Aug. 8, 2009
Exclusive photos of preseason practice No. 2 (Saturday, Aug. 8)
Video interview with A. Gettis | Defensive drill, Saturday practice
J. Hampton rush, Saturday practice | B. Wegher rush, Saturday practice
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — You will be excused for not recognizing University of Iowa offensive lineman Adam Gettis. The 6-foot-4, 280-pound sophomore from Frankfort, Ill., isn’t a household name in the Big Ten Conference.
Yet.
UI head coach Kirk Ferentz made it clear at the Big Ten Football Media Days that the Hawkeyes are looking for `great stories’ in 2009, just like ones that emerged a year ago with running back Shonn Greene, cornerback Bradley Fletcher and center Rob Bruggeman. Gettis could be one of those undiscovered ’09 success stories.
“My goal is to start, get on the field, and get enough playing time where I can show my talents,” Gettis said. “My main goal and the team goal is to win. We want to get everything done — win a Big Ten championship and go to another bowl game.”
As a redshirt freshman, Gettis saw action during victories against Maine, Florida International, Wisconsin and South Carolina. The Hawkeyes averaged 230.3 rushing yards and 418 yards of total offense during those games. Even with the departure of Greene, Bruggeman and offensive guard Seth Olsen, Gettis predicts big numbers for the Iowa offense this season.
“We have a lot of great running backs coming and we have a lot of freshmen running backs coming, so I think we’re going to be just as productive as last year,” Gettis said. “If we do what we did a year ago, only at a higher tempo, we’ll have a great season.”
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“All you really want to do is put guys on their butt. Move guys five or 10 yards off the ball and keep driving until he’s 20 or 30 yards off the ball. That’s all you can do — and make sure the running back gets to where he needs to be.”
UI sophomore guard
Adam Gettis |
During a 9-4 campaign in which the Hawkeyes won the 2009 Outback Bowl by 21 points over Southeastern Conference foe South Carolina, Iowa finished second in the Big Ten Conference in scoring offense (30.3 points per game), fourth in rushing offense (188.7 yards per game) and fifth in total offense (291.3 yards per game). After an impressive spring, Gettis was a highlight for the Hawkeyes coaching staff.
“I watched tons of film, that’s the one thing (offensive line) coach (Reese) Morgan expressed — you have to watch lots and lots of film,” Gettis said. “Julian (Vandervelde) and I used to get out 10 minutes before every practice and we would work on drills together — hand drills, coming off the ball and simple, fundamental things.”
Gettis, a graduate of Lincoln Way East High School, was listed as third-team left guard following spring practice in 2008. Now he is backing-up senior Dan Doering and Vandervelde, a junior, at right guard.
“All you really want to do is put guys on their butt,” Gettis said. “Move guys five or 10 yards off the ball and keep driving until he’s 20 or 30 yards off the ball. That’s all you can do — and make sure the running back gets to where he needs to be.”
Iowa held its second practice Saturday afternoon. The Hawkeyes open the season Saturday, Sept. 5, against Northern Iowa with an 11 a.m. kickoff inside Kinnick Stadium.