Kirk Ferentz updates status of senior LB, Wisconsin native Kristian Welch for road game vs Badgers
Iowa is getting set for a tough road trip against Wisconsin, and one Hawkeye defender would love to suit up for the game.
On Tuesday, Kirk Ferentz discussed the upcoming trip to Madison and Camp Randall Stadium. It is obviously an important game for both teams in the B1G West, but it holds a bit of personal significance for one Hawkeye.
Kristian Welch is a senior linebacker for Iowa. He has 46 tackles on the season but has missed some time with an injury. He is also a Wisconsin native.
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Unfortunately, it is not looking good for Welch to play during Saturday’s game as he was not listed on Iowa’s depth chart. However, Ferentz at least indicated Tuesday that Welch will still be out on the field for the coin toss as a captain, even if he cannot play.
“We’ll take him back and he’ll go out for the toss if he’s not playing,” Ferentz said. “Injuries are the worst part about football. I can’t tell you how hard he has worked. He has been one of our hardest-working players; he is so conscientious and bought-in. It’s not always fair, life is not always fair, and football is hardly fair, but he’s making a contribution.”
Hawkeye Football shared a video of some of Ferentz’s comments, along with a link to the transcription of his important comments from Tuesday:
Tuesday Takeaways with Coach Ferentz | https://t.co/SBDOHKYHFL #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/kPlQKAL0H0
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) November 5, 2019
Welch is just three tackles shy of the career-high 49 he set as a junior in 2018. Hopefully, he can still return to the field and be productive this season.