Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz likes the personality his Hawkeye team has developed through the first half of the season.
After posting back to back road wins the Hawkeyes takes a 5-1 record and a number-19 national ranking into Saturday’s game at home against Maryland.
On the injury front Ferentz says fullback Brady Ross will miss a couple of games with an injury but running back Ivory Kelly-Martin is expected to play this week.
Iowa’s offense has made big strides in recent weeks and Ferentz says the biggest factor is experience.
The chore for the Iowa defense this week is to slow down a Maryland ground game that Ferentz says is difficult to prepare for.
After being tested by the pass the last two weeks Iowa’s freshmen corners will need to help against the run.
Matt Canada says his players remain focused on the present and are not concerned about the future. Canada was named Maryland’s interim coach after the August suspension of head coach D.J. Durkin and the Terrapins are 4-2 heading into this week’s game at Iowa.
Canada says the Hawkeyes’ emerging passing game is a credit to quarterback Nate Stanley.
Canada says Stanley has given the Hawkeyes more big play potential.
Canada says Iowa’s pass rush is a concern. The Hawkeyes are second in the Big Ten in sacks.
Kick off is at 11:00 am on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
