Iowa Turns Corner In 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa -- For nearly three years, it seemed like nothing would go Iowa's way.

There was the late-season meltdown in 2006, and the shocking home loss in the 2007 season finale that kept the Hawkeyes out of a bowl game. This season's woes came in the middle of the year, with four losses in six games by a total of 12 points.

Then came Nov. 8.

Facing a Penn State team that would later win the Big Ten and reach the Rose Bowl, the Hawkeyes finally put it all together. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi engineered a gutsy drive with the clock winding down, and Daniel Murray's 31-yard field goal with a second left gave the Hawkeyes a 24-23 win that, for the first time in a while, put Iowa back on the national radar.

The Hawkeyes (9-4) built on that landmark victory by winning their next three games. They capped their best season since 2004 by blasting South Carolina, 31-10, in the Outback Bowl, and should find themselves ranked in next week's Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time since 2006.

Along the way, Shonn Greene went from furniture store worker to winner of the Doak Walker Award as the nation's best running back. Iowa's defense was among the nation's best, keeping the Hawkeyes in every game, and an offense that struggled so mightily in 2007 found its way behind a vastly improved offensive line, Stanzi's emergence and Greene, who set school records with 1,850 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns.

With Iowa's comeback season now in the books, the 2009 season is already under way.

Despite the loss of a number of key players - such as Mitch King, Matt Kroul, Bradley Fletcher, Seth Olsen, Ron Bruggeman, Brandon Myers, Andy Brodell and most notably Greene, who announced Thursday that he's off to the NFL - the program looks like its in very good shape heading into next season and beyond.

The Hawkeyes got contributions from a host of young players this season - especially on defense - who should be even better in 2009.

Finding replacements for King and Kroul will be the first order of business for a defense that will return eight starters. But Karl Klug, Chad Geary and Broderick Binns all looked good in limited duty and appear ready to join starting ends Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard on the line.

Iowa also returns its top seven linebackers, including breakout star Pat Angerer, A.J Edds, Jeremiah Hunter and Jeff Tarpinian. In the secondary, Shaun Prater and Jordan Bernstine will be the top candidates to fill Fletcher's spot alongside cornerback Amari Spievey and safeties Tyler Sash and Brett Greenwood.

Olsen and Bruggeman helped solidify an offensive line that went from a weakness to a strength this season. But the Hawkeyes should be deep enough to plug in two new starters to play with Bryan Bulaga, Julian Vandervelde and Kyle Calloway - especially if Dace Richardson returns healthy.

Oft-injured tight end Tony Moeaki is expected to apply for and be granted an extra year of eligibility. If he can stay healthy - and that's a big if - Moeaki and Allan Reisner should leave Iowa set at tight end.

The spots to watch heading into spring and fall camp will be wide receiver and running back.

Replacing Brodell could be one of Iowa's biggest challenges, because Derrell Johnson-Koulianos will be the only returning wide receiver who had more than 13 catches in 2008. Trey Stross will be expected to play a larger role in the offense, but it wouldn't be surprising to see someone shoot up the depth chart and earn major playing time by next fall.

Greene's departure is a big blow, but true freshman Jewel Hampton rushed for seven touchdowns and averaged 5.1 yards per carry in 2008. He appears ready to handle the starting job next season, and there should be a number of talented young backs behind him.

Stanzi's numbers weren't spectacular, but he showed moxie when it mattered. He should also benefit from the experience of being thrust into the starting job, and a full offseason of repetitions as the No. 1 quarterback won't hurt either.

Iowa's 2009 schedule features a number of tough road games, including trips to Iowa State, Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State. Arizona, Michigan and Minnesota highlight the home slate.

But make no mistake about it. Iowa will enter 2009 as a serious contender for the Big Ten title - no matter what happens with coach Kirk Ferentz, who is once again the subject of rumors about a possible return to the NFL. If the Hawkeyes can fill the void left by King, Kroul, Greene and others and build off the momentum they'll carry into the offseason, next year could be a big one for Iowa.