The Wolverine Now

"This group has really just been fun to work with since last November, and we're 10 games into it, 12 weeks into the season right now. I'm pretty confident I'll be saying that 12 days from now. "Hopefully we'll have a record — we can fortify our record with two more wins, but that's not going to come easy. We've got a lot of challenges in front of us. But it's been just a fun team to coach." While the Hawkeyes have improved offensively over last year, it is the defense that has led the way to six wins; UI's unit ranks third in scoring (18.7 points allowed per game) and third in total yards (319.2 allowed per game) in the Big Ten. Iowa boasts a formidable front seven with a defensive line averaging 286.3 pounds per man, and an experienced linebacker corps with three seniors — Christian Kirksey, James Morris and Anthony Hitchens — that average 24.8 tackles per game and have been responsible for 20.5 tackles for loss this fall. "The defense is top 20 nationally, and playing with that tenacity that Iowa's best teams under Kirk Ferentz have always had," Kakert said. "The biggest factor is the defensive line. Last year they were not very good and couldn't stop anyone on the ground and couldn't generate a pass rush — they had 13 sacks all season. It's not a great pass rush now, but it's good enough. And then the three senior linebackers are really playing at a high level. It might be the strongest group of linebackers in the Big Ten this season. "The offense is an improvement over last year, but if you look at 4-8 a year ago and 6-4 this season, the play of the defense has been key." ❏ Scouting Iowa's Offense Scouting Iowa's Defense Offensive Strength — When coaches preach offensive balance, it's Defensive Strength — The Hawkeyes are physical on both lines of more of an ambition than a likely reality, but not at Iowa. This season, scrimmage, and have relied on a veteran front seven to rank among the the Hawkeyes have thrown for 2,040 yards and rushed for 1,939 yards, league's best rush defenses. UI sits 25th nationally and fifth in the Big Ten the two separated by only 101 yards. In the Big Ten, only Michigan State, in allowing only 130.0 yards rushing per contest, and has held nine of which has 1,882 yards rushing and 1,892 yards passing, can claim to be 10 opponents under their rushing average this year. The defense is even more balanced than the Black and Gold. Iowa scores with similar balance stouter in the red zone, ranking first in the country in allowing only four too, having crossed the goal line 14 times through rushing touchdowns all year. the air and 13 times on the ground. Defensive Weakness — Though they Offensive Weakness — Iowa relies on a slowrarely allow touchdowns in the red zone (only plodding offense to put points on the board, ranknine all year), the Black and Gold overall rank ing as the second-worst big-play offense in the Big among the worst red-zone defenses, permitTen with just 33 gains of 20 yards or more. In fact, of ting scores on 85.0 of all chances. Over the past the Hawkeyes' 23 scoring drives in conference play, four games, Ohio State (5 for 5), Northwestern the series have averaged 8.7 plays per touchdown (2 for 2), Wisconsin (3 for 3) and Purdue (1 for or field-goal possession. This puts an incredible onus 1) have been perfect inside Iowa's 20-yard line, on third downs and leaves the Black and Gold susscoring eight TDs after UI had allowed just one ceptible because it gives defenses more chances to end-zone score in its first six games. end threats. Player To Watch — Senior linebacker Player To Watch — Junior tailback Mark WeisJames Morris: Under Kirk Ferentz, the Hawkman: A former walk-on who transferred from the eyes have produced five NFL linebackers, and Air Force Academy, Weisman was one of the success this year's team will likely add three more to stories in an otherwise miserable 4-8 campaign in pro rosters next season. Morris is the best of 2012, rushing for a team-high 815 yards on 159 carthe bunch, racking up 374 career tackles, inries (5.1 yards per rush). This season, he has shared cluding 25 for loss. The 6-2, 240-pound middle the load with junior Damon Bullock and sophomore linebacker has done it all for the Black and Jordan Canzeri, but the 6-0, 236-pound Weisman Gold, leading UI in tackles for loss (10), sacks still leads the Hawkeyes with 777 yards rushing and Senior linebacker James Morris leads Iowa in (five) and interceptions (three) while ranking is on pace for 1,010. tackles for loss (10), sacks (five) and intercep- second with 81 total stops. Player To Watch — Junior receiver Kevonte tions (three), while ranking second with 81 total Player To Watch — Senior linebacker AnMartin-Manley: The Pontiac, Mich., native went stops in 2013. thony Hitchens: The weakside linebacker has photo courtesy Iowa largely unnoticed in his home state, failing to draw received far less attention than Morris, but he's offers from Michigan or Michigan State, but has since blossomed into been just as instrumental this season to the defense's success, leading a dependable No. 1 wide receiver. The 6-0, 205-pounder had 52 recepthe Hawkeyes with 87 tackles, including 10 behind the line of scrimtions in 2012 and leads the Black and Gold with 35 catches for 304 yards mage. The 6-1, 233-pound Lorain, Ohio, native is a sideline-to-sideline and three scores this season. He is not a deep threat, however, with only player that never comes off the field. In four seasons, he has racked up two receptions of 20 yards or more. 245 career tackles, including 124 stops in 2012. Key Matchup — Iowa's offense is back to doing what it has consisKey Matchup — The Iowa defense is among the national leaders in tently done best under Kirk Ferentz — mash people. UI ranks fifth in the fewest big plays allowed, especially in the passing game, where the Big Ten in averaging 194.4 yards rushing per game, putting up its best Hawkeyes have surrendered just 23 completions of 20 yards or more 10-game output (1,944 yards) since 2002 (2,055 yards). Michigan's rush (11th in the country). Michigan's passing attack was once one of the Big defense, however, sits 13th nationally in allowing only 111.2 yards per Ten's best at going downfield, with 4.1 big pass plays per game in the contest, and the Wolverines have held all 10 of their opponents below Maize and Blue's first seven contests. In their last three, though, they their per-game rushing average this season, limiting them to 56.7 yards have had only six such plays, but targets Jeremy Gallon (15 20-yard reless than their norm per game. ceptions) and Devin Funchess (11 receptions) remain weapons. — Michael Spath — Michael Spath THE WOLVERINE • Page 2

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