Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the off week comes at a good time for the Hawkeyes. Iowa is 3-1 after a lopsided win over Louisiana-Monroe and opens Big Ten play on October first with a visit to Penn State. Ferentz says they’ve graduated a lot of good players the last couple of years and they are in a developmental mode, and this gives them a chance to review things.
Iowa’s passing game has made big strides and a talented receiving corps has given the Hawkeyes a vertical threat. Ferentz says he’s pleased about the development of the group, but says they have a long road in front of them with the knowledge that they have some potential.
The defense has struggled during non-conference play but Ferentz says that unit is making progress even if it does not always show. He says two weeks ago they gave up good plays, and he says the issues have been different every week. Ferentz says they have made improvements and before the end of the season they may have a decent defense.
The defense has received a boost from the play of Jordan Bernstine at safety. He says Bernstine had a “difficult, challenging” injury two years ago when he broke his ankle. Bernstine missed the Iowa State game with strep throat, but Ferentz says he has come back strong.