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Gophers Game Preview: One-Way Trip Floyd as Minnesota Hosts Hated Hawkeyes
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/444482?referrer_id=388419
PREGAME NOTES
Iowa (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT – ESPN2
After cruising to three straight Big Ten victories, the Gophers were tripped up by Illinois two weeks ago. Now the road to the end of the season gets increasingly difficult with games against Iowa and Ohio State at home and road trips to Nebraska and Wisconsin. Thankfully, Minnesota has had a chance to rest up during their bye week and is anxious to begin the four-game stretch.
“You know, hopefully, you know, our kids did a good job,” said Jerry Kill of the time off. “We worked a lot on fundamentals and things we need to do. We also gave them some time off. I think they needed it from a mental capacity, and a little bit of fatigue. And so you know, I think our kids have responded well, and had a good practice on Sunday, and looking forward to the rest of the week, and then certainly Saturday.”
The Gophers are excited to get back on the field to play one of their most hated rivals in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
“This game is a rivalry game,” said Kill. “It means a ton to our state. It means a ton to our university, you know, and where we're at right now, you know, it's a big game. And so I think that you literally concentrate on that, and then you go to the next one.”
Series History
Minnesota and Iowa first played in 1891 in Iowa City as the Maroon and Gold thrashed the Hawkeyes, 42-4. The two rivals have met 106 times since then with the Gophers holding a commanding 61-44-2 advantage. Minnesota has found success when playing at home; going 38-16-1 in Minneapolis including a 2-1 mark at TCF Bank Stadium.
Last Meeting
After four straight wins to start 2013, the Gophers were topped by the Hawkeyes last season, 23-7. Minnesota struggled to move the ball all game, gaining just 165 yards while giving up 464 to Iowa. The trio of Rodrick Williams Jr., David Cobb, and Donnell Kirkwood were only able to total 48 yards on 18 carries. Expect a much different result this year with an improved offensive line and an even better Cobb in the backfield.
Season to Date
Iowa enters Saturday with an identical record to the Gophers. UI opened the season with two victories before falling to rival, Iowa State, by just three points, 20-17. The Hawkeyes opened up the Big Ten slate with wins over Purdue and Indiana but a trip to new Big Ten foe Maryland ended the unblemished conference record. Iowa got back on track last week after it trounced the Northwestern Wildcats, 48-7.
Coaching Preview
Kirk Ferentz is in his 16th season as the head coach of the Iowa program. He is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten—tied for third longest term among BCS schools. Ferentz placed himself in prestigious company in 2009 when he won his third Big Ten Coach of the Year award. Only three other coaches have won the award that many times: Hayden Fry, Joe Paterno, and Bo Schembechler. Ferentz has been known for producing NFL talent, especially on the offensive line. From 2010-2012, 18 Hawkeyes were selected in the NFL draft—an amount that ranks first in the Big Ten and third nationally. Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, Aaron Kampman, and Chad Greenway are a few notable Hawkeyes that have earned All-Pro recognition.
Matchup to Watch
After a miserable performance running the ball last season against Iowa, the key to Saturday’s game for Minnesota will be to dominate up front, creating space for Cobb and the other running backs to establish a consistent rushing attack.
“Their defensive line is very, very good, and their two deep tackles down the middle make them special,” said Kill. “I mean those guys are hard to handle, and not very many people have handled them.”
The Hawkeyes rush defense has been sporadic in conference play; holding Northwestern and Purdue to a combined 190 yards on the ground while giving up a combined 528 yards in games against Indiana in Maryland. Both teams know that this game could be dictated by how successful the Gophers can be on the ground against an inconsistent Iowa defense.
“The biggest differences they're more veteran, a lot more experienced, older, physical guys, and they run the ball with great success,” said Ferentz of the Gophers. “And their running back has done a tremendous job. Their quarterback is a really good runner and can hurt you with his arm, as well. It's a little bit of a different challenge.”
Player to Watch
No. 45 Mark Weisman – Weisman joined the Hawkeye program as a walk-on and will be leaving as one of the top running backs in school history. He is one of just eight players in Iowa history to surpass 2,000 career-rushing yards and at least 20 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 240-pound bruising back needs just five more rushing touchdowns to set a new career record at Iowa with 34.
“He's put a lot of good games up against a lot of people,” said Kill about Weisman. “He's a good football player, 245 pounds. If I had a film, I'd show you. [Iowa] makes you be disciplined. And that's what makes him good. They just keep coming at you, and then they try and make you make a mistake. And then they take advantage of it.”
Background
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Enrollment: 31,065
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Herky the Hawk
Colors: Black and Gold
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (16th Season)
By Grant Erickson and Travis Erickson
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/444482?referrer_id=388419
PREGAME NOTES
Iowa (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) at Minnesota (6-2 overall, 3-1 Big Ten)
Minneapolis, Minnesota – TCF Bank Stadium (52,525)
Saturday 11:00 a.m. CT – ESPN2
After cruising to three straight Big Ten victories, the Gophers were tripped up by Illinois two weeks ago. Now the road to the end of the season gets increasingly difficult with games against Iowa and Ohio State at home and road trips to Nebraska and Wisconsin. Thankfully, Minnesota has had a chance to rest up during their bye week and is anxious to begin the four-game stretch.
“You know, hopefully, you know, our kids did a good job,” said Jerry Kill of the time off. “We worked a lot on fundamentals and things we need to do. We also gave them some time off. I think they needed it from a mental capacity, and a little bit of fatigue. And so you know, I think our kids have responded well, and had a good practice on Sunday, and looking forward to the rest of the week, and then certainly Saturday.”
The Gophers are excited to get back on the field to play one of their most hated rivals in the battle for Floyd of Rosedale.
“This game is a rivalry game,” said Kill. “It means a ton to our state. It means a ton to our university, you know, and where we're at right now, you know, it's a big game. And so I think that you literally concentrate on that, and then you go to the next one.”
Series History
Minnesota and Iowa first played in 1891 in Iowa City as the Maroon and Gold thrashed the Hawkeyes, 42-4. The two rivals have met 106 times since then with the Gophers holding a commanding 61-44-2 advantage. Minnesota has found success when playing at home; going 38-16-1 in Minneapolis including a 2-1 mark at TCF Bank Stadium.
Last Meeting
After four straight wins to start 2013, the Gophers were topped by the Hawkeyes last season, 23-7. Minnesota struggled to move the ball all game, gaining just 165 yards while giving up 464 to Iowa. The trio of Rodrick Williams Jr., David Cobb, and Donnell Kirkwood were only able to total 48 yards on 18 carries. Expect a much different result this year with an improved offensive line and an even better Cobb in the backfield.
Season to Date
Iowa enters Saturday with an identical record to the Gophers. UI opened the season with two victories before falling to rival, Iowa State, by just three points, 20-17. The Hawkeyes opened up the Big Ten slate with wins over Purdue and Indiana but a trip to new Big Ten foe Maryland ended the unblemished conference record. Iowa got back on track last week after it trounced the Northwestern Wildcats, 48-7.
Coaching Preview
Kirk Ferentz is in his 16th season as the head coach of the Iowa program. He is the longest tenured coach in the Big Ten—tied for third longest term among BCS schools. Ferentz placed himself in prestigious company in 2009 when he won his third Big Ten Coach of the Year award. Only three other coaches have won the award that many times: Hayden Fry, Joe Paterno, and Bo Schembechler. Ferentz has been known for producing NFL talent, especially on the offensive line. From 2010-2012, 18 Hawkeyes were selected in the NFL draft—an amount that ranks first in the Big Ten and third nationally. Bob Sanders, Dallas Clark, Aaron Kampman, and Chad Greenway are a few notable Hawkeyes that have earned All-Pro recognition.
Matchup to Watch
After a miserable performance running the ball last season against Iowa, the key to Saturday’s game for Minnesota will be to dominate up front, creating space for Cobb and the other running backs to establish a consistent rushing attack.
“Their defensive line is very, very good, and their two deep tackles down the middle make them special,” said Kill. “I mean those guys are hard to handle, and not very many people have handled them.”
The Hawkeyes rush defense has been sporadic in conference play; holding Northwestern and Purdue to a combined 190 yards on the ground while giving up a combined 528 yards in games against Indiana in Maryland. Both teams know that this game could be dictated by how successful the Gophers can be on the ground against an inconsistent Iowa defense.
“The biggest differences they're more veteran, a lot more experienced, older, physical guys, and they run the ball with great success,” said Ferentz of the Gophers. “And their running back has done a tremendous job. Their quarterback is a really good runner and can hurt you with his arm, as well. It's a little bit of a different challenge.”
Player to Watch
No. 45 Mark Weisman – Weisman joined the Hawkeye program as a walk-on and will be leaving as one of the top running backs in school history. He is one of just eight players in Iowa history to surpass 2,000 career-rushing yards and at least 20 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 240-pound bruising back needs just five more rushing touchdowns to set a new career record at Iowa with 34.
“He's put a lot of good games up against a lot of people,” said Kill about Weisman. “He's a good football player, 245 pounds. If I had a film, I'd show you. [Iowa] makes you be disciplined. And that's what makes him good. They just keep coming at you, and then they try and make you make a mistake. And then they take advantage of it.”
Background
Location: Iowa City, Iowa
Enrollment: 31,065
Conference: Big Ten
Mascot: Herky the Hawk
Colors: Black and Gold
Coach: Kirk Ferentz (16th Season)
