Josh Dooley
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Things you need to know about the Iowa Hawkeyes — and a few you don’t need to know, but are fun anyway
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
This year’s Iowa squad relies on a stingy defense and strong running game... What else is new!?
The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend, in a meeting of teams with “eyes” in the name/description of their mascot(s)... Ok, that was a rough start but I’m keeping it in because nobody’s perfect. We own up to our mistakes around here. I promise to get marginally better.
Saturday’s matchup will be the 20th all-time between Ohio State and Iowa – on the gridiron – with OSU holding a 16-3 advantage. The Hawkeyes have won just once in Columbus, way back in 1991. And while the Buckeyes also boast the largest margin of victory (44 points in 2022), Iowa handed out their own ass-whoopin’ the meeting before that (31 points in 2017) and have kept a number of these games close under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz.
This year’s Iowa squad is, well, similar to all the past Ferentz-led versions. The Hawkeyes run the ball and play defense in an effort to grind down their opponents and win a tough, physical, often ugly game. It’s not my brand of whiskey, but there’s a reason that Ferentz has over career 200 wins, several Coach of the Year awards, and two Big Ten titles.
Iowa is 3-1 this season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of in-state rival Iowa State. The Hawkeyes are also coming off a bye week, increasing the likelihood that Ferentz’s team will be and/or look well-rested and well-prepared early against the Buckeyes. Whether the former (Iowa) can get enough stops and keep up in the scoring department is TBD.
Here are a few more things you should know about the Iowa Hawkeyes:
The University of Iowa is actually, officially known as the State University of Iowa, according to Wikipedia. This nomenclature might be common for (other) state universities, but hey, I found it interesting. In 1855, the university became the first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis. Now you know.
Herky the Hawk is the school’s mascot. And apparently, he’s just some anthropomorphic, non-descript hawk!? Not a particular species, such as the sharp-shinned hawk or crested goshawk, two of my favorite predatory birds.
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Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
Iowa was kicked out of the Big Ten! In 1929, the university was suspected and ultimately deemed guilty of providing impermissible benefits (cash, false employment, etc.) to athletes. According to reports, “boosters”, at least one local bank, and even the university’s president were involved in some manner, resulting in expulsion from the Big Ten. Iowa was then reinstated in 1930, after disqualifying several athletes from competition.
Iowa’s football program claims five national titles. The last of which was claimed in 1960.
Kirk Ferentz has won Big Ten Coach of the Year more times than the rest of the current conference coaches combined. Look, I know there’s been a lot of coaching turnover and that Ryan Day never gets credit for winning a shitload of games, but Ferentz’s four B1G COTY awards are impressive nonetheless.
Phil Parker is arguably (or inarguably?) the best defensive coordinator in college football. And he has been for some time. The Lorain, OH native has been at Iowa since 1999, eventually taking over as the Hawkeyes’ DC in 2012. And since then, his defensive units have consistently been among the best in the country, despite often lacking a bunch of four and five-star recruits. That is because Parker is also one of the best pure talent developers in college football, which combined with his incredible defensive mind, makes him an integral part of Iowa’s success. In fact, I would argue that without Parker, the Hawkeyes are (or would be) a .500 team most years. Here he is pictured below, seemingly a bit angry with an official.
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Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
Brian Ferentz was not one of the best offensive coordinators in college football. This is why, after several years of offensive ineptitude and a “nudge” or two from Iowa’s athletic director(s), Kirk Ferentz finally got rid of his son and brought in Tim Lester as the Hawkeyes’ OC. Lester was the head coach at Western Michigan from 2017-22 and is highly respected in coaching circles for his offensive acumen. Unlike the previous guy.
Even with Brian Ferentz gone, Iowa is still going to pound the rock on Saturday. As they should! Because Hamilton, OH native Kaleb Johnson is putting up video game numbers. Arguably the best running back in the country through the first month of the season, Johnson has already racked up nearly 700 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on “just” 82 carries.
Jaziun Patterson and Kamari Moulton provide solid RB depth behind Johnson, but with the Hawkeyes coming off a perfectly timed bye, their Doak Walker Award candidate should be well-rested and ready to go against Ohio State.
Two of Iowa’s most talented offensive weapons are a former Buckeye and a Buckeye legacy. Former OSU wide receiver Kaleb Brown has just one reception this season but flashed serious playmaking potential for the Hawkeyes in 2023. Tight end Luke Lachey, on the other hand, has been consistently productive when healthy. The son of Ohio State legend and current (OSU) radio voice Jim Lachey seems poised to follow in the footsteps of Dallas Clark, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and others — Iowa TEs turned longtime NFL contributors.
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Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images
This year’s Iowa squad relies on a stingy defense and strong running game... What else is new!?
The Ohio State Buckeyes host the Iowa Hawkeyes this weekend, in a meeting of teams with “eyes” in the name/description of their mascot(s)... Ok, that was a rough start but I’m keeping it in because nobody’s perfect. We own up to our mistakes around here. I promise to get marginally better.
Saturday’s matchup will be the 20th all-time between Ohio State and Iowa – on the gridiron – with OSU holding a 16-3 advantage. The Hawkeyes have won just once in Columbus, way back in 1991. And while the Buckeyes also boast the largest margin of victory (44 points in 2022), Iowa handed out their own ass-whoopin’ the meeting before that (31 points in 2017) and have kept a number of these games close under longtime head coach Kirk Ferentz.
This year’s Iowa squad is, well, similar to all the past Ferentz-led versions. The Hawkeyes run the ball and play defense in an effort to grind down their opponents and win a tough, physical, often ugly game. It’s not my brand of whiskey, but there’s a reason that Ferentz has over career 200 wins, several Coach of the Year awards, and two Big Ten titles.
Iowa is 3-1 this season, with their lone loss coming at the hands of in-state rival Iowa State. The Hawkeyes are also coming off a bye week, increasing the likelihood that Ferentz’s team will be and/or look well-rested and well-prepared early against the Buckeyes. Whether the former (Iowa) can get enough stops and keep up in the scoring department is TBD.
Here are a few more things you should know about the Iowa Hawkeyes:
The University of Iowa is actually, officially known as the State University of Iowa, according to Wikipedia. This nomenclature might be common for (other) state universities, but hey, I found it interesting. In 1855, the university became the first public university in the United States to admit men and women on an equal basis. Now you know.
Herky the Hawk is the school’s mascot. And apparently, he’s just some anthropomorphic, non-descript hawk!? Not a particular species, such as the sharp-shinned hawk or crested goshawk, two of my favorite predatory birds.
Iowa was kicked out of the Big Ten! In 1929, the university was suspected and ultimately deemed guilty of providing impermissible benefits (cash, false employment, etc.) to athletes. According to reports, “boosters”, at least one local bank, and even the university’s president were involved in some manner, resulting in expulsion from the Big Ten. Iowa was then reinstated in 1930, after disqualifying several athletes from competition.
Iowa’s football program claims five national titles. The last of which was claimed in 1960.
Kirk Ferentz has won Big Ten Coach of the Year more times than the rest of the current conference coaches combined. Look, I know there’s been a lot of coaching turnover and that Ryan Day never gets credit for winning a shitload of games, but Ferentz’s four B1G COTY awards are impressive nonetheless.
Phil Parker is arguably (or inarguably?) the best defensive coordinator in college football. And he has been for some time. The Lorain, OH native has been at Iowa since 1999, eventually taking over as the Hawkeyes’ DC in 2012. And since then, his defensive units have consistently been among the best in the country, despite often lacking a bunch of four and five-star recruits. That is because Parker is also one of the best pure talent developers in college football, which combined with his incredible defensive mind, makes him an integral part of Iowa’s success. In fact, I would argue that without Parker, the Hawkeyes are (or would be) a .500 team most years. Here he is pictured below, seemingly a bit angry with an official.
Brian Ferentz was not one of the best offensive coordinators in college football. This is why, after several years of offensive ineptitude and a “nudge” or two from Iowa’s athletic director(s), Kirk Ferentz finally got rid of his son and brought in Tim Lester as the Hawkeyes’ OC. Lester was the head coach at Western Michigan from 2017-22 and is highly respected in coaching circles for his offensive acumen. Unlike the previous guy.
Even with Brian Ferentz gone, Iowa is still going to pound the rock on Saturday. As they should! Because Hamilton, OH native Kaleb Johnson is putting up video game numbers. Arguably the best running back in the country through the first month of the season, Johnson has already racked up nearly 700 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on “just” 82 carries.
Jaziun Patterson and Kamari Moulton provide solid RB depth behind Johnson, but with the Hawkeyes coming off a perfectly timed bye, their Doak Walker Award candidate should be well-rested and ready to go against Ohio State.
Two of Iowa’s most talented offensive weapons are a former Buckeye and a Buckeye legacy. Former OSU wide receiver Kaleb Brown has just one reception this season but flashed serious playmaking potential for the Hawkeyes in 2023. Tight end Luke Lachey, on the other hand, has been consistently productive when healthy. The son of Ohio State legend and current (OSU) radio voice Jim Lachey seems poised to follow in the footsteps of Dallas Clark, George Kittle, T.J. Hockenson, and others — Iowa TEs turned longtime NFL contributors.
Continue reading...