Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says true freshman Drew Tate has earned the role of back-up quarterback to senior starter Nathan Chandler. The Baytown, Texas native has been impressive during preseason workouts. Ferentz says they had a good feel about Drew and he says he just keeps getting better, and is the guy who is the most ready to play, even though he’s a true freshman. The Hawkeyes will be tested right out of the gate when they host Miami of Ohio. He says they’re 6-1 in their last openers, and he says the only team to beat them was Michigan in Ann Arbor. With injuries to Jermelle Lewis and freshman Albert Young the Hawks are thin at running back. Ferentz says they have tried to limit the contact for Fred Russell during workouts. He says that’s the tough thing about football, is that it’s tough to practice without tackling.
