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Arkansas St.-Iowa Preview

Sep 29, 2009 - 7:04 PM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Arkansas State (1-2) at Iowa (4-0), 12:00 p.m. EDT

With its first Big Ten road test a stunning success, Iowa now tries to continue its strong play at Kinnick Stadium, where it will be looking to avoid a letdown against a non-conference opponent.

Leaping back in the Top 25 after another upset of Penn State, the 13th-ranked Hawkeyes look to open 5-0 for the first time since 1995 when they take on Arkansas State on Saturday.

Iowa improved to 4-0 for the first time in three years in resounding fashion last week, knocking off then-No. 5 Penn State 21-10 on the road. It was the Hawkeyes' second straight victory over a highly ranked Nittany Lions team, as Iowa dealt then-No. 3 Penn State its first loss last season, 24-23 on Nov. 8.

Last week's victory kept the Hawkeyes tied with Texas for the nation's second-longest winning streak at eight. Top-ranked Florida has won 14 in a row.

"We're a long way from the finish line, but at least it's good to get off on a positive start," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "It's always good to win on the road ... and we've got two under our belts right now, so that's a good thing to see."

Now Ferentz's team returns to Iowa City, where it has won 48 of 58 and 22 of 25 against non-conference opponents.

Iowa should have a good chance to extend that streak if its defense and special teams can duplicate their performances of last week.

The Hawkeyes frustrated Penn State's Daryll Clark into a 12-for-32 performance and intercepted him three times. Iowa forced four turnovers, scored on a safety and went ahead in the fourth quarter on Adrian Clayborn's blocked punt and 53-yard return for a touchdown.

On Penn State's ensuing possession, linebacker Pat Angerer brought an interception back 38 yards to set up a 13-yard touchdown run from redshirt freshman Adam Robinson.

"I got scared a little running around trying to find a place to go," said Angerer, who had 14 tackles and was named Big Ten defensive player of the week. "We were out there flying around, trying to do our job."

Iowa is tied for fifth in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 12 turnovers forced.

The Hawkeyes' speedy, aggressive defense held Penn State to 307 yards - more than 90 below the Nittany Lions' season average. Iowa is eighth in the nation in scoring defense at 11.5 points a game and third in the Big Ten with 304.2 yards allowed per contest.

Iowa has relied on its defense while the offense works to find consistency. Junior Ricky Stanzi has completing 56.3 percent of his passes for 779 yards with five touchdowns and five interceptions.

The ground attack has been more productive, with Robinson rushing for 321 yards and four TDs, and freshman Brandon Wegher adding 220 yards and two touchdowns.

The Hawkeyes are averaging 347.8 yards, ninth in the Big Ten.

Arkansas State (1-2) will be going against an Iowa team that has not allowed a rushing touchdown since the third quarter of last year's win over Penn State. The Red Wolves are averaging 190.3 yards on the ground.

Senior Reggie Arnold rushed for two touchdowns last week, but had only 32 yards on 12 carries as Arkansas State lost 30-27 to Troy.

The Red Wolves led the Trojans 23-10 in the third quarter before losing their Sun Belt Conference opener.

"Obviously I'm disappointed we didn't win the game," coach Steve Roberts told the team's official Web site. "I have to give Troy a lot of credit for a great plan and execution. ... Saying that, we had some opportunities we didn't capitalize on."

Arkansas State, which has never faced Iowa, was outscored 121-22 in its last four road games against Top 25 teams. The Red Wolves are 0-4 against Big Ten opponents.