CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Iowa preview

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Iowa Hawkeyes

Getting better, but not there yet

College Football: The New Century

'99, 1-10, 0-8 Big Ten

Coach

Kirk Ferentz (second year, 1-10; 13-31 overall)

Key offensive players

Ladell Betts, RB, Jr.
Top rusher for the past two seasons will be counted on heavily again.

Scott Mullen, QB, Sr.
The strong-armed Mullen completed nearly 56 percent of his passes last season.

Kahlil Hill, WR, Jr.
A big-time playmaker who returned two punts and one kickoff for touchdowns in '98.

Key defensive players

Aaron Kampman, DE, Jr.
Moving to end from linebacker after racking up 103 tackles (64 solos) last season.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Nile Kinnick, B, 1937-39
"Both a football hero and a war hero."

Brightest Moment: Won the Big Ten championship, Rose Bowl and one of its most memorable games by beating Ohio State 6-0 in 1956.

Lowest Moment: The Hawkeyes were 0-11 in 1973, part of 10 consecutive losing seasons from 1970-80.

Fred Barr, LB, So.
Should be even better after totaling 74 tackles as a true freshman last season.

Key newcomer

Nick Kaeding, K, Fr.
Kaeding will likely be the most visible freshman, taking over for Tim Douglas.

Throwback player

Offensive guard Bruce Nelson moved from tight end to tackle in 1999 spring practice and has put on 60-70 pounds just to get to his still-undersized-for-the-Big-Ten frame of 6-4, 275.

21st century player

Senior wide receiver Kevin Kasper, who caught 60 passes last season, sports bleached hair and an earring.

Fast Fact

Senior punter Jason Baker owns two of the longest punts in school history (79 and 76 yards). His career punting average is 41.2 yards.

Outlook

The offensive line should be much improved after a rough year. Tackle Ben Sobieski returns after missing last season with a shoulder injury. Also back is the speedy Hill, who was suspended for the 1999 season. Hill caught 35 passes as a freshman in '98 and was a superb return man. That will be a huge boost to an offense that sputtered frequently in '99. Iowa's defense was lowest in the Big Ten in sacks last season. To get more pressure on the quarterback, linebacker Kampman has move to defensive end. Better speed on defense should help a unit that allowed 65 plays from scrimmage of at least 20 or more. But although the talent level has improved, it may be difficult for the Hawkeyes to recover after the brutal early schedule (Kansas State, Nebraska).

-- Mark Ambrogi