Featured matchup: Christian Ballard vs. Brandon Large
Name: Christian Ballard
Year: Senior
Position: Defensive end
Breakdown: With Broderick Binns suspended for the opener, Ballard will make the move outside from defensive tackle to defensive end. It's not an unfamiliar position for the 6-5, 297 pound defender; he started at defensive end most of the 2008 season. The ability to make the switch speaks to Ballard's versatility on the field, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said.
"Christian Ballard has just been very accommodating and works hard where he lines up," Ferentz said.
Gaining individual recognition isn't easy when playing on the same defensive line as Adrian Clayborn, but Ballard has shown tremendous playmaking ability for the Hawkeyes. He started all 13 games last season, accumulating nine tackles for loss and five-and-a-half sacks.
Name: Brandon Large
Year: Redshirt sophomore
Position: Quarterback
Breakdown: Going up against the Hawkeye defensive line is no easy task for any quarterback. But for Brandon Large, the difficulty could be ten-fold. He's never taken a snap at the Division-I level, and his only previous collegiate experience is at Scottsdale Community College.
"He's a poised guy," Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo said. "But he hasn't faced that caliber of defensive front."
Combine Large's inexperience with Eastern Illinois being without Mon Williams — the team's leading rusher from last season — and it could be a long day for the Panther quarterback.
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