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Panthers run into buzz saw

Wire reports
September 7, 2008

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Ricky Stanzi threw three touchdowns passes in his first start, running back Shonn Greene ran for 130 yards on just 13 carries and Iowa pounded FIU 42-0 Saturday for its second consecutive blowout win.

The Hawkeyes, who routed Maine 46-3 in their opener, looked even better against the Golden Panthers. Stanzi, who got the start over Jake Christensen, was 8 of 10 for 162 yards in less than a half as the Hawkeyes (2-0) racked up 512 yards and led 35-0 by halftime.

Christensen came on and was 8 of 12 for 99 yards and one touchdown despite a handful of shaky throws — a problem that's plagued him during his career at Iowa.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz wouldn't say who will get the nod for this week's game against rival Iowa State, which will be the Hawkeyes' first real test of the young season. But after his performance against FIU, Stanzi looks like the clear favorite.

FIU (0-2) had no answer for Iowa's defensive front, which harassed the Golden Panthers all day. The Hawkeyes had six sacks, and when they weren't slamming quarterbacks Paul McCall and Wayne Younger to the turf they were stuffing running lanes and forcing both to hurry throws.

Younger came off the bench and was 11 of 20 for 107 yards to lead FIU, which lost for the 25th time in 26 games dating back to 2006.

"They overpowered us. They operated like a machine today," FIU coach Mario Cristobal said.

The Hawkeyes rolled up 209 yards and a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN 28, ALABAMA STATE 7: Brian Sumlar ran for 114 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats' season-opener.

Bethune-Cookman (1-0), which accumulated 370 yards of total offense, took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter when ex-Atlantic High star McKinson Souverain threw an 18-yard TD to Joe Singleton, who finished with seven catches.

Related topic galleries: Mario, Iowa Hawkeyes, Bethune-Cookman University, Football

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