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(AP) --  Iowa's defense was expected to be strong,
so many people have largely overlooked the Hawkeyes success in that
area.

 It's doubtful the rest of the Big Ten hasn't noticed.
 No. 17 Iowa is coming off yet another dominant defensive
performance and appears to be peaking heading into league play. The
Hawkeyes (3-1) held Ball State to just 112 yards of offense - 56 on
the ground, 56 in the air - in thumping the overmatched Cardinals
45-0.

 Iowa now ranks first in the nation with a paltry 227.5 yards
allowed per game. The Hawkeyes have allowed just 14 points in three
games at Kinnick Stadium this season, a daunting figure for No. 22
Penn State (3-1) to ponder as it prepares for Saturday's night
league opener at Iowa.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)