Bowl Game Fever

Dec. 1, 2003

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At this time last year, Coach Kirk Ferentz and his team were in about the same position they’re in now – waiting and hoping for a “very nice” bowl game in just about 30 days. But unlike last year, the coach will be more prepared for the big day.

At a press conference Monday, Ferentz said his team wasn’t as ready as it could have been last January but added that the experience has led him to reconfigure plans this year.

“We spent some time in the spring and summer talking about it, and we made a schedule for all the seven bowl games the Big Ten has,” said Ferentz. “I think the big factor last year was the week layoff and then we played a little later. Obviously, we were not sharp in that football game.”

Before last year’s defeat to USC on Jan. 1 in Miami, Hawkeye footballers had had weeks off before final preparations, which included a bye week that fell at the end of the season. According to Ferentz, the lack of on-field work combined with an attitude that didn’t allow the right focus summed to a loss at the hands of the Trojans.

“I don’t think we had done enough work on the field to make up that time,” said the coach. “I don’t think our attitude was where it needed to be either. You just have to have the right focus going into a bowl game, and we could do a better job there too. We plan on doing that this year.

“We have to be smart about how we practice, but we have to make sure we’re getting quality work in the two weeks prior to the game.”

Ferentz said that this year’s preparations won’t be affected by recruiting missions either, considering those took time away from coaches’ game-plan work last season. However, recruiting is exactly what assistant coaches are up to until a bowl game and opponent are finalized.

“I’m not a good multitasking guy,” said Ferentz. “I think we just should focus on recruiting and our team for the next two weeks and get into an opponent during finals week. I drew a line and when that line hits we all will be in here getting ready for the road, just so when we get on the plane we have a game plan set.”

Despite growing bowl-game fever, or perhaps just cabin fever as temperatures in Florida look much more appealing than in balmy Iowa, Ferentz was quick to point out the leadership and turning points that set the Hawkeyes on their way.

“All in all, with all the factors, I thought we got great senior leadership through the season that really improved and increased as the year went on,” he said. “I think the team also really grew through the course of the season. They hung together through some adversity, some tough breaks and injuries and those sorts of things.”

According to the coach who tallied 20 victories in the last two seasons, wins against Big Ten champion Michigan, Penn State and Minnesota were the most critical for his team.

“There were so many plays in that Michigan game that were so critical,” said Ferentz. “That was a big game for us. We had just had a disappointing loss and to come back and play well – what a great boost.

“I thought the Penn State game was critical for us too. Penn State was a scary game because of its performance against Ohio State a week later. You knew they were a better team than they had shown.

“Finally at the Minnesota game, to be looking at the scoreboard being up 40-6 against those guys at one point was remarkable.”

On Monday, Ferentz also praised safety Bob Sanders, kicker Nate Kaeding and recently-named Outland Trophy finalist Robert Gallery, an offensive linesman, for their contributions to the team.

“You talk about Bob, Nate and Robert – three guys who are so exceptional at their positions and also such impact players with our entire football team,” he said. “Those three guys are just really exceptional guys. We have our work to do to replace those three, from all aspects.”

Barry Pump, hawkeyesports.com