The second-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes host Purdue on Saturday, Oct. 16 at a sold-out Kinnick Stadium. Iowa’s Homecoming contest begins at 2:30 p.m. Coverage starts at 12:30 p.m. on 93.1 The Buzz. The game will also be televised on ABC.
Kirk Ferentz press conference from Tuesday:
Ten things to know headed into Saturday’s matchup with the Boilermakers
1: The Hawkeyes are ranked No. 2 in the AP and Coaches polls, their highest ranking since Nov. 26, 1985 (#2). The Hawkeyes are receiving one first place vote in the Coaches Poll.
2: Iowa has three wins over ranked opponents (vs. #17 Indiana, 34-6; at #9 Iowa State, 27-17; vs. #4 Penn State, 23-20) and has won six straight against ranked opponents overall. Only Alabama (9) has more consecutive wins over ranked opponents. Iowa, Georgia and Alabama are the only teams with three wins this season against ranked opponents.
3: Iowa has won 12 consecutive games. The Hawkeyes have outscored their last 12 opponents, 403-161, averaging 33.6 points per game offensively and allowing 13.4 ppg during the winning streak. The 12-game winning streak ranks fourth all-time in school history (20, 1920-23; 14, 1899-00; 13, 2008-09).
4: Iowa has won nine straight games against Big Ten opponents (2020-21) for the second time in program history (2001-02 (10). Iowa has won 12 straight overall for the first time since opening the 2015 season with 12 straight wins. Iowa reached the 2015 Big Ten Championship game and accepted an invitation to the 2016 Rose Bowl game.
5: Iowa leads the Big Ten and ranks fourth in the country in scoring defense (13.0). Iowa’s total defense (274.2) ranks second in the Big Ten and ninth in the country.
6: Iowa leads the country in interceptions (16), takeaways (20) and turnover margin (+15). The Hawkeyes have 80 interception since 2017, more than any team in the country. Nine different Hawkeyes have at least one interception this season.
7: DB Riley Moss leads the Big Ten and ties for the national lead with four interceptions. He leads the country with two interceptions returned for touchdowns (30, 55), both in Week 1. Iowa has turned 20 turnovers into 78 points in 2021. The Hawkeyes’ defense has scored 20 points (2 int. return TDs, one fumble return TD and 1 safety).
8: QB Spencer Petras has led Iowa to 12 consecutive wins. Petras is 194-324 with 2,226 passing yards during Iowa’s 12-game winning streak. He has thrown 17 touchdowns and four interceptions over the last 12 games. His .857 winning percentage as starting quarterback is the best in program history. His 2,732 career passing yards rank 17th.
9: K Caleb Shudak has connected on 11-of-12 field goal attempts and is good on all 22 PAT tries. His only miss was the result of a bad snap. He connected on career highs in field goals (3) in each of Iowa’s last two games. He has a team-high 55 points, tied for fourth in the Big Ten. Shudak has 22 touchbacks on 37 kickoffs.
10: LB Jack Campbell ranks fourth in the Big Ten with 55 tackles. He had a career-high 18 tackles in Iowa’s Week 4 win against Colorado State, earning B1G Defensive Player of the Week honors.
