Morning practices work for B1G players

CHICAGO - Iowa's shift from afternoon to morning practices appears significant, but for others around the Big Ten it's just a part of their weekly schedule.

Northwestern, Indiana and Maryland practice in the mornings, which allows their players to attend classes during the afternoons and evenings. Some players said it provided a nice balance for life, school and football.

'Being able to practice in the morning allows us to come back in the evenings to watch film,” said Northwestern cornerback Nick VanHoose. 'That's probably the biggest thing in the mornings. Once you get it over with, all the physical is done. Therefore you have way more time to get the mental side of it.”

'Being in the morning, it was helpful because you're not as groggy, either,” said Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld. 'You just kind of wake up, get out there and you're good to go to play. It's been great for us.”

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz made the switch partly because of class conflicts but mostly to take a new approach to the season. He also changed their day off from Monday to Thursday, which allows their the players to stay off their legs and away from heavy contact for at least two days before a Saturday game. It also helps the players process the game plan one extra day. Iowa previously took its off day Monday and had a traditional practice on Thursday.

Both Sudfeld and VanHoose liked morning practices for physical recovery.

'I think it also gives me a little bit more time to recover on that Friday or Thursday practice,” Sudfeld said. 'Since it's in the morning, it gives me a few more hours to recover and feel fresher for the game.”

'We work out from 8-10 usually,” VanHoose said. 'You shower up and you eat, it's around 11. You go to your class and you're kind of drained in class; I'm not going to lie, of course. But mentally it's not too rough on you. When you come back for film, you're a little rejuvenated and sometimes if you don't have class that day, you can get a nice nap in. So your body's rested and your mind is rested.”

Iowa opens fall camp on Thursday and its first game is Sept. 5 against Illinois State at Kinnick Stadium.

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