Hawk Talk Daily: Random Thoughts

Oct. 1, 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 after the fourth straight sun-filled day at historic Kinnick Stadium…

“The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated,” Mark Twain is reported to have exclaimed after hearing that his obituary had been published in the New York Journal. I’m not here predicting a national championship, but I think the suggestions in some corners that Kirk’s 2012 Hawkeyes were road kill were a wee bit premature. There’s work to be done and plenty to “clean up” between now and the visit to Spartan Stadium for sure, but, folks, there’s an awful lot of football left to be played…and, as Saturday’s effort against a previously unbeated Gophers squad proved, that’s a football team with a fair amount of upside potential.

Here’s one person’s take on the win: HERE.

Here’s one person’s look at some “underdogs”: HERE.

Read about Heroes: HERE.

Watch some video here: HERE.

Here’s what Kirk had to say: HERE.

Weisman for Heisman is beginning to get real. Just check out the game stats: HERE; and the season stats: HERE.

Kudos to senior cornerback Eric Castillo. It was pretty obvious beginning with Minnesota’s first drive that he was a man with a target on his back and, to his credit, he hung with it and hung with it and eventually got the first pick of his collegiate career. “He had the coverage and moved in very nicely underneath the receiver. Well done,” said Ed Podolak of the Hawkeye Radio Network who observed throughout the afternoon that Minnesota’s success on his side of the defense was more a result of great execution than anything Castillo was or wasn’t doing defensively.

Speaking of picks, how about that one by Tanner Miller. And, of course, foolish me. I thought when the officials called for a review of the play, they were working to confirm the call of an incomplete pass.Can you believe the string of weather we’ve had the opportunity to enjoy the last four Saturday afternoons? Remarkable, really, given the fact that more times than not Kinnick swelters in September…which is great for the sale of drinking water but not much else. Now, let’s hope Mother Nature is as cooperative with our prime time game against those Nittany Lions and, of course, those two home games in the tricky weather month of November.

Speaking of (No. 1) Iowa’s prime-time date with Penn State on Oct. 20…. For the second straight season, the stage for the annual ANF Game Day presented by the Iowa Farm Bureau will be a star-lit Kinnick. I’ll let you know now that we won’t be doing a card stunt this year – maybe next – but we do have something really exciting up our sleeves. Also, please remember that this year’s Black and Gold Spirit Night is also a prime time event. Same rules as the past in terms of colors: Even-numbered sections wear gold, odd-numbered sections and UI students wear black. Gonna be fun…

Speaking of (No. 2) the Iowa-Penn State weekend… I suggest you try to fit the 2012 Black and Gold Basketball Blowout into your schedule for that weekend. Doors will open to the Arena at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 19, and the action off and on the court will begin promptly at 8 p.m. I will guarantee that you will be more than entertained by Lisa’s squad, Fran’s squad, and all the special activities that are being planned for the annual celebration of the start of the college hoops season on the UI campus. You can purchase tickets in advance HERE and, remember, children high school aged and younger, and UI students are free admits.

Speaking of (No. 3) ANF Game Day… You can register for the Ultimate Fan Giveaway HERE and while there you can learn a little more about ANF and the ANF initiative. Also, next time you’re at Kinnick, wander up to the north concourse and check out the additions to ANF Plaza compliments of our partner, the Iowa Farm Bureau.

“Hawk Talk Monthly” is our latest addition to our e-offerings. It’s our monthly e-magazine and the September edition was published yesterday after some great work by Darren Miller, Matt Ellison, and a host of folks who are part of our communications and video staffs. We have a little Barta on the importance of facilities and the floor plans for the new football operation center, we have a great look at the 2003 FedEx Orange Bowl Hawkeyes, an absolutely fantastic picture of Hawkeye Mark Weisman, we have a pretty comprehensive look at the National Varsity Club Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012, and we have a nice piece about Jaime Printy’s recent visit to the UI Athletics Department’s monthly “All-Staff Meeting.” There’s also video attached to some of these. You can check it out HERE.

Did I see the September edition of Hawk Talk Monthly included some floor plans for the Hawkeyes’ new Football Operations Center? Check ’em out HERE.

And Ron Rainey’s Iowa soccer squad keeps plugging along… The only once-beaten Hawkeyes marched into Ann Arbor Friday night for a date with the nationally ranked Michigan Wolverines and came away with a 0-0 tie which should give them a boost of confidence today when they square off against Michigan State, the team they lost to by a 4-3 count in a shootout after a scoreless 110 minutes of action in a first round match of last year’s Big Ten Conference Soccer Championship. The game with the Spartans will be televised live by BTN.

Ever wonder what it’s like to stand next to Kirk or a Hawkeye when the Swarm is about to take the field at Kinnick? You can do that, you know. Learn how HERE.

So, having pitched the idea of settling in for some Big Ten soccer, I’m going to call and audible and suggest that those of you in the neighborhood set the DVR to record the soccer match and opt instead to enjoy what is predicted to be an absolutely beautiful day in the Heartland and head over to Grant Field at noon to cheer Tracey Griesbaum’s nationally ranked Hawkeyes to a victory over nationally ranked Ohio State. And, while you’re at it, remember how you get there because we’ll want you to come back in November when the Hawkeyes play host of the 2012 Big Ten Conference Field Hockey Championship. I’ll have more on that event is it draws near.

It was fun to have Gary Launderville and his family at Kinnick yesterday. You remember Gary, don’t you? He was Iowa’s “Citizen Hero” at last year’s Hy-Vee Heroes Game in Lincoln. You can read about Gary and watch a video about this story HERE. We invited Gary to join us in Iowa City this weekend as a way to remind fans of the Hawkeyes and Iowans that it’s time to submit nominations for this year’s “Citizen Hero.” You can do that online HERE

You know I enjoy the game of golf. And you know I enjoy the talents of Cedar Rapidian and Hawk fan Zach Johnson. But, I gotta tell ya, I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around chest-bumping Tour pros who have gathered for this year’s Ryder Cup competition at Medinah Country Club in suburban Chicago. Absolutely great golf, for sure – and, as you can see HERE, Zach continues to tear it up – but the fist-pumping and chest-bumping is just a little bit off center for me….but I’ll get over it.

By the way, welcome home Floyd. It’s really, really good to have you back.

Lastly, last week I suggested fans of the Hawkeyes need to bring their “A” game to Kinnick yesterday and help this group of Hawkeyes start the 2012 Big Ten Conference season with a “W.” They did. They were fantastic. (Need evidence? Click HERE and read about what Minnesota’s head coach says about the crowd at Kinnick.) Thanks.

GH!