Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the attitude has remained good despite the mounting losses for his Hawkeyes. Iowa is 3-5 overall and 1-4 in the Big Ten heading into this week’s matchup at home against Michigan State. Ferentz says none of them are having fun right now as losing ballgames is not fun. He says he focuses more on the intangibles, the leadership and the work of the team. Ferentz says as long as those things are good, they’re going to weather this bad time.
Iowa’s struggling offense should have more healthy receivers this week after taking only three to last week’s game at Purdue. Iowa’s offense has scored only two touchdowns in the last three games but Ferentz says that unit needs to do more than just control the ball like it did in a victory over Illinois nearly two weeks ago. Ferentz says he’s more focused on points right now, as that’s what you need to win.
Ferentz says at this point in the season wholesale changes are not the answer. Ferentz says,"We’re at the point where we can’t count on the calvary, they’re not coming. We have to go with what we’ve got. We have players that are capable, we’re just not very consistent right now." Ferentz says young players can learn and get better, and that’s what they’re trying to do right now.
The offense must contend with a Spartan defense that has already notched 31 sacks this season. Ferentz says they have to be ready to compete as the defense is aggressive. Michigan State is 5-3 overall but just 1-3 in the big Ten under first year coach Mark Dantonio who expects a touch matchup against the Hawkeyes.
Dantonio says it’s a tough place to play against a well coach team. Dantonio says despite the struggles on offense the Hawks have playmakers. He says the runningbacks are very good and he says they can create some situations for them.