Oct. 8, 2003
Remember the advertising jingle, “Sometimes you feel like a nut, some times you don’t…”
Well, that’s how college football coaches feel about bye weeks. Sometimes they fall at just the right time. Sometimes they don’t. For the Iowa Hawkeyes and their head coach Kirk Ferentz, the bye week on this year’s Big Ten Conference schedule couldn’t have come at a better time.
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“Last year, the worst thing that could have happened to us was a bye week. We were a healthy team and playing well. This year, I think it’s a blessing. We needed some extra time to regroup and get some guys back and healthy.”
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
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“I’m not certain we could have fielded a competitive team this week. It would have been a challenge,” said Ferentz, whose 5-1 Hawkeyes are looking forward to a little R-and-R this Saturday in anticipation of a trip to Ohio State on Oct. 18.
Ferentz said yesterday during an abbreviated meeting with the media that this week’s free pass will likely provide a few Hawkeyes the opportunity to see the practice field next week and perhaps the playing field in Columbus. Tops on that list is wide receiver Ed Hinkel, who injured a groin muscle in Iowa’s thrilling victory over Arizona State inside legendary Kinnick Stadium in late September.
“I think Ed will make it,” Ferentz said about his wide-out and his chances of participating in the meeting between last year’s Big Ten co-champions.
Offensive lineman David Walker also stands a good chance of seeing action against the Buckeyes. Ferentz said he was healthy enough to play in last week’s Homecoming game, but the staff kept him on the sidelines because he had missed too much practice.
The list of questionables for Iowa’s game against the defending national champions includes wide receiver Mo Brown, running back Jermelle Lewis, and running back Albert Young. Ferentz said each have a chance and that he’ll know more about each at the end of this week. “How they respond to three hard practices will tell us a lot,” Ferentz said.
He also said that while they might not be back for Ohio State, the fact that they’re making progress bodes well for Iowa and the second half of its Big Ten season.
He was less certain about defensive back Jovon Johnson, who injured an ankle during Iowa’s 30-27 victory over Michigan. “We’ll know more by the end of the week on Jovon, but it’s looking positive,” said Ferentz.
Ferentz said the early report on defensive back Ma’Quan Dawkins is not as good. “There’s a pretty good chance that it’s an (ACL),” he said.
“Last year, the worst thing that could have happened to us was a bye week. We were a healthy team and playing well,” said Ferentz.
“This year, I think it’s a blessing. We needed some extra time to regroup and get some guys back and healthy.”
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t…