Does Iowa get to Fiesta this season?

University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz reflects on a regular season filled with great individual plays and great individual stories. (Photo: Darren Miller)

So, do we consider a trip to Arizona for the New Year?

Official Sports Report: November 30, 2009
Ferentz Recalls Regular-Season Highlights
Individual plays, stories stick out during 10-2 season
by Darren
Miller, OSR Managing Editor


IOWA CITY, Iowa - There is still one very big football game left to be
played, but when University of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz reflects on the 2009
regular season, a few individual plays and a few individual stories move toward
the forefront.

"The first one that comes to mind is Adrian's play at Penn State,"
Ferentz said, in reference to defensive end Adrian Clayborn blocking a
fourth-quarter punt and returning it 53 yards for a touchdown, giving Iowa an
11-10 lead against the Nittany Lions.

Two of Ferentz's other favorites came on the same third-quarter series
at Wisconsin.

"Amari's interception at Wisconsin kind of ignited us a little bit and
Tony's catch right after," Ferentz said.

The Hawkeyes trailed 10-3 at halftime against the Badgers, but Spievey
and Moeaki helped knot the score en route to a 20-10 victory. On second-and-11
from midfield, Spievey intercepted a pass by Wisconsin quarterback Scott
Tolzien. Nine plays later, Moeaki hauled in a 24-yard touchdown pass from Ricky
Stanzi.

In a season of impressive defensive stands, Ferentz tipped his hat to
goal-line varieties at Michigan State on Oct. 24 and against Minnesota on Nov.
21.

With the scored tied 3-3 in East Lansing, the Spartans used a 37-yard
run by Edwin Baker that was cut short by Tyler Sash and Jeremiha Hunter at the
Iowa 1. On first down, the Hawkeyes were whistled for offside, inching the ball
closer to the end zone. Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins threw incomplete
on first down. Baker gained no ground on second and third-down rushing attempts and the Spartans settled for a 23-yard field goal in a game the Hawkeyes won,
15-13, on the final play.

Although leading 12-0 early in the fourth quarter, the Gophers appeared
poised to get on the scoreboard in the crucial regular-season finale. Minnesota
recovered a fumble at Iowa's 29 with 13:39 remaining and a pass interference
penalty on the Hawkeyes gave the Gophers first-and-goal from the 2. Minnesota
quarterback MarQueis Gray was stopped for no gain on first down. Running back
Duane Bennett was stopped for no gain on second down. Quarterback Adam Weber threw incomplete on third down. On fourth down, Clayborn and Christian Ballard sacked Weber for a 5-yard loss."

The other thing that jumps out at you are all the individual stories -
Joe Conklin stepping in there. A year ago, nobody would have imagined Joe
actually playing in a game at safety. You think Hunter's not going to play
(against Minnesota), so at least (Jeff) Tarpinian's going to be in there, but he
can't go. Troy Johnson jumps in and ends up being the Big Ten Player of the
Week."

Conklin relieved free safety Brett Greenwood during the victory at
Michigan State and then started for the Hawkeyes against Northwestern, compiling five tackles and a touchdown-saving interception. Against the Gophers, Johnson finished second on the team with 11 tackles, but his contribution didn't stop there. He also had a pass break-up, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble
recovery.

"We had a lot of great stories that way and then some individual plays
and efforts that were just fantastic," Ferentz said.

The Hawkeyes finished the season 10-2 overall and placed second in the
Big Ten Conference at 6-2. Their bowl destination will become official Dec. 6,
but until then, there will be time for fans to reflect back on the memorable
first 12 games.

"As much as anything, just the resiliency and the grit these guys
demonstrated week in and week out really stands out," Ferentz said. "They
carried an attitude that was so enjoyable to work with."

The University of Iowa football program had a very competitive regular season in 2009. A play here or there could have changed a lot of things for the Hawkeyes. From the excitement vs. UNI, which my UNI daughter and I enjoyed from Kinnick Stadium to the prime time win at Penn State (absent three key offensive players, who went on to become all-Big Ten performers for 2009) to seven other exciting Big Ten battles for the Hawkeyes.