Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/207768
Opponent Preview much success against last season, the one the Boilermakers gashed for more than 200 rushing yards? Stadium (West Lafayette) • TV: Big Ten Network Things have changed. "Iowa's defensive line was not good last year," said Tom Kakert, who Iowa covers Iowa Iowa, led by head coach Kirk Ferentz, needs for Hawkeyone more victory to become bowl eligible. eReport. typically stout defense will make com. "There sure of that. wasn't a lot Iowa's kept three opponents of talent this season to 10 points or fewer and where and ranks in the top quarter of there was the Big Ten in total defense, surtalent, it rendering a modest 325 yards was too per game. young to Against unbeaten Ohio State compete on Iowa just two weekends ago, Iowa a down-tostymied Braxton Miller and Co. Middle linebacker James Morris leads Iowa in sacks with five. He's also the down basis. second-leading tackler (76) to fellow linebacker Anthony Hitchens (86). en route to a 17-10 halftime lead This season But for Coach Darrell Hazell's in Columbus before the roof fell gers scored two fourth-quarter they have team to have success against in after halftime, with the Buck- touchdowns to break open what grown up quite a bit." this opponent, or any other for eyes cruising to a 34-24 victory. was a 14-9 game after three That's what Purdue's ofThe following week, Iowa quarters. that matter, it's going to have to fense, led by so many freshmen, take care of one very important kept Northwestern to just 10 Led by the Big Ten's second- including quarterback Danny points in regulation before leading tackler, linebacker Anmatter: Score. Etling, is trying to do now. And for a team coming off prolonging the Wildcats' mis- thony Hitchens, and one of the As the Boilermakers' previback-to-back shutout losses, ery this season with a 17-10 conference's better defensive ous opponents have done, Iowa one that's scored just one touch- overtime win. linemen in tackle Carl Davis, will try to turn the screws against And Iowa's 28-9 loss to surg- Iowa has been consistently solid, down in its three games since an idling offense and exploit its the end of September, that ing Wisconsin this past week- often nasty, on defense. inexperience. end looked worse than it was, won't be easy. Remember that Hawkeye "They're going to make us The Hawkeyes and their as the Hawkeyes dominated on defensive front Purdue had so go the long, hard way," Etling defense early before the Bad- Game 9: Iowa Noon ET • Ross-Ade iowa defense another challenge for struggling purdue offense BY BRIAN NEUBERT BNeubert@GoldandBlack.com it was against Iowa In 2012, losing streak, snapthat Purdue broke out of an extended ping a five-game skid by kicking a last-second field goal to beat the Hawkeyes in Iowa City. Now losers of six straight, the Boilermakers can only hope for the same this time around, when Iowa visits for a noon kickoff Saturday in Ross-Ade Stadium. GoldanDBlack express • volume 24, express 9 • 9