Turnovers proved costly as the Iowa Hawkeyes fell to northwestern in their Big Ten opener. The Hawks committed five turnovers as they lost to the Wildcats 22-17, a game they led 17-3 late in the second quarter. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the turnovers were the story of the game as he can’t remember a game where you make five turnovers and win the game.
The Hawks are now 2-2 and next up visit a Michigan State squad that opened Big Ten play with a victory at Indiana. Ferentz says they had a tough game with the Spartans last year and expect another one. Ferentz says the Hawks need to put that loss behind them.
Ferentz says they have to keep pushing and nobody can get discouraged as there is a lot of the season ahead. Sophomore Ricky Stanzi went the distance and completed 21-of-30 passes for 238 yards and a touchdown. Stanzi says they have a good attitude as a team and he thinks they will respond now that they have their backs to the wall.