Saturday, August 31, 2013

Game Day: Northern Illinois vs. Iowa Hawkeyes in Season Opener at Kinnick Stadium

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Even with a first-year starter making his University of Iowa debut at quarterback today against Northern Illinois, the Hawkeye offense is more comfortable heading into the second year of offensive coordinator Greg Davis' system.

Note: It is the first time in nearly 20 years that an Iowa quarterback is taking his first snaps in black and gold as a starting quarterback in a season opener.  Iowa returns six starters on offense in 2013.

"We know how to spit back what he would say," said redshirt sophomore Jake Rudock, the winner of a three-man race to be Iowa's starting quarterback. "He says certain words and we respond in a certain way so he understands.

Rudock was recruited out of Florida by former offensive coordinator Ken O'Keefe, who is now in his second season as WR coach for the Miami Dolphins.  Last year's QB James Vandenberg had a difficult time transitioning away O'Keefe's pro-set offense into the new Davis system.

"You have to understand that his terminology is the easiest way to talk to him (Davis) and the fastest communication, just like learning a new language."

The Hawkeyes never clicked offensively in 2012, averaging 18.8 points and 286.8 yards per game in the first year of Davis' new offense. With another spring and fall under its belts, the unit has seen progress.

Rudock has two springs under his belt with Davis in Iowa City, after arriving in the fall of 2011.  He redshirted in 2011 in O'Keefe's final season as OC.

"We have a better understanding of the offense," said junior offensive tackle Brandon Scherff. "We worked on it during camp and in spring ball. We have to keep moving forward."

Senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz says the addition of the no-huddle attack has added a new dimension that will allow the offense to improve and get more opportunities.

"We were comfortable last year, but we added a couple of extra things (this fall), like the no-huddle, and a couple of extra trickery plays," said Fiedorowicz, who was third on the team with 45 receptions for 433 yards and one touchdown in 2012. "The offense is a little different.

"Last year, we got 70 plays per game. With the no-huddle, it will be closer to 80-90 snaps a game."

That will give playmakers like WRs Tevaun Smith, new JC transfer Damond Powell, Don Shumpert, RBs Damon Bullock, Mark Weisman, and Jordan Canzeri more opportunities in 2013. Smith says the Hawkeyes are a faster team, which will help both the rushing and passing attacks.

"There is a lot more speed on offense," he said. "We're able to stretch the field, so we're able to run and pass the ball at the same time. We have the best of both worlds... you don't want to have only a running offense."

Whether it's handing the ball off or directing the team's passing attack, Rudock knows he needs to do the little things to put the Hawkeyes in a position to improve on its 4-8 record from a season ago.

"I have always thought as a quarterback you have to manage the game," he said. "There are going to be plays you make and plays you miss and regret, but that's football. It is an up-and-down sport. (I want to) play and have fun, that's the biggest thing, have fun, and make sure the guys are on the same page and do our best."

Iowa is ready to showcase an improved offense and get back on the field.

"We have been working for eight months, I am ready to play," said Bullock.  The junior out of Texas will likely see action as both a running back and in the slot as a receiver in 2013.

"We have been hungry since our last game," said Weisman. "We have been working hard, but all that set aside, now we have to show it on the field."  Weisman, a junior from Illinois, played fullback vs. Northern Illinois, with 2 carries for 4 yards.  So, if he can maintain the average as a starting running back, how nice would 20-25 carries translate vs. NIU?

For Iowa to be competitive in the Big Ten in 2013, it will start with defense and solid special teams.  The season opener and four non-conference games will be important for Iowa in 2013.

After three weeks of training camp, game week arrived on Monday for the University of Iowa football team. The Hawkeyes turned their focus on Saturday's opponent, Northern Illinois, and have been preparing for the Huskies all week.

Iowa is 8-0 the series with Northern Illinois.  Kirk Ferentz has won 12 straight season openers, as he opens his 15th season as head coach for the Hawkeyes.  There will be plenty of streaks on the line at Kinnick today vs. Northern Illinois.

Northern Illinois (12-2), who have won the Mid-American Conference the last two seasons, return 13 starters on offense (8) and defense (5). The Huskies' main offensive threat is quarterback Jordan Lynch, who made his first career start vs. Iowa last year in the season opener in Soldier Field.

Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker has been putting together the game plan this week for his defensive unit.  Iowa returns eight starters themselves on defense, lead by a trio of senior linebackers, in James Morris, Anthony Hitchens and Christian Kirksey.

"This is a very talented team (NIU)," said Parker. "They spread the ball out, run a lot of option and also run the quarterback draw, so obviously you have to stop him. You have to make sure you respect all of their players, like we do, and defend the whole field."

Lynch, now a senior, enters this season as the NCAA record holder for rushing yards by a quarterback in season (1,815) and the owner of 14 NIU school records. Heisman winner Johnny Manziel was the only player to gain more yards of total offense than Lynch a year ago.

When it comes to preparing for a dual threat quarterback in practice, Parker credits the Hawkeye scout team.

"I believe our scout team did a great job preparing, and it all starts there," Parker said. "I think the guys have been focused."

In addition to returning an all-American quarterback, the Huskies return an experienced offensive line, returning all five starters from a year ago.

"They have a good offensive line, and I believe our guys are up to the challenge," said Parker.  The offensive line is lead by junior LT Tyler Loos, a strong pass blocker in the MAC per Lindy's.

The Huskies will be without returning starting running back, senior Akeem Daniels, who is injured for the Iowa game.

Last year, Northern Illinois had a potent offense ranking 12th in the country averaging 38.6 points per game. Iowa's defense held the Huskies to 17 points, sacked Lynch six times and forced one turnover in its 18-17 triumph in last year's season-opener in Chicago.

Parker said the team is eager to get the season started.  The Hawkeyes beat three bowl teams in 2012, including Northern Illinois. 

"Our guys are really excited about getting out there in Kinnick Stadium and seeing the support from our fans," Parker said.

Northern Illinois will be making its first visit to Iowa City since 2006. The Huskies have lost their last 14 road season openers since 1983.

Coach Rod Carey is the third head coach in four seasons for Northern Illinois, after becoming replacing Dave Doeren, who left for North Carolina State, ahead of the Orange Bowl game vs. Florida State.  Like Ferentz, Carey is a former OL coach, who played center at Indiana.

Special teams should be strong for Iowa in 2013 lead by seniors PK Mike Meyer, KR/DS Jordan Cotton and LS Casey Kreiter for the Hawkeyes.  Also, sophomore Connor Kornbrath returns at punter for the Hawks.  The question will be how Iowa replaces outstanding CB Micah Hyde, who was also Iowa's punt returner and a gunner on special teams, along with Cotton.

Northern llinois returns senior PK Matthew Sims.  A new punter will start in 2013 for the Huskies. KR Tommylee Lewis and PR A.J. Sebastiano both return on the Huskies special team units.

Kickoff is set for 2:42 p.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium in a game that will be televised on the BTN with former Hawkeyes Paul Burmeister, Chuck Long, and Danan Hughes calling the action.

Our Pick: Iowa 29, Northern Illinois 16 - Iowa appears to have improved depth and the overall roster heading into 2013. Star quality may be lower the 2008-2010 period, but overall depth looks stronger.

We shall see over the course of the 2013 season, if the Iowa Hawkeyes are improved.

Bowling Green in the MAC looks to knock off the Northern Illinois Huskies, after three outstanding seasons of double digit victories.

First Saturday of 2013 College Football Season

Saturday has arrived...

Buffalo at #4 Ohio State 11:00 a.m. ESPN2 (HD) - The Buckeyes look to make it 13 straight to open '13 and for the  Urban Meyer era!

Purdue at Cincinnati 11:00 a.m. ESPNU (HD) - New era for Boilermakers and Bearcats are coming off a solid season and begin new AAC play in '13!

Southern Illinois at Illinois 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - Kirk Herbstreit may be giving the Fighting Illini some credit, but Illinois is #12 in the Big Ten last year and now as the '13 season opens up coming off 2-10 season.

UMass at Wisconsin 11:00 a.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - The Gary Anderson era begins in Madison official with Game 1 of 2013!

Villanova at Boston College 11:00 a.m. ESPN News - Coach Steve Addazio begins first year at BC!

William & Mary at West Virginia 11:00 a.m. FS1 (HD) - Mountaineers finished only 7-6 after leaving Big East for Big 12 in 2012.

Toledo at Florida 11:21 a.m.SEC Network / ESPN-GP / espn3 - Some have year 3 under Will Munschamp as a better year coming off 11-2, really!

Florida International at Maryland 11:30 a.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / (ESPN-GP / espn3) - Final season in ACC for Terps prior to move to Big Ten in '14.

Louisiana Tech at North Carolina State 11:30 a.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) *2 / ACC Network (HD) - New coach Dave Doeren will find his Wolfpack in a tough test in his debut in Raleigh.

Rice at Texas A&M 12:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) - How much did the NCAA investigation into signatures impact Johnny Manziel's teammates this off season?

Colgate at Air Force 2:00 p.m. (RSRM / RSNW) (HD) / Video: MWC / PLN - Air Force was 6-7 last year and look rebound after late season fade.

BYU at Virginia 2:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) - Good intersectional match up here to open 2013 season!

Central Michigan at Michigan 2:30 p.m.BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - Coach Brady Hoke opens Year 3 in Ann Arbor with some challenges ahead, but Wolverines can't look ahead to Week 2 until after this one.

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State 2:30 p.m.(ABC (HD) / ESPN2 (HD)) - SEC vs. Big 12 in Houston, as Cowboys look to grab conference banner in '13.

Northern Illinois at Iowa 2:30 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - It was an 18-17 final in Soldier Field, as two programs seek a little more respect from Kirk Herbstreit in 2014. Our pick: Iowa 29, Northern Illinois 16.

Penn State vs. Syracuse 2:30 p.m. (ABC (HD) / ESPN2 (HD)) - East Rutherford will host this game between former East Coast Independents and now Big Ten vs. ACC game on neutral site!

Temple at Notre Dame 2:30 p.m. NBC (HD) / Video - The Fighting Irish were a loss away from the BCS title in '12, so QB Tommy Rees will have to lead them now in '13.

Louisiana Lafayette at Arkansas 3:00 p.m. FS South / (ESPN-GP / espn3) - New coach in town comes down from Big Ten in Bret Bielema... could Bret be next Nick Saban lite in SEC?

Nicholls State at #3 Oregon 3:00 p.m. FS1 (HD) - The Ducks get scrimmage type opener to open Mark Helfrich era in Eugene.

#1 Alabama vs. Virginia Tech 4:30 p.m. ESPN (HD) - The opener in Atlanta for a great, SEC vs. good ACC show down.

Austin Peay at Tennessee 5:00 p.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) *2 / PPV (new link) (TN) - Butch Jones is new guy in Knoxville looking to stop the revolving door leading Volunteers.

Eastern Washington at Oregon State 5:00 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / Pac-12 Video - Beavers coming off 9-4 season looking for more in '13!

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky 6:00 p.m. ESPN News - From Nashville, Mark Stoops and Bobby Petrino eras kick off in this in-state match up between SEC vs. Sun Belt teams.

Louisiana Monroe at Oklahoma 6:00 p.m.PPV - Young Sooners in Year 15 under Bobby Stoops in Norman.

Miami-OH at Marshall 6:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD) - MAC vs. C-USA teams, though Marshall played in MAC for while in their past.

Murray State at Missouri 6:00 p.m. (ESPN-GP / espn3) *2 / PPV (MO) - Tigers had a tough first year in the SEC at 5-7, so looking for better season in Columbia in Year 2.

Old Dominion at East Carolina 6:00 p.m. DTV: 623 / FCSA (cable) / CST (VA cable) - ODU is moving up to FBS as they transition upward, while Pirates seek to improve on 8-5 last year.

Washington State at Auburn 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD) - Pac 12 vs. SEC showdown, as Mike Leach begins Year 2 and Cougars eye spoiling Gus Malzahn's homecoming as new head for Tigers in Auburn!

Wofford at Baylor 6:30 p.m. FSN Affiliates (HD) / FCSC (cable) - Bears were 8-5 post-Robert Griffin III, so can success continue in Waco?

Georgia at Clemson 7:00 p.m. ABC (HD) - Could a Top 5 ranking be on the line between these SEC vs. ACC teams, if they win?

New Mexico State at Texas 7:00 p.m. LHN - The Longhorns have been rebulding for three seasons under Mack Brown?

Wyoming at Nebraska 7:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - The Cornhuskers are strong on offense, but new placekicker and co-called 'Blackshirts' defense need to step up, if a conference title for the first time, since 1999 is coming to Lincoln in '13?

LSU vs. TCU 8:00 p.m.ESPN (HD) - Big show down in Arrington between SEC vs. Big 12 between defensive coaches Les Miles and Gary Paterson, so which rebuilding program gets out of the the gate better?  Our pick: LSU 19, TCU 17.

Boise State at Washington 9:00 p.m. FS1 (HD) - Upset or not? Big Ten (MSU) took Boise down to open '12, so Pac 12's turn to open with them in '13.

Nevada at UCLA 9:00 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) / Pac-12 Video - MWC vs. Pac 12 in the Rose Bowl, as Bruins look to get out of the blocks strong in September... opportunity knocks!

Northwestern at California 9:30 p.m. ESPN 2 (HD) - The Wildcats are coming off bowl win and thoughts of undefeated showdown with Ohio State in Evanston, which could be dangerous with trip and late start out West to open season.

Games online only or not scheduled for nationally available network:

Arkansas Pine Bluff at Arkansas State 6:00 p.m. espn3 - Coach Bryan Harsin takes over as third coach in as many years, as rebuilding begins in Jonesboro.

Eastern Illinois at San Diego State 7:00 p.m. MWC Video - Coach Rocky Long is coming off 9-4 season beginning Year 3, so how will new offense unford for OC Bob Toledo?

Elon at Georgia Tech 11:00 a.m.espn3 - The Yellow Jackets

Howard at Eastern Michigan 5:00 p.m. espn3 - Coach Ron English enters fifth year in Ypsilanti.

Idaho at North Texas 6:00 p.m. $ULive Video - Coach Dan McCarney moves up to C-USA for Year 3 coming off 4-8 season, like his alma mater.

McNeese State at South Florida 6:00 p.m. espn3 - USF travels to East Lansing as they open with back to back MSU intitals.

NC Central at Duke 3:00 p.m. espn3 - Blue Devils bowled last year finishing 6-7, so success wants to continue in '13.

Northern Iowa at Iowa State 7:00 p.m. $Video / Mediacom (cable) - UNI is not the top dog in FCS, let alone the MVC, with North Dakota State, but could lightning strike twice in the same weekend between MVC at Big 12?  Not likely, but we can always dream right?  Our pick: UNI 23, ISU 22

Texas State at Southern Miss 6:00 p.m. $ULive Video - Sun Belt vs. C-USA in Hattiesburg.

UAB at Troy 6:00 p.m. espn3 - C-USA vs. Sun Belt ... go underdogs!

UTSA at New Mexico 7:00 p.m. (KASY / KMYS) (cable) / MWC Video - Not an easy game for coach Bob Davie to open Year 2 in Albuquerque.

Happy Labor Day weekend to you all.  Enjoy your final day of August, as the 2013 College Football season kicks off in Week 1!

Friday, August 30, 2013

First Friday of College Football

Win some and lose some... as, the kickoff of College Football moves to Day 2, Friday, August 30th!  Some of my picks have an underdog or favorite flavor to them.  I am just a college football fan at heart...

Morgan State at Army 6:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD) - The Black Knights were only 2-10 last year, and Phil Steele shares Army is 2-14 in home openers, with last in 2010.

Florida Atlantic at Miami-FL 7:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD) - First meeting ever between these Florida schools, and Hurricanes are 24-3 in home openers.

Texas Tech at SMU 7:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) - They used to both play regularly, when each was in the SWC. First game, since 2007, and Tech has a  14 game win streak in series.

Western Michigan at Michigan State 7:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - First of three Big Ten battles for the Broncos,  as they open '13 in East Lansing!

North Dakota State at Kansas State7:30 p.m.FS1 (HD) - Defending back to back FCS champions travel to Manhattan to face former Top 25, 11-2 K-State and coach Bill Snyder!  Upset alert?

Northern Arizona at Arizona 9:00 p.m. PAC-12 Network (HD) - Wildcats open second season under coach Rich Rodriguez.

Games online only or not scheduled for nationally available networks:

Samford at  Georgia State 6:00 p.m. espn3 - FCS at FBS program, only in fourth season of playing football. 

Southern at Houston 7:30 p.m. espn3 - FCS at another FBS program, with a far longer history in major college football.

It should be a nice evening before the first big Saturday of college action...

Thursday, August 29, 2013

The 2013 College Football Season kicks off today!

Are ready for some football? 

The NFL has a full slate of preseason games tonight, but for games that count ... check out opening day of College Football with one major headline game on ESPN between the ACC vs. SEC!

Thursday, August 29th  (Times are Central Time)

North Carolina at South Carolina 5:00 p.m. ESPN (HD) - Gamecocks coach Spurrier has a good team again lead by junior DE Jadeveon Clowney, who may test the new defensive player rule in '13, due to his power?

Indiana State at Indiana 6:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - A battle in the Hoosier State to kickoff 2013!

Tulsa at Bowling Green 6:00 p.m. ESPNU (HD) - 3rd meeting in series and Goldern Hurricane seek #3 over Falcons!

UNLV at Minnesota 6:00 p.m. BTN (HD) / BTN2Go - Last year in Vegas, this game was three overtimes until Golden Gophers pulled it out!

Utah State at Utah 7:00 p.m. FS1 (HD) - Utes has won 12 in a row, until last year's Aggies' win.

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt 8:15 p.m. ESPN (HD) - SEC inter-division opener on Thursday night in Nashville should be a big game for West vs. East bragging rights in SEC!

Rutgers at Fresno State 9:30 p.m. ESPNU (HD) - Final season in new AAC for Scarlet Knights, who lost lone meeting at home in '08 vs. Fresno.

USC at Hawaii 10:00 p.m. CBSSN (HD) - Are the Trojans back as a Top 25 program, after 7-6, including Sun Bowl loss?

Games online only or not yet scheduled for nationally available networks:

Akron at UCF 6:00 p.m. espn3 - Knights move from C-USF to new AAC with season opener vs. MAC foe!

Illinois State at Ball State 6:00 p.m. espn3 - MVC vs. MAC, as FCS school seeks to pull off an early upset over a FBS team at Ball State!

Jackson State at Tulane 7:00 p.m. - Upset alert? Green Wave are 2-7 in openers vs. FCS opponents!

Liberty at Kent State 5:00 p.m. espn3 - Another FCS-FBS game, Golden Flashes have won 12 straight vs. FCS opponents.

Northwestern State at Missouri State 6:00 p.m (FCS game of interest) - Coach Terry Allen will open at home, before quasi-homecoming at Iowa in Week 2!

Presbyterian at Wake Forest 5:30 p.m. espn3 - The Demon Deacons took Blue Hose to woodshed in '10 season opener, but Wake ended year with worse season in last decade!

Sacramento State at San Jose State 9:00 p.m. MWC Video - Spartans welcome coach Ron Caragher era, with trip to Stanford in Week 2!

Southern Utah at South Alabama 6:30 p.m. espn3 - Jaguars going for fourth in a row in season openers vs. FCS opponents.

Towson at UConn 6:30 p.m. espn3 - In '93, Towson beat UConn, so will coach Paul Pasqualoni have  Huskies ready again in Year 3?

Western Carolina at Middle Tennessee 6:30 p.m. - Opener last season wasn't good vs. FCS, after two straight openers with Big Ten teams... it been a while in a season opener!

Who hits paydirt in 2013?  We shall see over the next 4+ months of College Football!

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Big Ten and Iowa announce 2013-14 men's basketball schedules

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Big Ten Conference announced the 2013-14 conference men's basketball schedule Wednesday. The conference season begins on New Year's Eve and culminates in March with the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (March 13-16).
Eight of Iowa's 18 Big Ten games will be televised on an ESPN Network, including six on either ESPN or ESPN2. Additionally, the Hawkeyes will have at least one CBS appearance (at Ohio State on Jan. 12). The Big Ten Network's television schedule will be released at a later date.

Iowa will open and close its Big Ten schedule in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, where last year the Hawkeyes won a school-record 18 home games. The Hawkeyes will open the conference slate New Year's Eve against Nebraska (6 p.m.), while playing their home finale versus Illinois on March 8 or 9 (time TBD).

Iowa's schedule includes five Big Ten weekend home dates, including playing its final four home contests on a Saturday or Sunday.

The Hawkeyes open their season on Sunday, Nov. 3, in an exhibition contest against Augustana (Ill.) (3:30 p.m.), while the regular season tips off Friday, Nov. 8, versus UNC-Wilmington (8:30 p.m.).

The UI Ticket Office is accepting season ticket requests for the 2013-14 season. Fans can call 1-800-IA-HAWKS, hawkeyesports.com or stop by the ticket office at Carver-Hawkeye Arena to reserve their seat today.

•Iowa's opener against UNC-Wilmington on Nov. 8, will be the program's 500th game in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

•Iowa's two "byes" come on weekdays (Jan. 13-16 and Feb. 11-14). Furthermore, the Hawkeyes will only play on Wednesday only once during the Big Ten schedule, and twice on Thursdays.

•From Jan. 28 to Feb. 22, 6-of-7 Iowa basketball games will be broadcast on an ESPN network (ESPN, ESPN2 or ESPNU).

•Three of Iowa's four weekday Big Ten home games have 6 p.m. (CT) starts.

•Iowa will play Purdue and Nebraska once during the regular season, both at home; while playing Indiana and Penn State one time, both on the road.

•Iowa's first five nonconference contests will be played in Carver-Hawkeye Arena, including a contest against Penn on Nov. 22. Head coach Fran McCaffery is a graduate of Penn; also freshman Peter Jok's older brother, Dau, is a senior for the Quakers.

•Iowa's exhibition against Augustana (Ill.) on Nov. 3 will be played the afternoon after the Hawkeye football team's home game versus Wisconsin. Also, Iowa's contest against Penn (Nov. 22) will be played the night before the Hawkeyes' football home finale against Michigan.

•Iowa's three games played at Atlantis in the Bahamas will be televised. The Hawkeyes' first game versus Xavier will air on NBC Sports Network, while its final two contests will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network or AXS TV, depending on results of first and second round games.

•There will be three women-men's basketball doubleheaders: Augustana (Nov. 3), UNC-Wilmington (Nov. 8), and Nebraska-Omaha (Nov. 10).

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Tuesday: Media Day ahead of Season Opener on Saturday vs. Northern Illinois


Ferentz Press Conference Transcript 

Q. How do you prepare for the heat? (Bob Brooks, KMRY)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it was almost predictable. It seems like the first Monday back, this is my chamber of commerce week, I was with the quarterback club yesterday, seems like that's always a hot day. We practiced in it on Sunday, and we'll practice in it today and tomorrow and just see what it looks like. But our guys have trained in heat and they've played in heat. It's a factor, but it's a little bit like rain or snow. It's going to be equal for us as it is for them. It's just one of those things you deal with.

Q. With Jake, do you envision another season where only one quarterback takes a snap for you guys or have you left the door maybe a little more open that CJ or Sokol could get in there? (Andrew Logue)
COACH FERENTZ: Well, I think if it played out he's the only guy that played, that means he's playing pretty well, which is a good thing. We haven't ruled anything out or set any boundaries up. We'll take it a series at a time. But Jake has done a good job, and he's the thing I would say first of all, first and foremost, is I think all three of the returning players have really improved during this camp segment, 25 practices, and that's what we were hoping to see. They've all progressed at a little different stages and timelines, but clearly by naming Jake last week we felt like he was the furthest ahead and has been the most consistent. But both CJ and Cody have done a good job, too. We feel like we have three good candidates, kind of like we did in April. This is the ultimate test, what happens in game competition.

Q. Do you think it could be tempting for him when you have a Jordan Lynch on the other side to want to match things or a little - (Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: I would hope not. I don't think he's looking at it that way. I think he's focused on the right things, which is doing the best he can do, and just playing quarterback. He doesn't have to be the leader of our football team right now. Got to be unfair to expect that from him, other than what a quarterback does, and quarterbacks have to lead, and I think he understands that. He's been down that street before. The big thing is just go out and play as well as he can play the way he plays, and that's what we need him to do.

Q. There's a fine line probably between the quarterback looking over his shoulder and the team moving the ball and having success on offense. Are you going to worry about the quarterback looking over his shoulder in that scenario? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Hopefully not. We'll address that. Kind of already have, but we'll circle back. We're going to let him play. He's earned that over time. Again, we have confidence in both CJ and Cody, but Jake is going to play, and we'll let him go. Again, it's like anything, you don't want somebody looking over their shoulder. That's not productive anyway for him. He needs to be looking at what's in front of him. He's going to have a lot to look at, and it's going to be moving fast, too. Those guys are quick.

Q. If you had time to separate the three, what kind of put him over the edge? (Steve Batterson, Quad-City Times)
COACH FERENTZ: I think it's been consistency over the long haul. We were most interested in what happened once we got back in August. We had a good picture of all three guys in April, but they're young guys, and I'm not going to say no different, but it's a little bit similar to other guys that haven't started yet. You tend to see jumps with every segment and every phase, and all three guys have done a good job. But Jake grabbed the semi early lead, if you will, and he's just done a good job of building on that, but again, I'm pleased with all three guys.

Q. At what point during fall camp did it become clear to you that he was the most consistent? (Brendon Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Probably when we named it. We wanted to give it time, plenty of time. There's no sense rushing to a conclusion because things do change and can change. So we wanted to wait as late as we could but also wanted to start preparing a little bit for this game, which we did at the end of the last week.

Q. Is it fair to say that the quarterback has to play well for you guys to do well this season as a team, or is that too simple? (Pat Harty, Iowa City Press Citizen)
COACH FERENTZ: I can't think of many teams at many levels where that's not true. It's an important position. I'm not minimizing that position by any stretch. I think what you expect a quarterback to do differs based upon experience and that type of thing, what you ask a quarterback to do. But it's hard to play I think no matter what style of offense you have, unless you just have like 10 dominant players at the other positions. But it's really hard to win without good quarterback play. I'd even say, I'm thinking about the Ravens right now when they won the Super Bowl, their first Super Bowl. That quarterback was a good player. He played well, he was tough, didn't turn it over, all those kinds of things, they had a great defense. Everybody says, boy, that was a great defensive team. But their quarterback did a great job for the way they were built. And I think that's really important that quarterbacks do that.

Q. Do you consider this like a snapshot in time for this position, whereas if the trajectory of say CJ Beathard, who's only a red shirt freshman really soared throughout the season and workouts then next year that he'll have that opportunity to compete? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: He has an opportunity right now. Nobody has played yet. That's the one thing we do know. So we'll just kind of like what we've done through August, we'll let the scenario play itself out, and that's what we're going to do starting Saturday. And again, I don't envision us making this a three ring circus or anything like that. But if that's what it takes, that's what it was in '87, so if that's what it ends up being, that year was a three man competition, '08 was a two guy competition, and right now we're just going to see how it unfolds, see how things go.

Q. How important is this game from the perspective of a season opener but coming off last year wanting to get the bad taste out of your mouth? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it's kind of like the quarterback question. To me every opener is important just like every game, and football is different than basketball or baseball where you're playing a lot of games. Football you only get 12 shots, so every game really is critical, from that standpoint you have to value the importance of every game. But regardless of what happens, in '09 we got off to a 9 0 start. That was a pretty good deal. But in '08, the year before, we were 3 3; '04 we won the league, we were 2 2; and in 2002 we were 2 1 after three games. So to portray this as the Normandy invasion is not quite that level of importance, but it's an important game. I think it's important for every team playing right now. If you're in college football you've got 12 shots; you'd better be ready every time you get a chance to go to the bat.

Q. How has Scherff handled rehab and where is he right now? (KCCI)
COACH FERENTZ: Really well. I mean, it was pretty much a non issue with him in the spring and kind of stays that way, I think.

Q. Freshmen, made any decisions on true freshmen? (Tom Kakert, hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, I think right now it looks pretty obvious and apparent that LeShun is going to play, LeShun Daniels, and defensively we're still mulling a couple things over. We have a candidate or two, but we haven't finalized that yet. And then Damond Powell obviously, we didn't recruit him to sit on the bench, so he'll be playing some, too.

Q. Can you talk about the receivers? (Tom Kakert, hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: At this point we haven't green lighted it, but we haven't ruled it out. I don't think it'll be this week, but we'll keep an eye on things and just see how they develop.

Q. I realize that injuries are going to happen, things are going to happen, but the week before your first game, as a coach do you have a pretty good idea of what you've got? (Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Yes and no. We kind of think we do, but you're never quite sure. Yeah, I've been doing this a couple years now, and I swear I learn I know less now than I did maybe 15 years ago. That's because you know more, and I feel less organized. Go right down the list. But that's just, I think, kind of like you're always anxious. For a game you tend to be anxious. That's just part of the territory. But I think it's safe to say I think we're in a lot of areas a lot more veteran right now and a little further down the road. But it's like the quarterback play, you really don't know until you start playing what it is. But you evaluate 15 practices in the spring, you evaluate 25 prior to game week, and what they do in the conditioning programs, all those kinds of things, I'm really pleased with the way the guys have worked. I'm really pleased with our leadership, and our older guys, not just seniors but older guys have done a good job of showing other guys how to do things. So I'm pleased with everything they've done so far. I say everything, just about everything. I think the guys are working hard, and over the next 12 weeks we'll find out how things unfold.

Q. Do you feel better or more confident than you did a year ago this week? (Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: About certain things I do, certainly, yeah. Probably more things than not. But again, you just never know how things are going to unfold. I felt like we were a better team in '08 but we were sitting at 3 3 at one point, and not long thereafter we were sitting there at 5 4. There are no guarantees how things are going to unfold, and there's really no sense in worrying about how they unfold. What's really important is how you move forward, and that's really the mindset we've tried to take since December.

Q. We've seen Coach Norm Parker around still really. He had such a reputation of stymieing quarterbacks, whether it's Gabbert or McCoy or JaMarcus Russell. What kind of legacy did he leave behind? Is there still an influence in a way how to prepare for a game like that? (Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: I think so. Phil Parker was with Norm for 13 years, and I think Phil is a tremendous football coach. Yeah, it's not like we're void in that regard. Certainly Norm was critical in my mind to helping us build a good defensive football team because we were not a good one in '99, so that was a process, and what it gets down to is really playing good team defense. I think that was Norm's approach all the time, and that's kind of how we were built and that's how we operate, and I think for the most part we've remained that way. That's the key to the whole thing is being good fundamentally and realizing it takes 11 guys to stop teams. Most teams we play are going to have some really good performers. The positions may rotate but you have to play good team defense to stop a guy that's a really great player.

Q. Kirksey seems to be the guy that gets the least amount of recognition of the two linebackers just because of positioning plays, I guess. How important is he in a game like this for a quarterback who's such a good passer and runner? Seems like he'd do both of those pretty well? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, I don't mean this in any disrespectful way to Anthony, but if Chris played that position he'd have a lot of tackles, too. It's just kind of the nature of that position. LeVar played it, Grant Steen, you go right down the row there, and AJ Edds. By nature that position doesn't get involved as much with tackling, what have you, but it's a really critical position for us to play good defense. Again, it just gets back to that point when you play a quarterback like this, and they've got a lot of other guys, too. They've got fast receivers, good receivers, they've got a really good running back. It's going to take all 11 guys for us to be successful because if one guy isn't where he's supposed to be, these guys will do a good job of finding it, and that's really going to be critical for us.

Q. How much time have you put into going over the rules and the change of emphasis? (Bob Brooks, KMRY)
COACH FERENTZ: We've covered them all in camp like we always do. The biggest thing obviously is targeting. It's really not a new thing, but the NCAA sent out a video that was really, I thought, well done, gave great illustrations of what is legal, what isn't legal, why it's not legal. I think everybody in America is all in favor of protecting defenseless players. That's nothing new and I think it's a great thing. Probably the biggest concern going into this is just the emphasis and the escalation of emphasis and talk about it. I think it's a very difficult play to officiate, no different than an onside kick. But the difference is there's a real heightened awareness right now. To me it hasn't been a problem in our league based on what I know and what I've seen. It hasn't been a real big issue in our conference. I just hope it doesn't become one because we turn it into one, I guess if that's a good way to say it, politically correct way to say it.

Q. What have you seen from Austin Blythe and his growth? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: He's done a really nice job, probably surprisingly so. I expected a little bit more few more bumps in the road back in the spring, but he just kind of slid in there and did a good job. So that was good to see. He's not there yet, but he'll keep getting better. But he's really performed well. I think the biggest thing I'm happy about is last year he played like a first year guy, and you go back and look at the tape, we're seeing our first game right now for obvious reasons. Like a lot of first year guys, he had a few hiccups in there and all that type of thing, and then he had the injury. He's starting to get a little bit better. He had the injury, and when he did come back from that, he looked like a first year guy starting over again. He's made a big jump from a year ago. He's a much better player and I think a lot more confident and all that. But it's his first time playing center so it'll be a little different, but he's done a real nice job in practice. I expect him to do well.

Q. Last year's offense was a little bit lost in translation; some of your players were saying just like this English to Spanish type of thing. Do you feel like now everybody is on the same language? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Probably everybody but me. I'm probably the only guy that's still translating sometimes, and that's a good thing. Now I'm in and out of the meetings sometimes, one of those deals. But yeah, I think everybody else has really done a real good job, and certainly Bobby is familiar with it and comfortable and Chris White has done a great job. I think all the players are very comfortable. You can talk to them today. But I think we're a lot further down the road on that one, and that's a good thing.

Q. Have your blocking patterns changed much? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Not dramatically, but we always are looking to do some things a little differently, and I think we've maybe done a couple little things, but we still are pretty much who we are. I don't think it'll be radically different.

Q. Your depth at the tight end position, how can that be kind of a security blanket for Jake? (WHO-13)
COACH FERENTZ: I think the biggest thing that will help Connor is maybe some of our inexperience at receiver, although I think we're making progress at that position. Happy to say that. But the nice thing is I think we can use our tight ends to maybe take some pressure off the outside guys, and Bullock, Canzeri, too, if they can help us a little bit in that regard, that's a good thing, as well. Hopefully we'll have some places to distribute the ball.

Q. Losing Scherff last year, how big of a blow is that to your line, and how great is it to have him back? (KCCI)
COACH FERENTZ: You know, it didn't help. If you wanted to talk about two things right off the bat, our running back, it was tough to have two healthy backs that were proven backs at one time. We go into this season at least with an opportunity to have, I think, three or four guys we feel pretty comfortable with, which is an upgrade. We had lost Blythe with an ankle and then we lost both Brandon and Andrew, bang bang. That's not good for any football team certainly, and we just don't typically I haven't rolled out backups that look like starters. It's just not as easy to do here as some places, so injuries are always a factor.

Q. At the right guard spot, is Jordan Walsh pretty much a full go in there for you, or are you looking to do some rotating? (Brendan Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: I think it's fair to say we'll play both guys, Andrew and Jordan. Jordan I think has really made a jump this past week, which is good to see, and I think Andrew getting out of camp, his rehab was a little bit more involved or lengthy than Brandon's. Getting out of camp is going to be a good thing for him, and he is a starter. He has played. So has Jordan. I think we all feel pretty comfortable with those guys, what they can do. Connor only started three games, but I feel comfortable just because of the way he's practiced. He's really done a great job since the string.

Q. How do you feel about your defensive line? (Steve Batterson, Quad-City Times)
COACH FERENTZ: I think we're gaining ground, but it's going to be a great test. I think the one thing about Northern Illinois, if you just focus on the quarterback you're missing the boat. There's three years of success there. There's more than three years, but the last three years, tough to match those numbers. So they've got a lot of good players, a lot of spots, and where I'm going on this, they've got a Big Ten a good Big Ten offensive line, not just a Big Ten offensive line. All their guys are back. They're big, physical guys. It's going to be a real it's not like we're waiting four weeks to see how we match up with anybody. This is going to be a quite a test. We've got more tests coming, too; I know that. But this one right off the bat is going to be a real challenge for our guys up front.

Q. You said you have multiple capable running backs. How do you plan on using that running back depth this season? (Ben Ross, Daily Iowan)
COACH FERENTZ: Well, the nice thing is hopefully we won't have to run one guy into the ground, not that we ever do that. But when you have some options, and I'll go back to speaking of running guys into the ground, Shonn Greene, but we had guys that could come off and give him a break here and there. I think we at least go into this game with that flexibility and not have to be just holding our breath every second that somebody else is in there. I think we have four guys that have demonstrated they can help us out.

Q. The defense, how much harder is it to plan and coordinate? (Ben Ross, Daily Iowan)
COACH FERENTZ: We have two different style of guys, but running backs are running backs and they come in all sizes and shapes. These guys have a little guy that's tougher than nails. You'd think their guy, like he might have some blocking deficiencies, but he's a tough blocker and he's a good runner, too. I think our four guys are good players.

Q. Talk about Nate Meyer a little bit, is he going to be a situational guy? (Tom Kakert, Hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: He showed us a year ago he's tough. But he was trying to channel that toughness and make it productive. It was a little bit of a challenge. But he did a good job in the spring. He's a guy that we hope can play on special teams and hope that maybe he can help us a little bit he's not the biggest guy in the world right now, but if he can give us a little something on passing situations, things like that, we might utilize him.

Q. Has Powell been consistent since his performance at the open practice? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: It's been a process, and I think you probably saw his highlight; him catching that ball right there on the pylon was really a great football play, so that was good to see. We figured out he's fast pretty quickly. We noticed that. I think he's starting to it's been fun to watch him climb the ladder. Would have been really neat if he was here in the spring; he'd probably be further down the road. But he's doing a good job.

Q. Is he a guy you can count on in every situation? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: It's like a lot of players, we'll try to find roles for everybody and play to their strengths, do what they do best, and certainly we'll do that with him, too.

Q. Seems like one of Rudock's real attributes is he's a really bright guy. Is that maybe part of the reason he is where he's at? (Luke Meredith, Associated Press)
COACH FERENTZ: It didn't hurt him, and he is bright. I asked him last night what he was taking. He happened to be in the office last evening, and I didn't take many of those courses, I can tell you that, that he's taking. Probably none of those courses to be specific. He's on a different planet. But that's a good thing. He communicates well. He's not an egghead, if you will. He's a guy on the team that really does a good job. He's a smart guy but he's also a guy who prepares, and he's very serious about what's in front of him and does the same thing academically. You see guys go both ways, but he kind of takes care of all the details.

Q. There were six games last year that were decided by three points or less, and a lot of those type of games sometimes will come down to kicking. Have you talked to Mike Meyer about how important every kick is going to be this year? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: You know, we do every year, be it a kicker or a punter. Special teams come down to a couple things; the specialists first of all. They have to do what they're supposed to do to make it work, but everybody else has to do their job, too. I think the big thing for Mike is just, kind of like every player, just go out and do what you do; don't worry about all this stuff. If you're called on to kick, then kick it well. And I think he'll do that. He's a tremendous young guy, and he's improved with every step of the way.

Q. Is there anything else that you've found has been the difference between winning those three point games versus losing them? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: That's kind of the story of our history, if you will. I go back to the '08 season. I think we lost three games there by 10 points or 13 points. I'd have to look it up. It's been a while. And then lost at the buzzer there at Illinois. Conquering the close game thing is, if you can do that, you're going to have a really good year or a chance for a good year, and if you can't, you're going to come up short. That's one of the challenges, things that go into it, and it's something we certainly try to point out to our guys on a continual basis, what it takes to be successful in those situations.

Q. Ideally about how many wide receivers would you want to play? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Ideally would be like 10. If we had 10 it would be great, but I don't know what we'll do. I think you guys probably know the names, who's going to be in there. It's just how it all shakes out. It's a little bit like everything else, depending on how they're doing in the game.

Q. You have a lot of coaches around the country talking about how they're trying not to get burned out. Are you still finding time to enjoy yourself here? (Josh Bolander, DITV)
COACH FERENTZ: Sometimes, yeah. It was tough last year; when you're going 4 8 it's not much fun.

Q. Your non conference win percentage I think is actually in the top third in the Big Ten Conference. How important is it for you guys to get those wins? (Josh Bolander, DITV)
COACH FERENTZ: It's helpful to get off to a good start in anything you do, going to class, starting a game or whatever and starting the season. But no matter what happens, no matter how it starts out, you have to keep pushing forward. You really can't dwell too much on what's going on. I go back to being 2 2 or 3 3 and the sky was falling in both those cases. You can't worry about that. You've got to worry about what you're doing moving forward. But it's always good to start out well, and that's something that's one of our goals, obviously, but we've got to go do it.

Q. Going back to special teams, has Connor come along as you were hoping as a punter now that he's handling all the duties now and not just punting like he was a year ago? (Brendan Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it's still a process. His plus 50 punting has been pretty good in practice. But that's a tricky position, and when he hits it well, he hits it really well. But the consistency thing is the biggest thing. I go back to that first year, Jason Baker was a veteran guy but he was still a little bit up and down. 2000 he really just took off. It happens at different times, but we're optimistic Connor will do a good job.

Q. Do you have any interest in wearing white jerseys at home instead of black? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: I hadn't thought of that. Do we still have time to pull that one off? I'll have to ask about that. Hadn't thought about that. They wore their it was '07, they wore some traditional jersey. But yeah, if I coached in Florida I'd probably think of that. They do it down there in the NFL I know for sure, but we'll be okay. I hadn't thought of that one, though.

Q. With the no huddle, I guess you take the risk of maybe someone being on the field a short time if it's one, two, three and out. On a day that's terribly hot would you back off from that plan a little bit? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: We'll see how it goes. But I think we work in the heat, it's just part of football, so we'll be okay. I think we'll be okay.

Tuesday: Media Day ahead of Season Opener on Saturday vs. Northern Illinois


Ferentz Press Conference Transcript 

Q. How do you prepare for the heat? (Bob Brooks, KMRY)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it was almost predictable. It seems like the first Monday back, this is my chamber of commerce week, I was with the quarterback club yesterday, seems like that's always a hot day. We practiced in it on Sunday, and we'll practice in it today and tomorrow and just see what it looks like. But our guys have trained in heat and they've played in heat. It's a factor, but it's a little bit like rain or snow. It's going to be equal for us as it is for them. It's just one of those things you deal with.

Q. With Jake, do you envision another season where only one quarterback takes a snap for you guys or have you left the door maybe a little more open that CJ or Sokol could get in there? (Andrew Logue)
COACH FERENTZ: Well, I think if it played out he's the only guy that played, that means he's playing pretty well, which is a good thing. We haven't ruled anything out or set any boundaries up. We'll take it a series at a time. But Jake has done a good job, and he's the thing I would say first of all, first and foremost, is I think all three of the returning players have really improved during this camp segment, 25 practices, and that's what we were hoping to see. They've all progressed at a little different stages and timelines, but clearly by naming Jake last week we felt like he was the furthest ahead and has been the most consistent. But both CJ and Cody have done a good job, too. We feel like we have three good candidates, kind of like we did in April. This is the ultimate test, what happens in game competition.

Q. Do you think it could be tempting for him when you have a Jordan Lynch on the other side to want to match things or a little - (Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: I would hope not. I don't think he's looking at it that way. I think he's focused on the right things, which is doing the best he can do, and just playing quarterback. He doesn't have to be the leader of our football team right now. Got to be unfair to expect that from him, other than what a quarterback does, and quarterbacks have to lead, and I think he understands that. He's been down that street before. The big thing is just go out and play as well as he can play the way he plays, and that's what we need him to do.

Q. There's a fine line probably between the quarterback looking over his shoulder and the team moving the ball and having success on offense. Are you going to worry about the quarterback looking over his shoulder in that scenario? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Hopefully not. We'll address that. Kind of already have, but we'll circle back. We're going to let him play. He's earned that over time. Again, we have confidence in both CJ and Cody, but Jake is going to play, and we'll let him go. Again, it's like anything, you don't want somebody looking over their shoulder. That's not productive anyway for him. He needs to be looking at what's in front of him. He's going to have a lot to look at, and it's going to be moving fast, too. Those guys are quick.

Q. If you had time to separate the three, what kind of put him over the edge? (Steve Batterson, Quad-City Times)
COACH FERENTZ: I think it's been consistency over the long haul. We were most interested in what happened once we got back in August. We had a good picture of all three guys in April, but they're young guys, and I'm not going to say no different, but it's a little bit similar to other guys that haven't started yet. You tend to see jumps with every segment and every phase, and all three guys have done a good job. But Jake grabbed the semi early lead, if you will, and he's just done a good job of building on that, but again, I'm pleased with all three guys.

Q. At what point during fall camp did it become clear to you that he was the most consistent? (Brendon Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Probably when we named it. We wanted to give it time, plenty of time. There's no sense rushing to a conclusion because things do change and can change. So we wanted to wait as late as we could but also wanted to start preparing a little bit for this game, which we did at the end of the last week.

Q. Is it fair to say that the quarterback has to play well for you guys to do well this season as a team, or is that too simple? (Pat Harty, Iowa City Press Citizen)
COACH FERENTZ: I can't think of many teams at many levels where that's not true. It's an important position. I'm not minimizing that position by any stretch. I think what you expect a quarterback to do differs based upon experience and that type of thing, what you ask a quarterback to do. But it's hard to play I think no matter what style of offense you have, unless you just have like 10 dominant players at the other positions. But it's really hard to win without good quarterback play. I'd even say, I'm thinking about the Ravens right now when they won the Super Bowl, their first Super Bowl. That quarterback was a good player. He played well, he was tough, didn't turn it over, all those kinds of things, they had a great defense. Everybody says, boy, that was a great defensive team. But their quarterback did a great job for the way they were built. And I think that's really important that quarterbacks do that.

Q. Do you consider this like a snapshot in time for this position, whereas if the trajectory of say CJ Beathard, who's only a red shirt freshman really soared throughout the season and workouts then next year that he'll have that opportunity to compete? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: He has an opportunity right now. Nobody has played yet. That's the one thing we do know. So we'll just kind of like what we've done through August, we'll let the scenario play itself out, and that's what we're going to do starting Saturday. And again, I don't envision us making this a three ring circus or anything like that. But if that's what it takes, that's what it was in '87, so if that's what it ends up being, that year was a three man competition, '08 was a two guy competition, and right now we're just going to see how it unfolds, see how things go.

Q. How important is this game from the perspective of a season opener but coming off last year wanting to get the bad taste out of your mouth? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it's kind of like the quarterback question. To me every opener is important just like every game, and football is different than basketball or baseball where you're playing a lot of games. Football you only get 12 shots, so every game really is critical, from that standpoint you have to value the importance of every game. But regardless of what happens, in '09 we got off to a 9 0 start. That was a pretty good deal. But in '08, the year before, we were 3 3; '04 we won the league, we were 2 2; and in 2002 we were 2 1 after three games. So to portray this as the Normandy invasion is not quite that level of importance, but it's an important game. I think it's important for every team playing right now. If you're in college football you've got 12 shots; you'd better be ready every time you get a chance to go to the bat.

Q. How has Scherff handled rehab and where is he right now? (KCCI)
COACH FERENTZ: Really well. I mean, it was pretty much a non issue with him in the spring and kind of stays that way, I think.

Q. Freshmen, made any decisions on true freshmen? (Tom Kakert, hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, I think right now it looks pretty obvious and apparent that LeShun is going to play, LeShun Daniels, and defensively we're still mulling a couple things over. We have a candidate or two, but we haven't finalized that yet. And then Damond Powell obviously, we didn't recruit him to sit on the bench, so he'll be playing some, too.

Q. Can you talk about the receivers? (Tom Kakert, hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: At this point we haven't green lighted it, but we haven't ruled it out. I don't think it'll be this week, but we'll keep an eye on things and just see how they develop.

Q. I realize that injuries are going to happen, things are going to happen, but the week before your first game, as a coach do you have a pretty good idea of what you've got? (Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Yes and no. We kind of think we do, but you're never quite sure. Yeah, I've been doing this a couple years now, and I swear I learn I know less now than I did maybe 15 years ago. That's because you know more, and I feel less organized. Go right down the list. But that's just, I think, kind of like you're always anxious. For a game you tend to be anxious. That's just part of the territory. But I think it's safe to say I think we're in a lot of areas a lot more veteran right now and a little further down the road. But it's like the quarterback play, you really don't know until you start playing what it is. But you evaluate 15 practices in the spring, you evaluate 25 prior to game week, and what they do in the conditioning programs, all those kinds of things, I'm really pleased with the way the guys have worked. I'm really pleased with our leadership, and our older guys, not just seniors but older guys have done a good job of showing other guys how to do things. So I'm pleased with everything they've done so far. I say everything, just about everything. I think the guys are working hard, and over the next 12 weeks we'll find out how things unfold.

Q. Do you feel better or more confident than you did a year ago this week? (Mike Hlas, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: About certain things I do, certainly, yeah. Probably more things than not. But again, you just never know how things are going to unfold. I felt like we were a better team in '08 but we were sitting at 3 3 at one point, and not long thereafter we were sitting there at 5 4. There are no guarantees how things are going to unfold, and there's really no sense in worrying about how they unfold. What's really important is how you move forward, and that's really the mindset we've tried to take since December.

Q. We've seen Coach Norm Parker around still really. He had such a reputation of stymieing quarterbacks, whether it's Gabbert or McCoy or JaMarcus Russell. What kind of legacy did he leave behind? Is there still an influence in a way how to prepare for a game like that? (Andrew Logue, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: I think so. Phil Parker was with Norm for 13 years, and I think Phil is a tremendous football coach. Yeah, it's not like we're void in that regard. Certainly Norm was critical in my mind to helping us build a good defensive football team because we were not a good one in '99, so that was a process, and what it gets down to is really playing good team defense. I think that was Norm's approach all the time, and that's kind of how we were built and that's how we operate, and I think for the most part we've remained that way. That's the key to the whole thing is being good fundamentally and realizing it takes 11 guys to stop teams. Most teams we play are going to have some really good performers. The positions may rotate but you have to play good team defense to stop a guy that's a really great player.

Q. Kirksey seems to be the guy that gets the least amount of recognition of the two linebackers just because of positioning plays, I guess. How important is he in a game like this for a quarterback who's such a good passer and runner? Seems like he'd do both of those pretty well? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, I don't mean this in any disrespectful way to Anthony, but if Chris played that position he'd have a lot of tackles, too. It's just kind of the nature of that position. LeVar played it, Grant Steen, you go right down the row there, and AJ Edds. By nature that position doesn't get involved as much with tackling, what have you, but it's a really critical position for us to play good defense. Again, it just gets back to that point when you play a quarterback like this, and they've got a lot of other guys, too. They've got fast receivers, good receivers, they've got a really good running back. It's going to take all 11 guys for us to be successful because if one guy isn't where he's supposed to be, these guys will do a good job of finding it, and that's really going to be critical for us.

Q. How much time have you put into going over the rules and the change of emphasis? (Bob Brooks, KMRY)
COACH FERENTZ: We've covered them all in camp like we always do. The biggest thing obviously is targeting. It's really not a new thing, but the NCAA sent out a video that was really, I thought, well done, gave great illustrations of what is legal, what isn't legal, why it's not legal. I think everybody in America is all in favor of protecting defenseless players. That's nothing new and I think it's a great thing. Probably the biggest concern going into this is just the emphasis and the escalation of emphasis and talk about it. I think it's a very difficult play to officiate, no different than an onside kick. But the difference is there's a real heightened awareness right now. To me it hasn't been a problem in our league based on what I know and what I've seen. It hasn't been a real big issue in our conference. I just hope it doesn't become one because we turn it into one, I guess if that's a good way to say it, politically correct way to say it.

Q. What have you seen from Austin Blythe and his growth? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: He's done a really nice job, probably surprisingly so. I expected a little bit more few more bumps in the road back in the spring, but he just kind of slid in there and did a good job. So that was good to see. He's not there yet, but he'll keep getting better. But he's really performed well. I think the biggest thing I'm happy about is last year he played like a first year guy, and you go back and look at the tape, we're seeing our first game right now for obvious reasons. Like a lot of first year guys, he had a few hiccups in there and all that type of thing, and then he had the injury. He's starting to get a little bit better. He had the injury, and when he did come back from that, he looked like a first year guy starting over again. He's made a big jump from a year ago. He's a much better player and I think a lot more confident and all that. But it's his first time playing center so it'll be a little different, but he's done a real nice job in practice. I expect him to do well.

Q. Last year's offense was a little bit lost in translation; some of your players were saying just like this English to Spanish type of thing. Do you feel like now everybody is on the same language? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Probably everybody but me. I'm probably the only guy that's still translating sometimes, and that's a good thing. Now I'm in and out of the meetings sometimes, one of those deals. But yeah, I think everybody else has really done a real good job, and certainly Bobby is familiar with it and comfortable and Chris White has done a great job. I think all the players are very comfortable. You can talk to them today. But I think we're a lot further down the road on that one, and that's a good thing.

Q. Have your blocking patterns changed much? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Not dramatically, but we always are looking to do some things a little differently, and I think we've maybe done a couple little things, but we still are pretty much who we are. I don't think it'll be radically different.

Q. Your depth at the tight end position, how can that be kind of a security blanket for Jake? (WHO-13)
COACH FERENTZ: I think the biggest thing that will help Connor is maybe some of our inexperience at receiver, although I think we're making progress at that position. Happy to say that. But the nice thing is I think we can use our tight ends to maybe take some pressure off the outside guys, and Bullock, Canzeri, too, if they can help us a little bit in that regard, that's a good thing, as well. Hopefully we'll have some places to distribute the ball.

Q. Losing Scherff last year, how big of a blow is that to your line, and how great is it to have him back? (KCCI)
COACH FERENTZ: You know, it didn't help. If you wanted to talk about two things right off the bat, our running back, it was tough to have two healthy backs that were proven backs at one time. We go into this season at least with an opportunity to have, I think, three or four guys we feel pretty comfortable with, which is an upgrade. We had lost Blythe with an ankle and then we lost both Brandon and Andrew, bang bang. That's not good for any football team certainly, and we just don't typically I haven't rolled out backups that look like starters. It's just not as easy to do here as some places, so injuries are always a factor.

Q. At the right guard spot, is Jordan Walsh pretty much a full go in there for you, or are you looking to do some rotating? (Brendan Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: I think it's fair to say we'll play both guys, Andrew and Jordan. Jordan I think has really made a jump this past week, which is good to see, and I think Andrew getting out of camp, his rehab was a little bit more involved or lengthy than Brandon's. Getting out of camp is going to be a good thing for him, and he is a starter. He has played. So has Jordan. I think we all feel pretty comfortable with those guys, what they can do. Connor only started three games, but I feel comfortable just because of the way he's practiced. He's really done a great job since the string.

Q. How do you feel about your defensive line? (Steve Batterson, Quad-City Times)
COACH FERENTZ: I think we're gaining ground, but it's going to be a great test. I think the one thing about Northern Illinois, if you just focus on the quarterback you're missing the boat. There's three years of success there. There's more than three years, but the last three years, tough to match those numbers. So they've got a lot of good players, a lot of spots, and where I'm going on this, they've got a Big Ten a good Big Ten offensive line, not just a Big Ten offensive line. All their guys are back. They're big, physical guys. It's going to be a real it's not like we're waiting four weeks to see how we match up with anybody. This is going to be a quite a test. We've got more tests coming, too; I know that. But this one right off the bat is going to be a real challenge for our guys up front.

Q. You said you have multiple capable running backs. How do you plan on using that running back depth this season? (Ben Ross, Daily Iowan)
COACH FERENTZ: Well, the nice thing is hopefully we won't have to run one guy into the ground, not that we ever do that. But when you have some options, and I'll go back to speaking of running guys into the ground, Shonn Greene, but we had guys that could come off and give him a break here and there. I think we at least go into this game with that flexibility and not have to be just holding our breath every second that somebody else is in there. I think we have four guys that have demonstrated they can help us out.

Q. The defense, how much harder is it to plan and coordinate? (Ben Ross, Daily Iowan)
COACH FERENTZ: We have two different style of guys, but running backs are running backs and they come in all sizes and shapes. These guys have a little guy that's tougher than nails. You'd think their guy, like he might have some blocking deficiencies, but he's a tough blocker and he's a good runner, too. I think our four guys are good players.

Q. Talk about Nate Meyer a little bit, is he going to be a situational guy? (Tom Kakert, Hawkeyereport.com)
COACH FERENTZ: He showed us a year ago he's tough. But he was trying to channel that toughness and make it productive. It was a little bit of a challenge. But he did a good job in the spring. He's a guy that we hope can play on special teams and hope that maybe he can help us a little bit he's not the biggest guy in the world right now, but if he can give us a little something on passing situations, things like that, we might utilize him.

Q. Has Powell been consistent since his performance at the open practice? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: It's been a process, and I think you probably saw his highlight; him catching that ball right there on the pylon was really a great football play, so that was good to see. We figured out he's fast pretty quickly. We noticed that. I think he's starting to it's been fun to watch him climb the ladder. Would have been really neat if he was here in the spring; he'd probably be further down the road. But he's doing a good job.

Q. Is he a guy you can count on in every situation? (Marc Morehouse, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: It's like a lot of players, we'll try to find roles for everybody and play to their strengths, do what they do best, and certainly we'll do that with him, too.

Q. Seems like one of Rudock's real attributes is he's a really bright guy. Is that maybe part of the reason he is where he's at? (Luke Meredith, Associated Press)
COACH FERENTZ: It didn't hurt him, and he is bright. I asked him last night what he was taking. He happened to be in the office last evening, and I didn't take many of those courses, I can tell you that, that he's taking. Probably none of those courses to be specific. He's on a different planet. But that's a good thing. He communicates well. He's not an egghead, if you will. He's a guy on the team that really does a good job. He's a smart guy but he's also a guy who prepares, and he's very serious about what's in front of him and does the same thing academically. You see guys go both ways, but he kind of takes care of all the details.

Q. There were six games last year that were decided by three points or less, and a lot of those type of games sometimes will come down to kicking. Have you talked to Mike Meyer about how important every kick is going to be this year? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: You know, we do every year, be it a kicker or a punter. Special teams come down to a couple things; the specialists first of all. They have to do what they're supposed to do to make it work, but everybody else has to do their job, too. I think the big thing for Mike is just, kind of like every player, just go out and do what you do; don't worry about all this stuff. If you're called on to kick, then kick it well. And I think he'll do that. He's a tremendous young guy, and he's improved with every step of the way.

Q. Is there anything else that you've found has been the difference between winning those three point games versus losing them? (Jared Aarons, KGAN)
COACH FERENTZ: That's kind of the story of our history, if you will. I go back to the '08 season. I think we lost three games there by 10 points or 13 points. I'd have to look it up. It's been a while. And then lost at the buzzer there at Illinois. Conquering the close game thing is, if you can do that, you're going to have a really good year or a chance for a good year, and if you can't, you're going to come up short. That's one of the challenges, things that go into it, and it's something we certainly try to point out to our guys on a continual basis, what it takes to be successful in those situations.

Q. Ideally about how many wide receivers would you want to play? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: Ideally would be like 10. If we had 10 it would be great, but I don't know what we'll do. I think you guys probably know the names, who's going to be in there. It's just how it all shakes out. It's a little bit like everything else, depending on how they're doing in the game.

Q. You have a lot of coaches around the country talking about how they're trying not to get burned out. Are you still finding time to enjoy yourself here? (Josh Bolander, DITV)
COACH FERENTZ: Sometimes, yeah. It was tough last year; when you're going 4 8 it's not much fun.

Q. Your non conference win percentage I think is actually in the top third in the Big Ten Conference. How important is it for you guys to get those wins? (Josh Bolander, DITV)
COACH FERENTZ: It's helpful to get off to a good start in anything you do, going to class, starting a game or whatever and starting the season. But no matter what happens, no matter how it starts out, you have to keep pushing forward. You really can't dwell too much on what's going on. I go back to being 2 2 or 3 3 and the sky was falling in both those cases. You can't worry about that. You've got to worry about what you're doing moving forward. But it's always good to start out well, and that's something that's one of our goals, obviously, but we've got to go do it.

Q. Going back to special teams, has Connor come along as you were hoping as a punter now that he's handling all the duties now and not just punting like he was a year ago? (Brendan Stiles, hawkeyedrive.com)
COACH FERENTZ: Yeah, it's still a process. His plus 50 punting has been pretty good in practice. But that's a tricky position, and when he hits it well, he hits it really well. But the consistency thing is the biggest thing. I go back to that first year, Jason Baker was a veteran guy but he was still a little bit up and down. 2000 he really just took off. It happens at different times, but we're optimistic Connor will do a good job.

Q. Do you have any interest in wearing white jerseys at home instead of black? (Scott Dochterman, Cedar Rapids Gazette)
COACH FERENTZ: I hadn't thought of that. Do we still have time to pull that one off? I'll have to ask about that. Hadn't thought about that. They wore their it was '07, they wore some traditional jersey. But yeah, if I coached in Florida I'd probably think of that. They do it down there in the NFL I know for sure, but we'll be okay. I hadn't thought of that one, though.

Q. With the no huddle, I guess you take the risk of maybe someone being on the field a short time if it's one, two, three and out. On a day that's terribly hot would you back off from that plan a little bit? (Rick Brown, Des Moines Register)
COACH FERENTZ: We'll see how it goes. But I think we work in the heat, it's just part of football, so we'll be okay. I think we'll be okay.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Game Week: Iowa Hawkeyes get ready for Kickoff of 2013 Regular Season vs. Northern Illinois

IOWA CITY, Iowa-- University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz will meet with media at 12:45 p.m. (CT) Tuesday to talk about Saturday's regular season opener against Northern Illinois.  Coach Ferentz is kicking off his 15th season as the head of the Hawkeyes (100-74, 59-53 in B1G).

The briefing with local, regional and national media will be held in the Hayden Fry Football Complex and will be available live from start to finish on Hawkeye All-Access, the multi-media portal inside hawkeyesports.com, the official worldwide website of the Iowa Hawkeyes. 

Another good way to follow the Hawkeyes during the season is on iowa.rivals.com.  Hawkeye Report offers good reporting, analysis and recruiting news.

Saturday's game will begin at 2:42 p.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on the BTN with the former Hawkeye trio of Paul Burmeister, Chuck Long, and Danan Hughes calling the action.

Iowa holds an 8-0 advantage in the series with the Huskies, including an 18-17 victory in the 2012 season opener in Chicago's Soldier Field. The first six games in the series were played in Kinnick Stadium and the last two in Chicago.

Northern Illinois went 12-2 a season ago while winning the MAC championship. Following the season-opening loss to the Hawkeyes, the Huskies won 12 straight games to earn a BCS berth into the Orange Bowl, where they fell 31-10 to Florida State. Rod Carey is in his first year as Northern Illinois' head coach.

Friday, August 23, 2013

Iowa releases Two Deeps for Season Opener vs. Northern Illinois at Kinnick Stadium

The Iowa Hawkeyes open 2013 with Northern Illinois on August 31st at Kinnick Stadium.  The Hawkeyes and Huskies open back to back seasons head to head, after meeting in Soldier Field, last year.  Here are the two deeps for Iowa heading into the ninth game in the non-conference series with the Huskies:

WR - Shumpert*, T. Smith
LT - Scherff, MacMillan*
LG - Boffeli*, Simmons
C - Blythe, Gaul
RG - Walsh, Donnal
RT - Van Sloten*, Ward
TE - Fiedorowicz*, Hamilton/Duzey
WR - Martin-Manley, Cotton*/Hillyer
FB - Cox, Plewa
RB - Weisman/Bullock, Canzeri
QB - Rudock, Beathard/Sokol

DE - Ott, Hardy
DT - C. Davis, Cooper
DT - Trinca-Pasat, J. Johnson
DE - Alvis*, McMinn/Meier
OLB - Kirksey*, Perry
MLB - Morris*, Alston
WLB - Hitchens*, Collins/Fisher
LC - Lowery*, Fleming
RC - Lomax, G. Smith*
FS - Miller*, Gair
SS - Lowdermilk, Law

P - Kornbrath
K - Meyer*, Koehn

LS - Kreiter*
H - Kornbrath

PR - Martin-Manley
KR - Cotton*, Canzeri

Iowa's preseason depth chart includes 14 seniors*, 12 of which are projected as starters (includes placekicker and long snapper). Iowa`s 14 seniors listed on the preseason depth chart have started a combined 204 games. Iowa's 13 juniors have started 35 total contests, while its 21 sophomores have started 27.

LAST YEAR's Meeting at Soldier Field

Iowa scored nine unanswered points in the fourth quarter to complete an 18-17 comeback win over Northern Illinois at Soldier Field to open the 2012 season.

The Hawkeyes trailed, 17-9, heading into the final quarter. Iowa's first drive of the frame covered 31 yards in 10 plays and was capped by a Mike Meyer 50-yard field goal, tying his career long. Meyer matched his career best with four field goals and tied Iowa's single game record with five field goal attempts. His efforts earned him co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week accolades.

Senior John Weinke's punt with 5:36 remaining pinned the Huskies at their own 1-yard line and the Hawkeye defense forced a three-and-out. Iowa took over on the NIU 24-yard line, trailing by five, with 3:41 left. Sophomore Damon Bullock broke a 23-yard run on third down for Iowa's only touchdown of the game, giving the Hawkeyes an 18-17 advantage. Iowa would hold the Huskies without a first down on their final drive to seal the win.

Bullock led Iowa's offensive attack, registering 30 carries for 150 yards and a touchdown. Senior QB James Vandenberg finished 21-33 for 129 yards, completing passes to six different receivers.

Iowa's defense held the Huskies to just 54 yards passing and 201 yards total offense. Iowa ran 30 more plays than NIU and dominated time of possession, racking up 38:42.

Iowa finished 4-8 last year, while Northern Illinois finished 12-2, with losses to Iowa and Florida State in the Orange Bowl to open and close the 2012 season.

NIU Rod Carey became the Huskies' third coach in four years, when he was elevated to head coach prior to Orange Bowl, when Dave Doeren became the new coach at North Carolina State.  Carey was Doeren's offensive line coach the past two seasons.

NIU returns 13 starters, including all-everything quarterback Jordan Lynch.

Motivation isn't a problem, either for Northern Illinois.

"[The Orange Bowl loss] just gave us a hard edge. Everybody's coming out hard and competing," 2012 All-MAC safety Jimmie Ward said. "... Basically, going into this Iowa game, I feel like everybody's still, since we came off the loss, everybody's still got a hard edge. Everybody's got something to prove."

The Huskies' quest for another BCS game starts Aug. 31 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.

Most likely, NIU will have to go unbeaten to reach the plateau again.  The BCS is certainly a reality now, and expectations are higher than ever for NIU.

NIU has played in three straight MAC title games, winning the last two MAC titles. 

However, the team's internal expectations are even bigger.  "We have higher expectations for ourselves than anybody outside," Carey said.  "And we're striving to meet those every day. And that's why sometimes these guys see me grumpy, because we're not there yet and we want to be there."

"But it's a process, and you've got to love the process and love the grind." 

"As for what exactly those expectations are?"  Those are for us to know," Carey said with a smile.

IOWA's FERENTZ FOURTH IN LONGEVITY

Now in his 15th season as Iowa's head football coach, Kirk Ferentz ranks fourth in longevity among FBS head coaches. Ferentz is first among Big Ten coaches and nationally ranks behind Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer, Larry Blakeney of Troy and Mack Brown of Texas. Ferentz is tied for fourth with Bob Stoops of Oklahoma.

THE SERIES: IOWA vs. NIU

Iowa boasts an 8-0 record against Northern Illinois, with six of the games being played at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City and two at Soldier Field in Chicago. The Hawkeyes won the previous eight meetings by a 26.9 margin of victory. Iowa won the last meeting 18-17 a year ago at Soldier Field in Chicago. Coach Kirk Ferentz's first victory as Iowa's head coach came against the Huskies in 1999 (24-0). Here are the results:

*9/21/85W48-20
*9/20/86W57-3
*9/28/91W58-7
*11/6/93W54-20
*9/18/99W24-0
*10/24/06W24-14
9/1/07W16-3
9/1/12W18-17
*at Iowa City

Iowa names sophomore Jake Rudock opening game starter

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Jake Rudock didn't take a snap as a back up quarterback to James Vandenberg in 2012.  Now, ever move will be scrutinized by the Hawkeye nation, as the man entering as QB in 2013.

Thus is the life of a quarterback moving from backup to starter.

"I said last year I thought it was so strange how the backup is always the most famous guy," Rudock said Friday in an exclusive interview with hawkeyesports.com. "It doesn't make sense, but hey, everyone wants to see someone else step up, that's how it is."

Rudock, on Friday, was named the starting signal-caller for the University of Iowa, emerging in a highly-contest and closely-watched three-person race that also included junior Cody Sokol and redshirt freshman C.J. Beathard.

"It made you have to work harder to keep going and understanding you have guys on your heals," said Rudock, a sophomore. "You can't take anything lightly and each play matters."

Vandenberg took every snap for the Hawkeyes during the 2012 season, completing 57 percent of his passes for 2,249 yards and seven touchdowns.

Rudock's high school resume is long and impressive. A native of Weston, Fla., Rudock led St. Thomas Aquinas to a 15-0 record and district, regional, and national championships in 2010. He holds school single-game records for passing yards (333) and touchdowns (five) and single-season records for passing yards (2,827) and touchdowns (36).

Rudock was second on the depth chart last season, studying behind Vandenberg. Now it's is his turn to lead the Hawkeyes.

"I was very happy (when I heard the news)," Rudock said. "That's what you want to hear. You want to be the guy and you want to be able to go out there and play football. You're excited as you can be, but at the same time there is a long road ahead and you have to keep working, take it game-by-game, and keep going."

Rudock may be a new starter, but he will have some experience to draw on in the offensive unit in 2013.  The defense and special team have even more experience for Iowa heading into 2013.

STARTERS RETURNING
Iowa's projected returning starters on offense include: left tackle Brandon Scherff, right tackle Brett Van Sloten, center Austin Blythe (moved from guard), tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz, running back Mark Weisman and wide receiver Kevonte Martin-Manley. The returning defensive starters include: linemen Dominic Alvis and Louis Trinca-Pisat, linebackers Christian Kirksey, Anthony Hitchens and James Morris, and defensive backs B.J. Lowery and Tanner Miller. PK Mike Meyer, punter Connor Kornbrath, kickoff returner Jordan Cotton and long snapper Casey Kreiter also return.

Among the returning starters, 10 started every game in 2012. Kirksey has started 25 consecutive games over the last two seasons, while Tanner Miller has started 23 straight and Fiedorowicz has started 17 straight.

Iowa's preseason depth chart includes 14 seniors, 12 of which are projected as starters (includes placekicker and long snapper). Iowa`s 14 seniors listed on the preseason depth chart have started a combined 204 games. Iowa's 13 juniors have started 35 total contests, while its 21 sophomores have started 27.

Iowa opens the season at home Aug. 31 against Northern Illinois with a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on the Big Ten Network. It is the annual "Be Bold, Wear Gold" game.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Delany: Kirk Ferentz "great" coach and leader in College Football

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Big Ten Conference commissioner Jim Delany called University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz one of the best coaches in the country Thursday morning during a visit to Iowa City.

The 25-year commissioner is visiting all 12 conference institutions as part of a Fall Football Practice Tour. During the visit, UI director of athletics presented Delany a wooden, rocking chair in recognition of his service.

"Kirk has done a fabulous job here," said Delany. "They have not won as much as they would liked the last couple of years, but I think he is one of the great football coaches and leaders in the country. I am sure they'll be more competitive (this season)."

Delany talked about the difficulty of sustaining success, year-in-and-year-out. The Hawkeyes finished 4-8 in 2012 and weren't bowl eligible for the first time since 2000.

"One of the things I talking with Kirk about was the challenge of sustaining success," said Delany. "Michigan had a drop-off, but they were the only major team in the country to win eight games every year for 20-25 years. Sustainability is a difficult thing, it's rare to see."

Michigan is seeking its first Big Ten title, since 2004, as is Iowa.

#1 Alabama has won three of the last four BCS titles, but finished 4-9 in 2003 and 6-7 in 2006.  #2 Ohio State was 6-7 in 2011. 

Cycles do happen as Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder went 4-7 and 5-6 in 2004 and 2005, respectively.  They welcomed a new coach for three years with little success or improvement, but with Snyder's return finished 10-3 and 11-2 the past two seasons, after 6-6 and 7-6.

After another wave of conference realignment hit in 2012-13, Delany says current expansion talk is calm.  Maryland and Rutgers will begin conference play in 2014.

"People are spending their time on integrating and building," he said. "All of us have responsibility now that most of us are in two regions to build our conferences and fan base.

"(Big Ten) is feeling good about the growth and recognition in the eastern corridor. We have a lot of alums in that corridor."

Iowa and Nebraska have competed in The Heroes Game on Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) in each of the past two seasons, and will meet on the same day through the 2017 season.

"We like to use that Friday if we can find a good game to put in it," said Delany. "Both Iowa and Nebraska have been willing to play, and I hope they stay open and flexible to it. I don't know where it goes in the future."

With increased television exposure, Delany says college football players are under more scrutiny in today's landscape than they have ever been in the past.

"I said make good decisions for yourself, make them for your teammates and family, have fun and take advantage of the great opportunities, both educational and athletics, the Big Ten provides," said Delany. "It will be the greatest time of your life, but realize, there will be a lot of scrutiny.

"You try to teach, lead and encourage them to make the decisions, and that's part of growing up, part of playing Big Ten football."

Iowa opens the regular season Aug. 31, hosting Northern Illinois inside Kinnick Stadium beginning at 2:30 p.m. (CT).

Could Iowa surprise in the Big Ten Legends Division in 2013?

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The Big Ten Network was inside the Kenyon Football Practice Facility on Tuesday and what the studio personalities saw was an improved Hawkeye team. Improved not only from the end of the 2012 season, but from the end of spring camp as well.

"It's a better group than it was last year and the team continues to get better," said Howard Griffith, BTN analyst. "They will be alright. The coaching staff does a great job teaching and getting kids prepared. Now it comes down to executing."

Griffith and his BTN cohorts Tom Dienhart and Dave Revsine were watching with interest the drills involving UI quarterbacks and wide receivers.

"You get a better sense for guys you have read about," Revsine said of the visit. "(UI wide receiver) Damond Powell and his 30 yards per catch in junior college for example; I want to get a look at this guy. More than anything, it gives us a chance to know the team."

Dienhart, who writes for BTN.com, says the Hawkeyes have more than one quality option behind center.

"I know it sounds like (Jake) Rudock is the guy, but C.J. Beathard may throw the ball as well as any quarterback they have," Dienhart said. "I think (Beathard) can be a little careless and doesn't know the system as well as Rudock, but skill-wise, he may be the best. Those two guys have stood out in my mind -- Rudock with his command of the offense and Beathard with his skills -- and of course with that (long) hair."

"As Iowa fans know, a lot of times, (head coach) Kirk Ferentz and company do their best work when the spotlight is not right on them. Does any Big Ten team have a bigger opening game than Iowa at home against Northern Illinois? You want to talk about a game that could set the tempo for the season; if they beat a very good Huskies team in Kinnick Stadium, maybe that gives them the momentum they need to move forward to having a successful year." Tom Dienhart, Writer, BTN.com said.

In what has become an annual tradition in August, the BTN loads up its RV (complete with a custom wrap featuring an image of one player from each Big Ten Conference team), reviews a practice in every Big Ten city and then airs its footage and interviews at a later date. The Hawkeyes will be featured Sunday, Aug. 25, at 7 p.m. (CT).

Iowa is coming off a 4-8 season, but Revsine is quick to remind that if a few of the close games tilt in favor of the Hawkeyes, 2012 is another winning season with another bowl trip.

"It's not like they are in dire straits right now," Revsine said. "It was a down year and nobody here is happy with it. Players talk about being embarrassed, but it is not a disastrous situation. The Titanic is not sinking. It may have taken on a little water last year, now you try to figure how to get it turned around."

The Hawkeyes open the season at home Aug. 31 against Northern Illinois, a 12-win team in 2012, which returns Heisman Trophy candidate quarterback Jordan Lynch. The only regular-season loss for the Huskies last season was to Iowa, 18-17, in Chicago's Soldier Field.

"As Iowa fans know, a lot of times, (head coach) Kirk Ferentz and company do their best work when the spotlight is not right on them," Dienhart said. "Does any Big Ten team have a bigger opening game than Iowa at home against Northern Illinois? You want to talk about a game that could set the tempo for the season; if they beat a very good Huskies team in Kinnick Stadium, maybe that gives them the momentum they need to move forward to having a successful year."

All three BTN personalities agree that the Hawkeyes passed the "eyeball test" and across the board the team looks good physically. They noticed a "wiggle and shiftiness" from newcomer Powell, they liked seeing running backs Jordan Canzeri and Damon Bullock in the slot and getting into space, and they loved the linebacker trio, as well as the thought of putting one of their hands on the ground in pass-rushing situations.

Griffith likes the look of a healthy Carl Davis at defensive tackle. Revsine said that even though the Legends Division is the tougher of the two, he senses a better win-loss record for the Hawkeyes. But Dienhart summed it up best.

"Offensively, passing the football and getting production from receivers, and defensively getting a pass rush; if they can answer those three questions, Iowa could be a surprise team."

Monday, August 19, 2013

12 Days until a new QB takes over reigns for the Hawkeyes

The Iowa Hawkeyes prior to the 2012 season finished 10 straight seasons bowl eligible under head coach Kirk Ferentz.  But, the 2012 season finished a disappointing 4-8, including six straight loses to finish the season.

Unlike every other major college football team in 2012, the Iowa Hawkeyes only played one quarterback all season.  So, many around Iowa are interested in seeing the debut on a new quarterback, after two seasons with James Vandenberg at the helm.

Who will be Iowa's 'next man in' at Quarterback?

"I am happy with the way the team has been working," said Ferentz. "It hasn't been perfect, but we're making progress. We certainly have a lot of work to do in all areas, but the attitude has been good."

Ferentz wouldn't come out and hand the keys of the Hawkeye offense to sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock publicly, but the Florida native ran exclusively with the first teamers for the duration of the Kid's Day scrimmage on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium in front of roughly 12,000 Iowa fans.

"We'll look at the tapes and talk a little bit tomorrow and the next couple of days, and we'll make a decision this week," said Ferentz. "Jake is doing a good job. There are no complaints there. He is still a young guy, but has done a nice job.

"I don't think anyone is displeased with the other two guys (Cody Sokol and C.J. Beathard) either. We'll see what it looks like this week, and we'll keep moving forward."