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89 days until kickoff - #89 Matt VandeBerg

Apr 8, 2003
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The South Dakota native is headed into his junior year this fall.

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Bio: http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/matt_vandeberg_857152.html

2014 - - Academic All-Big Ten.

2014 - - Saw action in 12 games, with one start . . . recorded 14 receptions for 256 yards and one touchdown, along with averaging 6.8 yards on 12 punt returns and 18 yards on two KO returns . . . saw action in 31-23 win over Northern Iowa as offense gained 401 yards total offense . . . had three punt returns for 21 yards and 32 yards on two KO returns vs. UNI . . . saw action in 17-13 win over Ball State as offense gained 455 yards total offense . . . two receptions for 18 yards vs. BSU, along with one punt return for 12 yards . . . saw action in 20-17 loss to Iowa State, but had no receptions . . . started at wide receiver in 24-20 win at Pittsburgh . . . one reception for 44 yards came on first scoring drive in the first quarter . . . did not see action in 24-10 win at Purdue due to injury . . . saw action in 45-29 win over Indiana, recording one reception for three yards as offense gained 426 yarsds total offense . . . returned to action in 45-29 win over Indiana as offense gained 426 yards total offense . . . one reception for three yards vs. Indiana . . . saw action in 38-31 loss at Maryland, but had no statistics as offense gained 433 yards total offense . . . saw action in 48-7 win over Northwestern as offense gained 483 yards total offense . . . collected career-bests with five receptions for 90 yards vs. Northwestern . . . saw action in 51-14 loss at Minnesota, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 30-14 win at Illinois as offense rushed for 304 yards and gained 587 yards total offense . . . three punt returns for 11 yards at Illinois . . . saw action in 26-24 loss to No. 14 Wisconsin as offense gained 412 yards total offense against top-ranked defense in the nation . . . three receptions for 67 yards vs. Wisconsin . . . saw action in 37-34 overtime loss to Nebraska, recording three punt returns for 32 yards . . . saw action in 45-28 TaxSlayer Bowl loss to Tennessee . . . two receptions for 34 yards vs. Tennessee, including 18-yard scoring reception for first career touchdown . . . also gained five yards on one punt return.

2013 - - Saw action in 11 games, with two starts . . . eight receptions for 59 yards in first season . . . saw first action of career in 28-14 win over Missouri State as offense gained 491 yards total offense . . . two receptions for 17 yards in first career game, with a long of nine yards vs. Missouri State . . . did not see action in 27-21 win at Iowa State . . . saw action in 59-3 win over Western Michigan, but had no statistics as offense gained 446 yards total offense and rushed for over 200 yards in fourth straight game . . . saw action in 23-7 win at Minnesota, but had no statistics as offense gained 464 yards total offense and rushed for over 200 yards in fifth straight outing . . . saw action in 26-14 loss to Michigan State, recording career-bests with four receptions for 36 yards . . . saw action in 34-24 loss at Ohio State, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 17-10 OT win over Northwestern, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 28-9 loss to Wisconsin, recording one reception for six yards . . . saw action in 38-14 win at Purdue, but had no statistics as offense rushed for 318 yards and gained 509 yards total offense . . . started at wide receiver in 24-21 win over Michigan for first career start, recording one reception for no yards as offense gained 407 yards total offense . . . started at wide receiver in 38-17 win at Nebraska, but had no statistics . . . saw action in 21-14 Outback Bowl loss to LSU, but had no statistics.

High school honors - - Earned elite all-state honors as a junior and senior . . . also first team all-conference as a junior and senior . . . Career - - helped prep team finish as state runner-up as a senior with an 11-1 record . . . holds record for longest interception return (105 yards) and interceptions in a season (nine) . . . also holds school records for career receptions (136) and season (18) and career (35) receiving touchdowns . . . team captain as a senior . . . recorded 65 receptions for 1,080 yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior, along with seven interceptions on defense . . . returned three interceptions for touchdowns, including two returns of over 100 yards . . . 67 receptions for 1,081 yards as a junior, along with nine interceptions . . . recorded 47 tackles and five interceptions as a sophomore, with six pass receptions for 200 yards . . . three-year football letterman as wide receiver and defensive back, while also returning punts and KO . . . also competed in track (sprints, long jump, triple jump).

Personal - - Born 8/01/94 in Tucson, Ariz. . . . sports management major . . . mother is Mindy Pownell . . . member of National Honor Society . . . high school coach was Chad Garrow.
 
I believe VandeBerg is a bit under-rated and under-the-radar heading into this season. If he stays healthy, I think MVB is good for at least 60 receptions and somewhere between 6-8 TDs.

Those numbers easily beat KMM's totals last year (52,2). He will benefit from the QB change IMO and I have a feeling they will target him some in red zone / goal line situations. He is a taller WR, a solid route runner and has decent hands. He is pretty quick also.

I understand that my opinion is probably in the minority here and many consider VandeBerg a marginal B10 athlete but I think he will surprise a lot of Iowa fans (and opponents) this Fall.
 
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that Vandeberg will be Iowa's second leading receiver this year. He will be taking KMM's place as the go to. Smith has shown flashes but then he will disappear. Hillyer is a better blocker than receiver (maybe should have put on weight and been a TE). You will see a true freshman make an impact this year as well, if anything just because the lack of depth.
 
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