Nov. 5, 2003
Ask the Coach a Question Here!
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz took questions from Hawkeye fans from across the country in his Wednesday night Hawk Talk radio broadcast at Carlos O’Kelly’s Mexican Caf? in Iowa City.
Hawk Talk, a 90 minute program hosted by Gary Dolphin, is broadcast live to more than 40 Hawkeye Radio Network stations across the state and worldwide on hawkeyesports.com. Here is some of what the coach had to say.
(on quarterback Nathan Chandler making play calls at the line) “As a rule we try to get the plays in as soon as possible. Some decisions are easier than others. Sometimes we’re in a quandary on what to run depending on how the game’s going. The only time we change up at the line, as a rule, is in the two-minute situation where you’re trying to pick up the pace of the game.”
(on freshman back-up quarterback Drew Tate) “I think he’s doing a good job. I think we need to work on his hook sliding, when he’s avoiding those tacklers. Since there’s only one quarterback on the field at a time, it’s a little harder to get him out there. It’s kind of like watching Nathan grow in the back-up role a year ago and Brad (Banks) a year before that.”
(on linebacker Chad Greenway) “I’m not sure how we got Chad’s name. But we got a tape, and we were very impressed with the tape. But we were even more impressed when we met him and his family. He’s just a vibrant and enthusiastic guy. He’s had a lot of impact.”
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“We weren’t invited to the party, but we’re trying to crash it. That’s what happens when you have so many good teams in the conference. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
Head Coach Kirk Ferentz on the Big Ten race
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(on injuries) “It’s the No. 1 reason why you want a great strength and conditioning program. If you look at our injuries, there have been a lot of very fluke-type things. Injuries are part of the game, and you hope to balance those things out. But we’ve had guys land on their ankles or have others fall on them. Basically, they’re unavoidable.”
(on preseason Big Ten championship predictions) “We weren’t invited to the party, but we’re trying to crash it. That’s what happens when you have so many good teams in the conference. It’s going to be interesting to see what happens.”
Edward Jones Question of the Week
(on momentum in play-calling decisions) “No question about it, momentum is one of those great things in sports. I think you go in with the plan, but if something’s really working, you play to the team’s strengths. It doesn’t always happen, but it’s fun when it’s going your way but not much when it’s not.”