IOWA CITY - The 2009 football season proved successful for the Iowa Hawkeyes, who won their final four games, including a 31-10 thrashing of South Carolina in the Outback Bowl to finish 9-4.

But all that success wouldn't have been possible without great chapters within a great story.

Iowa had a lot of great stories last year, and Shonn Greene rushing for more than 1,800 yards and capturing the Doak Walker Award was just one of them.

"I think for us to have success we need to have great stories," Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz said Friday during Iowa's preseason media day. "If you look at us traditionally, that's been the deal.

"Certainly last year, Shonn Greene's story was well-documented."

Ferentz felt the Hawkeyes also had great stories in one-year wonders Bradley Fletcher at cornerback and Rob Bruggeman at center. Both of those players are in NFL camps.

In addition, as Iowa was beginning fall camp a year ago, quarterback Ricky Stanzi, all-Big Ten linebacker Pat Angerer, safety Tyler Sash and offensive guard Julian Vandervelde were all second-team players.

Cornerback Amari Spievey was a junior college transfer who struggled with academic issues at Iowa, but battled his way back. He may turn out to be one of the finest cover corners in Hawkeye history.

"I think the big thing, kind of the way our program is, is we take a lot of solid high school football players who might not be the blue-chip athlete," senior linebacker A.J. Edds said. "They may not be prototypical size and speed, but they are football players … guys who make plays.

"They come in as freshmen, get forgotten about for a couple of seasons but get acclimated, get a feel for the program and burst onto the scene.

"That is kind of the story every year. When guys buy into the Iowa way, they tend to have pretty good careers and get things done."

Based on last season's finish and 16 returning starters, including eight on defense, the Hawkeyes opened fall camp Friday with great expectations.

For one, USA Today released its first coaches' poll of the season, and Iowa was ranked 21st.

But Ferentz and the Hawkeyes feel they'll need to write a few more great stories to repeat last year's success.

For instance, will Jewel Hampton be able to replace Greene at runningback? Who will step up and replace the leadership and production four-year starting defensive tackles Matt Kroul and Mitch King brought on defense?

And certainly, the loss of Seth Olsen and Bruggeman along the line leaves a void.

"You're going to have to replace guys every year, that is the case for any team in any sport," Sash said. "We feel we have a number of guys that can step in right away and play. We're just going to have to work together and get the job done."

Repeating the success of last season, despite the wealth of experience Iowa returns, will be tough, which the Hawkeyes understand.

"Last year is last year, and the only thing we should be worrying about right now is what we need to do over the next three weeks here in camp that will help us be successful in 2009," Stanzi said. "We want to win a lot of games. But if we're in positions to do that this year, it will be because of what we've done this summer, what we do here this month to establish a base for success."

Iowa's schedule won't provide them any favors.

Iowa plays road games at Iowa State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State.

"It's conceiveable we could have a better team than last year and have a record that doesn't indicate that," Ferentz said.

"We can't wait to get on the road and play these tough games and show the nation what we can do," added Spievey. "I think this team is full of competitors. We don't want anything to be easy. You need to be challenged to show people what you're really about, and that is what we're looking forward to."

DEEP OUTS - Incoming freshman Stephane N'Goumou, a wide receiver from Rockville, Md., didn't make it through the NCAA Clearinghouse and will begin his career at either a prep school or junior college, according to Ferentz … Defensive end Chad Geary will not be ready to start the season as he's on the mend from an ACL tear suffered during spring drills … Vandervelde also was injured during the spring but Ferentz anticipates the junior from Davenport to miss no more than a game or two … Senior Jayme Murphy, a standout on special teams, will see limited action this year. Ferentz said the team wants to be cautious with the Dubuque native after he suffered concussion problems last season. … Iowa will have an open practice/scrimmage at Kinnick Stadium next Saturday beginning at noon. Gates will open at 11 a.m. Fans planning to attend should enter Kinnick at Gates A, B and E. As in the past, student-athletes will line up along the railing of the west grandstands for autographs for 30 minutes at the conclusion of the team's two-hour practice.