Nov. 8, 2005
- 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
Kirk Ferentz could rattle off a number of places he’d rather be going this Saturday other than Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin.
“It’s a tough place to play under any circumstance much less what we’ll face Saturday,” Ferentz told the media assembled for his weekly chat with the area media, referring to Iowa’s 2:30 p.m. date with the nationally ranked Badgers in the final home game of long-time UW head coach Barry Alvarez.
Iowa’s final road game of the 2005 regular season will be televised live by ESPN.
“It’s always difficult to play a good team late in the year on their turf,” he added. “It’s been the toughest environment in the league since my return. The ’99 game there was probably the toughest. We were the final act of the Ron Dayne for Heisman campaign.”
Ferentz, who puts Alvarez high on his lists of peers and friends, said he “gets along well” with the soon-to-be athletic director.
“He picked me up at the airport when I came in for my interview back in the `80s. We have some common bonds and, of course, we had a lot of fun on that staff. We shared some very special moments.”
Friendship aside, Ferentz said he’s not interested in any “Kodak Moments” Saturday. “We’ve got our work to do and he’s got at least two more games to coach. There’s no reason to get too sentimental,” Ferentz said with a smile.
Asked about the difference between the 2004 Hawkeyes who won a share of the Big Ten Conference title and played in its second straight New Year’s Day game and this year’s team Ferentz said it’s as simple as one made plays, the other hasn’t to date.
“We’re a couple plays away from being 7-2, but we’re 5-4 and it doesn’t do any good to dwell on it. If we were lacking effort, then I’d be concerned. We’re not lacking effort or commitment, so we enter every game with a chance,” Ferentz said.
Iowa will likely see the return of wide receiver Ed Hinkel to its lineup Saturday. It’s also likely to not see defensive back Jovon Johnson, who injured a hamstring prior to last Saturday’s game at Northwestern and spent the afternoon on the sidelines.
“Ed’s been cleared by the doctors to play. We’ll see how this week goes and how he feels on Saturday. I suspect, knowing Ed, he’ll tell a little white lie if it’s necessary for him to get on the football field,” Ferentz said.
Ferentz said Wisconsin is having another great season thanks to an ability to do what it takes to win. “They ran into a little bit of a buzzsaw last weekend in Happy Valley,” Ferentz said, referring to the Badgers’ loss at Penn State. Wisconsin’s only other defeat was a loss at Northwestern.
“But, if you look at the big picture, they’re doing a great job and having another nice year.”
Iowa needs one win in its final two games to become eligible to play in a post-season bowl game for the fourth straight season. The Hawkeyes entertain Minnesota Nov. 19 in Kinnnick Stadium.