Iowa-Iowa State 2010: Kirk Ferentz Press Conference Transcript
University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz talked about the upcoming Cy-Hawk intrastate rivalry Tuesday when he spoke with local, regional and national media for his weekly press conference.
The main topic of interest was Saturday's game against Iowa State. "It's going to be a tough game," the Iowa head coach reminded. "we are going to have to really do our part to make sure that we improve this week and get ready to play this it Saturday afternoon."
Ferentz also updated the press about Iowa's injury situation, the captains for the game, Paki O'Meara's Special Teams Player of the Week honor and Josh Koeppel's recent television appearance. Coach also field questions about Brandon Wegher (still MIA), Nolan MacMillan (had an awesome game against EIU), ISU head coach Paul Rhoads and several other questions. Read the full transcript below, as provided by HawkeyeSports.com.
Iowa-Eastern Illinois: Hawkeyes Win Opener Easily
The first game of the 2010 season is in the books, and it was a glorious victory for the Hawkeyes.
In contrast to last year's close home opener, Iowa made quick work of the Eastern Illinois Panthers and passed their first test of the season in a decisive fashion. It was the 10th-straight season opening win under coach Kirk Ferentz.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi threw for 18 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown in the win. The veteran leader gave Hawkeye fans a scare in the second quarter when he limped off the field with a knee injury, but would later return to action.
Sophomore running back Adam Robinson had a big game, carrying the ball 24 times for 109 yards and three TDs. He also caught three passes for 43 yards.
Senior Paki O'Meara also got in on the action, doing his best Adrian Clayborn impression by blocking a punt for a touchdown late in the first quarter.
Iowa Extends Ferentz's Contact Through 2020
The University of Iowa made sure to prove their loyalty to head football coach Kirk Ferentz prior to the start of the 2010 season.
In a recent press release, the University announced an extension that puts Ferentz under contract with Iowa through the 2020 college football season. "I've said publicly, and privately to Kirk, that it would be my goal to have him retire at Iowa," said Athletic Director Gary Barta.
"This contract is a statement supporting that commitment."
Second Hand Notes from Ferentz's Eastern Illinois presser
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz got the 2010 weekly press conferences started today with a comprehensive update on the football team. Ferentz spoke with local, regional and national members of the media about Saturday's home opener against the Eastern Illinois Panthers.
To get things started, Ferentz thanked the fans for their support. He genuinely seems excited for the season to begin.
The head coach then named the captains for the week: seniors Adrian Clayborn, Karl Klug, Ricky Stanzi and Julian Vandervelde.
After the captains came the injury updates. Ferentz provided updates on linebacker Jeff Tarpinian, cornerback Shaun Prater, center Josh Koeppel and running back Marcus Coker.
Tarpinian has a fracture in his hand, but should be ok to play. Prater is week by week. Coker is rehabbing his shoulder but has started running in practice; his future status is a bit unclear.
Koeppel is recovering well after a truck recently hit him while he was riding his moped around campus. It isn't likely to see action this weekend.
Twelve Days of Hawkeyes: C James Ferentz
James Ferentz found himself in a little bit of trouble prior to the 2009 season.
For the second time in less than six months, the son of Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz found himself being disciplined for an alcohol-related infraction. Dad was not happy.
In October of 2008, the younger Ferentz was cited for possession of alcohol by a minor. The following April, he was cited again with public intoxication.
Ferentz was rated by Scout as 2008's sixth best high school center in the nation. Legal problems obviously set his progress back a bit.
"I was extremely disappointed to learn of James’ very poor decision-making on several levels,” Ferentz told the media after the first run-in with the law. "The fact that James is also my son only complicates an already tough situation."
Since then, the younger Ferentz has worked his way out of the proverbial doghouse and into a race for the starting center position this season.
Twelve Days of Hawkeyes: DT Karl Klug
To go along with some of the trend of players being named to preseason award watch lists, another Hawkeye earned a spot on the 2010 Outland Trophy Watch List.
Iowa's Karl Klug is one of several Big Ten players on this year's watch list. The Outland Trophy is awarded to college football's best interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is the third oldest award in college football.
Klug definitely deserves a spot on the list.
While fellow teammate Adrian Clayborn gets most of the attention on Iowa's defensive line, Klug is a beast in his own right. He is the workhorse that does the dirty work in the trenches.
Leppert, Gray leave Hawkeyes; Wegher still MIA
Iowa's head coach Kirk Ferentz announced that two roster changes have occurred since the Hawkeyes began training camp this summer.
According to the announcement released by the University's Sports Information Office, senior fullback Wade Leppert and freshman linebacker Austin Gray have left the team.
"Wade Leppert has left the team and plans to finish school here this year," Ferentz explained. "Austin Gray has decided to leave the football team. Austin went through camp, but chose not to start school."
The announcement also offered up another update on the status sophomore running back Brandon Wegher.
Twelve Days of Hawkeyes: Linebacker Jeremiha Hunter
During his third season with the University of Iowa, linebacker Jeremiha Hunter quietly finished second on the team in tackles.
Hunter recorded 90 tackles (35 solo, 55 assisted) to go along with five passes defended, two forced fumbles, and an interception. In a game against Michigan last season, Hunter recorded 12 tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
It was the second straight year he ended the season behind fellow linebacker Pat Angerer in total tackles, which is likely why most people seemed to have overlooked Hunter the past two seasons.
Angerer's stellar play, to go along with having one of the Big Ten's easiest names to remember, helped to cast a big shadow over some of his fellow teammates. He was one of two Iowa linebackers drafted in the 2010 NFL Draft. A.J. Edds was the other. Edds picked up 77 tackles and five interceptions last season.
Hawkeye Nerd Conventional Wisdom: 12 Days till Kickoff
The term "conventional wisdom" is often used to describe an idea or set of ideas that are widely accepted but may be questionable upon close examination. Conventional wisdom refers to the accepted truth that may need to be reevaluated after more examination or as events unfold.
Newsweek does a political version of Conventional Wisdom each week in its publication, and then also offers up a Think Again in retaliation to the CV. This sparked the idea to do an Iowa-related version of Newsweek's column each week, to offer up insights about the happenings in the world of Hawkeye athletics.
Thus, every Monday, the Nerd will offer up comments on which generally accepted Hawkeye beliefs are on the rise or fall, and a small reason why it may need more thought. This week's edition touches on a recent interview by the head coach, the Wegher Situation and the kicking competition.
Rivals has a Mancrush on Iowa Hawkeyes Football
Over the last few weeks, the popular sports website Rivals released all of their college football preseason unit rankings, and it's clear that they think Iowa is the real deal.
Not only does Rivals rank two of Iowa's units as the best in the Nation, but they rank four total Hawkeye units in the top five in the nation. That includes a No. 3 ranking for the coaching staff. Rivals also named senior defensive end Adrian Clayborn to their first-team All-American Team and junior safety Tyler Sash to their second-team.
"Expectations have nothing to do with how the season is going to turn out,” head coach Kirk Ferentz reminded at Iowa's Media Day. “The things that we have to do, that's really going to be the most important thing, and then all of that being said, we don't know what's going to happen out here or on the road in those 12 ballgames."
