By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – There is no question that the Iowa defense has been a catalyst in the fifth-ranked Hawkeyes’ 2-0 start.

Defense has scored three of the seven touchdowns Iowa has put on the board this season and has allowed 11.5 points per game against two AP-ranked opponents in Indiana and Iowa State.

Iowa also ranks second in the nation with six interceptions. Its opponent this Saturday – Kent State – ranks first with eight. The Hawkeyes also have scored 37 points off of seven opponent turnovers.

“We know each other so well,” senior cornerback Riley Moss said. “We really have a lot of close bonds with each other and it really helps with the trust on the back end and the linebackers and the defensive line. We’re one really tight unit, so that helps a lot.”

The Golden Flashes offense presents a different kind of challenge than Iowa has faced this season. Kent State has run 156 offensive plays through two games. For reference, Iowa has run 124.

Kent State also snaps the ball around every 16 or 17 seconds, which is difficult to simulate in practice, according to head coach Kirk Ferentz.

“Just like if you play an option team it’s hard to simulate,” Ferentz said. “There are things you do in practice, but you can’t get it just the way it’s going to be during game time. It’s one more adjustment, it’s one more uniqueness. It seems like we’ve had weeks of uniqueness here in our preparation. The biggest concern for me, and I think for all of us, is the quarterback. The way he plays and the things that he does. That’s where it all starts.”

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Kent State’s quarterback, Dustin Crum, is the team’s third-leading rusher with 130 yards on the season for a Golden Flashes offense that averages over 300 rushing yards per game.

Crum also has completed 24-of-43 passes for 269 yards, though his two interceptions on the season account for Kent State’s only turnovers thus far.

Crum isn’t the only one that’s dangerous on the ground, however. Kent State has seven players that have scored at least one rushing touchdown this season.

“Their quarterback is one of the best players in the MAC,” junior linebacker Jack Campbell said. “He has a great arm, and he has the ability to extend plays with his feet, so that’s going to be a challenge.”

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One key to Iowa’s success on Saturday will be to keep its defensive line fresh, much like it did in its 27-17 win over then-No. 9 Iowa State.

The Hawkeyes rotated eight defensive linemen against the Cyclones, who of which are redshirt freshmen Yahya Black and Deontae Craig.

“They’re young guys, but they’ve been in the system for a second so they definitely know their responsibilities,” senior defensive end Zach VanValkenburg said.

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Injury Report: Senior offensive lineman Kyler Schott returned to the two-deep depth chart this week after missing Iowa’s first two games due to a right foot injury suffered during fall camp.

Ferentz indicated Tuesday that Schott will play some against Kent State, but exactly how much time he sees remains to be seen.

Series History: Saturday will be the third all-time meeting between Iowa and Kent State. Iowa has won both previous matchups by a combined score of 90-7. The Hawkeyes allowed -13 rushing yards to Kent State in 2004, which is the fewest yards allowed in the Ferentz era.

Chance at History: Should Iowa win on Saturday, it will be the 300th win at Kinnick Stadium since it opened in 1929. Iowa would become the seventh Big Ten school to celebrate at least 300 wins in its home stadium.