Good-Timey Radio Hour

Hello, Gary Dolphin is giving away ethanol.

This is your weekly Kirk Ferentz radio show highlight show post. It's stream of consciousness. Just know that going in.

- HA! Dolph is talking about Eugene's Hawkeye-colored zoot suit. That was wild, Eugene. You're world-wide now, man.

- Mike from Dubuque has worked his way to way backup DE Daumantas Venckus-Cucchiara. We have finally reached that point. DVC is a sophomore. He wasn't invited to camp, at least I didn't see him, and he's not sniffed the field.

Mike also asks about Josey Jewell. Dolph says Pat Angerer, plays with Pat's mentality. I agree. Jewell is practicing this week after suffering a broken hand prior to the opener. He should play.

- Chris from Iowa City asks about Matt VandeBerg. Why is he called 'Meerkat”? Dolph says big eyes and kind of shifty. Dolph astutely brings up the fact that VandeBerg fielded a punt late in the fourth quarter. It was a bouncing punt on the sideline. VandeBerg knew he was going to take a shot and did. He saved Iowa probably 10 to 15 yards of field position. Quiet and very much needed play.

- Jim from Davenport, hello!

He wants to know about the clock and the snap and the winding clock. It's a good question. Iowa lost about five seconds during one stretch last week vs. BSU.

Dolph says he'll table this for Ferentz. I hope he does. I've been asked this and, frankly, I don't know.

- The Bachelor farmer guy from Iowa is going to be at the Krause Plaza between 12:15 and 1 before the game. He's a real farmer. No one has said his name, and you know I don't know. My popular culture scope has narrowed. He's from Fayette County.

Now they're talking about single farmer websites. You guys know that commercial, FarmersOnly.com. The commercial is highly stereotypical, I think we all can agree.

OK, Ferentz should be up next.

- Bryce from Marshalltown, you're on the air.

Bryce doesn't know if Scherff is on offense or defense. Wants to know how many players are on the roster. I don't know on this one.

Can we get some tacos after this? I really want tacos. No? OK. I vote for El Perico in Marion, by the way.

Which one of you is Bryce?

- Dolph said Casey Krieter, Iowa's long snapper for three seasons, is in the NFL. I thought I heard he was cut? Maybe he was picked up. I can barely keep track of where I put my coffee.

- Ferentz is a little late tonight. Break and then KF.

- It's KF's 25th Iowa-ISU game. (It's my 19th.)

- I really get tired of the out-of-stater just kind of finding out what the Iowa-Iowa State rivalry is all about. For the most part, croots know Iowa is in the Big Ten and Iowa State is in the Big 12 and they both reside in the state of Iowa and, since 1977, the two schools have met every year.

What I'm saying is the players are smart. They can connect the dots. They have brains before they get here.

- On Scherff: Dolph bats around KCRG (a leftover meme from the presser, whatevs, wipe it off, move on).

KF said Scherff was out at practice. Still 48 hours until gametime. KF hasn't given up. If Scherff isn't there, they will still play the game. Sounds as though Scherff is progressing.

KF digs Ike Boettger. Iowa has worked hard on developing depth on the OL and Boettger has risen.

- On Drew Ott: Ott avoided serious injury. Has a few stitches. KF expects him to play. He was sore, and isn't out of the woods yet. KF expects him to play, but not out of the woods, so there's that.

- JJ from North Liberty. He sounds tense. He mentions the Herky crap.

On the running game, looking for more play-action. Gives some encouragement to kicker Marshall Koehn.

KF applauds Koehn's kickoffs. Comforting to know that they have a guy who can put it in the back of the end zone. Tough day on field goals. Have to keep that in mind.

Same with the running game. Not where they want to be. KF feels the right people are doing the right things there. Play action not a bad thing. Mind is open.

- Max from Spirit Lake. He wants a win.

Talking ISU, thinks K-State result gave the Cyclones confidence. Wants to know where team's head is. Also, what's up with the running game.

Anything that goes wrong in football is a team effort. Offense gets down to precision and execution. You also have to match up the right play with the right call. The answer will unfold. Hardly ready to hit the panic button, KF said.

KF talks transition for ISU in the first game. New system for offense. New faces for defense. Transition game vs. NDSU; much better against K-State. KF talked about the LB switches for ISU. Had a realistic chance to beat KSU, which is a top 20 team.

KF praises ISU DC Wally Burnham. ISU offense has changed significantly.

- Andy from Dubuque.

Beathard was amazing. Rudock was . . . struggle. Leave him in and Beathard on the sidelines. Why not more Beathard? Thought he was the better QB at the time.

KF makes $3 or $4 million a year, wants a Big Ten title.

KF pauses. He's heard the salary thing (from media). There is not controversy (KF has read that, but I don't think anyone has written it seriously, I don't know, some media snideness here from KF, whatevs, wipe it off, move on).

Rudock is the guy. Rudock is the QB, but they will play Beathard.

As far as Big Ten title, KF said they're working on it. No guarantees.

'We're actually going to try to shoot for No. 1.”

That call struck a nerve. I hope Andy feels better.

ANDY MUST'VE MISSED THE TWO TD DRIVES THAT RUDOCK EXPERTLY DIRECTED TO WIN THE GAME

Fact is, if CJB surveys the field, he probably sees I think it was Bullock in the flat and that play doesn't end up a punt from BSU's 38. No one wants to shake hands with that. Iowa lacked luster in several elements last week, QB wasn't one of them.

- Didn't catch this guy's name (Jim from Camanche). Calls last seven minutes 'masterful.” I agree.

He hopes it's a confidence-builder.

KF said there were more than several times during the game he wondered what was going on, too. Iowa flatlined in several areas it doesn't usually flatline.

Thing is, they did come through while they were over the canyon and the rocket was sputtering.

- A guy, hello. Question on kick return. Liked Jonathan Parker, doesn't like fumbling.

Akrum Wadley question. Three weeks in and we've turned over the Daumantas and Akrum rocks.

Doesn't know if Parker will be in, but KF said he's not going to flush him.

On Wadley, good ability and talent, but a step or two behind the others. Wants him in the mix, not sure if it'll be this year.

- Man, Dolph does a lot of traveling around the state. He's a tougher dude than me.

- Curt from De Witt.

He's always admired that KF sticks with philosophy, remains calm through the chaos.

KF said, looks can be deceiving. Model behavior from people you admire. Chuck Knoll was one.

When it comes to coaching, get the work done during the week, stay sharp during the game and it's in the players' hands.

Wants to keep everyone on even keel. Wants players to focus on performance.

People have to be within their personality. KF said his personality was a little more intense before college. Thinks this suits him and everyone else a little better.

- LB Josey Jewell will be out on the field. Not sure what role, but will be out there. KF said he's been running around and looks good.

- Bobby Kennedy gave VandeBerg the 'Meerkat” nickname, BTW. KF said 'Alley Cat,” too tough to be a meerkat.

- The time thing, the center judge will hold the clock. Some of the high-tempo teams don't like it. Pac-12 doesnt't like it. That league has higher tempo offenses. KF likes it.

- Big 12 officials this week.

- Jim driving through Illinois. He hated the referees' efforts last week.

Asks about Steve Ferentz.

He's not on special teams, but he's in a developmental mode. Center at Iowa, whole different world. Improved last spring, had a good camp. No room for him right now.

- Dolph said he thought it was a well-officiated game. I agree.

On Powell near-catch, KF: 'I guess that's what they said.”

Rugby-style kicker: 'I will comment on that. We collectively need clarification. Not a fan of that style. It's a choice made. Outside of tackle box and moving downhill, when a punter does that, he's fair game. Risk to get injured.”

KF compared it to a running QB. If you choose to use rugby punter, it's fair game. Hard to contain knowing you can't him them.

KF doesn't like the fact you can release everyone downfield on punt coverage. KF hasn't like that for 14 years. Hard to coach guys against a rugby punter.

Well put. Can't argue. Shows how inventive college coaches are.

- Doug from Omaha.

Comment: QB had thrown 93 with zero picks. KF: Let's not jinx him.

Comment: Team showed heart. The two scoring drives in 4Q were flawless.

Question: Jordan Lomax tied with LTP for leading tackler. Surprised?

KF: Team has gone through some things you didn't want to happen, but did. Have to clean up big plays, have to get running game going. Confident it will get better. Encouraging team that focuses and doesn't fetal position.

On Lomax: Safeties are required to make a lot of plays and tackles. Hopefully, he said, not after a 65-yard gain.

- Kenny from Glenwood, I think?

Loved the defense last week (can't say D now, thanks everyone, Tom Selleck).

- Jim on a quickie. Pat Mitchell had his retirement reception in CF last weekend. Pat is the longtime CF High School coach. I've talked to him a few times over the years. He is a genuine class act.

Iowa high school football coaches aren't in it for the money. Great folks, take a bow.

l Comments: (319) 398-8256; marc.morehouse@sourcemedia.net