Nov. 11, 2012
- 2012 Hawkeye Football Game Day Central
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- 2012 UI Fall Football Camp Central
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- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — With two regular-season games remaining, all eyes remain on the University of Iowa football team that controls its own destiny — and has a lot to say about the outcome of the Big Ten Legends Division Standings.
The Hawkeyes (4-6 overall, 2-4 Big Ten) play at Michigan (7-3, 5-1) on Nov. 17 before hosting Nebraska (8-2, 5-1) on Nov. 23.
“We’ll write the chapter and that’s something we have emphasized to our players,” Ferentz said Sunday in an exclusive interview with hawkeyesports.com. “Our guys have been working hard, they have practiced well, that hasn’t been the issue at all. We haven’t always played well enough or consistent enough, and those are the two challenges we will continue to work on.”
Iowa is the only program in the country to play six games decided by three points or less. The Hawkeyes are 2-4 in those contests.
“If you look at our team historically, we’ve played a lot of close games through the years,” Ferentz said. “When you’re in a competitive conference, (winning close games) is going to be a deciding factor. The good news is, we’ve been involved in a lot of close games, the bad news is, we haven’t come out on top enough, and if you go back to our seasons when we’ve had eight, nine, 10 wins, we have done a good job in those close games. The objective is to focus on the things you can control, find solutions to problems and challenges you have, and find a way to be successful in those close games.”
Offensive lineman Connor Boffeli, a junior from West Des Moines, started for the first time in his collegiate career at guard Saturday against Purdue.
“For his first time out, he did a good job,” Ferentz said. “He has been practicing well the last couple weeks. That is a big step for him, and I think he will play much better the next two weeks. I was encouraged by what I saw.”
Ferentz said the 2012 Hawkeyes are a fun team to coach and their attitudes remain positive during a four-game skid.
To watch Sunday’s complete interview Ferentz, click HERE.