FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
Clayton Thorson?s feet: The Northwestern quarterback has found himself running for his life at times this season, sacked a Big Ten-worst 20 times through six games. Wisconsin sacked him eight times and Penn State added four to the total for a junior quarterback who has completed 60.4-percent of his passes but has more interceptions than touchdown passes, 9-8.
Akrum Wadley?s gains: Iowa?s senior running back rushed for a career-high 204 yards and four touchdowns the last time he stepped onto the grass at Northwestern?s Ryan Field. Wadley has topped 100 yards in three of Iowa?s four wins. He leads a Hawkeye rushing attack that is working to improve its average of 3.7 yards per carry.
Nate Stanley?s protection: In its last two games, Northwestern has ramped up its aggression defensively. Led by Tyler Lancaster and Samdup Miller in a defensive front four that rotates eight players, the Wildcats? defense has counted seven sacks among 21 tackles for a loss in its last two games and will test the cohesion of Iowa?s offensive front.
Brandon Snyder?s follow-up: After breaking up two passes and returning an interception 89 yards for a touchdown against Illinois in his first outing since suffering a torn ACL six months earlier, the junior free safety will be in the middle of the action against a Northwestern offense known for the underneath crossing routes in a passing game that ranks third in the Big Ten with an average of 267.7 yards per game.
First-year feet: Both Iowa and Northwestern are breaking in new kickers this season. The Hawkeyes? Miguel Recinos averages 63.8 yards on kickoffs, has hit all 20 PAT tries and his 5-of-6 success rate on field goal attempts includes 3-of-3 from beyond 40 yards. Wildcats freshman Charlie Kuhbander, the reigning Big Ten special teams player of the week, has hit all 21 PAT attempts and is 6-of-7 in field goal tries, hitting his last six.
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Northwestern RB Justin Jackson vs. Iowa LB Josey Jewell: Jackson became the Wildcats? career rushing leader last week and enters this game coming off of a 171-yard rushing performance that equaled his output against Iowa last season. Jackson ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing at 85 yards per game. Jewell will be looking to extend a string of three consecutive double-digit tackle performances. A slight shoulder injury suffered in Iowa?s last game against Illinois seems to be in the rearview mirror for the Hawkeye senior.
Clayton Thorson?s feet: The Northwestern quarterback has found himself running for his life at times this season, sacked a Big Ten-worst 20 times through six games. Wisconsin sacked him eight times and Penn State added four to the total for a junior quarterback who has completed 60.4-percent of his passes but has more interceptions than touchdown passes, 9-8.
Akrum Wadley?s gains: Iowa?s senior running back rushed for a career-high 204 yards and four touchdowns the last time he stepped onto the grass at Northwestern?s Ryan Field. Wadley has topped 100 yards in three of Iowa?s four wins. He leads a Hawkeye rushing attack that is working to improve its average of 3.7 yards per carry.
Nate Stanley?s protection: In its last two games, Northwestern has ramped up its aggression defensively. Led by Tyler Lancaster and Samdup Miller in a defensive front four that rotates eight players, the Wildcats? defense has counted seven sacks among 21 tackles for a loss in its last two games and will test the cohesion of Iowa?s offensive front.
Brandon Snyder?s follow-up: After breaking up two passes and returning an interception 89 yards for a touchdown against Illinois in his first outing since suffering a torn ACL six months earlier, the junior free safety will be in the middle of the action against a Northwestern offense known for the underneath crossing routes in a passing game that ranks third in the Big Ten with an average of 267.7 yards per game.
First-year feet: Both Iowa and Northwestern are breaking in new kickers this season. The Hawkeyes? Miguel Recinos averages 63.8 yards on kickoffs, has hit all 20 PAT tries and his 5-of-6 success rate on field goal attempts includes 3-of-3 from beyond 40 yards. Wildcats freshman Charlie Kuhbander, the reigning Big Ten special teams player of the week, has hit all 21 PAT attempts and is 6-of-7 in field goal tries, hitting his last six.
MARQUEE MATCHUP
Northwestern RB Justin Jackson vs. Iowa LB Josey Jewell: Jackson became the Wildcats? career rushing leader last week and enters this game coming off of a 171-yard rushing performance that equaled his output against Iowa last season. Jackson ranks fourth in the Big Ten in rushing at 85 yards per game. Jewell will be looking to extend a string of three consecutive double-digit tackle performances. A slight shoulder injury suffered in Iowa?s last game against Illinois seems to be in the rearview mirror for the Hawkeye senior.
