Kirk Ferentz – Page 3 – Syndication Server

Kirk Ferentz comments on Iowa’s big bounce back since Michigan State loss

Iowa has bounced back in a big way since its loss at Michigan State.

During his Tuesday media availability, Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke on the many lessons the team has learned since their Week 8 32-20 loss vs. Michigan State from East Lansing, Michigan.

Ferentz mentioned that losses like the one against the Spartans are all about learning and becoming a better team as a whole through exploited flaws.

“Yeah, it’s all about learning, and every season — every moment teaches you something typically,” Ferentz said. “The bottom line is the week wasn’t good enough prior to Michigan State in retrospect, and certainly what we did in that game — you’re not going to win a lot of Big Ten games playing the way we played. It is what it is. We own that film. Your film is your resume.”

For the Hawkeyes, the 39 missed tackles were a major factor in the Spartans’ ability to accrue 468 yards of offense against a typically sound Iowa defense.

Ferentz continued by stating the loss to Michigan State allowed the team to ‘look at the mirror’ and praised his group for responding positively the following week.

“The question is was that one of those nights, was that one of those learning experiences, or is it going to be a tendency or a trend. Everybody has got a choice there,” Ferentz said.

“I give our guys credit. They got back on their feet. I think we were better focused and came up with a win the next week and then came back to work following that and had the right focus and moved forward.”

Ferentz finished by explaining that every season is different and team success is ultimately determined by how players can persevere through the ups and downs of a season.

“But the season is full of twists and turns,” Ferentz added. “I say it every year; you just never know what they’re going to be or when they’re going to happen. It’s really a matter of how can you navigate through the ups and the downs. The downs are hard, but it’s part of what we do, so you’ve got to be able to deal with it.”

Iowa (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) will look to maintain its momentum on Friday when the team travels to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, to take on UCLA (3-5, 2-4 Big Ten). Game time is set for 8:05 p.m. CT and will air on Fox.

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Iowa football provides injury update before Week 11 vs. UCLA

Kirk Ferentz updated Iowa’s injury situation ahead of UCLA.

During his weekly media availability, Iowa football head coach Kirk Ferentz provided updates on injuries that have been ailing a few of the Hawkeyes lately.

Starting with tight end Luke Lachey, Ferentz told the media that Lachey has a chance to play at UCLA even though the senior has been a bit limited recently.

“Luke, I think, has a chance. He’s a little bit limited right now, but practicing, and we’ll see how it goes this week. I think he’s close,” Ferentz said.

“But we have to plan to go without him, and the guys have stepped in working in his spot have done a nice job, so we’ll see what the week looks like on that front.”

Ferentz also updated graduate quarterback Cade McNamara’s status, who has been inactive while recovering from a concussion sustained during Iowa’s 40-14 victory over Northwestern in Week 9.

He informed the media that McNamara would not be able to play for a second consecutive week but added that Iowa’s Week 12 bye week could allow the quarterback time to re-engage with football activities.

“Cade will not make the game. He will not be ready to go,” Ferentz said. “Hopefully, during the bye week, we can get him back and running a little bit. Otherwise, pretty much things are status quo.”

The Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2 Big Ten) will travel West to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., where they will take on the UCLA Bruins (3-5, 2-4 Big Ten) on Nov. 8. Game time is set for 8:05 p.m. CT and will air on Fox.

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Wisconsin vs. Iowa injury report: Hawkeyes’ top tight end uncertain for Saturday’s game

Wisconsin vs Iowa injury report

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) and Iowa Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) are now just over one hour from the kickoff of their primetime Week 10 matchup.

The contest is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa has released its final injury status report with those minutes continuing to count down before kickoff.

The Hawkeyes will be without two quarterbacks, previous starter Cade McNamara and depth option Marco Lainez, while starting tight end Luke Lachey is considered to be ‘questionable.’ Brendan Sullivan will draw the start at quarterback and if Lachey is unable to go, that’d make his job that much harder.

The Badgers will once again be without WR Tyrell Henry, who’s operated as one of their return specialists in 2024, so S Hunter Wohler will likely return punts again in Week 10. Additionally, starting WR Bryson Green is listed as ‘questionable’ for the second week in a row as he looks to return to the field for the first time since Oct. 5 versus Purdue.

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Here is the full injury report entering Saturday’s Week 10 game between Wisconsin and Iowa:

Iowa injury report

Questionable: TE Luke Lachey
Out: John Nestor, Marco Lainez, Cade McNamara, Reece Vander Zee, Addison Ostrenga

Wisconsin injury report

Questionable: WR Bryson Green, LB Jaheim Thomas, LB Tackett Curtis, TE J.T. Seagraves
Out: Chez Mellusi, Tyler Van Dyke, Joseph Griffin, Kamo’i Latu, Tyrell Henry, Cole LaCrue, Tamer Dalloul, Evan Brown, Leyton Nelson, Rob Booker, James Thompson Jr.

Iowa QB Cade McNamara injury update

McNamara was benched in the second half of the team’s 40-14 win over Northwestern in Week 9 and he’ll now be forced to miss Week 10 completely as a result of an undisclosed injury. Brendan Sullivan will draw his first start of the season after transferring to Iowa ahead of the 2024 campaign.

Iowa TE Luke Lachey injury update

Lachey was a late add to the injury report for the Hawkeyes and it’s unclear what is ailing him. The tight end is a big part of Iowa’s success in both the passing and running games on offense and his absence would be a big blow for Kirk Ferentz and his squad.

Iowa details timing of Cade McNamara concussion diagnosis

Iowa detailed the timing and diagnosis of Cade McNamara’s concussion.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed on Tuesday that Hawkeye graduate quarterback Cade McNamara suffered a concussion during Iowa’s 40-14 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats.

McNamara was likely injured on Iowa’s second drive of the game when he took a hard hit on a third-and-20 play with 1:59 left in the first quarter from the Iowa 36-yard line. The hit resulted in a roughing-the-passer penalty, which extended the drive.

That Hawkeye drive ended in an eventual Iowa punt. On Iowa’s ensuing series, McNamara threw an 85-yard pick six to Northwestern defensive back Theran Johnson.

McNamara was replaced on the Hawkeyes’ fourth drive by junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan.

Asked why he felt McNamara was able to stay in the game after the early hit, Ferentz shared that the quarterback showed no concussion-like symptoms initially. According to Ferentz, Iowa was already planning on rotating its quarterbacks and inserting Sullivan for several series.

“I mean, yeah, he wasn’t feeling great, but it wasn’t like he was incoherent by any stretch. But as I said Saturday, we had already planned a rotation going into the game, and it just so happens that was the time coincidentally, if you will.

“We were going to do that regardless unless the ball was like on the one-inch line and we had 99-plus to go. Not fair to throw a guy in there cold doing that,” Ferentz said.

However, team doctors eventually diagnosed McNamara with a concussion at halftime.

“It wasn’t like any symptoms really presented themselves other than he was sore and shook up certainly,” Ferentz added. “Then, at halftime, they diagnosed it and held him out. I’m not sure when they diagnosed the concussion actually, but he just wasn’t fit to play at halftime.”

Due to McNamara’s concussion, he is not listed on the depth chart for Saturday’s game versus Wisconsin.

Junior transfer Brendan Sullivan will assume the starting role under center against the Badgers.

The Hawkeyes’ clash with the Badgers from Kinnick Stadium is set for a 6:30 p.m. CT start and will air on both NBC and Peacock.

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Iowa football rules Cade McNamara out vs. Wisconsin, updates injury report

Iowa rules Cade McNamara out vs. Wisconsin among its weekly injury updates.

In his Tuesday press conference, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz provided an injury update heading into the Hawkeyes‘ rivalry matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers, including graduate quarterback Cade McNamara.

“Injury-wise, I’ll share this with you: Cade will not be playing. He’s not going to be able to make it, so he’s out,” Ferentz said before detailing other injuries to the team.

McNamara, who has been the starting quarterback for the Hawkeyes so far this season, was left off the Week 10 depth chart when it was revealed Monday afternoon.

“Going back to Cade, he took a really tough shot there in the second quarter and he’s still feeling that. Unfortunately, he’s going to be out. Just feel badly for him because it’s been a tough stretch really for about two and a half years here.

“I’ve said it before, and you guys have heard me say it a million times: the worst thing about coaching is dealing with injuries. It’s something nobody wants to deal with and certainly he’s had his tough share of bad luck here. I feel bad about that, but hopefully we’ll get him back soon, get him back on his feet,” Ferentz said.

The graduate captain has been injury-prone throughout his collegiate career, including injuries to his quad and season-ending knee surgeries to his right knee at Michigan in 2022 and to his left knee at Iowa in 2023.

Ferentz confirmed McNamara is sidelined with a concussion.

“Well, it’s a concussion. Yeah, so he’s been ruled out. He hasn’t been able to phase back in at all yet, so that’s number one, but he’s sore in other places, too. He hit the turf pretty hard.

“It’s just part of playing that position. It’s a tough position to play. As far as the severity and all that, my experience, and I’m certainly not qualified medically other than I listen to a lot of things and watch, it seems like each and every one is a different discussion. With some luck, hopefully he’ll start turning the corner. I think he’s going to go to class today and give that a try. Hopefully he’ll be back here soon,” Ferentz said.

The injury installs junior transfer quarterback Brendan Sullivan as Iowa’s starter with redshirt freshman Marco Lainez as the backup.

Ferentz also detailed the rest of the injuries plaguing the Hawkeyes.

“Reece Vander Zee will not make it,” Ferentz said. “(Addison) Ostrenga, (John) Nestor will continue to be out and we’ll see on those guys. Those guys will probably be through the bye, I’m guessing.”

On a positive note, Ferentz said that senior linebacker Kyler Fisher was able to return to practice this week and that junior offensive lineman Beau Stephens continues to make progress in his recovery where he could possibly play this weekend.

“And then, on the positive side, Fish was able to come back. He was fine yesterday. A little bit weak but doing fine. Practiced today and then Beau Stephens worked today and I think he’s got a chance to play if he can get through the week, so we’ll see what that looks like and go from there,” Ferentz added.

The Hawkeyes’ matchup with Wisconsin on Saturday from Kinnick Stadium will be the 98th all-time meeting. Wisconsin leads the all-time series 49-46-2, though Iowa has won each of the past two and three of the last four meetings.

Kickoff time is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

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Iowa two-deep depth chart for Wisconsin game lists new starter at quarterback

The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ permanent change from Cade McNamara to Brendan Sullivan at quarterback looks more and more likely.

The team’s game-week depth chart for its Week 10 matchup against the Wisconsin Badgers lists Sullivan as the starter, with redshirt freshman Marco Lainez listed as the backup.

This update comes after Iowa made an in-game switch from McNamara to Sullivan during its win over Northwestern. The team trailed 7-3 at the time of the change. Sullivan helped lead the Hawkeyes to score 37 unanswered points in the eventual 40-14 victory.

Sullivan, a former Northwestern transfer, finished the contest with 14 passing for 79 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and a QBR of 74.8, while also adding 41 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz did not commit to a long-term change while speaking with the media postgame, saying “we’ll see on that” and “‘permanent’ is a strong word.”

The program’s updated depth chart, however, points to that change being made entering Saturday’s important game against the Badgers.

https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1850976877738889384

McNamara, a former Michigan transfer, was just 104 of 172 passing for 1,017 yards (127 yards per game), six touchdowns, five interceptions and a 37.1 QBR in 2024. The offense was much-improved over its struggles under former coordinator Brian Ferentz, but much of that can be attributed to the breakout of star RB Kaleb Johnson.

McNamara not presenting a threat in the passing game hurt the team in its blowout loss to Ohio State and road loss to Michigan State. Sullivan’s insertion into the lineup, meanwhile, gave the offense life it hasn’t had in five years.

Wisconsin’s task of stopping Iowa’s offense, let alone winning in a tough road environment, gets tougher with this news. Sullivan’s profile is similar to Penn State backup QB Beau Pribula, who gave the Badgers defense fits in the second half of the Nittany Lions’ 28-13 win.

The Badgers will need a dominant effort on both sides of the football for a win to become a possibility.

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Wisconsin upcoming opponent makes significant quarterback change in Week 9 win

The Wisconsin Badgers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) enter the schedule stretch that will likely define how the season is viewed. That is due to the upcoming trio of rivalry matchups, the first coming this weekend on the road at Iowa (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten).

Wisconsin fell to Iowa 15-6 at Camp Randall Stadium in 2023. Saturday’s Week 10 matchup presents a chance at redemption for that loss, and a chance for Luke Fickell’s team to show that its Week 9 loss to No. 3 Penn State doesn’t signal a larger slide.

Iowa enters Saturday after a dominant 40-14 win over Northwestern in Week 9. The Hawkeyes have been mostly up-and-down to start the season, with big wins over Minnesota and Washington, plus tough losses to Michigan State and No. 4 Ohio State.

The dominant victory over Northwestern may signal a turning of the corner, however, because it coincided with the team inserting QB Brendan Sullivan into the starting lineup in place of Cade McNamara.

Kirk Ferentz made the move early in the first half with the Hawkeyes trailing 7-3. Sullivan, a Northwestern transfer, instantly made the move appear to be the correct one. The Hawkeyes went on to score 37 unanswered points, highlighted by three consecutive touchdown drives to begin the second half.

Sullivan’s dual-threat ability changed the game for an offensive unit that only featured star RB Kaleb Johnson up to that point. As seen below, his speed brings a dimension that Iowa has lacked for years.

Iowa QB Brendan Sullivan outruns the receiver for a key block and big gain pic.twitter.com/SHL9aBG94y

— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) October 26, 2024

Sullivan finished the afternoon nine of 14 passing for 79 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and a QBR of 74.8. He also added 41 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Head coach Kirk Ferentz did not confirm any long-term plan when speaking with reporters postgame. “We’ll see on that,” he said. “Permanent’ is a strong word.”

From an outside perspective, it would be surprising to see Ferentz go back to a QB in McNamara whose season-long stats tell the story — 104 of 172 passing, 1,017 yards (127 yards per game), six touchdowns, five interceptions and a 37.1 QBR. The Hawkeyes were winning games with him under center, but almost entirely due to a strong defense and the emergence of RB Kaleb Johnson.

The glimpse of the Hawkeyes’ offense with a dual-threat QB in Sullivan under center, albeit against a poor Northwestern defense, should be all the staff needs to make the permanent change.

From a Wisconsin perspective, Sullivan’s emergence changes the calculus of the matchup. The Badgers have famously struggled with dual-threat quarterbacks — including with Penn State backup Beau Pribula just last week.

That emergence, if Ferentz keeps him in, significantly lowers Wisconsin’s chances at escaping Kinnick Stadium with a victory.

We will monitor what the Iowa head coach says during his weekly media availability ahead of the Badgers and Hawkeyes meeting at 7:30 p.m. ET, 6:30 p.m. CT on Saturday night.

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How much does Kirk Ferentz earn annually in 2024?

How much does Kirk Ferentz earn annually with Iowa football in 2024? A look at the longtime coach’s contract situation with the Hawkeyes.

Kirk Ferentz has directed a number of wins on the Iowa sidelines during his 26 seasons. Precisely 200 of them in fact.

Those 200 victories at Iowa have Ferentz trailing only Woody Hayes in overall wins by a Big Ten head coach in college football history.

As one of the models of consistency in college football, Ferentz is appropriately well compensated.

After signing a four-year contract extension following the 2021 season, Ferentz earns $7 million annually. It includes a $500,000 base, $5.5 million in supplemental compensation and a $1 million longevity bonus.

Ferentz’s contract runs through the 2029 season and expires on Jan. 31, 2030. If Ferentz stays for the duration of his contract, he will have served as Iowa’s head coach for 30 seasons.

In USA TODAY Sports’ updated college football head coach salary rankings, Ferentz checks in as the nation’s No. 23 highest-paid head coach. Ferentz ranks eighth among Big Ten head coaches.

“I don’t know what I’ll feel like at 70 or 72. If I feel like this, I’ll keep going for a while. I will say this. I’m not going to do this at age 78,” Ferentz said in June 2021.

The longtime Hawkeye head coach has been a part of a pair of Big Ten championships in 2002 and 2004. Ferentz also led Iowa to Big Ten West titles in 2015, 2021 and 2023.

With Ferentz steering the Hawkeyes, Iowa has earned 21 bowl invitations. Ferentz is tied for first all-time among Big Ten head coaches with 10 bowl victories.

Iowa has finished with a winning record in each of the past 11 seasons and looks primed to make that 12 seasons in a row given the start in 2024.

In Ferentz, Iowa knows the consistent results it’s going to get.

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Kirk Ferentz talks 200 career Big Ten wins, catching Woody Hayes’ record

Kirk Ferentz didn’t shy away from achieving 200 Big Ten wins. He discussed that landmark and catching the record set by Woody Hayes.

In the new era of college football, few coaches stick to one program for the entirety of their career, or at least most of it. Kirk Ferentz’s tenure with the Iowa Hawkeyes is a rare case but is a lesson in longevity and continued success.

In Iowa’s recent win over Washington, Ferentz notched his 200th career Big Ten win. The win has him sitting in second place behind Woody Hayes with sights set on taking over the record. In typical Kirk Ferentz fashion, he downplayed the moment after the game.

“Then as far as the 200 part, you have to be lucky. You have to be in the right place, first of all. You have to be with a lot of good people, and that’s coaching staff and support staff. A lot of people are involved in this. I’ve worked with nothing but great coaches my entire career. I’ve been lucky wherever I’ve been,” Ferentz said in his postgame press conference.

Once again, Ferentz was asked about the achievement this week during his press conference he gives each Tuesday. Ferentz talked about how he and his team are handling being within striking distance of the record.

“Yeah, not to be a smart aleck, you can’t help it. All this stuff is out there all the time.

It would be great to get all these things done just to get them done. But as I said the other day, I feel fortunate to be at a good place. You just have to have a lot of things fall in place to have something like this happen.

A couple thoughts. First of all, I never got into it for that. I got into it because I like being around young people. I still want to retire as a line coach. That’s my real secret dream. That’s what I enjoy as much as anything, coaching guys in a small room.

I’ve learned to love this job, too. It’s a different job. There’s some things about it that are really neat and cool. You’ve got to be at the right place and with the right people, as I said the other day. That’s one constant. If Coach Hayes were still alive, I’m sure he’d say the same thing. You have to be around good people. I feel very fortunate in that regard.

Caveat, year one, 2-18, because the body count was out there weekly, nobody would have envisioned that. Go back to Will’s point that you just never quit,” Ferentz said.

The record is well within reach and it is in play to accomplish this season if Iowa can continue to play as they did last week. With six games left, all Big Ten contests, Iowa would need to run the table to take over the record.

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Kirk Ferentz discusses fourth down decision making vs. Ohio State

Kirk discussed his thought process on two early fourth down situations at Ohio State.

On two occasions in the first half of the Hawkeyes’ eventual 35-7 loss at No. 3 Ohio State, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz faced fourth down decisions.

Ultimately, in both instances, Ferentz chose the conservative route.

After driving to the Ohio State 33 yard-line on Iowa’s second offensive series of the game, Ferentz opted for a 51-yard Drew Stevens field goal attempt instead of attempting to convert a 4th-and-3. The junior kicker missed the 51-yard attempt wide left.

Then, with Iowa still trailing 7-0 on its ensuing offensive series, the Hawkeyes faced a 4th-and-1 from midfield. The Hawkeyes faked a punt and converted the fourth down, but Ferentz had called a timeout before the play from the sideline.

After the timeout, Ferentz decided to punt the football away. Freshman punter Rhys Dakin shanked the punt, sending it just 22 yards. After a 21-yard carry from running back Quinshon Judkins on Ohio State’s first offensive snap on the next possession, the Buckeyes were right back at midfield.

Ferentz said he and the Hawkeyes never considered going for it on the initial 4th-and-3 situation.

“Yeah, not really. I mean, we were in pretty good position at that point. Not really. The other one, we were obviously thinking about a fake punt and we felt good about that until I called a timeout.

“Saw their linebackers kind of nudging up to the line. They had been coached on that during the timeout. I think their coach was out in the middle of the field. Looked like a high school game a little bit. We still were going to give it a shot until I saw those guys coming towards the line,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz was asked why he didn’t attempt to convert the 4th-and-1 situation with his offense and instead had opted for the fake punt.

“Yeah, I mean, you can do that. Field position is what I was thinking. It was a tight ball game. Again, maybe that’s too conservative, but at that point, our thought was, let’s pin them in, which we’ve done a pretty good job of this year, but today wasn’t a great example of punting the way we want to.

“My thought was, pin them in. Maybe force a turnover or something like that or get the ball back in good field position. And then the other part is, I wasn’t about to give them the ball at midfield. I’m not sure I want them to have to go 99, but midfield’s a little… At that point, we were right in the middle of things,” Ferentz said.

Iowa (3-2, 1-1 Big Ten) returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 12 with an 11 a.m. kickoff against Washington (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten) from Kinnick Stadium.

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