The Iowa Hawkeyes return to action this weekend with a visit to Illinois. Iowa is 5-3 overall while the Illini are 4-4 after a loss to Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes have won the last five games in the series. Coach Kirk Ferentz says not many of the games have been easy, including last year.
After losing three straight the Hawks have now won two in a row but Ferentz hopes the players keep things in perspective. He says the team has to realize that everything in front of them is going to be tough and they have focus first on this Saturday.
Two years ago, Illinois quarterback Juice Williams was a freshman when the Hawks won in Champaign. He comes into this game as the Big Ten leader in total offense. He says Williams is the centerpiece of the offense and has matured and has a lot more experience.
Ferentz says there is no need for a full blown media campaign to try and boost Shonn Greene’s Heisman trophy prospects. The junior running back is averaging 144 yards per game. Ferentz says they have four tough games and if Greene wants to be in the mix, you have to do what you need to do. Ferentz says Greene has played well in in the first eight games and will have to do so in the next four.