Iowa linebacker Mike Klinkenborg may play this weekend when the Hawkeyes visit Northwestern. The senior broke his right hand in Iowa’s victory over Michigan State and coach Kirk Ferentz says he expects Klinkenborg to make the trip. He says there’s a good chance as Klinkenborg went back in the game and played with the pain. Ferentz says they have a cast on his hand and will modify it Thursday in hopes that he can play.
Albert Young had 179 yards as the Iowa ground game shined against the Spartans but Ferentz says they need to throw the ball more effectively. The Hawks had just 53 yards of passing against Michigan State. Ferentz says they have to complete some passes otherwise it will be tougher to run the ball.
After winning their last two at home the Hawks will try to win their first road game this week. Ferentz says they have to have the mentality of playing hard wherever they are and whenever they play. Ferentz says he is glad the Hawks have re-established their home field advantage the past few weeks, which may signal they are back on track. Now he says they need to do that on the road.
Iowa will be looking to snap a two game losing streak against Northwestern. Ferentz says the last two years Northwestern has been prepared to play and played the full 60 minutes and finished the game and Iowa didn’t Ferentz says they were lucky things weren’t worse last year as they didn’t show up ready to play.