The Hawkeyes won, 16–3, and ended the four-game losing streak that comprised the final four games of Iowa's 2006 season.

[5] Iowa took a quick 28–0 lead with 9:55 left in the second quarter, and the Hawkeye defense sacked Syracuse six times while holding the Orange to 24 rushing yards.

[3] The Cyclones began the season with losses to Kent State and Northern Iowa, but had won six out of the last nine games against the Hawkeyes, including three of the last four played at Jack Trice Stadium.

[3] Placekicker Bret Culbertson scored all of Iowa State's points on five field goals, the last coming with one second remaining.

[9] Christensen threw for 182 yards and the game's only touchdown – a 20-yard pass to Brandon Myers in the third quarter which gave the Hawkeyes a 10–6 lead.

However, it appeared that Illinois had taken a 12–10 lead on an 83-yard Eddie McGee touchdown pass midway through the fourth quarter, but it was called back due to a penalty.

However, Brett Greenwood intercepted a McGee pass at the goal-line, sealing the win and snapping an eight-game Big Ten losing streak for Iowa heading into a road game at Purdue.

[12] In Iowa's next game against Michigan State, the Hawkeyes entered half-time down by 14 points only to take a 20–17 lead with 10:05 remaining in regulation.

Iowa had the ball first and scored on a Jevon Pugh one-yard run, giving the Hawkeyes their own seven-point lead.

The Wildcats took a 17–14 on a third-quarter field goal after the Hawkeyes tied the game at 14, but Sims ran for two fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal the Iowa victory.

With one home game remaining against Western Michigan, Iowa held a three-game winning streak and a 6–5 overall record.

Western Michigan took a 19–0 second quarter lead before Iowa scored 13 straight points to make it a six-point game.

[20] However, indications that the rumor was false were revealed when Iowa's sports information director, Phil Haddy, reported that Michigan had not asked for permission to talk with Ferentz.

[23][24] Ferentz's contract has a clause requiring him to contact Barta when talking to other schools,[22] which indicates that he was not a candidate to become Michigan's next head coach.

Ferentz also cited wanting to see his son James – who is slated to be a freshman at Iowa in 2008 – play every weekend.

Parker has also coached several linebackers now playing in the NFL, including Chad Greenway, Abdul Hodge, and LeVar Woods.

Running back duo Shonn Greene and Jewel Hampton combined for almost 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns as the Hawkeyes didn't have to go to the air often is this one-sided contest.

Ricky Stanzi had three touchdowns on just 10 passing attempts and Shonn Greene added 130 yards rushing as the Panthers could not stop the Hawkeyes.

The game's victor was still well in doubt until Andy Brodell returned a punt back 82 yards for a touchdown to put Iowa in control in the final minutes.

Iowa entered the game at Heinz Field undefeated and the only FBS team remaining to not give up a touchdown in the 2008 season.

Pittsburgh, despite losing their season home opener to Bowling Green, posed a tough team led by 2007 Big East Rookie of the Year and future NFL icon LeSean McCoy.

Pittsburgh had finished third in the Big East preseason media poll after spoiling West Virginia's national championship hopes the previous season.

Iowa struggled to defend quarterback draw plays and found themselves in a 14-3 hole with 12:34 left in the second quarter, despite holding McCoy to 18 rushing yards in the first half.

Touchdowns from Shonn Greene, who rushed for a game-high 147 yards, and Christensen enabled Iowa to take a 17-14 late third-quarter lead.

Trent Mossbrucker connected on a 39-yard field goal to get the Hawkeyes within a point, but both ensuing Iowa drives sputtered ending in a sack and a fumble, respectively, giving Pittsburgh the win.

Shonn Greene rushed for a career-high 159 yards on 21 carries but was sidelined for the Hawkeyes' final two drives from a fourth-quarter blow to the head while being tackled.

Michigan State opened the season with a road loss to California but recovered to win four games in a row.

Media billed the game as a showdown between Shonn Greene and Spartans' eventual NFL fifth-round draft pick Javon Ringer, the nation's No.

Wisconsin was utterly unable to slow him down and Iowa cruised to the win as they rarely had to go the air in this contest.

Shonn Greene became the all-time single season rushing leader with another great performance – 144 yards and 2 TD.