Failure can be a motivating factor and if so the Iowa football team has plenty as it goes through spring drills. A season that began with lofty expectations saw that Hawkeyes finish by dropping six of their last seven games and they finished with a record of 6-7.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says they are all enthused about what’s in front of them and moving on, without forgetting what happened. Ferentz says they won’t dwell on their mistakes, as the next step is to prepare for the new season and have a better year.
Ferentz says several former Hawkeyes have been back and gone through some workouts. That includes Robert Gallery from the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Clark from the Indianapolis Colts. He says they always make it clear to the former players that they are welcome any time. Ferentz says Gallery went through agilities with the freshmen, and Clark has also practice. Ferentz says it’s huge for the younger guys to see the former Hawkeyes who’re now in the NFL.
The 2007 season will feature an odd schedule that does not include Ohio State or Michigan and ends with a non conference game at home against Western Michigan. The season opens September first with a game against Northern Illinois at Chicago’s Soldier Field. Ferentz says playing in an NFL stadium is something they thought was a win-win situation for both schools. The Hawkeyes will conclude spring drills with a scrimmage on April 14th.