Oct. 24, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery 
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Opening remarks…
It was a little better than the 1999 game sticking to history so that parts good. What can I say. We’re just thrilled to get the victory. First of all both teams really competed hard out there. It was a hard fought game. The score is representative of that and what a swing of emotions and crazy series here in the last couple of series. Michigan State did a great job of coming back, taking it down for the touch down drive and then our guys responded. Its really representative of the kind of football team we have and they way they’ve been playing this year. They refuse to think they’re out of it until the end of the game and I just can’t say enough about the way our guys, the effort they gave and the way the pulled this thing out. It wasn’t pretty for a lot of the game and Michigan State had a lot to do with that and but we had to have it. We had it and I’m just really really proud of our entire football team.
On quarterback Ricky Stanzi’s control on the last drive of the game…
Outside of the one, we hit a pass down to Derrell (Johnson-Koulianos) for the last field goal I think it was. It seems like it was the first third down we converted down the field. It felt that way, I don’t know if it is true or not. We were having a hard time throwing the ball down the field at all, getting anything done and not much was coming easy anywhere. And then for Rick (Stanzi) to take the team like he did down that last series, is its absolutely outstanding. It’s a great effort on his part, and it’s a team effort, that’s how we’ve been playing football all season long. I thought our protection was excellent and our receivers stepped up and did a great job. Rick’s the guy that was orchestrating things and he probably learned something tonight. We were out in the rain on Thursday and it was coming down pretty good. We usually finish up with two minute (drills). We put that off and thought maybe we would do them Friday. We skipped them on Friday so next two-minute drill we might do might be next spring because that’s the best two-minute drill we’ve had. It’s just a great effort though, it starts with your quarterback keeping his composure and directing the team.
On the last play being called by Ken O’Keefe…
It was a great call by Ken. We had a fourth down obviously, and just an excellent play called. We cleared out the left side for Marvin (McNutt) and we had been trying to get the fake ball to him a couple times earlier and he made the nice break inside and made a great grab. So it was a great execution but certainly a lot of credit to Ken O’Keefe. What a fantastic call.
On the young Iowa players…
Our team is getting a little into the season now. Its one thing I’ve said all season long, if we’d have a bright spot this year we’ve had a lot of guys step up and do some things, some young guys. Both of our running backs are freshman. Adam (Robinson) is a red shirt freshman. Riley Reiff stepped in when (Bryan) Bulaga was out up in the offensive line. And today we lose Dace Richardson unfortunately, and it looks like that might be for a couple of weeks. It looks like a broken bone. Brett Greenwood comes out, and Colin Sandeman. Fortunately we didn’t have to get any body back to return a punt that could have been a little dicey. We were running out of guys back there and to lose somebody else, just like those three guys. Our team seems to be effective when somebody comes out and somebody steps up to get the job done. And its just a real credit to all of our players.
On the hit with the personal foul against Michigan State player Jeremey Ware…
I couldn’t see it. All I could was a hit coming. I couldn’t see the exact hit. The only thing I noticed is that its real a point of interest nationally right now so thats the only thing I can say about it but I couldn’t see it specifically. I did sense the crowd wasn’t pleased with it. I did get that feeling.
On the season developing into a few magical moments…
We’ve already had a couple. Hopefully we’re not using them all up but we’ve already had a couple. One things for sure, we’ve given the fans their money’s worth because we’ve taken them right down to the wire a couple times now and its just a real credit to our players. They realize there is ebb and flow in a game and its football. Both teams are competing hard and points are real tough to come by until the last couple minutes of the ball game. And neither of us look back on the goal line situations for example. Both of us had great opportunities to come up with touch downs down there and neither team could and that’s more reflection on the defense being played on both sides of the ball. Both teams really played good defense tonight.
Iowa Junior Quarterback Ricky Stanzi
On his celebration after the game…
I can’t hardly remember how I celebrated. I just remember freaking out and everyone jumping around.
On what he was thinking about during Iowa’s last play…
I definitely wasn’t thinking about championships or an undefeated season. If you are thinking about that, then you are probably going to make the wrong play. I can promise you that championships haven’t entered our minds, yet, and that is because of Coach Ferentz. All we were worried about was getting to eight and zero, and all we are worried about now is the next game.
On was it special about this Iowa team…
It isn’t easy to get to eight and zero, so we know we have a good group of players. That is really all it comes down to, a great group of guys who want to win, want to play hard and most importantly, win for Coach Ferentz.
Iowa Sophomore Wide Receiver Marvin McNutt
On how if feels to be eight and zero…
It is an awesome feeling. Iowa has never done that before, so to be that team that does it is a great feeling. Especially to win it like this, we love to play these types of games.
On MSU’s hook-and-lateral play…
That was a great play. I thought it was pretty impressive to call a hook-and-lateral. They were down and that play put a dent in our defense. But once they scored, we knew what we had to do.
On his thumb injury…
My thumb still hurts. We tape it up every game though, so that if I do catch a ball it won’t re-injure it. We do try to protect it in the pile. But, I actually can’t do anything in the pile, because of my teammates protecting me. I just feel more and more weight on me.
On the last play of the game…
To be honest, I didn’t even know if I was going to catch the ball. It felt like the slowest play ever. Once I got open, I didn’t know if he was going to throw it. Then I saw the ball, and I thought ‘okay just catch it’. And once I caught it I just thanked God for helping me catch the ball.