Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker during 2011 media day.
Norm Parker has a big challenge in his final game as a member of the Iowa coaching staff. The retiring defensive coordinator must find a way to slow down an Oklahoma offense that averages more than 40 points and 532 yards per game.
Parker says the Hawkeyes need to be ready for the speed at which the Sooners play. “Not only the speed that they execute the play, but the time there is in-between plays, it’s almost like the line up and run a play just as fast as you can get lined up,” Parker says. He says they can run several plays without a gain and then all of a sudden they are ripping off big yardage and score.
Parker says the Sooners will try to snap the ball as many times as possible. “You can see they teams out on the field and they get you tired,” Parker says. He says there is no time between plays to get in rested players.
Parker says it will take an outstanding effort from the Hawks to slow them down. “I think a lot of positions have to play very well for us, I think the free safety is going to be very intricate part of what we’re doing,” Parker says.
The Sooners lost their top rusher and top receiver due to injury this season but Parker says they still have plenty of weapons. “They just reload, they just reload, I mean they take this guy out and put that guy in,” Parker said. He says they have a great football team that is as talented as anybody.
The Hawkeyes and Sooners matchup in Friday night’s Insight Bowl