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2020 RECORD 6-2, 6-2 Big Ten COACH Kirk Ferentz (168-106 in 22 seasons at Iowa; career record: 180-127) SERIES HISTORY The Nittany Lions lead the series, 17-13. MOST RECENT MEETING Sean Cli*ord came o* the bench to throw for touch- downs on his /rst two passing attempts but then threw two interceptions, in- cluding a pick-six to defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon, as the visiting Hawkeyes held o* Penn State, 41-21, on Nov. 21, 2020. OFFENSE In his /rst season as Iowa's starting quarterback, Spencer Petras completed 57.1 percent of his attempts for 1,569 yards, with nine touchdown passes and /ve interceptions. Those aren't dazzling numbers, but Iowa does- n't need its QB to play hero ball to be successful. It mostly just needs to have an e*ective ground game and a passer who can use play-action e*ectively to keep opposing defenses on their heels. This year, the Hawkeyes have got a solid running back in Tyler Goodson, who was third in the Big Ten last season with 762 yards. But they've got some ques- tions in the receiver corps and on the of- fensive front. Three linemen need to be replaced, and the unit is under new management, with former Tulane assis- tant George Barnett stepping in follow- ing Tim Polasek's departure for Wyoming. DEFENSE Iowa /elded a very e*ective defensive front last season, as the Hawkeyes ranked third in the Big Ten against the run (107.6 yards per game) and second in sacks (22). But three starters need to be replaced, including NFL Dra? picks Chauncey Golston and Nixon. The key returnee here is end Zach VanValkenburg, who had 30 tack- les last season, including 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. The linebacker corps will de/nitely miss Nick Neimann, last year's team leader with 77 stops. But outside linebackers Seth Benson and Dane Belton return. Meanwhile, the sec- ondary should be a strength, with all four starters back, including veteran cornerback Matt Hankins, who passed up the dra? to return for one more sea- son in Iowa City. There's also an intrigu- ing newcomer on the way in grad transfer Xavior Williams. Capable of playing safety or cornerback, Williams totaled nine interceptions and 24 pass breakups during his time at Northern Iowa. SPECIAL TEAMS Caleb Shudak appears set to become the Hawkeyes' place kicker. The sixth-year senior has at- tempted only one /eld goal in his career – a 52-yard try that bounced o* the up- right against Northwestern last season – but he's been the team's kicko* special- ist the past two years. Tory Taylor is back a?er averaging 44.6 yards per punt in 2020. SCHEDULE We'll probably learn a lot about Iowa in the /rst two weeks of the season. The Hawkeyes open at home against Indiana, then travel to Ames for their annual clash with Iowa State, which is coming o* a Fiesta Bowl TOP RETURNEES PASSING Spencer Petras 140 of 245 | 1,569 yds. | 9 TD | 5 int. RUSHING Tyler Goodson 143 att. | 762 yds. | 7 TD RECEIVING Sam LaPorta 27 rec. | 271 yds. | 1 TD TACKLING Seth Benson 26 solo | 40 asst. | 47 total SACKS Zach VanValkenburg 3.5 sacks | 19 yds. WEEK 6 IOWA T I M E T B A | O C T . 9 | K I N N I C K S T A D I U M | I O W A C I T Y , I O W A ern Kentucky. But then the Big Ten sked resumes with a trip to Penn State, fol- lowed by home games against Michigan State and Ohio State. If they're still standing a?er that front-loaded confer- ence schedule, they've got a chance to do some damage in the season's home- stretch, as the /nal /ve games are against Maryland, Michigan, Rutgers, Minnesota and Purdue. GAME OF THE YEAR Indiana will play host to Ohio State on Oct. 23. A year ago, the Hoosiers were the only opponent to throw a scare into the Buckeyes in the regular season. Penix passed for 491 yards and /ve touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, but Ohio State held on for a 42-35 home win. It was Indiana's 25th consecutive loss to Ohio State, a skid that dates back to 1989 and one that the Hoosiers will be eager to /nally end when they meet in Memorial Stadium. OUTLOOK As they tried over the years to improve their standing in the Big Ten's East Division, the Hoosiers found them- selves facing an inevitable question: Who were they going to jump? Well, now we know. They jumped Penn State last year, albeit with the help of a mental lapse by the Nittany Lions late in regulation and a disputed two-point conversion in over- time. Then they disposed of Michigan and Michigan State and gave Ohio State all it could handle in the Horseshoe. So now Indiana faces a new question: Is its progress sustainable? Maybe so. The Hoosiers were giving Penn State prob- lems for years before their breakthrough last October, while Michigan and Michi- gan State haven't exactly looked invinci- ble lately. That leaves Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are everyone's problem, not just Indiana's. The immediate future likely hinges on whether Penix is able to play a full season. If he stays healthy, the sky's the limit. The Hoosiers have never had a 10-win season. Could this be their /rst? –M.H. >>

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