Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - SHOWDOWN: Kirk Ferentz and PJ Fleck CLASH in EPIC Battle for Floyd of Rosedale |

Starting point is 00:00:00 Kirk Ferrence against P.J. Fleck, two guys that do a completely differently, a good one on the field on Saturday. We get ready. It's Iowa, Minnesota for Floyd of Rosedale. You are Locked-on Hawkeyes, your daily podcast on the Iowa Hawkeyes. Part of the Locked-on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey, welcome in. I'm Trent Condon, and this. is the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast, your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. I've been covering the Hawkeyes for over 20 years on the radio, including currently on the Iowa Sports Radio Network, where it can hear me each weekday from noon to two talking plenty of Hawkeyes with you,

Starting point is 00:00:44 the Iowa Sports Radio Network with stations in Des Moines, Sioux City, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, and the Quad Cities. Today's episode of Lockdown Hawkeyes is brought to you by Game Time. Download the GameTime app, create an account, and use Code Lockdown College for $20 off, your first purchase today we're going to look forward basketball single game tickets are on sale and why we should be excited about some iowa hoops both medans and women's this year we'll also talk with elliott cluff from hawkeye insider dot com a look at what happened at the press conference in iowa city on the player's side of things i talked with elliott right after he wrapped things up talking with mark gardowski zavier wampa and a few other players over in iowa city we begin today though

Starting point is 00:01:26 with a look at Kirk Ferrence's press conference and what he had to say today at media availability fresh off of that as he took his half hour as he does each and every week talking with the Hawkeye Media. I think a lot of important things, but I want to begin with the conversation that was right at the end. Scott Docterman asked him about his counterpart this weekend on the sideline, as it will be one of my least likable figures in college football, and that is Bill Fleck. P.J. Fleck is a guy that throughout the years has always rub me the wrong way from the get-go and I know there's plenty of people

Starting point is 00:02:00 that like that shit that enjoy what he does of drumming up interest in Minneapolis and getting the program as much spotlight as they can in a major medium market playing in a major city as a university

Starting point is 00:02:15 a city university it can be difficult and sometimes you need that carnival barker and that's what he is and all the cliches and all the football terms he throws out and though all the those things do bother me, they annoy me. I just, I can't stand it. It's not my kind of guy, not a guy that I think would be a fun hang. Still, there is a difference between Fleck and what

Starting point is 00:02:38 we've seen with other guys. Other guys that have had this kind of personality, there's actually substance behind it. There's actually a real football coach. It's not just about that. It's not just about oars in the water, an elite, and all the terms that he used. That's not what it is only. There is real substance, and he's done an incredibly good job at Minnesota of making them year in and year out a tough out. They're not great. They're not elite. But what they are are a solid, dependable program, very much like our Iowa Hawkeyes.

Starting point is 00:03:13 They're not at the same level. They certainly have not had the highs, and the consistency is not quite there. But from what they were to what they have become, he has built a solid program. Who knows what the future entails for him. Seems like his name comes up quite often. People in the coaching community will say that his agents always doing a lot of work, back channeling and seeing what's out there, what's available. And what looks to be one of the maybe most impactful hiring seasons

Starting point is 00:03:43 that we've had in college football with already all the firings that have happened, some major jobs open, places where you can win national championships, places that are going to spend money. And when those jobs are filled, then you have to backfill them with wherever the programs that these places have left for. So there's a lot there that is going to change things. And we'll see maybe the musical chairs will end with Philip Flep making his way to, say, L.A, to UCLA. Possibility, his name was bandied about last time that job was open a couple of years ago before they gave it ultimately to Foster. But that aside, you know, Fleck, as much as I dislike him, I don't like all the extra that goes along with it.

Starting point is 00:04:22 I do have to give him credit that there is a football coach behind all the extras. And boy, do you got a lot of extras there. I don't think it was funny. So Scott Docterman brings up Fleck at the end. And you can tell, I think he's putting together an article over at the athletic, probably talking about these two coaches and certainly doing it differently and with much different personalities. And he also brought up, Scott Docterman did, that Fleck still has up in his office. His rejection letter to be a grad assistant under Kirk Farrants.

Starting point is 00:04:56 I thought that one was interesting. Now, there hasn't been many successes in this series for the Gophers. And us as Hawkeye fans love that. This is my favorite rivalry game. This is the game for me that matters the most. I have family in Minneapolis. I have cousins that went to the U. I grew up going to this game.

Starting point is 00:05:18 This was, and this still for me, is the most important. Plus, we're playing for a bronze pay. We're playing for the best college football rivalry trophy that you're going to find. And because of that, I always have a little bit more juice for this game, for this. And it does seem like Kirk, he likes this one too. And of course, we go back to two years ago and why Bill Fleck got his only win in this series as the head coach at Minnesota. And the way that game played out and Cooper DeGine and the invalid fair catch and everything that went along with it. we know again

Starting point is 00:05:50 Hawkeye fans you're going to be bringing it and as we sit here recording out of Tuesday afternoon right after the press conference goes final you can still hear it my voice I'm still peeled it from Saturday night

Starting point is 00:06:02 at Kinnick Stadium bring it again bring that same passion bring that same loudness bring what Kinnick Stadium is and remember how it ended the last time at Kinnick against the gophers

Starting point is 00:06:14 because that that was a tough one to swallow as we all know A couple other notes for you from Kirk Ference's press conference. We'll hear a little bit from Elliot Clough. He was there for the players coming up here in just a little bit. Starting with Mark Renowski. And, you know, his health, you know, what that's going to obviously be going forward.

Starting point is 00:06:35 It's still a great unknown. There were pictures that were circulating on social media from a bunch of the guys that were there that showed he had some K-tap on the legs, maybe a little bit of swelling in the ankles. I don't think anybody can definitively say. I don't think Mark Gernowski can say. I don't think the doctors can say what he is going to be and what a return, what health-wise is going to be and what 100% is going to be for him going forward. But to put together that kind of performance with your legs,

Starting point is 00:07:07 do it with that leg brace. I now know that you're going to have to build on things. Kirk was asked about Gernowski. He talked a ton about his leadership. And I think we can read into that, the leadership that they had before. the quarterback spot with the last transfer quarterback and Kate McNamara

Starting point is 00:07:23 compared to what they have now in Mark Narnowski. Talked about him blending it well and a lot of good on the positive on that side. Another component I thought was interesting. He was asked about T.J. Hall. T.J. Hall is not demonstrative. He's not a rah, raw kind of guy.

Starting point is 00:07:39 He is a guy that just goes about his work. He's kind of like a couple of guys in that secondary that are that way, including another one we'll talk about coming up here in Zafir Wampa. But what it came to, T.J. Hall, you know, he talked about interceptions, not telling the whole story of what makes a good cornerback. Yeah, he said he'd like to use that. But I also thought it was interesting that he brought up Deshaun Lee and the job he's doing. Last year's cornerback play for Iowa was as bad as it's been.

Starting point is 00:08:08 And we saw blown coverages. We saw all kinds of issues. And now what it's turned into this year has been at minimum solid. and he can make an argument even higher than that with Hall with what we've seen from Lee and though his role is not full time what a good job he has done and certainly building and the performances that he's been able to make now we've seen Zach Lutmer playing cornerback along with his responsibilities cash safety all the different things that he's doing out there last year was awful for Iowa standards most teams wouldn't look at that maybe as

Starting point is 00:08:44 awful in cornerback play it was And we heard it during the spring, and it's continued. T.J. Hall has really put it together. Question was also asked about the offensive line and the way they come together this year. Another good performance on Saturday against Penn State and a talented front, even with the losses that still team got a lot of dudes over there. And talking about rebuilding this offensive line with George Barnett, another guy that was much of a lot. And it felt like with good reason.

Starting point is 00:09:12 I mean, the offensive lines just were not up to par. and certainly what our expectations are. But what he's been able to do in the development, and maybe his greatest thing that we've seen this season, we know at minimum they're going to be good at Senate, right? I'm probably better in that with Logan Jones. And you know, Jennings Dunker is going to be doing Jennings Dunker things and bowling people and doing what he does on the right side.

Starting point is 00:09:35 Piper, we had high hopes. We saw him, he was a six offense alignment last year. He was a guy that he thought at minimum was going to be solid. And both Stevens has started 20-some games, coming into the year. But to take Trevor Lout, who had minimal experience, a redshirt sophomore, and turn him into what he has turned into, or not only is he not the weak link of this team, it's a strength.

Starting point is 00:09:59 He was the highest graded guy on the offensive line last week by pro football focused. Trevor Loutke has taken a big step. And George Barnett, he talked about Kirk did, that yeah, he knew he had some guys that probably played before they were ready for it. But what a great job that he has done. And he also talked about something that I know I overlook. And I think a lot of us fans overlook from time to time. He talked about what a great teacher that he was.

Starting point is 00:10:26 That goes hand at hand with what we talked about in the reaction podcast after the Penn State win. Those little things, those minute details, the small things that Iowa football does day in a day out. We got to be a good teacher to have those parlay and go across. A couple other questions on the injury front. I was asked about Jane Harrell, who returned last week. Kirk just said, we'll see as it pertains who's going to start between Harold and Montgomery. I think most of us would like to see Montgomery or made of that role. I don't think he's done anything, certainly to lose it.

Starting point is 00:10:56 And some people say he can't lose a job to injury. I think that's poppycock. I don't think that makes a whole lot of sense. At tight end, we saw Vonny who had to leave the game, the tight end early in that football game against Penn State. Kirk said he's out of the sling. They're hopeful there. Another interesting note on the tight ends. He talked about what a good job that Hayden Large is doing.

Starting point is 00:11:15 But also, how about this? True freshman Thomas Meyer, maybe getting close to getting out there. And Kirk mentioned maybe getting him some snaps on the game. Really love the upside of Thomas Meyer. Super athletic kid. Really, I could be a playmaker in that game and getting back to the prototype of what we've been used to, certainly historically in the Kirk Farrant's era, at the tight end position. So a couple of takeaways for you from Kirk Farrant's press conference.

Starting point is 00:11:41 from today. Let's go to the player side of things. Elliott Club was there. 424-7 sports will get his perspective on what he heard from Mark Gronowski, Xavier Wampa, and a whole lot more as we continue on the Lockdown, Hawkeyes podcast. Let's be honest. Most of us can't even name all of our financial accounts, let alone what they're worth between 401Ks, savings and investments. It's easy to lose track. And that can mean leaving money on the table. That's why I start to start. using Monarch, an all-in-one personal finance tool that brings your entire financial life together in one clean, easy-to-use interface on your laptop or on your phone. I love seeing everything

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Starting point is 00:14:05 to download the Fandul app today and get started bandool dot com let's get delia clef hawkeye insider dot com part of 24-7 sports hello elli thank you as always for doing this uh who did you meet with uh here earlier today and a takeaway or two uh i forgot to look at the media availability did was granowski available today he was yep spoke with him spoke with davy wampa and then uh kaden we as well. Pretty good trio. Good trio.

Starting point is 00:14:39 Well, let's start with the quarterback. And obviously, it was really good to see. I think Hawkeye fans needed that after the last couple of years. It's still the passing ability, not quite where he wants it to be. I'm sure the success, I guess, with the passing the football. But boy, oh, boy, it was good to see him using his legs. How did he come out of the game? Yeah.

Starting point is 00:15:03 Regarding the passing game, I think everybody's on the same page. that it's not where it needs to be. But again, I don't know if you saw my tweet either of you guys, but Mark mentioned it today too. He finished 9 of 10 to finish the game. Nine of 10 for 56 yards, only two passes in the second half, which according to the guys that we talked to, and I mean, everybody could see it with their eyes.

Starting point is 00:15:25 The run game was working pretty damn well in the second half. So really no need to go through the air at that point. But Mark seems like he's continuing to project, you know, on a good trajectory going forward. health-wise. I know you guys asked, it was either last week or a couple weeks ago about where he's at his health and if there's a possibility he's going to be back at 100%. I did ask him that question today. And he said he's hoping he's back at 100% by the Oregon game on November 8th. He didn't say the Oregon game, but that's where things are at. I'm hoping that that by week helps him

Starting point is 00:15:58 continue to rehab and get back at 100%. He said he has been moving forward. He did say as well that he felt like initially when the injury was happening, he wasn't able to follow through quite as well on all of his throws. But now it's just about to be being on the same page with all the receivers and such in the passing game and maybe getting a little more comfortable early on. And that goes for them as well. So a couple different things from Mark there and hoping that he's healthy and then just continuing to get on the same pages as receivers through the air.

Starting point is 00:16:28 Xavier Wampa maybe had his best game in a Hawkeye uniform. Not only that, he was doing it with blood coming out of his ear. what stitches that got ripped off during the course of the game. I saw the video that you had up there, L.A. That doesn't look pretty on the year of Wampa. No, no. He said he lost count on how many stitches that they put in there after the game too. So yeah, they're just in there during the game, trying to put

Starting point is 00:16:49 padding on, extra padding on there to stop the bleeding. And I guess they're going to change his helmet to give them a little bit bigger of a helmet and then tie down or like tighten down a screw or something like that. He said, I had some things to figure out equipment-wise, but the staff's working on it. that he should be good to go from here. But I guess we'll see, because that's two games in a row where he had a rip in his ear

Starting point is 00:17:09 after the game. I was like, you just hitting people too hard. He goes, I guess. So, yeah, I guess they just got to figure out the equipment stuff there for X. And Caden Weigen was also part of the immediate availability today. He continues to move up the ranks, I think, as to where he ranks in the, in the Ference era amongst kick returners. He's so darn gifted.

Starting point is 00:17:32 And I love the fact that Lester's now incorporating him more in the offense. Does he even want to get more involved that was up to him? Oh, yeah. I'm sure he would want the ball every play if it was up to him. But, yeah, I know getting the ball in the backfield is basically a running back, a scatty, you know, speedy running back in the back field has been something that he's really liked. It was a conversation he and Lester had a few weeks ago. And, you know, they're happy to keep it rolling.

Starting point is 00:18:01 and it's been working. And, yeah, I mean, we didn't actually said he played running back at high school. So he said it's been sort of a seamless transition. He's still, you know, he's still that return man being the mid-season watch list for the Jet Award and winning it last year. That's still his specialty. But, yeah, I didn't know he played running back in high school. Didn't know that until today.

Starting point is 00:18:20 And then, of course, became a receiver at Iowa Western and then here at Iowa. But, yeah, they're using him a lot out of the back field and they're happy to keep it going. Mix things up, too. Like, when you're running the ball that well, teams are going to do. figure out a way to stop you. You're going to load the box and such, but his speed and ability get to the outside really adds another layer to this offense, especially when they're not passing the ball particularly well. So this is really an intriguing addition, a new layer to this offense that Lester has figured out. The battle for the pig this week, Minnesota, and you saw the

Starting point is 00:18:54 return of Darius Taylor last week. And as he goes, certainly this Minnesota team goes, What did the guys have to say about the Gophers matchup this week, playing for the pig? Yeah, expectations are that it's going to be physical. You know, I actually had this conversation with my fiance the other night about Darius Taylor, watching the Nebraska-Mnesota game, is that he's always really good, and then they play Iowa, and he's not very good anymore. And, I mean, seriously, like, go back and look at the stats. I don't know that he's done much of anything against Iowa in his career with Minnesota.

Starting point is 00:19:25 last year, of course, the Caleb Johnson game. But one thing that Logan Jones and Xavier Woffa said, for that matter, it's one of the more physical games that they play all year. I mean, they're playing in the big tent, so things are going to be physical. But this is a rivalry. This is a game where both teams want to come home with a trophy. And, yeah, they're not messing around. I mean, the history is there with this rivalry, especially going back two years ago.

Starting point is 00:19:51 And I'm sure the Hawks want to avenge that game, especially in Kinnick Stadium. What did you think? We got like 30 seconds left. What did you think of Drake Lindsay when you're watching the football game? Well, I only got to watch like one or two clips because I had to watch or head out and watch some high school football for prep Red Zone. But I have heard some good things. I haven't watched him too much extensively. That'll be something I do a little bit more of this week.

Starting point is 00:20:16 What did you guys? I thought I was really impressed. He's a big dude. You know where he's going to be. He's going to be in the pocket. He's not a threat to run, but he can sling it a little bit. And the Trent's right. like 6-5-6-6.

Starting point is 00:20:26 How did Nate Stanley like? Yeah, that's a good one. That's good. Good stuff. Elliot, we're out of time, buddy. Thanks for doing this, as always. I just looked at your picture of Wampke's year, man. Oh, my God.

Starting point is 00:20:37 Nasty. Good stuff. Elliot. Thank you, buddy. Appreciate it. Absolutely. Thank you. Yeah.

Starting point is 00:20:42 Talk to you next week. Elliot Clef 24-7 SportsHawkeye Insider.com as he updates us on what's going on this morning in Iowa City. Thanks, as always, to Elliott Club for joining us. and you can check out all his work, Hawk Guy, Insider.com. So good stuff from Iowa City and the players. And, you know, one takeaway going through it and listening to a bunch of the interviews today is they know what they're in. You know, they know this is going to be a physical game.

Starting point is 00:21:09 You go back to a season ago, Iowa had the big comeback in the second half as Caleb Johnson got rolling in that one. We talked about the game, the Cooper DeGine game from two years ago. It's going to be physical. It's going to be tough. Got to be ready to go. And you got to buy a week after that. So lay it out on a lot. on the field, keep the pig, and let's get the victory.

Starting point is 00:21:27 And let's get win number six of the year. We'll continue breaking this game down all throughout the week. But coming up next, we got some news for you. Iowa basketball, single game tickets are on sale and why you should be excited about this squad. That's all coming up next on the lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. College football is here and, well, we couldn't be more excited, right? The tailgates, the rivalries, the energy.

Starting point is 00:21:53 in the stands. Oh, you can feel that Saturday at Kinnick. There's just nothing like it. But let's be real. Actually getting tickets can feel more of a battle than the game itself. Endless cues, hidden fees, and prices jumping at checkout. That's why I use game time. The app that gives the advantage back to fans. It's the easiest way to score last minute tickets at the best prices with no surprise fees. What you see is what you pay. Take it a look at the fandual at the game time app. Excuse me. And right now, on game time you can find a myriad of great deals you want to get your way into kinnick stadium you want to see ploy to rosdale in person this is your opportunity with some great ones and the app is

Starting point is 00:22:34 super simple you can see exactly where you're going to be inside the stadium before you buy it's cheaper faster and less stressful than any other way that i have bought tickets and i love no surprise fees at checkout a huge one for me and the game time app take the guesswork out of buying college football tickets with game time. Download the game time app, create an account, and use code locked on college for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Again,

Starting point is 00:23:03 that's promo code Locked on college. L-O-C-E-D-O-N-C-O-L-L-E-G-E for $20 off. Swipe, tap, ticket, go, download game time today. Trent, kind of back with you one final time on the Lockdown Hawkeyes podcast. Thanks for being with us and making lockdown Hawkeyes your first listen every day.

Starting point is 00:23:27 A big thank you to every day is with us each and every day. Love having you aboard with us and couldn't do it without you. If you're watching us on YouTube, hit subscribe. That's how you'll know wherever we're available. If you're on the podcast side, five star reviews and all of that helps us get in front of more Hawkeye fans. So single game tickets are available. I've already been scouring, looking for opportunities to go over with the little ones. Take Jack over there.

Starting point is 00:23:51 and my son, go over with the family, go over with the buddies, make the trip here from where I'm located in central Iowa. Winter time, weather can be a bit dicey, but the good news is a lot of week and games, a lot of Saturday games, something that hadn't been there for a number of years and some fun opportunities. You know, in this new Big Ten, the new look Big Ten of this season, there's going to be some big time games. And, you know, the difference between this year and the Big Ten finishing 13 and 7, 12 and

Starting point is 00:24:21 and maybe on the outside looking at the NCAA tournament, just going to be maybe a game or two for so many of these teams. It feels like there is a big bunch of teams. So make sure you get out there, get your Hawkeye tickets, speaking of tickets and availability. Also, make sure that you take a look at the Iowa baseball schedule. That has also come out. Happy to see for me selfishly that they're coming back to Des Moines again this season

Starting point is 00:24:44 for a series a year ago as they took on Oregon State. This year, it'll be a big 10 matchup as when Purdue comes to the state. They'll be playing that one at Principal Park. But the schedule is out. Of course, it'll begin with a lot of games down in the South and playing in the warm weather before they'll get ready to get the schedule ramped up this season. And big expectations, again, a lot of new faces on this Iowa baseball team. But boy, what they've been able to do year in and year out, 10 consecutive Big 10 tournament appearances for them, something unthinkable for a long time with Iowa baseball. And Coachella's been able to do that. We'll be back with you

Starting point is 00:25:20 tomorrow here with more on Locked-on Hawkeyes. We'll take our final peek back at the win against Penn State and start to dive a little bit deeper into the matchup with the gophers coming up this week. We got you covered, of course, on the Hawkeye front, but not only that, we have more for you here. For your second list, and make sure you check out Locked-on Big Ten.

Starting point is 00:25:40 Craig Sheeman breaks down the most exciting conferences, it conference in college sports from the rivalries, championship games, and everything in between. You can find Locked on Big Ten on YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts, all part of the lockdown podcast network, your team every day. We will be back with you tomorrow

Starting point is 00:25:58 as we are your daily Iowa Hawkeye podcast. Until then, go Hawks.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - SHOWDOWN: Kirk Ferentz and PJ Fleck CLASH in EPIC Battle for Floyd of Rosedale |

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