CHICAGO – Iowa hopes to grab headlines for the right reasons, now that the season is starting.

Less than two weeks after being rocked by a credit card scandal, the Hawkeyes will try to gain some positive attention when they open the season against Northern Illinois at Soldier Field on Saturday.

“Coach (Kirk Ferentz) says he wants us to have a businesslike atmosphere and focus,” said quarterback Jake Christensen, who grew up about 40 miles southwest of Chicago in Lockport, Ill. “No bumps in the road. He wants us to be 100 percent focused on Northern Illinois, and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Iowa officials expect 40,000 fans to make the trip to Soldier Field, so the Hawkeyes may feel at home after two uncomfortable weeks. Leading receiver Dominique Douglas and reserve Anthony Bowman were suspended after being arrested for unauthorized use of a credit card. It was a big blow for a program already trying to wash away the bitter taste of an 0-4 finish that left its record at 6-7 last year.

“You get what you deserve, and we had a media feeding frenzy last week, and we invited it,” said Ferentz, who endured his first losing record in six seasons as Hawkeyes coach a year ago. “We opened the door for it. Bottom line is right now we have to be beyond reproach. Everybody on the team has a responsibility to realize that and do a good job.”

With Bowman and Douglas out, three young receivers got boosted into bigger roles. The Hawkeyes also have a rebuilt offensive line protecting Christensen, who will be making his second start. The first one went well, though.

That was last year against Northern Illinois, when he threw for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-14 victory.

Sophomore Trey Stross will replace Douglas in the starting lineup.