Ryan Walters will get his first chance to face Iowa as a head coach this Saturday when Purdue takes on the Hawkeyes. It’s a challenge Walters knows all about after serving as Illinois’ DC, and he was asked about the challenges of facing Kirk Ferentz’s program on Monday.

At the end of the day, Walters noted it’s Iowa’s ability to play its brand of football while leaning on defense and controlling the clock.

“To me what makes them dangerous is Iowa’s gonna be Iowa, and they have been since 1999. They’re gonna play really really sound defense and not make mistakes, they’re gonna make you earn it,” said Walters. “Special teams is gonna be a weapon for them. And then they’re going to manage the game on offense and not do things just to do them. They’re gonna control the clock and if they can win a game 9-6, that’s the style of play they like.”

The head coach of the Boilermakers noted that kind of style has not been well received recently, but it’s one that has made Ferentz’s program successful, so the Hawkeyes will stick with it.

“I know people out that way are upset with that model but it’s worked since 1999,” Walters explained. “Getting to know coach Ferentz over the last couple of years and now as a head coach, you just tell the program operates the way it operates and they don’t care what anyone thinks about it because it’s been a winning formula for them.”