Tag: Alex Padilla

‘What’s the upside?’: Brian Ferentz shoots down the idea of a QB change to Alex Padilla

Offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz had some interesting words about Iowa’s quarterback situation between Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla.

The bye week is the perfect opportunity for a team to self reflect on their season thus far, and to try and root out any internal issues presenting themselves on the field. You get a whole week off to try and fix some key issues, getting your team on track to be at their best for the home stretch of the season.

For Iowa, it’s a bit harder than identifying one issue, as offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz alluded to in his bye week press conference, transcribed in full here by Hawkeyes Wire managing editor Josh Helmer. There really isn’t a root cause. Iowa has to really “look at everything.”

In reality, pretty much everything is a mess with Iowa’s offense. Nothing has been good enough, and it hasn’t really been for the past few years now. We are just seeing the worst version of the same bad offense that has been trotting out over the past few seasons.

Of course, the question about changing quarterbacks was always going to come up. Fans were ready to make a change midway through the first game against South Dakota State, and the sentiment around the fanbase in Iowa City hasn’t really changed since.

After pretty much as bad of an offensive performance as you can get, only scoring six points against Illinois and failing to mount a game-winning drive, of course the media was going to present the question at this press conference. It led to some rather interesting answers from the Hawkeyes’ OC.

When first asked the question, Ferentz recognized the potential success of change for change’s sake. It has worked for other teams.

“I don’t disagree with the philosophy of changing for change’s sake. I think it has been effective for people. I think it exists in the world. It’s like any philosophy. You can point to times it’s successful. You can point to times it’s not successful. Just like sticking with somebody, right? That’s going to cut both ways at some point as well. It’s not a philosophy that we adhere to,” Ferentz said.

It is a weird point, considering a couple of questions later he stated that he is “not interested in making a change for change’s sake.” Pretty much, Ferentz claims that the quarterback position is like any other spot on the team. They evaluate and ultimately roll with the guy they feel gives them the best chance to win, which in their minds is Spencer Petras.

“But right now the best way I can describe the quarterback position is this: It’s like any position on our football team. We’re evaluating everybody all the time on everything. The quarterback position is very simple. Who can do the job the absolute best?

“What are we looking at? We’re looking at metrics. Not just games. Practice. You’re talking about decisions, reads, timing, location, all those things. The good news with the quarterback position it’s very tangible. There’s not a lot of gray area when you are grading those factors.

“So the reality is we do like Alex. We would feel comfortable with Alex in the game. We feel like he is a good player, but the reason that Spencer is our quarterback is we feel like he gives us the best chance to win,” Ferentz said.

All of that was fine, well and good. That is, until this response was unearthed a few questions later about Padilla. In a video that has gone viral on Twitter, Ferentz deflected a question on the downside of bringing in Padilla by asking, “What is the upside?”

Yikes!

I can’t even imagine how Alex Padilla must feel listening to that.

Ferentz puts a lot of stock in knowing what Petras provides for the team, and how he fits their system. A lot of the upside that Padilla would bring is in terms of mobility, which is a point that Ferentz shot down in the presser.

“I understand that question. Let me explain it this way. The passing game is a system, and the system is built on timing and location in the zone coverage world or if we’re dealing with man-to-man coverage, matchup leverage throws,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz would go on to use examples of timing being a heavy part of their system from the past game before making a pretty definitive statement on the topic.

“You are looking at those things and saying that’s improvement. That’s what you like. That’s what you are looking for. But if that answers your question, I don’t know that the mobility — just having a guy running around, I’m not sure that’s going to solve any of our issues. You’re not going to be any more open just because a guy is running around,” Ferentz said.

That all sounds great, if the current system was working and if the quarterback was excelling in the system. As we’ve seen in the past week, throughout this entire season, and over the past few seasons, neither statements are accurate. The offense has largely been a mess since Ferentz took over as offensive coordinator and quarterback has not been a top tier position for Iowa during that time either. You can read more about the offensive woes under Ferentz here.

I don’t think anything said in this press conference about the quarterback situation and how Iowa views everything should surprise anyone at all. It should, however, be insulting to fans listening to the complete complacency in the current situation.

Through their words and actions, it seems that Iowa truly believes in what they are doing, and that with a few minor tweaks and some more time for cohesion, everything will be back to normal all hunky-dory. Everything is fine and the fans are overreacting! 

Don’t expect any real changes or innovations to be implemented over this bye week in preparation for Ohio State.

[listicle id=11272]

[listicle id=11064]

[lawrence-related id=11175]

[lawrence-related id=11210]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

‘It’s not an intentional derailment’: Spencer Petras remains Iowa Hawkeyes’ No. 1 quarterback

Kirk Ferentz said it’s “really tough to give an honest evaluation right now” and Spencer Petras will remain the starting quarterback.

The question that Iowa fans have been waiting on this week was answered Tuesday with a response that will leave a number of Hawkeye fans upset.

According to Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz, it’s still Spencer Petras that is the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 quarterback and he will start on Saturday against the Nevada Wolf Pack.

“He’ll start right now. That’s our plan, unless something happens in practice. We obviously have spent a lot of time looking at it, considering it, talking about it, and it’s not the same as last year, but there are some similarities I think in that I think it’s really tough to give an honest evaluation right now.

“I’ve talked to Alex about the same thing, just that no matter who’s in there right now, we’ve got some challenges, and we’ve got to work through those, try to improve in those, and then we’ll have a fairer way to assess I think. I think I speak for everybody in our program, we both have, all have faith in both players,” Ferentz said.

Currently, Petras is rated as the nation’s second-worst quarterback nationally in ESPN’s total quarterback rating among all qualified passers. The San Rafael, Calif., native has completed just 23-of-51 passes for 201 yards with zero touchdowns and a pair of interceptions.

The Iowa media followed up by asking what Petras has done to retain his starting job, or if it’s a matter of Petras simply directing traffic better for an offense that does have some challenges beyond just the play of its quarterback.

“No, I think Alex is capable of that, and I think he proved that last year. I just go back to body of work. This kind of ties into some other topics I’m sure, but we were 0-2 at the start of the ’20 season. Then, we won 12 straight with him at quarterback, so he built up some credit right there, and I thought he played really well. Not in each and every game, but he did a pretty good job and led our football team, so, you know, he’s got a good resume going. And I think the other challenge right now, we’ve had some challenges to work through, and that’s where we’re at presently.

“So, that’s the challenge right now is to piece things together where whoever’s back there can have a better chance to perform in a way that we think and believe both of them are capable of, so that’s our bigger challenge right now I think at this point. I don’t think it’s, in my assessment or our assessment, it’s really fair to just pinpoint one person right now. I think that would be taking an easy route out,” Ferentz said.

Chad Leistikow, a columnist for the Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen, listed off Iowa’s point totals in each of Petras’ past six starts—7, 7, 3, 17, 7 and 7—and asked why that body of work was enough to justify him remaining the Hawkeyes’ top signal-caller.

Leistikow also mentioned that Iowa scored 27 and 33 points in Padilla’s first two starts last season against Minnesota and Illinois.

“That’s our assessment. Those are good points, but we’re looking at the whole thing, and that’s our assessment right now,” Ferentz said.

Once again, Ferentz was asked by reporters what the media and fans aren’t seeing right now that keeps Petras in that best position.

“Yeah, I mean, that’s like our whole football team. Probably the biggest difference between you guys and me right now, or us as a staff, is we get to see the guys day in and day out starting in January, and it’s true each and every year, so we’re a little bit more knowledgeable of our injury situation, missed time, all those kinds of things. Going back, there’s a lot of factors at play right now, you know, a lot of factors at play. I think we’ve beat that horse to death a little bit on Saturday, but whether it’s the receiver position, lack of time. And, I felt like we were in a pretty good position going back to Kids Day. I think we were on a good progress path at that point.

“And then, you know, some things happened the next couple weeks that have made it a little bit difficult. Long story short, I think we saw some improvement Saturday. There were some things that were more encouraging and some things that were really close. But close doesn’t get it, and that’s the challenge that we’re running. When we feel with this team that we have a chance to really assess things fairly, then we’ll make the judgments we feel necessary, and hopefully that’s coming soon,” Ferentz said.

As one final piece of this puzzle, Ferentz was asked if it’s safe to assume that Petras is practicing the best of his quarterbacks.

“Yeah, we think he is, but again, that’s not a knock on Alex. Alex is doing a good job, too. We’re not trying to drive this train off the road by any stretch. I mean, it’s not an intentional derailment,” Ferentz said.

[lawrence-related id=9781]

[lawrence-related id=9839]

[lawrence-related id=9798]

[listicle id=9693]

[listicle id=9698]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

‘He’s done a lot of good things for us’: Kirk Ferentz backing Spencer Petras heading into week 2

Don’t expect any quarterback changes heading into week two. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz remains confident in Spencer Petras moving forward.

Week one was a struggle for Iowa on offense. That much is clear as day to anyone who watched the game or just looked at the box score. Against South Dakota State, the Hawkeyes only mustered 166 total yards, just 109 of which came through the air.

It was a rough Saturday for senior quarterback Spencer Petras, throwing a pick and finishing with a 1.1 QBR. Head coach Kirk Ferentz, though, has shot down the mounting pressure to replace Petras at quarterback and give it a go with Alex Padilla or even Joey Labas in the battle for the Cy-Hawk Trophy, instead placing the focus on team execution.

“Yeah, I think it is full-fledged. In my mind it is, and every player builds a resume when they’re here through the way they practice and when they play. We see more practice than we do game competition.

“But I think he’s done a lot of good things for us, and he did some good things Saturday. Some things he could have done better. I think overall right now, I think our biggest challenge is just a little bit like last year, is just team execution right now, and I want to give him a fair assessment just like I would anybody that’s in there,” Ferentz said

Ferentz has been adamant ever since the 7-3 win over South Dakota State went final that Petras is the still the team’s starting quarterback moving forward this season. After the game, Ferentz stated that he doesn’t anticipate any changes at this point, and once again called on the entire team to get better, including the subject of debate.

The Hawkeye head coach’s words have so far been backed by his actions, Petras pretty much exclusively working with the first-team in practice. It should be noted though that while Padilla is working with the twos, he sees the same exact plays that Petras and the first team are working with.

“Not a lot. We’re running the same plays both groups — I imagine most people do this. Pro football is a little different, but we tend to work two offenses during the course of a practice.

“The twos get a lot of reps. Not as many as the ones, but they get a lot of reps. Alex is running the same stuff that Spencer is,” Ferentz said.

We’ll see if Ferentz’s confidence in his quarterback is well founded in Saturday’s clash against rival Iowa State.

[listicle id=9411]

[listicle id=9488]

[listicle id=9315]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Jacob on Twitter: @Jacobkeppen

Let us know your thoughts, and comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Iowa’s Keagan Johnson, Jestin Jacobs absent from Hawkeyes’ Cy-Hawk week depth chart

As the Iowa Hawkeyes get ready to host the Iowa State Cyclones in the Cy-Hawk rivalry, there were some depth chart adjustments released.

With the matchup against the Iowa State Cyclones approaching, the Iowa Hawkeyes are back to work this week getting ready. That starts with a newly released depth chart and some changes in personnel.

The “non-change” that is sure to be the number one topic of conversation this week amongst Hawkeyes fans is the quarterback depth chart. Spencer Petras is listed above Alex Padilla.

One of the biggest changes comes in the fact that linebacker Jestin Jacobs is not present anywhere on the depth chart. This is on the heels of an injury sustained in week one and will likely be nursing back to health.

When asked about it, head coach Kirk Ferentz does feel that Jacobs avoided something serious.

“I assume this is good news. It wasn’t a joint. It sure looked like it on the field. So, it’s soft tissue, and those can drag out, too, as we know, but at least it wasn’t a joint. That would have been bad,” said Ferentz in regards to Jacobs’ injury.

Another change, or absence, of note is that Keagan Johnson has been removed from the depth chart in a revision. This will give Iowa Arland Bruce IV, Alec Wick, Jack Johnson and potentially a first look at Brody Brecht as the receiving group.

On a positive note, Gavin Williams is present on the running back depth chart. There were rumors floating around last weekend that he was very close to suiting up so his presence in the backfield will be a welcome site.

At cornerback, we see Terry Roberts getting the nod opposite of Riley Moss after his solid performance last week.

[vertical-gallery id=9261]

[listicle id=9259]

[listicle id=9226]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Riley on Twitter: @rileydonald7

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz says Spencer Petras ‘gives us a better chance to be successful’

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz answered how and why Spencer Petras won the Hawkeyes’ starting quarterback job over Alex Padilla.

One of the prevailing topics of this spring, summer and offseason was the quarterback battle being waged between Spencer Petras, Alex Padilla and Joe Labas.

Even in the spring, it became apparent that this was probably a two-horse race between Petras and Padilla.

“Joe is obviously as I said back five weeks ago, he’s behind the other two as far as knowing what to do,” Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said of Labas after the open practice to end the spring season.

It played out that way, too. When the final offensive depth chart was released ahead of Iowa’s showdown with South Dakota State, Petras was listed as the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 quarterback and Padilla as Iowa’s No. 2 quarterback.

Ferentz elaborated on why Petras is Iowa’s No. 1 quarterback in his weekly press conference to preview the showdown with South Dakota State.

“It’s a long evaluation, and we evaluate everything, we tell our guys starting in January. Obviously we’re not doing football stuff, and both Spencer and Alex are both quality guys, but just the time on the field, I think Spencer has outperformed Alex a little bit at this point. He’s further ahead and gives us a better chance to be successful. That’s not to diminish what Alex has done. Both have improved.

“Now the thing is can we put this whole thing together and be a little bit more productive offensively. Both guys have done a good job. Spencer has continued to climb,” Ferentz said.

To a certain faction of the fan base, that might sound like nails meeting chalk board. The reality is this, though. As Ferentz said, Iowa feels Petras gives the Hawkeyes the best chance to consistently win football games.

There was talk this offseason about the type of progress Petras was making. It remains to be seen how much Petras’ work with quarterback trainer Tony Racioppi and a trip to the Manning Passing Academy results in improved play.

After a season in which Petras finished with 1,880 passing yards on just 57.3% completion and 10 touchdown passes against nine interceptions, fans are eager to see Petras simplify things and deliver bigger results. Petras talked this past spring about improving that completion percentage in particular.

As his head coach noted, Petras at quarterback is one of the pieces for Iowa that’s “set in stone right now.” Now, it’s time for Petras to show that his game and Iowa’s offense has come along from the unit that finished No. 121 nationally in total offense a season ago.

[listicle id=3637]

[listicle id=7633]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Week 1 Iowa Hawkeyes offensive depth chart versus the South Dakota State Jackrabbits

The Iowa Hawkeyes

The season-opening week for the Iowa Hawkeyes is upon us and that means it’s almost time for Iowa to lock horns with the South Dakota State Jackrabbits.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes released an offensive depth chart ahead of Big Ten Media Days, but, now that kickoff is this week, the Hawkeyes have revealed an updated offensive depth chart.

Fans suspected that Spencer Petras would remain as Iowa’s No. 1 quarterback. That is the case in the season-opening depth chart. What other surprises await Hawkeye fans in the first in-season depth chart reveal? Let’s take a look at the full Iowa offensive depth chart for South Dakota State.

Social media reacts to the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2022 Kids’ Day at Kinnick

What were the reactions on social media to what fans and media saw during Iowa’s 10th practice, the annual 2022 Kids’ Day at Kinnick?

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz had plenty to say following his team’s 10th training camp practice, the annual open practice for Kids’ Day at Kinnick.

Overall, Ferentz liked what he saw from his group.

“First and foremost, good opportunity for our guys to change up from the first nine days. First time we’ve been in front of the public a little bit, so that’s healthy. Just a healthy change for everybody. And then, flipping it over, it’s a good opportunity for us to have Kids’ Day. I think hopefully they enjoy it and all of our guys were kids at one point.

“Even me at one stage, I was a kid. So, that’s good and then the Kid Captain program as I said yesterday is just a great concept. Nice to have our seniors get an opportunity to spend some time with them, greet them down here in the end zone, so it was all good. And then, just overall, I’m actually kind of pleased with what I saw today,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz discussed what he liked the most about his group’s performance.

“Two things I feel really good about was, first and foremost, big contrast from the field goal kicking, from what all of you guys witnessed last spring and coaches witnessed as well. I don’t think we had a miss today. I don’t think we did and most of them weren’t even close. One was I know, but that was good, so a lot of growth there since April. We’re not out of the woods yet. I’m not pronouncing us ready to go, but at least that’s encouraging. The third down period I thought was really good, too. That was encouraging. I thought we were pretty sharp there and did some good things. So, those two things were good takeaways,” Ferentz said.

Naturally, the fans and media in attendance had plenty of reactions as well. Here is how Hawkeye social media took in the 2022 Kids’ Day at Kinnick.

‘It’s going to be good for our offense’: Iowa’s Spencer Petras channeling conviction

The buzz word with Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras was conviction. He wants to demonstrate more decisive decision-making in 2022.

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras has won plenty of football games over the course of the past two seasons. Still, a general lack of consistency with the Hawkeyes’ offense in 2021 has fans clamoring for more from Iowa’s quarterback play.

While Petras has probably heard or picked up on plenty of the criticism of his own play from the fan base over the course of this offseason, really, he’s his own biggest critic. He shared some of his thoughts at Iowa Media Day as the Hawkeyes get set for their 10th training camp practice live in front of fans at Kids’ Day.

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Diante Vines sidelined until at least midseason with wrist injury

Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Diante Vines will be sidelined until at least midseason with a wrist injury per head coach Kirk Ferentz.

It’s the piece of football that there’s just no perfect defense for. Injuries happen and Iowa—like everyone else in college football—was hoping that they could avoid as many of them throughout the offseason and camp as possible.

Instead, after Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz recently announced the season-ending injuries to offensive guard Justin Britt and wide receiver Jackson Ritter, the Hawkeyes unfortunately now have another injury to report.

“On a negative note, I think I’ve already mentioned Justin Britt will not be able to play this year, Jackson Ritter, and one to add to the list, at least for the start of the season in our two deep. Diante Vines injured his wrist. He’ll be in a cast. You’ll see that, and that is going to impact the beginning part of the season for him.

“That’s unfortunate. He’s was really practicing well, and certainly would have been a guy who could help contribute to our football team. It’s not season-ending I don’t think, but, hopefully, we’ll get him back here somewhere midseason, whenever. We’ll just kind of take that day by day,” Ferentz told reporters at Iowa’s Media Day.

As it currently stands according to the depth chart that the Hawkeyes released just in front of Big Ten Media Days, Iowa’s wide receivers depth chart looks like this: the two that were listed as No. 1 receivers are Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini and the two that were listed as No. 2 receivers are Alec Wick and Arland Bruce IV.

Of course, Bruce started several games for the Hawkeyes last season and reeled in 25 grabs for 209 receiving yards with one touchdown reception and three more rushing scores.

Johnson led the way for Iowa receivers in 2021 with 18 receptions for 352 receiving yards and a pair of touchdown grabs, while Ragaini added 26 catches for 331 yards and one score.

While Iowa has been handed a pair of wide receiver injuries to both Ritter and now Vines, Ferentz seemed otherwise upbeat about what he’s seeing from those who are available.

“Receivers, injuries have been part of the deal there, predictably. Hopefully, we’re making progress, but seeing really good performances from Nico, our most veteran guy, and then Arland Bruce has done really a good job, too. Of note, Alec Wick has done a good job. Young guys who we didn’t know a lot about until last spring basically. He’s really done a good job, as well,” Ferentz said.

Still, it’s worth mentioning that Iowa also saw the departure of a pair of wide receivers through the transfer portal this offseason. Charlie Jones and Tyrone Tracy Jr. both transferred to Purdue.

Add to it that Johnson has been battling the injury bug this offseason and there’s at least cause for some angst among the Iowa fan base about what the wide receiver depth looks like headed into this season.

“Keagan is working back. He won’t do a lot tomorrow, but he’s working back. I think he’s close to being where he needs to be, and hopefully the same thing with Brody (Brecht). They’re really the two guys that have missed the most time now.

“If you look big picture, you’re including spring practice, too. So that’s—I don’t know if concerned is the right word, but that’s where my awareness is. They missed a lot of time. To get them back and playing effectively with the right tempo and getting the timing down on the offense, all those kinds of things, and you’ve heard me say it before, meetings are important, they have value and all that, but you learn how to play football by playing it. You’ve got to go out there on the field and play it,” Ferentz said.

Really, it’s probably more important for Brecht to see plenty of snaps throughout camp, but it wouldn’t hurt for quarterbacks Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla along with the Hawkeyes’ offensive coaching staff to get to see both of those targets back quickly.

“The sooner we can get them back, hopefully it’s next week, that’ll be encouraging. They’re both—in Keagan’s case, he’s played 12 games, 13 games, so he’s got experience there, but you still have to play the game and practice. Brody is a little different story because he hasn’t played. We really liked what we saw when he came back in the fall, but we’ve got to get him going.

“Hopefully, it’s sooner than later. I think it will be. But everybody else is doing a good job, and I think we’ve got some flexibility personnel-wise just with the tight ends. I think we’ve got a little flexibility there. We’ll figure that out, but so far, so good. I think our passing game, I think it’s on the right track right now,” Ferentz said.

[listicle id=7718]

[listicle id=7687]

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshOnREF

Let us know your thoughts, comment on this story below. Join the conversation today.

Brian Ferentz updates Iowa’s quarterback competition, details the start of 2022 camp

Hawkeyes offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz spoke at Iowa Media Days and discussed the start of camp and the state of his quarterbacks.

Iowa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brian Ferentz met with the media to discuss the start of the Hawkeyes’ 2022 fall camp, the state of Iowa’s quarterback play and more during Iowa Media Days.