Iowa vs. North Texas Postgame Notes
Sept. 16, 2017
POSTGAME NOTES
Iowa (3-0) defeated North Texas (1-2), 31-14, at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Iowa’s defense did not allow a point in the second half. It is the second time this season the defense surrendered no second-half points (Wyoming).
Iowa is 3-0 for the seventh time under Kirk Ferentz (2001, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2015).
INDIVIDUAL SUPERLATIVES
QB Nate Stanley threw two touchdowns today. He has thrown 10 touchdowns over the last three games, the best three-game stretch in the Ferentz era. It is Iowa’s best three-game stretch since Chuck Hartlieb threw 11 touchdowns over a three-game stretch in 1987. Chuck Long threw 12 touchdowns over a three-game stretch in 1985.
QB Tyler Wiegers led Iowa’ final drive in the fourth quarter. It was Wiegers’ first appearance since 2015. He recorded no stats.
RB Akrum Wadley (8 carries, 24 yards) became the 15th player in program history to rush for 2,000 yards in a career. Wadley has 344 career carries for 2,021 yards (5.9) Wadley left the game in the second quarter and did not return.
RB Akrum Wadley’s 68-yard reception in the first quarter was a career long.
RB James Butler had career highs in carries (16) and yards (74). Butler left the game in the third quarter and did not return.
TE T.J. Hockenson’s 8-yard touchdown reception was the first of his career. He had a career-high three receptions.
DB Josh Jackson blocked a 40-yard field goal attempt. It was the first of his career, and Iowa’s first since Nov. 15, 2016 at Penn State (Josey Jewell). Jackson’s fourth-quarter interception was the second of his career and second this season.
WR Brandon Smith’s two-yard reception in the second quarter was the first reception of his career.
WR Nick Easley had a game-high five receptions. He has been Iowa’s leading receiver in each of the first three games.
RB Toren Young and RB Ivory Kelly-Martin each carried the ball for the first time in their careers. Young finished the game with a team-high 19 carries for a team-best 78 yards. Kelly-Martin finished with 74 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns (2, 6). Kelly-Martin is the first Iowa true freshman with two-plus rush TD in a game since Marcus Coker in 2010 (vs Missouri).
WR Matt VandeBerg had three receptions for 19 yards and one touchdown. He has at least one reception on 22 consecutive games played. He has 114 career receptions, tied for 13th all-time.
LB Josey Jewell had five tackles today. He has 327 career tackles, 16th in program history.
MISCELLANEOUS
Iowa’s third touchdown drive took 8 minutes and 50 seconds, its longest scoring drive of the season. The drive traveled 87 yards. The Hawkeyes have five touchdown drives this season of 87 yards or longer.
Iowa has scored in every quarter this season except for the first quarter against Wyoming in Week 1 (11 straight quarters, plus an overtime period).
Kirk Ferentz’s 138 wins in all games coached as a member of the Big Ten Conference ranks sixth in league history. Ferentz entered the game tied for sixth (Henry Williams of Minnesota). He is five wins from tying Hayden Fry as the Hawkeyes’ all-time winningest football coach.
North Texas won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Hawkeyes have played 230 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 179 times (109-70). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 51 times (29-22).
Instant replay was used four times today:
1) Nick Easely TD reception (call was overruled, result in a touchback)
2) Iowa incomplete pass, North Texas challenge (call was confirmed)
3) Iowa rushed for a first down (call was confirmed)
4) Ivory Kelly-Martin fumble at the two-yard line (call was overruled, player down at 3-yard line)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Penn State on Saturday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.