New Video I Made: Iowa Football 2000-2009

Kirk Ferentz: Jewel Hampton Out for Season

I really should change the subject of my blog to “The Life and Times of Jewel Hampton.” After Hampton sustained an ACL injury this summer, reports on its severity ranged from season ending to minor.

Hampton began fall camp with the team and when I spoke with him at media day, he told me he’d practiced that morning and everything was feeling fine. Several days later, reports out of camp stated he’d “tweaked” the injury and was taking it day to day.

After much speculation from fans and media alike, Coach Kirk Ferentz set the record straight several minutes ago and let the media know the true sophomore running back would miss the season and take a medical redshirt. More to come…

Cornerback Jordan Bernstine to Miss 2009 Season

Apologies for the two week hiatus. I just moved into a new apartment and have been without the internet until yesterday. I was actually getting a decent number of readers each day before the move, so now I’ll get to see if I have the ability to resurrect a blog.

Fall Football camp has officially begun, meaning the season is just around the corner (23 days til UNI!). Every year that I have followed Iowa Football,  injuries have been a part of fall camp and unfortunately, this one is no different.

Junior cornerback Jordan Bernstine broke his ankle yesterday in practice and will miss the 2009 season. He still has a redshirt year, however, so he has 3 remaining years to play 2 seasons of football for Iowa.

Jordan Bernstine at Friday's Media Day (courtesy of Yashar Vasef and Sam Jadali

This is especially painful because he was expected to start the first two games opposite potential All-American Amari Spievey while sophomore Shaun Prater serves his suspension for an OWI this spring.

Iowa will have to rely upon either career backup Chris Rowell, sophomore Willie Lowe, or redshirt freshman Greg Castillo against Northern Iowa and Iowa State. True freshman Micah Hyde may also contend for Bernstine’s spot, depending on how quickly he can pick up the defense.

If I had to guess, I’d say that we will see Willie Lowe starting the Northern Iowa game.  Lowe saw playing time as a true freshman last season and collected a pair of tackles.

Kirk Ferentz on Jewel Hampton: “We’re Optimistically Hopeful.”

The Cedar Rapids Gazette’s Marc Morehouse has some quotes in his blog from Kirk Ferentz regarding Jewel Hampton’s knee situation.

Ferentz said that the staff would know more when fall camp began August 8th, but that they are currently optimistic regarding Hampton’s chances to play in Iowa’s opener against Northern Iowa.

The true sophomore was injured in drills on July 3rd and people speculated that his injury was a season ending ACL tear. Iowa fans will remember the 2004 season in which Hawkeye running backs Albert Young, Marcus Schnoor, and Jermelle Lewis went down with ACL injuries.

Since July 3rd, the Hampton knee saga has taken several turns, all of which have been positive. With Ferentz’s latest quotes on the situation, I’m thinking it will be, if it isn’t already, a non-issue.

Last season Hampton averaged nearly 5 yards per carry while rushing for 463 yards and 7 touchdowns as Shonn Greene’s backup. He is presumed to be the number one running back for the Hawkeyes going into the 2009 season.

Hampton runs the ball against South Carolina in the 2009 Outback Bowl (photo courtesy of Anthony Djuren anthonydjphoto@mac.com)

Kirk Ferentz Signs New Contract, Will Stay at Iowa through 2015

Kirk Ferentz has signed a contract extension that will keep him at Iowa through the 2015 season.

Though Ferentz’s salary of $3.02 million annually will not change, he will be granted personal use of a private jet for up to 35 hours a year, the value of which is estimated at $85,000.

photo courtesy of Anthony Djuren (anthonydjphoto@mac.com)

The 2009 season will be Ferentz’s 11th at Iowa, good for second longest tenure all time among the University of Iowa’s head football coaches. Hayden Fry coached for 20 seasons, while Forest Evashevski coached 9.

I love that we can keep Kirk for at least 17 seasons should he honor his newest contract. It’s hard to imagine that after Joe Paterno steps down at Penn State, Iowa will have the Dean of Big Ten Coaches. After Purdue’s Joe Tiller retired following last season, Ferentz became the conference’s second most tenured head coach. Not bad for a guy that went 2-18 in his first 20 games at Iowa while fans screamed for Bob Stoops.

Personally, I think we might have Ferentz even beyond 2015. I think he’s a guy who understands that NFL stands for “not for long.” He already spent 9 years in the 80’s at Iowa as a position coach under Hayden Fry and had this to say to ESPN earlier this month: “My day to day existence – I don’t think it’s been better any place I’ve been than it’s been here at Iowa.”

Since Ferentz’s arrival at Iowa in 1999, his teams have compiled an overall record of 70-53 (43-37) and are 4-3 in bowl games. Iowa has won two Conference Championships under Coach Ferentz.

The Awesomest Thing I’ve Read in Weeks

Someone on Hawkeyereport claims that they were in Iowa City this past weekend and stopped into the Hayden Fry Football Complex to have a look around.

Apparently everything in the football weight room is decorated with Ohio State helmet decals, the idea being that Ohio State is the best in the Big Ten and to beat the best, the Hawks must train like the best.

It seems so unlike the coaching staff to do this, but maybe they’re thinking big this summer. REALLY BIG.

Kirk Ferentz is 1-5 against Ohio State since taking over at Iowa. The Hawkeyes haven’t won in Columbus since 1991. The Buckeyes have been Ferentz’s toughest opponent by far, with the average score being 29-14.5 OSU’s way. It would look MUCH worse had Iowa not beaten OSU 33-7 in 2004.

Could this mean Ferentz is thinking that by the time Iowa plays at Ohio State on November 14th it might be for all the marbles?

Ferentz has won at every Big Ten venue except Michigan State and Ohio State. He’ll have his chance at both this season.

Iowa plays at Ohio State November 14th. (photo courtesy of charmdone430)

EDIT – These are ”Wrestlehawk’s” posts verbatim, as found on Hawkeyereport’s premium message board:

Now, we went to the football offices and wow are they beautiful and it gave me goosebumps. I don’t know if it this has been posted or not but it is REALLY obvious what game the coaches are looking at. I know they all say each game is important and take it one at a time but seeing as there are OSU helmets EVERYWHERE in the weightroom and every piece of weight eqiupment (sic) has an OSU helmet and one of three other OSU based motivations, I’d say they’re looking at OSU pretty hard this year. Just an fyi…

Let me expand alittle (sic)… You have to beat the best to be the best and right OSU is the best. I think it’s also about “going big” because UNI (University of Northern Iowa) is not that big of a fish.

Just so everyone knows; one thing that was up all over was a sign that said something to the effect of; We haven’t beaten OSU on the road since 1991. Osu has been to the last 4 BCS bowls. You want to show how good you are, beat them at thier house. The second was a two part deal. The one side had a quote from Tressel about how OSU’s S&C program was so good and how many guys worked hard in the summer to make the season go well. The other side had a picture of the OSU team firing off the line in what looked like sprints to show how hard they were working. I think the message was clear. Work harder, make a statement and be the best.

Despite Accolades, Amari Spievey Still Hungry (Final Project)

ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg calls Amari Spievey the Big Ten’s best corner and “one of the best in the country.”

Athlon Sports calls him “one of the league’s best cover men.”

Lindy’s Sports and Phil Steele both have him in their All Big Ten teams.

The biggest accolade for the junior-to-be from Connecticut comes from the most unlikely of sources, though: defensive coordinator Norm Parker. “Since we’ve been here, I think he can be the best corner we’ve ever had,” said Parker, who’s been calling Iowa’s defensive schemes since 1999.

To say this kind of praise from Parker is unprecedented is an understatement. Since the current staff came to Iowa City in 1999, those who’ve followed Iowa Football know that Parker’s simply mentioning a player’s name in passing is a sign to expect good things. (“Yeah, that Bob Sanders has been doing a few good things for us… Matt Roth might be a guy to watch” etc.) For him to lay nearly a minute’s worth of compliments on a player can only mean that he will be selected to the Pro Bowl in February, the fact that he’s still in college be damned.

“I’m going to quit letting him talk to you guys… He’s tooting Amari’s horn, the defense’s horn. Let’s slow down here,” joked Head Coach Kirk Ferentz regarding Parker’s praise. “He was one of the great stories on our team last year… If he stays hungry, he’s got a chance to be a really good football player,” he continued with a more level tone.

Spievey talked more like his head coach than his coordinator at the end of spring drills. For him, there is still work to do. “I know I’ve still got things to work on. When I’m out there, I just want it to be automatic. I want to be an automatic corner,” Spievey said.

When asked about Parker’s praise, Spievey replied, “I need to improve. I’m never satisfied. I always want to get better and better.”

For opposing offenses, this kind of talk must be intimidating coming from a guy who had 4 interceptions and 6 pass breakups as a sophomore and didn’t even play Division 1 ball as a freshman. Spievey spent the 2007 school year at a community college after failing to make grades his redshirt year at Iowa.”I can’t waste any day. Every day is a priority,” he says regarding the lessons learned away from Iowa City.

Maybe Spievey’s name shouldn’t be etched on to the Thorpe Award – the award given to the nation’s top defensive back – just yet like some writers and maybe even his coordinator think should happen. But if he stays as hungry as he was this spring, it might be a good idea to keep it close.

#19 Amari Spievey (click picture for audio)

McNutt Ready to take on Role of Receiver (Final Project)

The name Marvin McNutt might not be a familiar one to most casual Hawkeye fans coming into the 2009 season. The sophomore-to-be receiver will most likely be the talk of Kinnick Stadium and living rooms across the Midwest, however, if he trots out with the starting Hawkeye offense as the number one receiver against Northern Iowa this September 5th.

This is a very distinct possibility, as the former quarterback not only made the transition to receiver this spring, but also emerged atop the depth chart at his new position.

This despite the presence of Derrell Johnson- Koulianos, the junior-to-be that has lead Iowa in receptions in each of his first two seasons playing for the Hawks. There are rumblings from the various Iowa message boards indicating that McNutt’s being inked in at the top of the final spring depth chart may be a wake up call for “DJK,” who has been rumored to not give his all in practice.

The coaching staff defended McNutt though, citing his size, speed and work ethic as perfect for the position. The 6’4 215 pounder isn’t ready to rest on his laurels though. “It’s a progress, but during (the off season) you’ve still got a lot of work to do. You’re never done until the season comes,” McNutt said in an interview at the conclusion of spring camp.

McNutt believes his experience backing up Ricky Stanzi at quarterback will help him as a receiver. “As a quarterback, you have to know every position so you see the big picture,” he said.

When asked how he was handling the disappointment of not playing quarterback, McNutt replied simply “what disapointment?” “I just wants to help the team. I love the Hawkeyes. I want to show that I’m here to help the Hawkeyes and not just Marvin McNutt,” he went on to say.

Click photo to hear audio of McNutt's final Spring interview

At a time in college football when athletes transfer the second they don’t get the starting nod, McNutt’s attitude is refreshing. “I love winning, so if [the coaching staff] feels like it’s the best spot for me, I’m going to trust the coaches. They’re the ones making the call,” said McNutt.

“Marvin’s a good athlete and and a good football player, but he’s an outstanding person so we didn’t think there would be an issue there,” says Head Coach Kirk Ferentz.

So does McNutt feel like he can compete every Saturday at receiver in the Big Ten?

“That’s my plan,” he says with a laugh.

Great Video of Kirk Ferentz from ESPN.com (linked below)

Probably my new favorite quote is: “My day to day existence – I don’t think it’s been better any place I’ve been than it’s been here at Iowa.” – Kirk Ferentz

I couldn’t have put it better myself. Simply click on the picture of Ferentz below.

Hampton to Skip Surgery, Will Play this Season

The Des Moines Register is reporting that Jewel Hampton will skip surgery on his ACL and will play in Iowa’s September 5th opener against the Northern Iowa Panthers.

The past few weeks have been a roller coaster for Hawkeye fan regarding Iowa’s projected starting running back for the upcoming season.At first, reports out of Iowa’s summer workouts were that Jewel Hampton had torn his ACL, an injury that typically takes just under a year to fully recover from.

Then Hampton commented on his Facebook status that he didn’t know the extent of his injury, prompting reporters from the Register to visit Hampton at his apartment where they observed him running up a set of stairs without the aid of a knee brace.”I’m fine,” commented Hampton before declining to be interviewed further.

Finally on Thursday, Kirk Ferentz commented that there was indeed “partial” damage, but “all parties involved” feel that there will be a full recovery before the season begins, a little over seven weeks from now.

This comes as great news for fans of the black and gold as Iowa’s only other running back with playing experience is walk on Paki O’Meara. Whether Hampton will show lingering effects of this injury during the season remains to be seen. I don’t anticipate any further news until Fall camp begins August 7th.

Jewel Hampton will forego surgery and play in 2009