Ferentz & Co. get ready for big, bad Badgers

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By Steve Batterson | Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:12 PM CDT | () comments

University of Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz talked about the state of Hawkeye football today at the weekly Big Ten teleconference. (File photo) Buy this Photo

Here’s what Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz was talking about this morning on the weekly Big Ten teleconference:

On Iowa’s win at Indiana and Saturday’s match-up with Wisconsin: “We were thrilled to get a win, first win in the Big Ten, first win on the road this season. It didn’t come easy. The score wasn’t reflective of the game. We did some things better, protected the ball better, certainly, and now we move. Wisconsin will be another tough challenge this week.’’

On how Jewel Hampton’s inclusion on the kickoff team is helping him at running back: “He’s been competing hard since practice started back in August. He doesn’t seem to fazed by his youth. The big thing now, he’s an aggressive player who got a little sloppy with the ball. Overall, we’re happy with his progress.’’

On what makes Norm Parker-coached defenses so successful: “We’re very fortunate to have a good coaching staff. Norm is very well respected. We’re still trying to find a way to blitz more, but our defenses have been very consistent. It all starts with Norm. He does all the planning and he’s done a good job since coming here 10 years ago.’’

On if trench play will decide the Wisconsin game: “I think so. Wisconsin along with the Michigan State team we saw a couple of weeks ago, we all have some of the same philosophical approaches. Line play is very important at Wisconsin like it is at Michigan State. They have a ton of experience up front. They’ve played for a long time and played well. They’re humongous. They have backs who could be guards for us. They’re strong.’’

On if he’d prefer not to play an 0-3 team in the league: “This is the same team that was picked second by the writers back in August. That pick wasn’t an accident. They’re a good football team. Record aside, it doesn’t matter to me if their 0-3 or 3-0. They’re a good football team looking at film.’’

On Mitch King: “Mitch just likes football. He’s like a lot of the best guys we’ve had. He loves the game, loves the competition. His play in practice has a positive impact on his teammates. … Mitch belongs in any discussion about the better guys in our conference.’’

On King’s move to the defensive line: “He was a little reluctant four springs ago, but he made the adjustment pretty quickly. We had nobody else behind him and he made the move with ease and we’re glad he did.’’

On how Michigan State’s personality has changed under Mark Dantonio: “We didn’t play them prior to Mark’s first year last year. When people are off the schedule, we don’t pay too much attention to them. I can’t comment much on what Michigan State was like before Mark got there. I do remember last year watching Michigan State and Ohio State last year about this time and they played a tough, competitive game against a team coming off a national championship game. They looked good. They’re well coached, play aggressively and play sound.’’