Hawkeye tight end a weapon

EAST LANSING - The Iowa Hawkeyes have built a reputation around the play of physically menacing big men at the line of scrimmage.

Senior tight end Tony Moeaki certainly fits that description. But the 6-foot-5, 250-pounder also makes plays down the field, making him one of the Hawkeyes' most dangerous offensive weapons.

Moeaki has a team-high 20 receptions in just four games, for 247 yards and four touchdowns.

Despite missing a three-game stretch with a lower leg injury, Moeaki was one of 22 players named to the John Mackey Award mid-season watch list this week, given to the top tight end in the country.

"It's just nice to have him on the field," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said about Moeaki, who missed most of 2007 and some of last year with injuries.

"He's a tremendous player, had some tough luck health-wise, but it's good to have him back the past couple weeks."

Michigan State senior Charlie Gannt was also on the John Mackey Award watch list, along with Wisconsin senior tight end Garrett Graham - a player the Spartans are all too familiar with.

The last time MSU faced a pro-style offense similar to Iowa's, Graham ran wild in the red zone with three touchdowns on five receptions for the Badgers.

Nearly identical to Moeaki in size, the 6-foot-4, 250-pound Graham also helped the Badgers tally 193 rushing yards in the 38-30 MSU loss.

None of that means much to Moeaki, who talked about the challenge he will face Saturday.

"They're a good team, a good defense," Moeaki said. "They're fundamentally sound, especially with the front seven. Those guys are good, so our offense has to be ready to go."

MSU linebacker Greg Jones said the plan of attack is pretty straight forward for stopping a duel-threat like Moeaki.

"He can only do so many things at one time - he's (either) gonna block or go out for a pass," Jones said. "He's gonna use his size to his advantage, and if I was that big I would too, so it's gonna make it pretty simple."

At 6-foot-7, 248-pounds, MSU freshman tight end Derrick Hoebing has had the task of emulating Moeaki on the scout team in practice this week. According to Jones, however, MSU should think about borrowing a former Spartan from the Chicago Bears this week.

"I would probably say Kellen Davis," Jones said when asked if he's seen players similar to Moeaki. "Going against the tight end (in practice) really got my mindset ready when I played outside linebacker (as a freshman)."

LIGHTS OUT: Jones was recognized Thursday as the Big Ten midseason defensive player of the year by Collegefootball- news.com. Jones is currently second in the NCAA with 12.1 tackles per game.

Jones is leading the Spartans in tackles (85), tackles for loss (8 1/2) and sacks (5).

YELLOW SUBBED-FOR- GREEN: While Saturday will be the first time Kirk Cousins plays against Iowa, the MSU quarterback has a long history with the Hawkeyes program.

Cousins' grandfather and former Iowa player Dr. Ralph Woodard shared the incriminating evidence.

"'Kirk went to a lot of Hawkeye football games growing up,'' Woodard told Eric Pratt, sports editor for the Messenger in Iowa. "He was at Homecoming almost every year. He had the Iowa shirts, hats and everything else. My brother (Dick, also a former Dodger and Hawkeye standout who played professionally with the New York Giants) lived in Davenport when Kirk was little and always got the (Cousins) family tickets.

According to the same article, Cousins was offered a preferred walk-on spot at Iowa but chose MSU, which offered a full scholarship.

LIGHTS ON: Senior defensive end Trevor Anderson doesn't seem to fear opposing teams. Saturday's night game against Iowa could present a problem, however, seeing as Anderson's admittedly afraid of the dark after a gruesome childhood accident.

"I'm happy there (will be) lights on," Anderson said.

"It really happened when I was little. I was feeling my way around in the dark and I stepped on a nail (that's) still in my foot ... That's why I really don't like the dark."