In the Kirk Ferentz press conference following Iowa’s victory on September 14, 2024, head coach Kirk Ferentz offered a candid reflection on his team’s performance.

The win, which came after a closely contested battle with Troy, saw Ferentz praise his players for their resilience while acknowledging key areas for improvement. 

Throughout the press conference, he emphasized the importance of learning from the game, particularly in terms of eliminating big plays and increasing consistency. 

Ferentz spoke highly of individual performances, including backup quarterback Brendan Svin, who was brought in during goal-line situations, as well as the offensive line, which showed significant growth by creating opportunities for the running game.

However, the veteran coach did not shy away from pointing out the team’s early struggles, referencing a lack of focus in the first half and the need to tighten up both mentally and physically moving forward. 

With a focus on continual development, Ferentz made it clear that while the victory was satisfying, Iowa must address its weaknesses to maintain success in the upcoming Big Ten games. 

He underscored that football is a process and that each game serves as a learning opportunity for the team.

Kirk Ferentz Reflects on Hard-Fought Victory and Areas for Improvement

In the wake of Iowa’s recent win, head coach Kirk Ferentz addressed the media, reflecting on the team’s performance and areas for growth. 

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The win came after a tough contest against Troy, reminiscent of a close game from 15 years ago, with Ferentz noting, “It felt like Arkansas State all over again.”

Ferentz praised the hard-fought nature of the game, recognizing Troy’s well-prepared team and crediting their efforts. Despite the win, Ferentz was candid about the team’s struggles in the first half, pointing to a lack of focus and execution. 

He emphasized the significant improvement in the second half, where Iowa played cleaner football with no penalties or turnovers, which he considered a positive takeaway. “It feels really good to get a win,” Ferentz said, although he acknowledged the team left the door open in the first half.

Game Plan and Player Performance

One notable aspect of the game was the decision to bring in backup quarterback Brendan Svin during goal-line situations. When asked about this move, Ferentz explained that it had been a part of the team’s preparations and that Svin, a strong athlete, had performed well in practice.

 The package for Svin was implemented to add a new dimension to the offense and catch the defense off guard. “We thought it would be good to have that in our pocket,” Ferentz commented, adding that Svin handled the situation well, completing his first pass on a short flip.

Throughout the season so far, Ferentz has observed significant highs and lows in the team’s play. Reflecting on this inconsistency, he acknowledged that while they’ve experienced strong moments, the lows have sometimes cost them games. 

“Some of those lows have costed us, and that’s something we’re going to have to learn to manage better,” he said.

Kirk Ferentz Post Game Press Conference – 9/14/24

Addressing Big Plays and Defensive Adjustments

A key concern for Ferentz was the team’s defense, particularly the alarming number of big plays allowed. Ferentz was quick to recognize the issue, noting that Iowa is traditionally known for not giving up large gains, especially on special teams. 

“We’re known for not giving up big plays… We’ll have to get that addressed real quickly because it’s going to be hard to win games moving forward doing that,” he admitted.

He attributed the lapses to a combination of mental and physical mistakes, as well as a lack of communication on certain plays.

However, Ferentz was pleased with the defensive line’s performance, particularly the efforts of Brian Allen, Max Len, and Ethan Hurk. 

The coach praised their development and hard work, noting that their improvement during August practices had started to pay off on the field. He mentioned, “Seeing those young guys step up is really encouraging.”

Offensive Line and Running Game Positives

Ferentz also commended the offensive line, which has shown signs of improvement, particularly in opening up holes for the running game. 

He highlighted Caleb Johnson for his exceptional performance, calling it his “best football right now,” and praised Jazz Patterson for stepping up as a key contributor.

While satisfied with the progress, Ferentz was clear that there is still much room for improvement. He noted that while the offensive line showed glimpses of what he hoped they could become, there is still work to be done for the team to reach its full potential.

Looking Ahead

As Ferentz wrapped up, he acknowledged that the team still has areas to address as they move forward, particularly the consistency of play across four quarters. He pointed out that while the highs have been impressive, the team cannot afford to have such dramatic drops in performance during the same game.

He concluded by reaffirming the team’s long-standing focus on stopping the run as a foundation for building a strong defense. “If we can defend the run, at least that gives us a chance to build a defensive football team,” he said.

The win may have provided momentum, but Ferentz knows his team must continue to sharpen its performance as the season progresses. The focus will be on cleaning up mistakes, addressing the big plays, and stringing together consistent efforts for a full four quarters.