Sept. 25, 2003
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz took questions from Hawkeye fans from across the country and paid compliments to both this week’s opponent – the Michigan State Spartans – and Iowa’s defensive coordinator – Norm Parker – during his weekly radio call-in show at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Cafe in Iowa City.
Hawk Talk with Kirk Ferentz, a 90 minute program hosted by Gary Dolphin, the radio voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, is broadcast live to more than 40 Hawkeye Radio Network stations across the state and on hawkeyesports.com worldwide.
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“Defensively, I think Norm Parker has proven himself as a great coordinator. On defense, we are what we are. We haven’t changed too much. There are always some subtle tweaks that most people don’t know about.”
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
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Here is some of what the head coach of the nationally ranked Iowa Hawkeyes had to offer about this week’s game and more…
? (on Eric McCollum) “We’re going to start phasing him in and get him active on the offense. Our thought is we’re running out of playmakers. We still have a lot of football ahead, and you’re going to see some new faces.”
? (on Michigan State) “Michigan State, I can’t remember having a bad football team. They’re very impressive. They’ve got guys playing well on both sides of the ball. I think Coach John L. Smith and his guys have done a really good job. I think it’s going to be an even match and great ballgame. It’s going to be a good test for our tackles, especially.”
? (on the defensive line) “It’s easily the quickest, most athletic group we’ve had. The guys are really playing well right now.”
? (on mental toughness) “I thought that was major the other night because we haven’t been in that position on the offense yet this year. We got a great response and stayed focus and believed in each other and made some plays. The defense gave our side a big boost. That certainly helps. I was very pleased with the mental toughness out there.”
? (on whether the Iowa defense will change when facing Michigan State) “Defensively, I think Norm Parker has proven himself as a great coordinator. On defense, we are what we are. We haven’t changed too much. There are always some subtle tweaks that most people don’t know about.”
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