DeKALB | A pair of underachieving teams will meet in Iowa City this weekend, as NIU takes on Iowa at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

Both squads have dirtied their slate with surprising losses.

Iowa (5-3) lost to perennial Big Ten doormat Indiana and NIU disappointed with losses to Ohio and Western Michigan.

Iowa has lost two straight Big Ten games and is without starting quarterback Drew Tate. The starting senior quarterback underwent left hand surgery earlier this week. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has yet to name a starter.

NIU looks to get the nation’s leading rusher, Garrett Wolfe, back on track. The senior running back averages 176.8 yards per game, but for two-consecutive weeks has been held under 100 yards.

NIU coach Joe Novak points to opponents adjusting their defensive strategies and some missed assignments have contributed to slowing down Wolfe.

“We’re getting a lot of folks defending us down there. A lot of game planning for Garrett Wolfe,” Novak said. “People are doing a good job of playing some of our run blocking schemes offensive, to be honest with you. We have to change some stuff up there, I think, to give Garrett a chance.”

Sophomore Dan Nicholson relieved senior Phil Horvath in a 43-21 Homecoming win over Temple, but according to Novak, there is no controversy over who is under center.

“You all [The media] may have a controversy, but in our coaches’ office and in our locker room, we don’t,” Novak said. “I don’t care what people on the outside think. We don’t have a quarterback controversy right now. If people on the outside think that, that’s fine, that’s football. Within our s Wolfe ystem, we don’t have a controversy.”

The game will be televised nationally on ESPNU, and give another chance to impress Heisman voters.

Despite underwhelming numbers, Wolfe remains focused on picking up wins and playing a complete football game.

“The stats don’t necessarily reflect how well you play. It’s just peoples’ perception,” Wolfe said.

James Nokes is a Sports Reporter for the Northern Star.