Iowa used a steady diet of quick hit passes and a stubborn running game to top Eastern Illinois 37-7 in its season opener.
There wasn’t much drama as the Hawks rolled out to 21-0 lead, as Stanzi was crisp, getting rid of the ball quickly and completing most of his passes. Adam Robinson did what he does; some power, some nifty running and a desire to stay on his feet.
However, when Rick Stanzi went down awkwardly without contact, holding his knee and limping, all of Hawkeye Nation held its breath. Stanzi would return and play into the fourth quarter however, and he wound up completing 19 of 24 passes for 234 yards and a score. He and James Ferentz also had a fumbled center-quarterback exchange when Iowa was on the EIU two-yard line in the third quarter and was going to score a touchdown.
Robinson had 24 carries for 109 yards and three touchdowns, plus three receptions for 43 yards.
Paki O’Meara shed a double team, blocked a punt and scooped it up for a score as well, and freshman kickoff specialist Mike Meyer routinely kicked the ball three or four yards deep in the endzone, something Iowa needs this year.
The Hawkeyes totaled 435 yards on the day and allowed just 157, 37 of those yards coming on a fake punt run by the Panthers who went for it on 4th down deep in Iowa territory. That was the lone drive of the day where Iowa’s defense gave up any big plays. Iowa was 7-11 on third down conversions while EIU was 3-13. Iowa gained 24 first downs to just six for the Panthers.
Iowa played this game without several starters; running back Jewel Hampton and defensive end Broderick Binns missed the game for disciplinary reasons. LB Jeff Tarpinian is nursing a hand injury, CB Shaun Prater (hammy) offensive lineman Adam Gettis has an ankle sprain and center Josh Koeppel is recovering from a motorcycle incident from early in the week.
We will have more opinion and discussion later tonight, but tune into Soundoff on 1040 WHO around 3:45 to hear Jon Miller & Jim Zabel talk about the win and take your calls. You can also listen to the show online at www.whoradio.com
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