Tag: Kirk Ferentz

What Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said about Ohio State postgame

Ferentz, as always, heaps praise on the opponent when it makes sense. #GoBucks

Ohio State ran its record to 5-0 on the season after a convincing and dominating win over the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday. The start may have been a little slower than OSU fans wanted, but the Buckeyes came out in the second half and exerted their dominance on the way to a 35-7 victory.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knew it would be an uphill climb to waltz into Ohio Stadium and find a way to go toe-to-tow with Ohio State, and in the end it was too much to ask.

Ferentz met with the media after the game to provide his assessment of his team’s play but also to give credit to the Buckeyes on how talented of a team they are. In case you missed any of his comments, we have them here thanks to our YouTube channel.

In it, Ferentz talks about freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, the veteran and talented defensive line for OSU, the talent on the Ohio State sideline in general, and more.

It’s now time for Ohio State to prepare for what many thought would be the game of the year. The Buckeyes will practice this week in preparation for the road trip to Oregon, one that will be a top five matchup.

We’ll have coverage leading up to, during, and after the game as usual, so come back and check in with us often.

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Kirk Ferentz talks gap between Iowa and Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State

Kirk Ferentz was asked if a gap exists between Iowa football and Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State in the Big Ten.

The cream of the crop in the Big Ten is full of national title contenders year in and year out. Last year provides evidence as the Michigan Wolverines were crowned champions of the College Football Playoff.

Up there this year is the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Penn State Nittany Lions. Sitting right behind them in that next tier, at least viewed by many, is the Iowa Hawkeyes.

During his weekly press conference, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was asked his thoughts about that gap and if it exists in the conference.

“Yeah, I’m not looking at it that way. We just take each week individually.”

“But it kind of goes back, we’ve been playing pretty well defensively. We’ve had issues with the offensive line. Then last year we obviously had some challenges at the quarterback spot. It’s yesterday’s news. If you’re going to play a team that is nationally ranked, top-10 team, and those teams you mentioned typically are in that neighborhood, I’m not saying you’ve got to be firing on all three cylinders, but it certainly helps. It gives you a chance.”

“I guess I look at it the other way. I look at last year, I’ll go back to that because I know has been written about how many points we scored about whoever it was a year ago, and I think maybe you look at it the other way, maybe we did a hell of a job winning 10 games. There’s two ways to look at every coin.”

“Talent ebbs and flows. I’ve been here 25 years, going on 26 now, and it’s true every year. Every year has got its own challenges. You deal with the challenges that are in front of you, try to play to your strengths and do the best you can on an annual basis.”

“Over the long haul, we’re proud of our record. How it all pans out, it’s a year-to-year basis kind of thing,” Ferentz said when asked about the gap in the Big Ten conference.

Kirk Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten and college football, currently holds a 199-120 overall record as the head coach of Iowa and carries a 123-85 record in Big Ten play.

Iowa’s last win against Ohio State came in 2017, Penn State in 2021, and Michigan in 2016.

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Kirk Ferentz comments on Cade McNamara’s progression into game shape

How close is Cade McNamara to complete game shape?

Dating back to the spring, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz has remained consistent that it would take time for graduate quarterback Cade McNamara to work himself back into full game shape.

Ferentz has also remained optimistic that it would happen for McNamara and the Hawkeyes.

Through three games, Iowa owns a 2-1 record. Like the Hawkeyes’ offense as a whole, McNamara has shown some good and some bad. The 6-foot-1, 210 pound quarterback has completed 63.9% of his passes for 526 yards with three touchdowns against a pair of interceptions.

As he previewed Iowa’s Saturday date at Minnesota, Ferentz was asked how he feels McNamara’s progression is coming along and how close McNamara is to being back into complete game shape.

“We’ll see. I don’t mean that in a negative way by any stretch. But we’ve played three weeks right now, and I can’t stand here in front of you and say we’ve played a complete game start to finish yet. I wasn’t here for the first one, but I watched it.

“So, we’ve had peaks and valleys. As I said, the good thing is we’ve faced some adversity the other day, and it could have gotten worse after that muffed punt, too, just for the record. Nestor did a good job being there and scooping that thing up, but that could have been interesting. We’re at 17-14 at that point and the ball is at midfield. Those things are going to be good for us in the long run. I’d just as soon not have to go through all of them that we’ve done,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz remains optimistic that McNamara’s best football can still be in front of him.

“I think to the point, whether it be Cade or the offensive line, hopefully our best football is in front of us. That’s the way it’s got to work and does typically work for us. I know more about our program than I do others, but that’s usually how it works.

“But we have to be working at it and doing right, and I do think he’s more comfortable now, and now the challenge is can we keep it going week to week knowing that the degree of difficulty is going to get a little tougher, too. Because these guys, two straight shutouts in a row, it’s going to be a big challenge for us,” Ferentz said.

Iowa is slated for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff on Saturday at Minnesota with the game to be broadcast on NBC.

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Kirk Ferentz discusses decision to not try for points before halftime vs. Troy

Iowa football had a chance to try to drive for points before halftime vs. Troy. Kirk Ferentz opted against doing so and shared why after.

The first half didn’t go according to plan for the Iowa Hawkeyes versus the Troy Trojans.

Despite arriving as a heavy underdog, Troy led Iowa at the halftime break, 14-10.

The Trojans got a pair of big plays from junior receiver Devonte Ross, who caught a 63-yard touchdown pass and also returned a punt 77 yards for a score to account for the Trojans’ two first-half scores.

Ross’ punt return touchdown came with 1:00 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing possession with one timeout left in its back pocket, Iowa opted to run twice with junior running back Kaleb Johnson and just take the game into halftime instead of trying for points.

It brought the boo birds out in Iowa City.

“That’s totally my decision, yeah. You can blame that one on me. I know the fans weren’t happy.

“The way we were playing, why make a bad situation worse? I’m not saying it would have happened. It’s like the two-point thing last week. We talked about that Sunday and Thursday. I’m still not sure where these charts come from. A lot of it’s just how the game feels to you at some point. We’re sitting there at that point, one minute away, 70 yards away. Whatever it might have be, 75. Doesn’t matter.

“But, let’s just minimize the damage and see if we can regroup and play a good second half. We’re going to get the ball. There’s nothing in my mind right now that was instilling confidence in me we could go down the field and score,” Ferentz said.

Iowa’s offense did mount a pair of scoring drives in the first half versus Troy, cashing in on a 4-yard touchdown run from Johnson early in the second quarter on its third possession. Then, Iowa tacked on a 42-yard field goal from junior kicker Drew Stevens later in the second quarter.

But, the Hawkeyes were forced to punt twice in the first half and their second drive of the game morphed from a promising one to an eventual turnover on downs.

Ferentz’s conservative decision didn’t end up costing Iowa. Though the Hawkeyes punted on their first possession of the second half, Iowa ended three second-half offensive drives with touchdowns.

Junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan had a 2-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Addison Ostrenga, Johnson creased the defense for a 33-yard rushing score and sophomore running back Jaziun Patterson provided the finishing touches with a 39-yard rushing touchdown.

The Hawkeyes also added a 28-yard pick-six from graduate cornerback Jermari Harris in the 38-21 win over Troy.

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In-helmet communication, sideline tablets ‘all positive’ for Iowa football

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said in-helmet communication and sideline tablets have been “all positive” in his estimation.

For the first time in college football history, teams are able to use in-helmet communication and sideline tablets to view in-game video.

The in-helmet radio allows coaches to communicate directly with one player on the field designated with the green dot on the middle of their helmet. Coach-to-player communications are shut off with 15 seconds left on the play clock or at the snap of the ball, whichever comes first.

Teams also have the ability to view in-game video from the broadcast feed and camera angles from the coach’s sideline and coach’s end zone. Teams can have up to 18 active tablets for use in the coaching booth, sideline and locker room.

On Tuesday, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked how integrating the new technology has gone for the Hawkeyes.

“Sounds like there were a problem or two with the tablets, like a play or two off schedule were missing. But overall, it’s a real positive. And the coach-to-player thing is a real positive, too.

“It’s kind of what we expected based on practice, but, yeah, I think it’s all positive. And I don’t have many suggestions in that way. We’re just trying to figure out how to score a touchdown when we got the ball inside the 5. That’s more important right now,” Ferentz said.

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Kirk Ferentz details why Iowa football has displayed resiliency over his tenure

Iowa teams responding to adversity has been a hallmark of the Kirk Ferentz era of Hawkeye football.

Coaches don’t stick around for 26 years without being able to effectively navigate the highs and lows of a season.

Historically, the Hawkeyes have done a pretty good job of responding to adversity throughout Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz’s tenure.

After Saturday’s 20-19 loss versus Iowa State, the Hawkeyes will need to channel some of that history for the remaining 10 games of the season.

On Tuesday, as Ferentz and the Hawkeyes ready to return to the field versus Troy on Saturday from Kinnick Stadium, Iowa’s head coach discussed why resiliency has been a staple of the program and what has allowed the Hawkeyes to respond positively in the past.

“It’s really pretty simple. And, unfortunately, I got to live it. When you’re a 1-10 record, owner of a 1-10 record as a head coach—we always get associated with our records—or 2-18, that’s a rough way to start.

“So, you know, at that point you just believe in what you believe in. You’re always looking at what you believe in and trying to get better at it, and what do we need to adjust, what do we need to do? Where does the attention need to be? Ultimately, at some point, you’ve got to believe in something. You stick to your beliefs and then you just try to do better at what you do believe in,” Ferentz said.

The ability to keep moving forward and not dwell on a bad result has been one of the hallmarks of Iowa’s program. The Hawkeyes expect to be able to do the same now.

“I think all of us in this building feel like we know what we need to do to be successful and really it’s more about the doing. So, it’s being honest about what’s in front of us and what did we do, how do we learn from that? I think the single biggest thing, and being in pro football probably helped me learn this better, is you’ve got to move on. Like, you just can’t waste time looking backwards.

“You can on Sunday, that’s fine. But when Monday morning comes, boy, you better be looking at the next opportunity or you’ll be behind your opponent. It’s easier said than done, I can put it that way,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz noted that Iowa shifting its practice schedule has actually assisted in the Hawkeyes not letting adversity linger.

“One thing, when we switched our practice schedules, back after the ’14 season, the ’15 year, it forces us now. We’re on the field Monday morning, so we have to move on.

“It’s hard on the coaching staff Sunday to practice Monday, but the good news is we’re all moving on because there’s no time to be dwelling on things or how we feel. Forget about that right now. Let’s get it going here on the next one,” Ferentz said.

Iowa will look to turn the page on Saturday at 3 p.m. as it welcomes Troy to Kinnick Stadium.

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Kirk Ferentz shares first reaction to Tim Lester offense

Kirk Ferentz shared his first impressions of the Tim Lester offense in game action.

Like the two offseasons before it, the biggest story and question surrounding Iowa football following the conclusion of 2023 was how much could its offense improve?

The Hawkeyes hired former Western Michigan head coach and Green Bay Packers analyst Tim Lester as its new offensive coordinator to replace Brian Ferentz.

The first impression of Iowa’s new offense under Lester was a great one. Though it took a half to get going, Iowa racked up its best offensive output since its Sept. 28, 2019 win over Middle Tennessee. Iowa’s 492 yards of total offense in its 40-0 shutout victory over Illinois State was the Hawkeyes’ most in a season opener since compiling 593 yards against Akron in 2002.

It was also the best offensive output in an OC’s debut with the Hawkeyes dating back to 1979.

After taking in Iowa’s season opener on TV from home, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz shared his first thoughts on what he saw from Lester’s offense during his Tuesday press conference.

“Yeah, it felt a lot better watching, from where I was watching. Life was a lot better in the second half. Again, that’s the study in offense. Execution is a huge part of the game. It takes a lot of concentration, a lot of detail.

“I think one thing for sure, the penalty situation did impact us in the first half. Second thing, we didn’t really throw or catch. The throws weren’t always accurate. Then we made some of those throws in the second half, and we caught the ball well. It gives you a chance to get going. Then the run game was a little cleaner and crisper. Those are things you go through,” Ferentz said.

Iowa totaled 345 yards of offense in the second half. Junior running back Kaleb Johnson accumulated 119 rushing yards with a pair of scores after halftime.

“We’re going to go through a series of things over the course of the season. As much as you try in camp and you try to put the guys in pressure situations and create things and all that, it’s not the same as playing the game. Until you get in the game, you don’t know how individuals are going to perform or how they’re going to play, and then the other component is just the same thing to be said about your team, you just don’t know how they’re going to respond to those situations. We’ll have a bunch of them here in the next 11 games out there. You just don’t know what they are.

“But the biggest takeaway for me was the guy our guys stuck together. They kept a good attitude. I’m not so sure how many adjustments got made at halftime, but we just made a little cleaner in that second half. Then when you do that, you give yourself a chance for some success,” Ferentz said.

One of the most encouraging signs for the Hawkeyes was what Iowa found in the passing game. After throwing just three touchdown passes to wide receivers in all of 2023, Iowa matched that feat in its opener.

True freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee caught a pair of touchdowns and junior transfer receiver Jacob Gill from Northwestern also added a touchdown grab.

“Yeah, it’s encouraging. It’s a combination of a lot of things. I think the line, we’re a little bit more veteran up there. I thought the guys overall protected pretty well. It didn’t seem like that was an issue at all for us, so that was helpful.

“Cade working through his leave of absence for a while, going through that, and now he’s on a little bit of a sabbatical, medical sabbatical, so working through. And then the receivers did a good job for the most part going and getting the ball, running good routes, things like that.

“So good combination, and some of those plays that Cade made were under duress, not necessarily because of a breakdown, but those guys blitzed a lot, had free rushers come. I thought he handled that situation well, too. We got plenty of blitz practice on Saturday, no question,” Ferentz said.

The early returns on the new-look Iowa offense under Lester are positive. The Hawkeyes will look to keep the offensive momentum rolling in Week 2 as the Iowa State Cyclones arrive to Kinnick Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff on CBS.

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Kirk Ferentz describes experience of watching Iowa football on TV from home

It had to be so strange for Kirk Ferentz.

Kirk Ferentz had a front row seat for Iowa versus Illinois State in the 2024 season opener.

Unlike the 25 season openers before it, though, it wasn’t a front row seat at Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeyes‘ head coach on the sidelines. Instead, it was a front row seat at home watching Iowa on TV.

Alongside Iowa wide receivers coach Jon Budmayr, Ferentz served a self-imposed one-game suspension stemming from recruiting violations that occurred in late 2022.

In his weekly press conference on Tuesday, Ferentz described what the surreal experience was like.

“There was no tailgate. Actually, I had a grandson in the house. So, got up, had two scrambled eggs. Nothing too dramatic. Just kinda killed time. Did that moreso with him. But, when the game started, it’s different watching it on TV. It’s really different. You can see better. That’s one thing. I had a nice surface to write on, which was the second thing. So, I guess those are two upgrades.

“But, outside of that, there wasn’t much good about it. It’s sterile, and you’re pretty much helpless. Not that I do a lot during games anyway. I’m not playing. But, you have a total feeling of disconnection, so it was really strange,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz was asked later what he felt he missed the most while away from the Hawkeyes’ sideline.

“It’s just a totally different experience. You feel totally disconnected. I thought about that a little bit. Like if I were retired, the difference is you’re not invested the way you are if you work here every day and are with the guys every day.

“The closest thing would be like one of our kids’ games. You’re kind of invested. You’re a parent, but it’s still not the same as when you coach and work with people on a daily basis in a really intimate environment. And that’s what we get to enjoy, and that’s the best part of coaching is just that. The times when we get to shut the door and just do what we do or practice and all those kinds of things.

“When you have that, then it’s really strange to be disconnected. It was code of silence on Saturday. Left the hotel Friday night, which was strange, and then sleep in your own bed that night, that’s strange. And then basically wasn’t sure what to do all morning, and then the game came, and then I really wasn’t sure what to do at halftime, so it was kind of interesting,” Ferentz said.

Ultimately, acting head coach Seth Wallace and the Hawkeyes held up their end of the bargain and took care of business in a 40-0 shutout victory over Illinois State.

It’s safe to say that Ferentz isn’t looking to miss out on any more games any time soon, though.

“But, it all worked out. And then it’s even stranger after the game because either it’s a really good time emotionally or a bad time, and those highs and lows make it really special, so you miss out on all those things.

“It wasn’t the same seeing everybody on Sunday. It’s just that time gap in there. It’s a little bit different. It’s over, and hopefully something I’ll never experience again. We’ll see how it all goes,” Ferentz said.

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Kirk Ferentz comments on TJ Hall winning Iowa’s starting CB job

TJ Hall won the second starting CB job, but it sounds like this battle could continue into the start of the 2024 season.

One of the most hotly contested competitions in the lead-up to Iowa’s season opener against Illinois State has been at cornerback.

Graduate cornerback Jermari Harris was penciled in as a returning starter for the Hawkeyes given his 18 career starts and 12 starts in the 2023 season. Harris, a 6-foot-1, 189 pound cornerback, has registered 78 tackles, 17 passes defensed, five interceptions and 2.5 tackles for loss during his Iowa career.

Iowa still had a battle to sort out opposite Harris, though.

On Monday, junior TJ Hall was listed as the starting cornerback opposite Harris, winning the opening-day nod over sophomores Deshaun Lee and John Nestor.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with the media on Tuesday to preview the Hawkeyes’ season opener versus Illinois State and discussed why Hall earned the starting job.

“Probably just a little bit of consistency, and it’s gone back and forth. It’s a little bit like the running back position. Difference is most of those guys have been available, the four corners have been competing and practicing. So, probably a little consistency thing, but it’s still really close,” Ferentz said.

That’s in line with what Iowa defensive coordinator Phil Parker said last week about the cornerback position. Parker indicated that Iowa might play more bodies in its defensive backfield in 2024 and that the cornerback competition had been very tightly contested.

“Well, I think it’s really interesting. Jermari Harris has come back and the leadership that he’s brung and seeing TJ Hall grow and improve his standard of play. Nestor, he’s really doing a good job, very competitive out there and Deshaun Lee’s doing a heck of a job.

“So, I mean, it’s really interesting to see those four over there. One day one guy might have a better day than the other guy. It’s depending on what day and, at the point of attack, how productive are they? But, I think they’re all into it, they’re all working hard and you can see maybe playing more guys in the back end if you have to,” Parker said.

Based on Parker’s comments last week and Ferentz’s remarks on Tuesday, it feels like Hall, Lee and Nestor will all get a look at corner and that this could still be an ongoing competition into the 2024 season.

“We have a lot of positions right now where we’ve got to start somewhere Saturday and start somewhere this week when we practice with our first team. But I will say this, it won’t surprise me, especially in certain groups, where it may take a month to figure out where we’re at.

“And I say that in a positive way because I think we have a lot of young guys right now that we’re going to learn a lot more about them. John Nestor’s a good example. He hasn’t played an awful lot. We’ve seen him on special teams. So, to see him in game action, I think we’ll learn a lot about him. I think our receiver room’s a lot like that. The back thing will probably sort itself out, but I think we’ve got guys that are capable. That’s part of the process as we move forward and just it’ll be interesting to see what it looks here six weeks from now as opposed to just this Saturday,” Ferentz said.

Iowa’s season opens on Saturday, Aug. 31 at 11 a.m. from Kinnick Stadium as the Hawkeyes play host to Illinois State with the game broadcast on Big Ten Network.

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Kirk Ferentz details Kamari Moulton’s ascension to No. 1 RB

Kirk Ferentz detailed how and why Kamari Moulton has ascended to No. 1 on the Iowa football running back depth chart.

The biggest head turner in Iowa’s initial depth chart reveal was redshirt freshman Kamari Moulton as the Hawkeyes’ No. 1 running back.

Moulton carried 27 times for 93 rushing yards with two scores last season. The 5-foot-9, 197 pound running back from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., has been one of the Hawkeyes’ fast risers dating back to last December.

On Tuesday, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz discussed Moulton’s rapid ascension and detailed how Moulton has earned the Hawkeyes’ top spot on the running back depth chart.

Senior running back Leshon Williams, Iowa’s leading rusher in 2023, has been dealing with a nagging soft tissue injury throughout fall camp. Meanwhile, Moulton has made the most out of his opportunities.

“Yeah, I figured that might get everybody’s attention, but it’s more a byproduct of what’s going on. Two things really. Leshon’s missed some time. He’s had an injury that nagged pretty much throughout camp, so Kamari got a lot of work this August.

“The other component there is Kamari’s really done a nice job and I think I kind of mentioned that or alluded to that back in December even. He really started to look comfortable and did a lot of good things. Did a good job in the spring and has just been really consistent all the way through August. They’re all going to play, but he’s really done a nice job,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz also touched on where he’s seen the biggest jumps from Moulton.

“Probably confidence. He’s had a great attitude since he’s been here. He’s got good vision. He’s bigger and stronger physically than he was certainly a year ago, a year-plus ago when he got here. All that’s good. That’s one of the benefits of experience, so happy about that.

“He’s got a tremendous attitude, but he’s got real good vision, a good ability to see things maybe that other guys can’t see and that’s been pretty consistent. It really started showing in December when we were doing more work with the guys. He had been on scout team most of the time last year. It seemed like he was maybe a guy who could pop through here a little bit. I think he’s certainly done that in August,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz noted that Williams has been back working with the Hawkeyes for multiple weeks and that he feels Williams is ready for game action.

The Hawkeyes’ 26th-year head coach is anxious to see the entire group get their season underway and knows that Iowa could need all four or five of its top running backs.

“Leshon’s only been back maybe eight, 10 days and it looks like he’s good to go, but it was just, he had a really long, nagging injury that just took a while to get worked through. Happy he’s back. And the other guys have done a good job, too. Really, I feel pretty good about the group. Anxious to see them play and Kamari especially. We haven’t really seen him go in game activity…

“Again, I envision us playing a lot of the guys in the group. Max White’s done a good job, too. So, I feel like it’s a good group that way. We’ll just kind of see how it plays out as we keep going forward and history would say we can never have too many backs. That’s for sure,” Ferentz said.

Williams led Iowa with 821 rushing yards on 170 carries and one rushing touchdown last season. Junior Kaleb Johnson added 463 rushing yards on 117 rushes with three rushing scores and sophomore Jaziun Patterson tallied 206 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 58 totes.

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