It could go from bad to worse for the Iowa football team. Riding a four game losing skid the Hawkeyes close out the season with their two toughest opponents beginning with Saturday’s visit 23rd ranked Michigan. Despite the late season collapse Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he remains focused on this season and not what long term impact it may have on the program.
“You know we’ve lost four straight games and we’re 4-6 right now and that’s where we’re at, and so that’s what I am worried about right now. The only thing I can worry about right now is beating Michigan,” Ferentz says.
Ferentz says he understands the fans frustration over how this season has unraveled. “Our fans are as good as they come and they are human and that’s a human response….when you lose four straight that’s not much fun,” Ferentz says.
Ferentz says there are no guarantees in sports but he is faced with rebuilding the Iowa program for a third time. The last time was after a 6-6 record in 2007 in which the Hawks failed to play in a bowl game. “At the end of the day you help yourselves more by putting your efforst on the solution part of things…because everybody is good about pointing out what’s wrong, but the key is to find solutions that are workable and realistic,” Ferentz says.
Ferentz says the Hawkeyes are preparing for two different quarterbacks. Devin Gardner has led the Wolverines to a pair of victories after Denard Robinson was injured in a loss at Nebraska. Robinson’s situation is called day-to-day, and Ferentz says Robinson is a dynamic leader, but Gardner has also improved each time out.
Ferentz says the Hawkeyes are preparing as though they will face both quarterbacks, which he says is a little tricky.
Michigan coach Brady Hoke says despite Iowa’s struggles the Wolverines will not take this game lightly. “Our seniors have never beat Iowa, so not only are they playing their last game in Michigan Stadium, they have never beat Iowa since they have been here,” Hoke says.