Notes from the Jack Trice press box in the aftermath of Iowa's 35-3 win over Iowa State

AMES -- Let's talk about this game's turning points.

It was 35-3, Iowa. There was no turning point. Everything turned Iowa's way in the final three quarters.

But let's talk all the same.

Arizona, next up for Iowa, hosts Northern Arizona later tonight (this is written early Saturday evening). The Wildcats' 2009 debut was a 19-6 home win over Central Michigan.

Yes, that's the Central Michigan that put a 29-27 knot on Michigan State in East Lansing today.

Arizona bottled up CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour, the Mid-American Conference's all-time leader in total offense and an NFL prospect. LeFevour carved up Michigan State for 328 passing yards and three touchdown passes.

Arizona's offense may be a bit suspect with a first-year starter at quarterback. But the defense, which anchored its 8-5 team last year, is good. It's where Arizona Coach Mike Stoops and his brother, UA defensive coordinator Mark Stoops, hang their hats.

By the way, Mike Stoops had nine career interceptions for the Hawkeyes from 1981 to 1984. Another of his brothers, a chap named Bob Stoops, had eight career picks.

Tyler Sash tied Bob Stoops for 16th on the Iowa all-time interceptions list with his sixth, seventh and eighth here Saturday.

FUTURE FOES: Penn State, which hosts Iowa in the Big Ten opener for both in two weeks, methodically beat Syracuse 28-7 Saturday in State College.

Penn State rushed for just 79 yards, its lowest output in almost three years. Evan Royster had 12 carries for 41 yards.

Arkansas State visits Iowa on Oct. 3. The Red Wolves tested the BCS waters Saturday and got drenched, losing 38-9 at Nebraska.

"We have to do better at finishing drives and not making mistakes," Arkansas State quarterback Corey Leonard said.

Nebraska passed for 340 yards.

About the game here:

I had never seen Brandon Wegher play in a game that counted at any level. Like everyone else, I was impressed with his 101-yard rushing debut. This is a talent, folks.

I can't remember seeing very many Hawkeye freshman running backs used as a receiver so early in their playing time. Wegher caught two passes Saturday, one for 12 yards. What a dimension that could add to Iowa's offense, a new dimension.

Shonn Greene had eight catches all last season. Jewel Hampton, who had 91 rushes, had no receptions.

Poor Hampton. He had the No. 1 running back job sewed up, then loses the season to an injury. Enter Wegher. Well, a lot can happen in 12 more months.

Don't be too down on Austen Arnaud, Iowa State fans. Yes, Arnaud threw five interceptions Saturday. But I once saw Brett Favre throw six picks at St. Louis in a 2002 NFC playoff game.

"Nothing's inconceivable to me," Favre said after the Packers' 45-17 loss to the Rams. "I could have thrown eight had we gotten the ball back. I'm going to keep chucking it."

Favre had lots of good games to come after that debacle.

This was the most one-sided game in the Iowa-ISU series since the Hawkeyes' 63-20 win here in 1997. That was Iowa's 15th-straight victory in the series.

The following season, the Cyclones won 27-9 in Iowa City. It was a 61-point swing.

Not that such a thing can happen again next year. But ... did you see Houston beating Oklahoma State or Central Michigan downing Michigan State before today's game began?