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Northwestern-Iowa Preview

Nov 4, 2009 - 1:39 AM By MATT BEARDMORE STATS Writer

Northwestern (5-4) at No. 4 Iowa (9-0), 12:00 p.m. EDT

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi came up short in a late-game situation against Northwestern last season, but that likely won't be the fourth-quarter performance on the Iowa quarterback's mind in his second career meeting with the Wildcats.

After remaining undefeated with a remarkable comeback victory last weekend, Stanzi and the eighth-ranked Hawkeyes look to extend the best start in team history Saturday when they host the Wildcats, who hope their quarterback will be available for their second consecutive meeting with a ranked Big 10 rival.

In his sixth career game last Sept. 27, Stanzi completed 21 of 30 for a then-career-high 238 yards against Northwestern. But after guiding the Hawkeyes to the Wildcats' 8-yard line in the final minutes, Stanzi threw three straight incomplete passes before his fourth-down attempt was knocked down.

Iowa lost that game 22-17 for its second consecutive defeat against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes also fell to the visiting Wildcats 21-7 on Nov. 4, 2006.

While Stanzi couldn't finish the rally in his first meeting with Northwestern, he and the Hawkeyes (9-0, 5-0) have become masters of the comeback victory in 2009. Iowa has trailed in eight of nine games and four times entering the fourth quarter, but it's still off to the best start in team history.

Iowa overcame a slow start to beat Indiana 42-24 last Saturday for its 13th straight victory, the second-longest streak in the nation.

Trailing 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes outscored the Hoosiers 28-0 in the final period to improve to 5-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since going undefeated in conference play in 2002.

"No matter what happens, we know there's still time left on the clock," Stanzi said after throwing for a career-high 337 yards. "There's a chance to win, so you can't give up."

Stanzi, 17-3 as a starter, threw four of his career-high five interceptions in the third quarter last week, but connected with Marvin McNutt for a 92-yard TD and hit Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for a 66-yard score in the fourth to put Iowa up 28-24.

"No matter what happens, (Stanzi) keeps on playing," coach Kirk Ferentz said. "If there's one thing I can say about Rick, it's resiliency. He's done a great job of leading our football team."

Senior quarterback Mike Kafka has done the same for Northwestern, leading the Big Ten in passing yards and total offense.

Kafka, though, was forced to the sideline with a left hamstring injury in the second quarter of last Saturday's 34-13 loss to then-No. 12 Penn State.

The Wildcats (5-4, 2-3) led 10-3 when Kafka left the game, but allowed 24 unanswered points in the second half with backup Dan Persa taking the snaps.

"No excuses. I made some mistakes," Persa said after getting sacked four times and completing 14 of 23 for 115 yards. "I didn't get it done."

Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald is expecting Kafka, who was 14 of 18 for 128 yards with a rushing touchdown against the Nittany Lions, to be ready to make his first career start against Iowa.

"He's feeling better today than he did yesterday," Fitzgerald said Monday.

Whether it is Kafka or Persa, Northwestern will face a Hawkeyes pass defense that is 26th in the Football Bowl Subdivision, allowing 180.1 yards per game.

Iowa leads the nation with 18 interceptions. Sophomore defensive back Tyler Sash is tied for third in the FBS with six, including one in the third quarter against Indiana that he returned 86 yards for a touchdown.

"I thought Tyler gave us that boost," Ferentz said after the Hawkeyes picked off three passes against the Hoosiers. "Good teams have that."

In his first collegiate start last weekend, Iowa freshman Brandon Wegher rushed for a season-high 118 yards with three TDs, two in the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats' last two opponents have rushed for six combined TDs and an average of 5.5 yards per carry.

Iowa leads the all-time series with Northwestern 46-21-3. The Hawkeyes' last home win over the Wildcats was a 62-10 victory Nov. 9, 2002.