This might be the most unique week of Kirk Ferentz's length coaching career. On Saturday, Iowa will be without its coach for the first time since taking over the program in 1999. An alleged recruiting violation will keep the 26-year veteran out of Kinnick Stadium for the Hawkeyes' opener against Illinois State.
Like most college football coaches, Ferentz treats every opponent equally. So, there's really no "good" time to be suspended from a game. But, in Iowa's case, missing its leader for a matchup with an FCS opponent is about as ideal as ideal gets in ths situation."I did think about one good thing out of all of this, at least I can blame — you know, if something happens Saturday, I can say, 'I don't why they did that, that was stupid,'" he said jokingly.
Statistically, Nebraska had a sound rushing attack in 2023, averaging 176.8 yards per game and ranking second in the Big Ten. But quarterback Heinrich Haarberg was the team's top rusher with 477 yards and five touchdowns a season ago.