Kirk Ferentz applauds Drew Stevens’ growth in third year with Iowa football

Drew Stevens has developed into a trusty weapon for the Iowa Hawkeyes this season. The junior kicker has come into his own and has allowed Iowa to get points once they get into enemy territory.

After a rocky period last year that saw Stevens replaced, he has bounced back this season and proved his worth to Iowa going 6-6 on field goals and a perfect 14-14 on extra points.

His growth has not gone unnoticed. When asked about his success, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz applauded the growth displayed by Stevens.

“Yeah, it’s night-and-day difference, and just in general terms, and I can only speak to Iowa because it’s the only place I’ve been in college football, certainly in major college football. For us, three-year is kind of a magical number, if you will. It seems to be where guys start to get traction, as a rule. There’s exceptions to everything. I think there’s probably a classic example, but he did a nice job, and two years ago really did a nice job, last year kind of tailed off at the end. I think all of us were wondering how he’d respond to  that, but he’s really come back just extremely, extremely impressive and in
impressive fashion starting in the spring. Like he practiced well in the spring, and he’s doing a really good job right now.”

“The kick that he made up in Minnesota was impressive. I think LeVar put it well. It’s a true confidence now because he’s earned it and he’s more mature physically certainly, so he’s better able to execute his job.”

“He’s a whole different person, not only as a football player, as a person, too.”

“I thought he did a good job early, considering, but now he’s a much different person and football player on top of it,” Ferentz said in high regards about Drew Stevens.

Through three seasons with Iowa, Stevens has made 40-50 (80%) field goal attempts and is 57-58 (98.3%) on extra points.

Drew Stevens’ freshman season saw him burst onto the scene nailing 16-18 kicks and connecting on all 24 extra points. This year is on pace to beat that and provides Iowa with a huge weapon to get points.