The Iowa Hawkeyes open at home against Tennessee Tech. James Vandenberg takes over the Iowa offense after serving as a backup to Ricky Stanzi the past two years. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says Vandenberg was ready a year ago, but he had a guy who is now in the NFL ahead of him. He thinks Vandenberg will play well and says he’ll be surprised if he doesn’t.
Tennessee Tech is led by veteran coach Watson Brown, and Ferentz says that is like their entire football program, they have experience. He says the team has grown a lot and says they play in a conference where there is a lot of good football being played.
Tennessee Tech returns 21 starters from last year’s team that finished 5-6, including junior quaterback Tre Lamb who missed the last three games due to injury. He says Lamb is an exciting performer who runs and throws well.