netland) Iowa Hawkeye cornhole set. And you'll be donating to the WWIC Scholarship fund at the same time - a win-win situation!
The UIAA will match the funds we raise each year up to $1,000 towards a scholarship for a UI student from the State of Washington. From the WWIC t-shirt sales and 50/50 drawings in past seasons, we will be able to start our scholarship during the next academic year.
During the next four weeks $5 donation tickets into the Cornhole drawing will be available at the Buckley's game watches. If you attend the Kirkland or Tacoma game watches, you may send a check for any donation amount (in multiples of $5) to the address below. There will be no limit to the number of tickets/donation amount you may make.
Drawing will be held at the Buckley's game watch for the November 2nd game against Wisconsin. Winner does not have to be present at Nov. 2nd game watch.
Not going to the Buckley's game watches against MSU, OSU, NW, or Wisky? Please send checks made out to Western Washington Iowa Club:
Western Washington Iowa Club c/o Nik Pflugrath 2300 W. Bertona St. Seattle, WA 98199
Thanks - and GO HAWKS!
Gamewatch #6: Michigan State Spartans (3-1, 0-0) vs. Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0) Saturday, October 5th @ 9 a.m.
Hello again Western Washington Hawkeyes! It's homecoming week in Iowa City as our Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Michigan State Spartans. Iowa is 11-2 on Homecoming games since 2000, and owns a homecoming record of 6-0-1 against MSU.
Michigan State enters this week with a 3-1 record and is coming off a bye week after losing to Notre Dame 17-13 two weeks ago. The Spartans will be looking for revenge from last season's meeting against Iowa, when the Hawks won a thriller in double overtime 19-16. The Hawks and Spartans shared a common opponent this year in Western Michigan, who the Spartans defeated 26-13. Iowa beat Western Michigan 59-3 a few weeks later. The Iowa offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, will have a daunting task facing the MSU defense, which has only allowed 189 yards per game. Iowa's defense is far behind in second place, allowing 266 yards per game.
Iowa heads into this week coming off a surprisingly lopsided victory on the road against the previously undefeated goofers of Minnesota, 23-7. Mark Weisman led the way with 147 yards rushing on 24 attempts. Weisman currently has 119 carries (which leads the nation) and 615 yards (fourth in the nation.) If he keeps up this pace, could the "Weisman for Heisman" chant be ringing out in Iowa City soon?
James Morris was named the Big Ten Defensive player of the week for his performance last week when he recorded 8 tackles, a sack, and an interception.
Other interesting tidbits for this week: Senior kicker Mike Meyer has made a school record 100 consecutive PAT's. He surpassed ex-NFL kicker Nate Kaeding's previous record of 60 consecutive kicks long ago. Iowa Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker was a first team all-Big ten performer at MSU from 1983-1985 as a defensive back. This week is also the black and gold game at Kinnick, where alternating sections wear black and gold to create an excellent visual.
Hope you all are able to cheer our Hawks on this week and hoist a glass with us at one of our Alumni gatherings, whether it be Buckley's on Queen Anne in Seattle, Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma, or Sluggers in Kirkland. On Iowa and Go Hawks!
Michigan State enters this week with a 3-1 record and is coming off a bye week after losing to Notre Dame 17-13 two weeks ago. The Spartans will be looking for revenge from last season's meeting against Iowa, when the Hawks won a thriller in double overtime 19-16. The Hawks and Spartans shared a common opponent this year in Western Michigan, who the Spartans defeated 26-13. Iowa beat Western Michigan 59-3 a few weeks later. The Iowa offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock, will have a daunting task facing the MSU defense, which has only allowed 189 yards per game. Iowa's defense is far behind in second place, allowing 266 yards per game.
Iowa heads into this week coming off a surprisingly lopsided victory on the road against the previously undefeated goofers of Minnesota, 23-7. Mark Weisman led the way with 147 yards rushing on 24 attempts. Weisman currently has 119 carries (which leads the nation) and 615 yards (fourth in the nation.) If he keeps up this pace, could the "Weisman for Heisman" chant be ringing out in Iowa City soon?
James Morris was named the Big Ten Defensive player of the week for his performance last week when he recorded 8 tackles, a sack, and an interception.
Other interesting tidbits for this week: Senior kicker Mike Meyer has made a school record 100 consecutive PAT's. He surpassed ex-NFL kicker Nate Kaeding's previous record of 60 consecutive kicks long ago. Iowa Defensive Coordinator Phil Parker was a first team all-Big ten performer at MSU from 1983-1985 as a defensive back. This week is also the black and gold game at Kinnick, where alternating sections wear black and gold to create an excellent visual.
Hope you all are able to cheer our Hawks on this week and hoist a glass with us at one of our Alumni gatherings, whether it be Buckley's on Queen Anne in Seattle, Buffalo Wild Wings in Tacoma, or Sluggers in Kirkland. On Iowa and Go Hawks!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)