2008 Iowa Hawkeyes Preview

Iowa fans would have been thrilled to know back in 2004 that Kirk Ferentz would be around to celebrate his 10th season as head coach. But now that time has come and not everyone is celebrating. Much of the glow has rubbed off Ferentz since he led Iowa to a 31–7 record and two Big Ten titles over a three-year period from 2002-04. Iowa’s record is just 19–18 since, including 11–13 in the Big Ten. Ferentz’s name also doesn’t get mentioned nearly as often in coaching searches these days. Last season ended horribly with Iowa losing to Western Michigan at home to finish 6–6 overall and without a bowl game for the first time since 2000.

Two Minute Drill

A Quick Look at the Hawkeyes

Iowa returns plenty of experience at several positions, but there are no proven stars on the team. Junior quarterback Jake Christensen was erratic last season, but so was his supporting cast. The offensive line has to do a better job of protecting Christensen, but he also has to do a better job of avoiding the rush and knowing when to get rid of the football instead of taking a sack. Christensen will benefit greatly if the Hawkeyes are able to establish a running game. However, that will be easier said than done, especially considering the inexperience that exists at the running back position. Iowa will rely on a junior college transfer and two freshmen to run the ball. The receivers are steady, but not spectacular, whereas the defensive front seven might be the strength of the team. The 2008 schedule looks favorable without Michigan and Ohio State on it, but that was also the case last season and look what happened — a 6–6 record. Iowa has struggled to stay above .500 over the past three seasons, and the program isn’t producing All-Big Ten players like it used to do under coach Kirk Ferentz. A winning record and a return to a bowl game are likely, but it doesn’t look as though Iowa is ready to compete for a Big Ten title.

There has also been trouble off the field, with at least 14 Iowa players either being arrested or charged with breaking some law between April 2007 and April 2008. Ferentz has dismissed five players from the team — including starting receiver James Cleveland — since the middle of last season for reasons ranging from domestic assault to drug charges. “That continues to be disappointing,” Ferentz says of his players’ conduct. “And I’m getting a little tired of using that word.”

Fans, meanwhile, are getting tired of losing after seeing the program have unprecedented success under Ferentz. Iowa used to be known for its toughness, for being fundamentally sound and for being opportunistic on special teams under Ferentz. But none of that was the case last season, and many of the same questions and concerns are still present heading into the 2008 season.

Quarterbacks

One of the biggest questions about Iowa is whether junior lefty Jake Christensen can live up to his reputation coming out of high school when he was considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country. Christensen took a beating as a first-year starter last season, both figuratively and literally. He was sacked an incredible 46 times, and many fans blamed him for the offensive woes. But Christensen still passed for 2,269 yards as a sophomore last season, which is the 12th-best single-season total in school history. He also only threw six interceptions, although that was partly because Iowa relied heavily on short passing formations to offset the constant pressure in the pocket.

Running backs

Running back is another major concern with Albert Young and Damian Sims having used up their eligibility. Junior college transfer Nate Guillory joined the team in January, and it’s a good thing, because he was believed to be the only running back on scholarship during spring practice. Florida native Jevon Pugh played some as a true freshman last season and was expected to compete for playing time this fall, but he quit the team in the spring for personal reasons. Iowa fans are hopeful that 227-pound bruiser Shonn Greene will rejoin the team this season after attending junior college for the past year. Greene showed flashes while playing as a backup running back in 2005 and ’06. Incoming freshmen Jeff Brinson and Jewel Hampton also will figure in the mix. Brinson reportedly had a scholarship offer from Florida, but he picked Iowa with hopes of playing early.

Receivers

Iowa lost two receivers during the offseason but gained a new receivers coach when former Michigan assistant Erik Campbell joined the staff in February. There is decent depth at this position, which should help soften the blow caused by the losses of Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman. Douglas was one of the top freshman receivers in the country in 2006. But he was among the 14 players who had legal trouble and was suspended for the entire 2007 season before ultimately being kicked off the team. Bowman also had legal issues and quit the team before the start of spring practice. Senior Andy Brodell is healthy after missing the final eight games last season with a leg injury. He had over 700 receiving yards as a sophomore, including 159 against Texas in the 2006 Alamo Bowl. Sophomore Derrell Johnson-Koulianos enjoyed one of the most productive seasons for a freshman receiver in school history last fall. A former standout quarterback from Ohio, Johnson led Iowa in both receiving yards (482) and catches (38) last season. Fellow Ohio native Trey Stross also will be in the rotation, assuming he can stay healthy, which has been a problem since he arrived at Iowa. The tight end position should be in good hands if senior Tony Moeaki is healthy.

Offensive linemen

This group has experience and depth, but no proven star at this stage. The closest would be senior guard Seth Olsen, who will start for a third consecutive season. Dan Doering finally started playing last season as a third-year sophomore, but he still has a ways to go to live up to his reputation coming out of high school. Junior Kyle Calloway and sophomore Bryan Bulaga will start at the two tackle positions. But that could change if Dace Richardson returns from a knee injury that caused him to miss the entire 2007 season. Richardson started most of the 2006 season at left tackle. Junior Rafael Eubanks and senior former walk-on Rob Bruggeman were listed as co-starters at center during the spring even though Eubanks started the last two seasons. 

Defensive linemen

Mitch King hasn’t been at Iowa for as long as Ferentz, but it might seem that way. King has started 32 consecutive games at defensive tackle and made first-team All-Big Ten last season as a junior. The former linebacker has 174 career tackles, including 39 for a loss. Fellow senior Matt Kroul also has been a fixture at defensive tackle and actually has started more consecutive games than King, a streak that now stands at 37 in a row. Kroul doesn’t make the spectacular play like King often does, but he is a steady performer. Sophomores Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard represent both the present and the future at defensive end. They both had their moments last season while playing behind departed seniors Bryan Mattison and Ken Iwebema.

Linebackers

The concern is that Mike Humpal and Mike Klinkenborg have moved on after starting the past two seasons. The hope is that sophomores Jacody Coleman, Jeff Tarpinian and Jeremiha Hunter will catch on quickly enough to avoid having a significant decline at their positions. Junior A.J. Edds is the most experienced linebacker after starting all 12 games last season. He is expected to start at outside linebacker this season. Coleman is the favorite to start in the middle, and Tarpinian and Hunter will compete for the starting weak-side linebacker position.

Defensive backs

Charles Godfrey and Adam Shada have moved on after combining for 48 starts at the two cornerback positions. Senior Bradley Fletcher and sophomore Jordan Bernstine are the leading candidates to start at cornerback this season. Fletcher has started eight times for the Hawkeyes. He played in 11 games last season and had 53 tackles and two interceptions. Bernstine saw action in all 12 games last season, mostly on special teams. Senior Harold Dalton returns after starting all 12 games at strong safety last season. Sophomore Brett Greenwood also returns after starting seven games at free safety in 2007. Sophomore Amari Spievey is expected to rejoin the team after starring in junior college last season.

Specialists

The rise of freshman punter Ryan Donahue was one of the positives from last season. Donahue went from being a shanked punt waiting to happen at the beginning of the season to one of the best punters in the conference by the end. He averaged 41.1 yards per attempt, and Iowa’s net punting average of 39.4 ranked second in the Big Ten. Sophomore Daniel Murray and junior Austin Signor will continue their battle for the No. 1 kicker position. Murray might have a slight edge after making 7-of-10 field-goal attempts last season. Incoming freshman Trent Mossbrucker also will get a chance to compete for the starting position.

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