Indiana University Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Indiana vs. Iowa
11/7/2015 8:24:00 PM | Football
Postgame Quotes
Indiana vs. Iowa
Indiana Head Coach Kevin Wilson
COACH WILSON: A hard fought game. Disappointed with the outcome. I thought we played a good team, we played well. Thought our guys played very, very well.
Just not enough plays in the passing game. Probably got us a little bit where we got behind some chains early in the third quarter.
A few dropped passes, could have been a lot cleaner. Run game's good, defense got a little better as we went along. Kicking game didn't hurt us. It was a solid game, just wasn't enough against a good team. We got to keep pushing.
So very positive with the guys in the locker room. Those kids are disappointed, but at the same time, there's a good group of leaders and a good group of guys.
And I think there's a team that's might be a little disappointed and frustrated, but it's a good group that's confident, and we're going to keep them going and push forward for next week which is the biggest senior game.
Congrats to Iowa. Solid team. They played well. And proud of our guys, but got to keep pushing for more.
Q. What's missing from being close to getting a win?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, again, is it psychological, is it physiological, is it a play or two more? A play or a call or two?
To me, we have too much evidence of being too good week after week against a lot of good teams that there's good players and good football. And at the same time, we're going to have to ask and as coaches do better, players do better, plan it better.
I thought we had a good plan at all phases. Thought we played pretty good today. But at the end of the day, it wasn't good enough and we really need to win. Like I say, you look at Shaw, Jake Reed, Adarius Rayner, those senior guys. Mangieri, Corsaro, Cooper, Sudfeld. Got a great group of seniors.
Those guys have given us an unbelievable amount of energy in a program where we're trying to create it. And it's got to be created internally, day after day.
So, again, I just got a lot of respect for those guys. So my thing is as much as they have given us, I'm just -- I've got to ask them to keep finding a little bit more and dig a little bit more.
We got a couple minor injuries that doesn't affect us. Everybody has that.
Our depth and talent has gotten a little bit better, it could be better. We've gotten stronger, bigger, it could always be better.
But at the end of the day, we have gotten to where we're competing really high. That was where we started, wanted to get to and now, we're at a point where we need to start winning.
At the same time, I'm not playing -- trying to pressure, we wanted to play this game confidently.
We wanted to play this game without a lot of force, you got to, you got to, you got to. As coaches, players, we tried to put our kids in a good position and have them go play hard.
And Iowa was good today, we just weren't quite good enough. We're not going to get into the psychological side. I just think we're right there knocking on it. And my thing is you got to keep knocking and knocking and knocking until you get through it. And that's what we're going to do internally and I expected those guys to do it, the way we're coaching, the way we're being led by our players and assistants, I think we're going to do that. That's the plan and that's where it is. Don't like it, but that's where it is.
Q. Lack of production in the fourth quarter?
COACH WILSON: What was it today? 7-7? 14-10. So we got a drive bogged down or whatever. To me, today's issue was the third quarter. When we go five plays and eight plays, that's where the game got away a little bit.
In the third quarter they did a nice job of sticking it to us early in the third quarter. So, you know, defensively, we have not been good enough to sustain stops, we went a lot slower today. Didn't really matter how fast or slow you went on Iowa, they're going to play their same defense, their same structure. Tried to run it a lot against those guys, but at the same time I think, if anything, sometimes we're worn down and the wear down, as much as anything, has been our poor third down defense. It was a little bit better today, but we got to keep working on that.
Q. On defense's response to third and longs?
COACH WILSON: Again, to me, it's been a little bit of an Achilles Heel. We had five against Michigan State. We tried to keep getting some pressure. Does the pressure get there? Again, we'll keep looking at it schematically. Today they were what? 7-14. So they were 50 percent. We were 8-17 and we actually got two fourth downs, so really you're 10-19. So, of conversion downs, you know, we only, we're 10-19. So we got more conversions than they did, at the end of the day, to tell you the truth. So 50 percent's got to be better, but that's an undefeated football team. And that's typically why they're undefeated. They did pretty well.
Thought our guys battled a lot better. Defense was a lot better. Not satisfied with it, but a lot better, I thought we made some strides just got to keep pushing. Right now the football team is pretty close, but today we played more like a team.
The defense got the stops in the second quarter that led to the offensive touchdowns. But in fact it was a punt that was down deep -- they took one 95 yards on us. They had a 95-yard drive. That was their second touchdown.
Next time we downed it about the eight, nine, 10, again, but we had a three play stop, we got points. We had a kickoff and I think we got another three or five play stop, we got points again. And on the sideline the conversation was, 'you're playing like a team now.' You're getting stops, the offense is scoring, etcetera. The issue I thought, where the team let it get away, was in the third quarter, the offense didn't muster any offense early and I think that was the separation where then we weren't strong enough, weren't sure enough to close it back at the end.
Q. On losing T.J. Simmons?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, we were fortunate because of Oliver and Simmons and those guys. There's depth, and my thing, like I had him say a quick word to the team, and let's make sure we play harder, because I thought it was a proper call, and I thought it was a good football play. It was just a play. And they didn't mean to -- it was a bang-bang play and it got a little high. And the crews are going to do phenomenal job trying to protect the athlete. So I thought it was a heck of a -- I thought it was the right call. I thought it was a good football play. It just happened.
And at the same time, I needed him to, even though it could have been a sideline, to be a good leader and we needed guys to pick it up, and I thought the guys did. And we tried to handle it positively. I'm not sure, but because it happened in the first half, I think he will be back with us the first half with Michigan. I think it happened at the end of the second quarter, so hopefully his penance has been served.
But I thought our kids rallied and would use that as a rallying call, but I tried to address him being strong for us in the locker room, and also tried to address the team, that it wasn't bad, it just happened. And you got to overcome adversity and nothing was wrong there. That just happened and we're going to move on.
Q. On passing game struggles?
COACH WILSON: I don't know. A little bit. Again, Nate was a little bit off. So again we just got to work to clean it up. We have been a decent pass team. I know their defensive coaches well and they were a pretty highly regarded team coming in. But again, we've got to be better than we were.
Q. On running game success?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, again, I think we're a better team when we can have the run. And I think that got us a little bit earlier where, again, it was some things that happened, I think, again, we had the injury to Friend, it's a minor deal, but it's a bigger blocking dude, edge presence. And Cooper got a little gimpy there. And so we didn't have Jordan Fuchs today, had an issue, a mild injury Sunday, hopefully will be gone this week. But didn't have Jordan at our disposal today.
But the tight ends are so much a part of your ability to run the ball or not run the ball. And your edge blockers. And that was one of the strengths of Iowa, their tight end group is a really, really good group that makes their offense very complete.
And I think, not only the injury to Jordan early in the year, but the tight end deal hasn't played -- today we had better tight end play. And I think Jordan being back and the way it looked like Cooper and Corsaro and we had Brandon playing a little bit out there as well, I think that really helped the run game.
Q. Howard's lack of production in the second half?
COACH WILSON: I don't know just whether it be play selection, execution, their ability to deal on defense. The defense played good defense those first five plays and three and outs, that was kind of funky to me and it got us in a lull there for 20 minutes. It was different than some other games, but we were just in a little bit of a lull. We needed to come out and execute. I think we had the skinny post pass that was a drop and then we kind of ran it too much and kind of had like a bender route that was kind of there. I think we had two drops on play, was it one and three, the second drive? Of the second half? I think so.
So we tried to take a shot that was there and that happens sometimes. When you're throwing the ball, you don't catch them all, so, whatever. But it was just the team's execution didn't give us enough snaps to get Jordan in a rhythm. And in some games -- that was a team where you need to get to play five and six and seven to have some offensive success. And when we did, we had some offensive success. When we got to play five and play six you could get rolling. But you had to get there. The couple drives when we didn't was when the offense kind of let us down today.
Q. Keys to Michigan now? What are you looking at with them?
COACH WILSON: Well, good question. Haven't looked as much from afar, but know they're playing extremely aggressive. I believe they had another good win today. So a team playing hard, they got a lot of football to play for.
At the same time we have had some great challenges against upper level teams and I expect our coaches to put together a good plan, the kids to have a good week, senior day, make a big deal about senior day, because we got a lot of football to play with these kids going forward. But it will be a great challenge and we look forward to it.
Linebacker Zack Shaw
On not being able to get Iowa's offense off the field…
"It starts up front. We have to get after the quarterback because we have our guys in man coverage behind us. If we give that quarterback enough time to find a guy open, he is going to make a play. It is up to us up front to really get after the quarterback and put pressure on him so he has to make a throw quicker than he normally would. We need to help the guys behind us."
On why Iowa was able to keep getting third down conversions…
"I think it was momentum. If they get that third down and long converted, then they gain a lot of momentum."
Running Back Jordan Howard
On having a good rushing game against Iowa's rush defense…
"I think this game gives us confidence. I believe this makes us feel like we can run on anybody, no matter what the numbers say. On film Iowa was not allowing teams to get to the edge, and we planned on having to cut up, but when the game came, the edge opened up. We just have to come out each week and execute the game plan."
On how he physically feels and his ability to carry the load of the running game…
"I feel like I am very healthy. Physically I feel really good. You're never going to be 100 percent, but I feel like I am good enough to go. Being out has prepared me for a strong finish because I was able to rest and take hits off my body. I just have to get my stamina back from being out for so long and not being able to run."
On struggling in the fourth quarter…
"We need to take the game one play at a time. We seem to let some plays slip away. We need to get back to practice and refocus. It all comes down to the fact that we need to make plays."
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld
On the offense never catching a rhythm…
"We never really got a rhythm. We were not as balanced as I would have liked to be. We were running the ball very well, but did not make enough plays in the passing game. I thought the protection was good all night. We just need to make plays and execute better between the receivers, the tight ends and myself."
On the team's struggles in the second half lately…
"We just have not been able to finish games. I loved the way that we fought to the end tonight. A few things just didn't go our way. They are a good football team, but overall I think we should have played a lot better. I thought we could have played a lot better between the receivers, tight ends and myself. If we do play better, I think we come out with a win."
On getting over the hump of just being able to compete with these teams…
"Absolutely, that's the goal. Obviously we have been competitive all season, against the best teams in the nation, but I am tired of being competitive. We are good enough. I know I am a good enough player to win these games, and I know I have good enough players around me to outplay the guys we are playing. It is up to us players to really execute and take it personal. We need to finish the season strong."
Linebacker Marcus Oliver
On the team's confidence…
"I think we just need to be confident in ourselves. As a team we need to come out each and every game with the confidence that we can beat anybody, like all these other teams that we have been playing. Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa are all confident and they do not ever think they are going to lose. I think we need to start getting into that mindset where we know we are not going to lose because we can play with anybody. I think a win is what will tip it over. We need to keep practicing hard, seeing what were are doing well, and all that will help.
On losing T.J. Simmons…
"It was huge to lose him because T.J. is such a big part of the run game. That is our three-man rotation with our breaks, but it is next man up. Overall, we just need to keep playing as a team."
On the third down struggles…
"I think we just need to get to the quarterback faster. I know some of them are quick, but when they are quick they throw low passes. We have to get and knock some passes down. If we do that, it'll take some of the stress off the secondary. It is not all on the secondary."
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Opening statement…
First of all, just really proud of our football team. The way they competed today, it was really a big win for us, certainly, and something we've emphasized to our team is winning in November. Our best teams have done that and if you're going to compete at a championship level, that's really imperative. Guys did a great job competing out there today. I thought they really prepared well this week and certainly gutted it out and got the job done there in the 4th quarter. And I think if you look at the 4th quarter it's a bit representative of our football team. The defense came up with some big plays, the offense drove the ball when we really needed it, special teams factored in, and the team really responded throughout the course of the game. They did a good job to respond to whatever took place out there. Those are all positive.
Great to have our fans out there and great for our team to have a chance to recognize them following the team. We really appreciate that. Head back to Kinnick, it's going to be lively next Saturday so we're looking forward to that as well. Then another home game after that.
Just to wrap it up, really proud of our guys. The players are doing a great job, the staff is doing a great job getting them ready. And, most importantly, they are competing at game time. It was a tough ball game, we knew it was going to be tough coming in here. No reason to think it wasn't. Indiana played extremely well, extremely hard. Just really pleased to get the victory.
On significance of being 9-0...
It's significant because we haven't lost, you know, for obvious reason. There are a lot of opportunities to lose during the course of the year, just like the last time we were 9-0. But again, it's just like everything else. Credit goes to our players. They find a way to get it done week in and week out. We've been in some tough, sticky situations this year. A couple of games that went down to the last possession, and one other one that was the next to last one. So, that really speaks volumes to the kinds of players we're working with and the way they believe in each other, the way they stick together. It's been a lot of fun to be with these guys, I can assure you of that.
On Desmond King's 8th interception of the season...
He's in pretty steep company there with Nile Kinnick, certainly, and Lou King, and I was there when Lou King did that back in 1981. Interesting guy who really wasn't a phenomenal athlete but a phenomenal football player. I think Desmond is probably a little faster than Lou, but same thing I would say about Desmond - he's just a tremendous football player. Great instincts, which, that's just something he's developed through film study and experience and working really hard. When that ball went up there we thought he had a chance and he did a good job of coming down and getting his foot down before he hit the ground.
On increasing lead to 15 after Indiana cut it to eight...
Just nothing special. We knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought ball game. We expected them to - I think somebody told me they scored 28 in every game but one so far and a couple of their bigger players were out that week. So, to think that we were going to come in here and shut them out wouldn't be realistic. They did a great job moving the football. They hurt us with the run game. We'll go back to the drawing board on that one. But, we knew we were going to have to come up with points. That was something, uh, if we could possess the ball that's great, but scoring points was probably more important. Go back to the second play, I think, when Akrum hit that one, (defensive coordinator) Phil Parker was the only one mad then because we weren't running the clock. But we'll take the points.
Indiana vs. Iowa
Indiana Head Coach Kevin Wilson
COACH WILSON: A hard fought game. Disappointed with the outcome. I thought we played a good team, we played well. Thought our guys played very, very well.
Just not enough plays in the passing game. Probably got us a little bit where we got behind some chains early in the third quarter.
A few dropped passes, could have been a lot cleaner. Run game's good, defense got a little better as we went along. Kicking game didn't hurt us. It was a solid game, just wasn't enough against a good team. We got to keep pushing.
So very positive with the guys in the locker room. Those kids are disappointed, but at the same time, there's a good group of leaders and a good group of guys.
And I think there's a team that's might be a little disappointed and frustrated, but it's a good group that's confident, and we're going to keep them going and push forward for next week which is the biggest senior game.
Congrats to Iowa. Solid team. They played well. And proud of our guys, but got to keep pushing for more.
Q. What's missing from being close to getting a win?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, again, is it psychological, is it physiological, is it a play or two more? A play or a call or two?
To me, we have too much evidence of being too good week after week against a lot of good teams that there's good players and good football. And at the same time, we're going to have to ask and as coaches do better, players do better, plan it better.
I thought we had a good plan at all phases. Thought we played pretty good today. But at the end of the day, it wasn't good enough and we really need to win. Like I say, you look at Shaw, Jake Reed, Adarius Rayner, those senior guys. Mangieri, Corsaro, Cooper, Sudfeld. Got a great group of seniors.
Those guys have given us an unbelievable amount of energy in a program where we're trying to create it. And it's got to be created internally, day after day.
So, again, I just got a lot of respect for those guys. So my thing is as much as they have given us, I'm just -- I've got to ask them to keep finding a little bit more and dig a little bit more.
We got a couple minor injuries that doesn't affect us. Everybody has that.
Our depth and talent has gotten a little bit better, it could be better. We've gotten stronger, bigger, it could always be better.
But at the end of the day, we have gotten to where we're competing really high. That was where we started, wanted to get to and now, we're at a point where we need to start winning.
At the same time, I'm not playing -- trying to pressure, we wanted to play this game confidently.
We wanted to play this game without a lot of force, you got to, you got to, you got to. As coaches, players, we tried to put our kids in a good position and have them go play hard.
And Iowa was good today, we just weren't quite good enough. We're not going to get into the psychological side. I just think we're right there knocking on it. And my thing is you got to keep knocking and knocking and knocking until you get through it. And that's what we're going to do internally and I expected those guys to do it, the way we're coaching, the way we're being led by our players and assistants, I think we're going to do that. That's the plan and that's where it is. Don't like it, but that's where it is.
Q. Lack of production in the fourth quarter?
COACH WILSON: What was it today? 7-7? 14-10. So we got a drive bogged down or whatever. To me, today's issue was the third quarter. When we go five plays and eight plays, that's where the game got away a little bit.
In the third quarter they did a nice job of sticking it to us early in the third quarter. So, you know, defensively, we have not been good enough to sustain stops, we went a lot slower today. Didn't really matter how fast or slow you went on Iowa, they're going to play their same defense, their same structure. Tried to run it a lot against those guys, but at the same time I think, if anything, sometimes we're worn down and the wear down, as much as anything, has been our poor third down defense. It was a little bit better today, but we got to keep working on that.
Q. On defense's response to third and longs?
COACH WILSON: Again, to me, it's been a little bit of an Achilles Heel. We had five against Michigan State. We tried to keep getting some pressure. Does the pressure get there? Again, we'll keep looking at it schematically. Today they were what? 7-14. So they were 50 percent. We were 8-17 and we actually got two fourth downs, so really you're 10-19. So, of conversion downs, you know, we only, we're 10-19. So we got more conversions than they did, at the end of the day, to tell you the truth. So 50 percent's got to be better, but that's an undefeated football team. And that's typically why they're undefeated. They did pretty well.
Thought our guys battled a lot better. Defense was a lot better. Not satisfied with it, but a lot better, I thought we made some strides just got to keep pushing. Right now the football team is pretty close, but today we played more like a team.
The defense got the stops in the second quarter that led to the offensive touchdowns. But in fact it was a punt that was down deep -- they took one 95 yards on us. They had a 95-yard drive. That was their second touchdown.
Next time we downed it about the eight, nine, 10, again, but we had a three play stop, we got points. We had a kickoff and I think we got another three or five play stop, we got points again. And on the sideline the conversation was, 'you're playing like a team now.' You're getting stops, the offense is scoring, etcetera. The issue I thought, where the team let it get away, was in the third quarter, the offense didn't muster any offense early and I think that was the separation where then we weren't strong enough, weren't sure enough to close it back at the end.
Q. On losing T.J. Simmons?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, we were fortunate because of Oliver and Simmons and those guys. There's depth, and my thing, like I had him say a quick word to the team, and let's make sure we play harder, because I thought it was a proper call, and I thought it was a good football play. It was just a play. And they didn't mean to -- it was a bang-bang play and it got a little high. And the crews are going to do phenomenal job trying to protect the athlete. So I thought it was a heck of a -- I thought it was the right call. I thought it was a good football play. It just happened.
And at the same time, I needed him to, even though it could have been a sideline, to be a good leader and we needed guys to pick it up, and I thought the guys did. And we tried to handle it positively. I'm not sure, but because it happened in the first half, I think he will be back with us the first half with Michigan. I think it happened at the end of the second quarter, so hopefully his penance has been served.
But I thought our kids rallied and would use that as a rallying call, but I tried to address him being strong for us in the locker room, and also tried to address the team, that it wasn't bad, it just happened. And you got to overcome adversity and nothing was wrong there. That just happened and we're going to move on.
Q. On passing game struggles?
COACH WILSON: I don't know. A little bit. Again, Nate was a little bit off. So again we just got to work to clean it up. We have been a decent pass team. I know their defensive coaches well and they were a pretty highly regarded team coming in. But again, we've got to be better than we were.
Q. On running game success?
COACH WILSON: Yeah, again, I think we're a better team when we can have the run. And I think that got us a little bit earlier where, again, it was some things that happened, I think, again, we had the injury to Friend, it's a minor deal, but it's a bigger blocking dude, edge presence. And Cooper got a little gimpy there. And so we didn't have Jordan Fuchs today, had an issue, a mild injury Sunday, hopefully will be gone this week. But didn't have Jordan at our disposal today.
But the tight ends are so much a part of your ability to run the ball or not run the ball. And your edge blockers. And that was one of the strengths of Iowa, their tight end group is a really, really good group that makes their offense very complete.
And I think, not only the injury to Jordan early in the year, but the tight end deal hasn't played -- today we had better tight end play. And I think Jordan being back and the way it looked like Cooper and Corsaro and we had Brandon playing a little bit out there as well, I think that really helped the run game.
Q. Howard's lack of production in the second half?
COACH WILSON: I don't know just whether it be play selection, execution, their ability to deal on defense. The defense played good defense those first five plays and three and outs, that was kind of funky to me and it got us in a lull there for 20 minutes. It was different than some other games, but we were just in a little bit of a lull. We needed to come out and execute. I think we had the skinny post pass that was a drop and then we kind of ran it too much and kind of had like a bender route that was kind of there. I think we had two drops on play, was it one and three, the second drive? Of the second half? I think so.
So we tried to take a shot that was there and that happens sometimes. When you're throwing the ball, you don't catch them all, so, whatever. But it was just the team's execution didn't give us enough snaps to get Jordan in a rhythm. And in some games -- that was a team where you need to get to play five and six and seven to have some offensive success. And when we did, we had some offensive success. When we got to play five and play six you could get rolling. But you had to get there. The couple drives when we didn't was when the offense kind of let us down today.
Q. Keys to Michigan now? What are you looking at with them?
COACH WILSON: Well, good question. Haven't looked as much from afar, but know they're playing extremely aggressive. I believe they had another good win today. So a team playing hard, they got a lot of football to play for.
At the same time we have had some great challenges against upper level teams and I expect our coaches to put together a good plan, the kids to have a good week, senior day, make a big deal about senior day, because we got a lot of football to play with these kids going forward. But it will be a great challenge and we look forward to it.
Linebacker Zack Shaw
On not being able to get Iowa's offense off the field…
"It starts up front. We have to get after the quarterback because we have our guys in man coverage behind us. If we give that quarterback enough time to find a guy open, he is going to make a play. It is up to us up front to really get after the quarterback and put pressure on him so he has to make a throw quicker than he normally would. We need to help the guys behind us."
On why Iowa was able to keep getting third down conversions…
"I think it was momentum. If they get that third down and long converted, then they gain a lot of momentum."
Running Back Jordan Howard
On having a good rushing game against Iowa's rush defense…
"I think this game gives us confidence. I believe this makes us feel like we can run on anybody, no matter what the numbers say. On film Iowa was not allowing teams to get to the edge, and we planned on having to cut up, but when the game came, the edge opened up. We just have to come out each week and execute the game plan."
On how he physically feels and his ability to carry the load of the running game…
"I feel like I am very healthy. Physically I feel really good. You're never going to be 100 percent, but I feel like I am good enough to go. Being out has prepared me for a strong finish because I was able to rest and take hits off my body. I just have to get my stamina back from being out for so long and not being able to run."
On struggling in the fourth quarter…
"We need to take the game one play at a time. We seem to let some plays slip away. We need to get back to practice and refocus. It all comes down to the fact that we need to make plays."
Quarterback Nate Sudfeld
On the offense never catching a rhythm…
"We never really got a rhythm. We were not as balanced as I would have liked to be. We were running the ball very well, but did not make enough plays in the passing game. I thought the protection was good all night. We just need to make plays and execute better between the receivers, the tight ends and myself."
On the team's struggles in the second half lately…
"We just have not been able to finish games. I loved the way that we fought to the end tonight. A few things just didn't go our way. They are a good football team, but overall I think we should have played a lot better. I thought we could have played a lot better between the receivers, tight ends and myself. If we do play better, I think we come out with a win."
On getting over the hump of just being able to compete with these teams…
"Absolutely, that's the goal. Obviously we have been competitive all season, against the best teams in the nation, but I am tired of being competitive. We are good enough. I know I am a good enough player to win these games, and I know I have good enough players around me to outplay the guys we are playing. It is up to us players to really execute and take it personal. We need to finish the season strong."
Linebacker Marcus Oliver
On the team's confidence…
"I think we just need to be confident in ourselves. As a team we need to come out each and every game with the confidence that we can beat anybody, like all these other teams that we have been playing. Ohio State, Michigan State and Iowa are all confident and they do not ever think they are going to lose. I think we need to start getting into that mindset where we know we are not going to lose because we can play with anybody. I think a win is what will tip it over. We need to keep practicing hard, seeing what were are doing well, and all that will help.
On losing T.J. Simmons…
"It was huge to lose him because T.J. is such a big part of the run game. That is our three-man rotation with our breaks, but it is next man up. Overall, we just need to keep playing as a team."
On the third down struggles…
"I think we just need to get to the quarterback faster. I know some of them are quick, but when they are quick they throw low passes. We have to get and knock some passes down. If we do that, it'll take some of the stress off the secondary. It is not all on the secondary."
Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz
Opening statement…
First of all, just really proud of our football team. The way they competed today, it was really a big win for us, certainly, and something we've emphasized to our team is winning in November. Our best teams have done that and if you're going to compete at a championship level, that's really imperative. Guys did a great job competing out there today. I thought they really prepared well this week and certainly gutted it out and got the job done there in the 4th quarter. And I think if you look at the 4th quarter it's a bit representative of our football team. The defense came up with some big plays, the offense drove the ball when we really needed it, special teams factored in, and the team really responded throughout the course of the game. They did a good job to respond to whatever took place out there. Those are all positive.
Great to have our fans out there and great for our team to have a chance to recognize them following the team. We really appreciate that. Head back to Kinnick, it's going to be lively next Saturday so we're looking forward to that as well. Then another home game after that.
Just to wrap it up, really proud of our guys. The players are doing a great job, the staff is doing a great job getting them ready. And, most importantly, they are competing at game time. It was a tough ball game, we knew it was going to be tough coming in here. No reason to think it wasn't. Indiana played extremely well, extremely hard. Just really pleased to get the victory.
On significance of being 9-0...
It's significant because we haven't lost, you know, for obvious reason. There are a lot of opportunities to lose during the course of the year, just like the last time we were 9-0. But again, it's just like everything else. Credit goes to our players. They find a way to get it done week in and week out. We've been in some tough, sticky situations this year. A couple of games that went down to the last possession, and one other one that was the next to last one. So, that really speaks volumes to the kinds of players we're working with and the way they believe in each other, the way they stick together. It's been a lot of fun to be with these guys, I can assure you of that.
On Desmond King's 8th interception of the season...
He's in pretty steep company there with Nile Kinnick, certainly, and Lou King, and I was there when Lou King did that back in 1981. Interesting guy who really wasn't a phenomenal athlete but a phenomenal football player. I think Desmond is probably a little faster than Lou, but same thing I would say about Desmond - he's just a tremendous football player. Great instincts, which, that's just something he's developed through film study and experience and working really hard. When that ball went up there we thought he had a chance and he did a good job of coming down and getting his foot down before he hit the ground.
On increasing lead to 15 after Indiana cut it to eight...
Just nothing special. We knew it was going to be a tough, hard-fought ball game. We expected them to - I think somebody told me they scored 28 in every game but one so far and a couple of their bigger players were out that week. So, to think that we were going to come in here and shut them out wouldn't be realistic. They did a great job moving the football. They hurt us with the run game. We'll go back to the drawing board on that one. But, we knew we were going to have to come up with points. That was something, uh, if we could possess the ball that's great, but scoring points was probably more important. Go back to the second play, I think, when Akrum hit that one, (defensive coordinator) Phil Parker was the only one mad then because we weren't running the clock. But we'll take the points.
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballFB: Spring Game - Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, April 23
FB: Bray Lynch - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Drew Evans - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21
FB: Nico Radicic - Spring Practice No. 11
Tuesday, April 21