Everything Kirk Ferentz said as Iowa readies for B1G title game vs. Michigan
A 28-21 come-from-behind win over Nebraska last Friday let the Hawkeyes sit back and watch Wisconsin-Minnesota knowing a Gopher win would send them to Indy.
And a Gopher win is what they got. Iowa, at 10-2 on the year and 7-2 in conference play, will play for a Big Ten championship on Saturday. It’ll be the program’s first appearance in the title game since 2015 and its second berth overall. (The Big Ten title game was first played in 2011.)
Back-to-back losses to Purdue and Wisconsin midway through conference play had the Hawkeyes looking on the edge of contention for a brief moment, but in 4 straight wins to close the regular season, Iowa’s defense didn’t give up more than 23 points and got back to its turnover-creating ways.
The Hawkeyes will face Michigan (11-1, 8-1 Big Ten) in the title match, and they’ll do so as a 10.5-point underdog. Head coach Kirk Ferentz spoke to members of the media on a teleconference call Sunday afternoon about that and more. Here’s what he said:
Kirk Ferentz says they'll 'probably announce on Tuesday' whether Iowa will be playing Alex Padilla or Spencer Petras at quarterback.
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) November 28, 2021
"It seems like every time we go to a bowl game or a game like this is that we are underdogs."- Kirk Ferentz
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 28, 2021
Kirk Ferentz on Michigan offense: "Both of their backs have been stellar."
"I think they're doing a nice job up front, with all five guys coordinated.
"I know they've run the ball effectively, but they're not a one-dimensional football team."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 28, 2021
Kirk Ferentz on Jim Harbaugh: "Jim’s a great person, from my vantage point, and an outstanding coach."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 28, 2021
Kirk Ferentz: “To play an opponent like Michigan is a thrill for us.”
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 28, 2021
Kirk Ferentz said that Michigan is so different now that Iowa can't really go back to what it had prepared for last year before the game was canceled. "I've got a folder, didn't even look at it."
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) November 28, 2021
Kirk says that he was just talking to Matt Hankins out in the hall a few minutes ago and Hankins was incredibly excited just to be part of a team that can win a B1G Championship. https://t.co/wi2qZmkZwZ
— David Eickholt (@DavidEickholt) November 28, 2021
Kirk Ferentz on Aidan Hutchinson: "No. 97 is an outstanding player."
Compared him to Howie Long, John Randall and J.J. Watt.
"He's elusive, he's strong and has a tremendous motor."
— Clayton Sayfie (@CSayf23) November 28, 2021
Ferentz does note, however, that Michigan's front is "not one-man show, even though that one man is really special."
— Zach Shaw (@_ZachShaw) November 28, 2021
