Iowa buried Minnesota last year, can they do it again?

Iowa buried Minnesota 55-0 last year in a game so complete one national columnist called it “a seal clubbing.”

Iowa scored three touchdowns each via the run and pass. Iowa had 23 first downs to Minnesota's six. Iowa rushed for 222 yards to Minnesota's 7. It was domination, although Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz refused to say that Tuesday.

“It was one of those games, totally an aberration,” he said. “I'm still not sure how it happened. I wasn't sure how it happened that night. We were playing well and things just started rolling. I sure didn't see that coming.”

Sophomore defensive end Broderick Binns, from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn., has two former high school teammates who play for the Gophers. The smack talk was sizzling before last year's game before Iowa stomped Minnesota in the most one-sided defeat in the series' 102-game history.

“I just tell them that carrying off that trophy (Floyd of Rosedale) was pretty heavy,” Binns said. “I think by lifting it, my muscles have gotten a little stronger.”

Ferentz was asked if Minnesota's players and coaches might think Iowa intentionally ran up the score.

“That's their choice, and I guess that's what you do. You know, to me it was a flukish thing that happened,” he said.

Ferentz job talk time

On Sunday morning, the Chicago Sun-Times threw Ferentz's name into the mix for a potential opening at Notre Dame.

“I don't know who attached it. I heard that yesterday,” Ferentz said Tuesday. “I read this morning that Bob Stoops is interested. So call Oklahoma. I didn't see anyone say they talked with Bob about it. Maybe his barber says he is interested.”

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis' job status is tenuous. The Fighting Irish (6-4) enter Saturday's game against Connecticut on a two-game losing streak that has left Weis with a 35-25 career record, a .583 winning percentage. That's the same record Bob Davie was fired with and the same winning percentage Tyrone Willingham was fired with.

“It's gossip talk or whatever,” Ferentz said. “That's the last thing I've thought about. I've been here 20 years and I kind of like my job. I like it where I'm at. We're trying to win our 10th game.”

Ferentz joked about Notre Dame's pep rally tradition.

“Could you see me in a pep rally? Have you ever thought about that?” Ferentz said. “Penn State does them. Could you see me at a pep rally.”

He then imitated snoring sounds.

- Marc Morehouse

Winning incentive

There's significant money on the line for Ferentz the next few weeks, according to incentive clauses in his contract.

If Iowa beats Minnesota and Ohio State loses to Michigan, Ferentz will earn a $100,000 bonus for sharing the Big Ten title. If the Hawkeyes land in a Bowl Championship Series bowl such as the Fiesta or Orange, Ferentz will earn a $175,000 bonus.

If Ferentz is named Big Ten Coach of the Year, it's worth $25,000. If he's named a national coach of the year by one of at least 14 organizations, he earns $50,000.

If Iowa finishes in the top 15 in the final coaches' poll, Ferentz will earn $150,000. If Iowa enters the top 10, he'll earn $225,000.

- Scott Dochterman

Iowa buried Minnesota 55-0 last year in a game so complete one national columnist called it “a seal clubbing.”

Iowa scored three touchdowns each via the run and pass. Iowa had 23 first downs to Minnesota's six. Iowa rushed for 222 yards to Minnesota's 7. It was domination, although Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz refused to say that Tuesday.

“It was one of those games, totally an aberration,” he said. “I'm still not sure how it happened. I wasn't sure how it happened that night. We were playing well and things just started rolling. I sure didn't see that coming.”

Sophomore defensive end Broderick Binns, from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn., has two former high school teammates who play for the Gophers. The smack talk was sizzling before last year's game before Iowa stomped Minnesota in the most one-sided defeat in the series' 102-game history.

“I just tell them that carrying off that trophy (Floyd of Rosedale) was pretty heavy,” Binns said. “I think by lifting it, my muscles have gotten a little stronger.”

Ferentz was asked if Minnesota's players and coaches might think Iowa intentionally ran up the score.

“That's their choice, and I guess that's what you do. You know, to me it was a flukish thing that happened,” he said.

Ferentz job talk time

On Sunday morning, the Chicago Sun-Times threw Ferentz's name into the mix for a potential opening at Notre Dame.

“I don't know who attached it. I heard that yesterday,” Ferentz said Tuesday. “I read this morning that Bob Stoops is interested. So call Oklahoma. I didn't see anyone say they talked with Bob about it. Maybe his barber says he is interested.”

Notre Dame Coach Charlie Weis' job status is tenuous. The Fighting Irish (6-4) enter Saturday's game against Connecticut on a two-game losing streak that has left Weis with a 35-25 career record, a .583 winning percentage. That's the same record Bob Davie was fired with and the same winning percentage Tyrone Willingham was fired with.

“It's gossip talk or whatever,” Ferentz said. “That's the last thing I've thought about. I've been here 20 years and I kind of like my job. I like it where I'm at. We're trying to win our 10th game.”

Ferentz joked about Notre Dame's pep rally tradition.

“Could you see me in a pep rally? Have you ever thought about that?” Ferentz said. “Penn State does them. Could you see me at a pep rally.”

He then imitated snoring sounds.

- Marc Morehouse

Winning incentive

There's significant money on the line for Ferentz the next few weeks, according to incentive clauses in his contract.

If Iowa beats Minnesota and Ohio State loses to Michigan, Ferentz will earn a $100,000 bonus for sharing the Big Ten title. If the Hawkeyes land in a Bowl Championship Series bowl such as the Fiesta or Orange, Ferentz will earn a $175,000 bonus.

If Ferentz is named Big Ten Coach of the Year, it's worth $25,000. If he's named a national coach of the year by one of at least 14 organizations, he earns $50,000.

If Iowa finishes in the top 15 in the final coaches' poll, Ferentz will earn $150,000. If Iowa enters the top 10, he'll earn $225,000.