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Big Ten: Ferentz Weighs In On Personnel

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz highlighted the efforts of some his players following last week’s mater-of-fact 34-7 victory over Tennessee Tech, but made no excuses for players who had ball control issues created by the wet and rainy conditions at Kinnick Stadium.

Running back Marcus Coker's performance certainly was a sore subject given how the sophomore fumbled the ball twice---one of which was recovered by the opposition--- and gained a paltry 41 yards on 11 carries.

“He’s going to bounce back. Marcus is a good football player first of all, but more importantly he’s a quality person,” said the 13^th year Hawkeye head coach. “I’m glad he didn’t use the weather or the conditions as an excuse or crutch.”

When commenting on middle linebacker James Morris, Ferentz was pleased to see how the rapidly emerging defender has “settled down” since camp and is now using his instincts to make plays. “I think sometimes players really try to do too much and he was suffering from that a little bit. He’s a conscientious guy. [Morris] is playing the way he’s capable of; there’s things he can improve upon,” he added.

In addition to racking up 10 tackles during the opening week contest, Morris was especially alert in reading Tre Lamb’s eyes before picking him off and returning the ball 52 yards.

While the one-time NFL offensive line coach wasn’t satisfied with how his defense couldn’t muster up more than one sack, he acknowledged the fact that his group did create constant pressure.

On the subject of his new look defensive line, which no longer features the likes of Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard, he praised his two veteran stalwarts Mike Daniels and Broderick Binns. But he conceded that his team no longer has the resources it once did to go with only four or five linemen on a weekly basis.

Ferentz spoke about the necessity of rotating a larger pool of players along the four-man front, including Dominic Alvis, Thomas Nardo, LeBron Daniels, Steve Bigach, Joe Gaglione and Joe Forgy.

While 6’4” senior receiver Marvin McNutt was certainly impressive in recording six receptions for 140 yards and two scores, including a highlight reel 88-yard catch and run for a touchdown, the 56-year-old head man simply stated: “Marvin’s one of the guys we’re all counting on to be a top player for us.”