Shada caps win in big way</font>
By Andy Hamilton, Pat Harty and Ryan Suchomel
Iowa City Press-Citizen
Adam Shada isn't worried about his place in history.
The sophomore cornerback found a place in the recordbook anyway on Saturday.
Shada picked off a Curtis Painter pass and returned it 98 yards for Iowa's final touchdown of the day. It broke the Hawkeye record of 94 that was held by Brad Quast (1988 versus Kansas State) and Bobby Stearns (1954 versus Minnesota).
"It's pretty cool; it feels good," Shada said. "I'm not into personal accomplishments. It'll be nice if it's still standing in a few years when I come back to a game."
It was the exclamation point on a big afternoon by the Hawkeyes and drove the stake into the heart of the Boilermakers.
On second-and-4 from the Iowa 24, Painter dropped back and tried to fire a bullet into the end zone.
Shada grabbed it near the left hashmark, then began to weave his way toward the right sideline.
Close to midfield, Shada saw a lot of green open up in front of him, sprinted left, picked up a few blockers, and ran down the left sideline to the south end zone in Kinnick Stadium.
"I think I got to about the 45, I was going right, and everybody was telling me on the sidelines that the left was open," Shada said.
"After that cuback, I got a couple of big blocks. There was only one guy left, and (Mike) Klinkenborg was hustling to get him and made a great block."
The interception was Shada's third of the season and sixth of his career. It was another bullet in the chamber to fire at his detractors who were down on him after a pile of pass interference penalties in the first two games.
"I don't listen to anything anyone says. We don't change our style of play because we get a couple of flags," Shada said. "I've thought we've played well this year."
That style of play is an Iowa trademark. The Hawkeye defensive scheme tries to take away the deep completion. Purdue came into the game was the fifth-best passing offense in the nation, averaging 317.6 yards per game. Iowa gave up just 254 yards Saturday and also picked off the Boilermakers three times.
"I think we have an opportunistic defense," Shada said. "It's not a bend-but-don't-break thing, but it's kinda you give a little bit of cushion, but if someone catches the ball, you're hitting them. And if they put the ball up, you're getting it."
Charles Godfrey and Marcus Wilson each added an interceptions for the Hawkeyes, but Shada had the one to remember.
"I went to the sidelines to try to catch my breath and went back out there," Shada sad. "I was out there for four plays, but I was too tired. I took myself out, let Fletch (Bradley Fletcher) get some plays."
