Hawk Talk Daily: Random Thoughts

Sept. 17, 2012

• 2011 Fall Camp Central
• 2011 Football Game Day Parking Changes
• America Needs Farmers website
• 2011 UI Football Media Guide
• 2011 UI Football Fact Book
• 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
• gohawks.com
• Iowa Football Wallpaper

IOWA CITY, Iowa — — Random thoughts on a great day to be a Hawkeye!

Is there anything nicer than a sun-drenched day at historic Kinnick Stadium? Yes. Of course there is: A sun-drenched day at historic Kinnick Stadium with the good guys walking off the Pro Turf the winners. That’s pretty good. No. That’s really good.

Here’s one guy’s take on the victory: HERE. Here’s a link to some video highlights: HERE. Enjoy. The Hawkeyes did. It was hard-earned and they played well against a very, very good football team that will win more than their fair share of games during the balance of 2012.

“We got a win. That was important, most important, and then also I thought our guys really played hard. And I’ll back it up; they had a good week in practice, and I thought we had a productive week, got some things done. You know, showed improvement.” — Kirk post-game. I’ve talked before about what I think is our head coach’s natural ability to be straight-forward. You know, kind of like Sergeant Friday on the old television show, Dragnet. “Just the facts, ma’am.”

Be Bold, Wear Gold… I thought Kinnick looked fantatic yesterday. Sure, a smattering of purple here and there and, why not? There are sure to be a few “mixed households” among the fan base. All in all, however, kudos to the 70,000 in Kinnick for bringing their “A” game. As Kirk said during his halftime chat with Rob Brooks of the Hawkeye Radio Network, the game was going to be a “full 60” and, in games like that, the energy created by the paying customers is really important.

I don’t know what you might have been thinking when you saw the Hawkeyes swarming yesterday, but I’ll tell you what was running through my mind: As much as I’ve enjoyed our Throwback games and uniforms, I really liked seeing the traditional black and gold and Tigerhawk. They’re classic. They’re timeless. They are Iowa Football.

Now, speaking of game-day attire, did you catch UI Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Royce Alger at halftime? Royce was quite a showman on the mat for the Hawkeyes and it was pretty clear that he’s still quite a showman.

Kudos to the National Varsity Club, too. Man, that was a star-studded cast yesterday: The 1968 and 1970 basketball teams…The 2002 football squad…Hall of Famers…honorary letterwinners. Good stuff!Our undefeated and, now, nationally ranked (For the first time ever? I need to check that.) women’s soccer team opens its Big Ten Conference season today at 2 p.m. against Illinois in Champaign. I was looking forward to watching the event on BTN, but, alas, I’m a Dish Network customer…

So, who is Mark Weisman? Well, here’s a link to his bio: HERE. And here’s a link to Kirk’s post-game press conference of yesterday: HERE. Mark, of course, is a topic of conversation. And, lastly, here’s something on Mark from our own Darren Miller: HERE.

There’s a bunch of great video inside Hawkeye All-Access: HERE I invite you to check out the “Kid Captain” video that is here compliments of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

Oh, yeah. Did you see that yesterday? The O-line brought it. Jimmy V, too. And Morris and Hitchens and Meyer. So, to those of you who weren’t so sure the Hawkeyes would ever reach paydirt or find the win column again, I offer what I was told some time ago by a very wise man: You’re never as bad as they say or as good as you think you are.

Speaking of “O,” here’s a nice piece on a pair of UI receivers: HERE. They had a pretty good day, too.Here’s a link to our football “Game Day” page: HERE. I recommend you bookmark this one and check it out each Friday and Saturday. Great stuff…all in one convenient place.

Eddie mentioned it yesterday on the radio broadcast and I concur: Fans at Kinnick Stadium sure appreciate good defense. I like that. It speaks to having real knowledge and appreciation of the game. A tip of the fedora to you if you are among the many that rise out of their seat on third down and applaud our defense when it’s forced a change of possession.

There was a lot to like about yesterday’s game: Answering the Panthers’ opening drive for seven with our own, another strong defensive effort, and another win in the battle of turnovers. I personally like the fact that we put points on the board in all four quarters and we did it with a balanced offense…and I know how much our head coach likes a balanced offense. Here’s a link to the stat pack for Game 2 of 4 in Kinnick in September: HERE

Have a great week…and why don’t you consider joining us next Friday night at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Iowa vs. Indiana. Game time is 7 bells.

GH!