Sept. 16, 2012
Video interview with Coach Ferentz
- 2012 Hawkeye Football Game Day Central
- Hawkeyes in the NFL
- 2012 UI Fall Football Camp Central
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye iPhone app!
- Download your Iowa Hawkeye Android app!
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said Sunday that running backs Damon Bullock and Greg Garmon have a chance to play against Central Michigan on Sept. 22, but the Hawkeyes are preparing as if they will not be available.
“The good news is both guys have a chance to play in this coming ball game,” Ferentz said during an exclusive interview with hawkeyesports.com. “The bad news is that we really won’t know until probably mid-week. Both of them responded favorably; we’ll see how they rehab as we go from here. In the meantime, we have to plan like they aren’t going to be here.”
Bullock carried the ball 13 times for 77 yards with a long of 27 before he was injured in the first quarter of Iowa’s 27-16 win against Northern Iowa on Sept. 15. Garmon replaced Bullock and carried three times for 13 yards before he was injured in the second quarter. Converted fullback Mark Weisman then stepped in and rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries with three touchdowns. He added three receptions for 33 yards and a long of 21.
“We worked Mark Weisman last week at running back, mainly out of two-back sets to broaden his exposure,” Ferentz said. “We didn’t envision him getting into the game under the circumstances we had. To his credit, he did a great, great job.”
Ferentz discussed several topics during the seven-minute interview, including starting all three games of the 2012 season with scoring drives. He also assessed the progress of the Hawkeye wide receivers.
Sophomore Kevonte Martin-Manley caught five passes for 101 yards and a long of 51 against the Panthers. Ferentz cited blocking as a strength in Martin-Manley’s game.
“It was great to get Kevonte going a little bit,” Ferentz said. “He had a big day, over 100 yards receiving, and he blocked well on the perimeter which helped open up the long runs we had; I don’t want to minimize that, (blocking is) a huge job for receivers.”
Iowa (2-1) turns its attention to Central Michigan (1-1). Last season the Chippewas defeated Northern Illinois, 48-41, before the Huskies won their final nine games. It was the last loss for Northern Illinois until the Hawkeyes defeated the Huskies 18-17 on Sept. 1. Central Michigan is coming off a bye week.
“We only have two tapes to look at from this year,” Ferentz said. “It’s going to be another challenge. The other challenge for us is to continue to try to improve.”
To watch the entire interview with Ferentz, click HERE.