Ferentz: Another Outstanding Michigan Team

Oct. 18, 2005

• Black Out Saturday
• Watch the “Black Out” Television Commercial
• Game-Day Parking and Road Construction Information
• 2005 Hawkeye Huddles
• Follow the Renovation of Kinnick!
• The Schedule: 2005 and Beyond
• Listen to the Hawkeyes on XM Radio
• Watch and Listen to Kirk, the Hawkeyes

A win on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium will take a total effort, University of Iowa football Coach Kirk Ferentz told the media today during his weekly get-together at the Hayden Fry Football Complex.

“They’re an excellent football team, just a typical, well-coached, talented University of Michigan football team,” said Ferentz, noting that “all” the Wolverines did last week was beat a Top 10 ranked team that entered Michigan Stadium with as much tradition and unbeaten.

“I hope like heck they don’t bring the `A’ game,” Ferentz joked, noting that a Michigan newspaper graded the Wolverines victory over Penn State a B-minus.

“If there were any questions about Michigan and the state of its program, as far as I’m concerned, they answered them last Saturday,” said Ferentz.

“Any time you play Michigan you know you’re playing a tough football team. This team, this game, is no different.”

Ferentz said Michigan is most impressive where it often matters most: In the trenches. Simply put, they’re big and they’re talented.

“I doubt we’ll see a bigger group of linemen. I don’t think we have an NFL team on our schedule,” Ferentz said.

Iowa’s head coach also noted that the Wolverines seem to have an endless source of talent. “They graduate an (Braylon) Edwards and they put another guy in with just as much skill. Amazing,” he said.

Ferentz was complimentary of virtually every position offensively and defensively on the Michigan roster. He did single out running back Mike Hart, however. “Everyone feeds off his energy. He gives them a little extra,” said Ferentz.

Ferentz said he expects a long and bumpy Big Ten Conference road. “It’s great for the fans and tough on the coaches,” he said of the logjam at the top of the league. Iowa is one several teams sitting with one loss as the season nears the end of October.

“The competition is great. The bottom line is you better be ready to play each week,” he said.

“Michigan is another test,” he added. “You’re playing a great football team who is coming off a very big win. It will be a heck of a challenge for us.”

Ferentz closed his opening remarks with a note of encouragement to those who will fill Kinnick Stadium to capacity yet again Saturday.

“Our fans have, over the years, demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship by focusing their attention on supporting the Hawkeyes and not demeaning the visiting team in ways that are less that acceptable. I’m optimistic that tradition will continue this weekend and throughout the remainder of the season,” he said.

Saturday has been designated “Black Out Saturday” and Ferentz is looking forward to see what happens. “I think it’s a great idea. It gives our fans one more thing to wrap their hands around and show their support for our team.”