Kirk Ferentz
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is happy with the way his team rebounded after a rough start to the season.. The Hawkeyes stood 3-2 after suffering a 38-31 loss to Northwestern but followed that up with road wins over Minnesota and Purdue. Iowa can climb right back into the Big Ten West Division race with a victory over 10th ranked Wisconsin.
“We have really practiced better the last two weeks”, said Ferentz. “The biggest thing was what was our response going to be. Will we get back on our feet and get back to work or just accept bad outcomes?”
The Badgers are coming off consecutive losses to Michigan and Ohio State but have looked like the best team in the division in a 4-2 start to the season.
“They are a good team”, said Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard. “They played the number two team in the country all the way to the end. It is going to take our best effort.”
The Hawkeyes have been in possession of the Heartland Trophy since edging the Badgers 10-6 in a slugfest in Madison last season.
“This is our team this year and those of us who were part of it last year understand what happened”, said Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst. “None of that carries over and it is about this Saturday and who is the best team.”