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Kirk Ferentz delivers peak Iowa quote about his appreciation for punters

Keith Farner

By Keith Farner

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Kirk Ferentz loves the basics and fundamentals of football, and doesn’t overlook the intricacies of the game. Punting for example, is valued at Iowa.

“I really kind of learned the importance of a great punter in 1981, my first year ever at Iowa,” Ferentz said Wednesday at B1G Media Days in Indianapolis. “We were fortunate enough to have Reggie Roby, who I think was a junior that year. Was as amazing a punter as I’ve ever seen. Reggie Roby’s leg was a big reason we were Big Ten champions that year, and played in the Rose Bowl. And then coaching in pro football, really developed an appreciation for how punters can affect and impact the game.”

Ferentz added that Iowa is a “defensive-oriented outfit” and the ability to have a great kicking game with a solid defense, “gives you an opportunity to maybe have a little bit more success.”

That’s one of the reasons why he has confidence in Iowa’s punter this season, Tory Taylor. He led the B1G in number of punts last season, 82, and averaged 45.4 yards per punt.

Keith Farner

Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.