What Kirk Ferentz said about his introduction to Iowa-Minnesota rivalry, usage of Brendan Sullivan and more

IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz’s true introduction to the Iowa-Minnesota rivalry was in the early 1980s — “ancient history” in Ferentz’s words — when he worked on Hayden Fry’s staff.

“I was kind of naive to it until they came across the field after the 12-10 win out there in 1981, and I thought, boy, they're pretty enthusiastic about shaking hands,” Ferentz said in his weekly news conference. “And then I realized they wanted to come get the trophy that was right behind us.”

Iowa’s 1982 football game at Minnesota brought back some different memories for Ferentz.

“That was one of the most physical games I can ever remember being involved with,” Ferentz said. “Maybe that's just me, but that's how it felt. It was a really hard-fought game, and both teams really went at it, and we were able to come out victorious.”

Ferentz has an 18-7 record against Minnesota as Iowa’s head coach. Eight of the last nine Floyd of Rosedale games have been decided by seven or fewer points.

“Once you're here for a little bit, you figure it out real quickly and what it means,” the 26th-year Iowa head football coach said of the rivalry.

Plans for Brendan Sullivan as QB2

Northwestern quarterback transfer Brendan Sullivan made his Hawkeye debut on Saturday against Troy as part of Iowa’s goal-line package. One drive ended with a Kaleb Johnson touchdown run, and the other ended with Sullivan pitching it to Addison Ostrenga for a two-yard touchdown pass.

Asked about using Sullivan in other situations such as third-and-short or fourth down, Ferentz did not say anything definitive.

“Right now we haven't given it a lot of thought, but we'll see,” Ferentz said. “Just happy to get him involved. He's practiced well, done some good things. Certainly gives us a little different dimension. Those are things we might consider as we move forward.”

Close competition at cornerback

T.J. Hall still was listed as a first-team cornerback on Monday’s depth chart despite allowing 63- and 62-yard touchdown receptions against Troy.

Ferentz — asked about the cornerback pecking order between Hall, fellow starter Jermari Harris, Deshaun Lee and John Nestor — emphasized that “all four are really close.”

“I would say Jermari is the guy that has the most experience and obviously made a really nice play the other day, and he's getting better and better,” Ferentz said on Tuesday. “But I think all four guys are really close, and I feel confident with all four.”

Ferentz’s “prediction” is that fans will “probably see all four of them through the course of the season.”

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

Sign up for our curated Iowa Hawkeyes athletics newsletter at thegazette.com/hawks.