No. 11 Iowa Pops Depleted Ball State 56-0

Posted 5:49PM on Saturday 3rd September 2005 ( 19 years ago )

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) -- Drew Tate threw two first-half touchdowns and No. 11 Iowa scored on each of its possessions in the first half in rolling to a 56-0 victory Saturday over a Ball State team depleted by the suspension of 13 players. The Hawkeyes (1-0) held the Cardinals to 22 yards total offense before most of Iowa's starters turned the game over to second and third stringers midway through the second quarter. The Cardinals (0-1) were overwhelmed in every facet of the game, a fact made worse by the suspensions handed down by the university Friday. Seven of the players disciplined were expected to start, including the team's top rusher, Charles Wynn, its best offensive lineman, three defensive linemen and two from the secondary. The punishment stems from an ongoing investigation into NCAA rule violations alleging the players misused a book loan program to obtain textbooks they didn't need or received improperly obtained books from other players. Tate was 9-for-10 for 99 yards before leaving the game early in the second quarter. Late in the first quarter, he tossed a 7-yard TD to Clinton Solomon, putting the Hawkeyes up 28-0. On Iowa's next possession, Tate threw a 33-yard TD to Herb Grigsby, who was wide open after a Ball State defender slipped just before the catch, putting Iowa up 35-0 with more than 12 minutes left in the first half. Four Iowa running backs scored touchdowns and collectively gained 233 yards rushing. Junior Albert Young, who missed most of his first two seasons with knee injuries, gained 69 yards on eight carries, including a nifty 32-yard burst to set up Iowa's second score. Freshman Shonn Greene led the team with 116 yards rushing, Sam Brownlee added two touchdowns and backup quarterback Jason Manson completed all nine of his pass attempts for 92 yards. The Hawkeyes, with backups playing in the second half, had 22 first downs, 241 yards on the ground and 441 yards overall. Iowa's defense, recording its first opening game shutout since 2001, also did its part to pad the lead. After the Cardinals failed to capitalize after recovering a fumble by Tate at the Iowa 36, Ball State quarterback Joey Lynch's fourth-down quick kick was scooped up by Hawkeye cornerback Jovan Johnson at the Iowa 10. Johnson slipped a pair of defenders, crossed the field and raced down the opposite sideline untouched for the score, the fourth-longest punt return in school history. After that, Ball State never got any closer to the end zone. The Cardinals, starting four freshmen on the offensive line, were held to seven first downs and 144 yards total offense. © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

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