IOWA CITY – Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz expressed some frustration with his team’s performance in the red zone in its most recent performances this season as he prepares his Hawkeyes (5-4 overall, 2-3 Big Ten Conference) to face the cross-division rival Purdue Boilermakers (1-7, 0-4).
“It was just frustrating we couldn’t get touchdowns,” Ferentz said of the lack of prodcution by the Hawkeye offense last weekend in a losing effort against Wisconsin. “You play a team like that, a team that’s as good as they are offensively, and you get down there, you need to make due with your opportunities, and we just didn’t have any luck there.”
Ferentz said his team needs to re-focus its running game, which was on track early in the season but has been derailed as of late.
“At the end of the day, we’re better if we’re balanced and able to dictate to the defense what we’re going to do,” Ferentz said.
Going into the Purdue game, Ferntz listed several factors the Hawkeyes will have to account for in order to get the win.
“Well, they made the move to a freshman quarterback, who’s a very good player. We were very interested in him during the recruiting process. He’s a quality person, a really good player, and they’ve got an outstanding back who starts there. He’s a really dangerous runner.”
Iowa continues to search for bowl eligibility, which at six wins gets them there, although playing in a bowl is no certainty.
“Really all we’re worried about is winning this week, which would be six, and to become bowl eligible is certainly a plus compared to a year ago. We had six the year we didn’t go, last time, so that’s not the end all, but it’s the best we can do this week, so it certainly would be a great outcome for us if we can get that done.”
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