Football is won in the trenches and that is how the Iowa Hawkeyes have found success so far in 2024 on their way to a 4-2 record.
As usual, the defensive line is doing its part disrupting games and making life hard for opposing offenses. What is standing out just as much, if not more, is the success that the offensive line is having.
A mix of experience paired with Tim Lester’s new blocking scheme has created a maturing and growing offensive line that Iowa is leaning on this season.
This week, Kirk Ferentz detailed what it has been like to see this group mature and grow more confident each passing week.
“It’s something you feel I guess more than anything else. Our guys look really good, the kind of line we want to be right now physically. You can’t hand that to a guy.
Some guys walk in here—but not here—we don’t get many guys walking in that look like that. When they finish, hopefully they climb that ladder.
It’s a lesson I learned watching our wrestlers, the way they operated back in the ’80s. They still do. Back in the ’80s, how can’t we recruit this three-time state champion, they took this guy instead.
Part of is a feel, too. Maturity I think brings confidence sometimes. Usually you got to go through some bad experiences to get there. That’s usually how the path works. Few guys walk in.
I worked with John, like I said, coached Jonathan Ogden, worked with him three years. He was so good. Most guys go through some growing pains.,” Ferentz proudly said of the group up front on offense.
The group is doing it all. They are protecting Cade McNamara from pressure which has allowed him to find some recent success as well as paving the way for one of the nation’s top running backs in Kaleb Johnson.
This unit is finding its groove and it is getting noticed.
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