After shaking off the injury bug that kept him off the field early in his career senior linebacker Pat Angerer is now be counted on as one of the leaders of the Iowa defense. The Bettendorf native had a break-out season in 2008. He led the Hawks in tackles and also tied for the team lead in interceptions with five.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz who says Angerer battled through some tough times and challenges before coming out of spring ball as number two and then by the end of the season was a top performer and a leader. He says it’s part of the college experience as a football player and a student to have some ups and downs.
Ferentz says Angerer is a great example of a guy fighting through adversity and making a big contribution to the team. Defensive coordinator Norm Parker says with standout linemen Mitch King and Matt Kroul graduating a veteran linebacking corps will need to provide leadership.
Parker says a football coach is like a kindergarten teacher, as each year you have a new class and a new chemistry. In football he says you look for a new leader to take over. The Hawkeyes conduct a final spring practice on Saturday.