The Wolverine Now

Nov. 20, 2013 Take Nothing For Granted After Missing Out On A Bowl In 2012, Game Facts The Hawkeyes Are Relishing Their 6-4 Campaign T By Michael Spath hough Iowa has earned a share of only two Big Ten championships during Kirk Ferentz's 15 seasons as head coach, the Hawkeye faithful have always been able to count on one thing — consistency. Beginning in 2001, Iowa posted a winning record in nine of 11 seasons, and managed six victories in the two seasons (6-7 in 2006 and 6-6 in 2007) in which UI fell shy of a winning mark. So last year's 4-8 mark was a bit of a shock to a fan base accustomed to moderate and sometimes incredible success — double-digit win campaigns in 2002 (11-2), 2003 (10-3), 2004 (10-2) and 2009 (11-2). Going 0-6 in its final six contests, Iowa missed out on a bowl berth for the first time since 2007 and for only the third time in Ferentz's career. When the Hawkeyes earned their sixth victory of 2013 with a 38-14 triumph over Purdue two weeks ago, there was much celebration among the Black and Gold, and their supporters. "It's significant, and not anything we take for granted," said Ferentz, whose stature with the fans the past few years has risen and fallen like a volatile stock market. "Last year was a long winter break. "It's good for morale to get that sixth win. That's not our end game, but that's certainly a nice by-product. It's great to get that accomplished." HawkeyeReport.com publisher Tom Kakert noted there was almost a collective sigh of relief when Iowa bested the Boilermakers. "Overall, fans are just excited to see some progress, see the offense move the ball a lot better than they did last year," he said. "I don't think anybody is satisfied with a potential 6-6 season if they lose their last two. They want more than that to feel good about the year, but given last year, and the struggles offensively and defensively, and the final record, people are far happier than they were 12 months ago." Iowa last played in a prestigious bowl following the 2009 regular season, earning a BCS Orange Bowl bid with a 10-2 record. Since then, the Hawkeyes have played in two Insight.com Bowls (2010 and 2011), and the Black and Gold understand they have a chance to secure a New Year's Day game if they beat Michigan and Nebraska. The turnaround in Iowa City has been staggering on both sides of the ball, but Ferentz credits the leadership of the se- Head coach Kirk Ferentz has posted a 106-78 record, and two Big Ten championships, in 15 seasons guiding the Hawkeyes. photo courtesy Iowa niors as the catalyst, and the feeling they experienced a year ago when bidding adieu to their graduating teammates without playing a postseason contest. "The only good thing about finishing a season, if it's a bad season, is that it's over," Ferentz said. "It's a new season whenever that curtain drops, which dropped pretty early last year. I guess the only positive was we had another month as this year's team. What: Michigan at Iowa. When: Nov. 23 • 12:00 p.m. Radio-TV: Big Ten Network will televise the game nationally. The game can be heard on the Michigan Sports Network (950 AM in the Detroit area and on both the Armed Services Radio and SiriusXM channels 119 and 202) with long-time partners Frank Beckmann and Jim Brandstatter, and sideline reporter Doug Karsch. Coaches: Michigan: Brady Hoke (26-10, third season). Iowa: Kirk Ferentz (106-78, 15 seasons). History: Michigan leads Iowa 41-13-4, last beating the Hawkeyes 42-17 in 2012. Iowa Notes: The Hawkeyes' four losses are to teams with a combined record of 37-3 (Northern Illinois and Ohio State are both 10-0, Michigan State is 9-1 and Wisconsin is 8-2) …  Iowa earned its 300th all-time conference win when it beat Purdue Nov. 9; the Black and Gold are 300-362-25 in the Big Ten … UI improved to 6-3 all time in overtime games when it knocked off Northwestern in an extra-session contest Oct. 26 … Iowa has scored a touchdown five different ways this season — via the pass, the rush, punt return, interception return and fumble return.

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