News and notes from week nine

Another week, another crazy, discombobulated, unpredictable win for the Iowa Hawkeyes. For the eighth time in nine games this season the Hawkeyes fell behind, this time by a pair of scores to the lowly Indiana Hoosiers. But again the Hawks rallied behind Ricky Stanzi and one of the nation's stingiest defenses and pulled off a ridiculous 42-24 win.

And the game ball goes to...: Ricky Stanzi. So he threw a career-high five interceptions and was the brunt of a few unnecessary boos from Hawk fans. But in the fourth quarter Stanzi did what he does best, win the game for the Hawkeyes. Going into the final period Stanzi was 10-for-23 for 160 yards and those five picks. Yet Stanzi's 3-for-3 for 177 yards and two long touchdowns, the first a 92-yarder to Marvin McNutt and the second a 66-yarder to DJK, are what told the story for the Hawkeyes. When the pressure was on, Stanzi delivered. End of story.

Tip of the cap: to Mr. McNutt. Four receptions, 155 yards and the 92-yard touchdown which cut Iowa's defecit to 24-21 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. It looked like McNutt took about 10 total steps on his way to the endzone. This kid needs to touch the ball more.

Also to freshman running back Brandon Wegher. In his first career start Wegher recroded his second career 100-yard game, ripping off 118 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. I was worried before the game about Wegher's durability against a Big Ten team, but he got better as the game went on icing the Hawkeyes' win with a pair of fourth quarter touchdown runs.

Wag of the finger: to Iowa's slow starts. Eventually the Hawkeyes are going to need to come out from the opening kick and take control of their opponent because it just might cost them one of these times (Ohio State, I'm lookin' at you).

Final thoughts: What is there to say about that crazy Halloween near disaster? The Hawkeyes keep finding ways to win, but how long they can afford to spot their opponents two scores and continue to win?

Next week: the Hawks host those pesky Northwestern Wildcats. Iowa has dropped three of its last four against Northwestern, including two in a row in Kinnick Stadium. Anybody else starting to feel that pixie-dust waring off? Well, not waring off, but maybe running out? How about Iowa hammers the Wildcats to save a little more magic for that trip to Columbus that's coming up. I like it.

News and notes from week eight

Greetings from the hospital, Hawk Fans, as I recover from the stroke I had on Saturday night right before Ricky Stanzi's game-winning touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt as Iowa downed Michigan State, 15-13. If I can just convince the wonderful doctors here at the UIHC to shoot me up with some of the Hawkeyes' fourth quarter magic, I'd be up and kickin' in no time. But in the mean time, I've got some well deserved awards to hand out, and one big, angry finger to wag.

And the game ball goes to...: Marvin McNutt. McNutt didn't see the field much during the game and didn't accumulate the most flattering stats, but the sophomore ex-quarterback delivered when the Hawkeyes needed him most. McNutt made the first and last reception (his only two of the game) in Iowa's miraculous final drive, the first going for 16 yards moving Iowa to its own 45 and the other being the seven-yard touchdown catch that won the game.

Tip of the cap: to Ricky Stanzi. Stanzi struggled again to post Drew Brees-esque numbers, but he did his best Super Bowl XXLII Eli Manning impression, leading his team down the field in the final 97 seconds to preserve the Hawkeyes' perfect season. Stanzi was 11-27 for 136 yards and a touchdown against the Spartans.

Also to ex-Iowa running back Shonn Greene, who ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries for the New York Jets on Oct. 25.

Wag of the finger: to Michigan State defensive back Jeremy Ware. Ware dropped Iowa receiver Colin Sandeman mid-way through the fourth quarter with a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit. Then Ware proceeded to stand over the clearly injured junior wide out and taunt him as he lay motionless on the ground. Iowa was awarded a 15-yard personal foul penalty, not for the helmet-to-helmet shot but for the taunt after the play. If the Big Ten suspended Ohio State safety Kurt Coleman for his "hit on a defenseless player," they have to be consistent and show Ware to the door.

Final thoughts: Isn't it funny how the Hawkeyes are still ranked behind Boise State, TCU and(one-loss) USC in either the AP or ESPN/USA Today poll, yet in the unbiased, no emotional attachment BCS computer, the Hawks are ranked No. 4? Rankings don't mean anything until the end of the season, but isn't it ironic?

Next week: the Hawks host Indiana (4-4, 1-3) on Halloween in Kinnick Stadium at 11 a.m. The only thing that can help the Hoosiers would be a guest appearance by Michael Meyers.