Yes, Kirk Ferentz, Hawkeyes do care about the Iowa State game

IOWA CITY — You can go years, literally years, without finding the words 'insulting' or 'offensive' in a Kirk Ferentz news conference.

Tuesday was a twofer that way for Iowa's head coach.

'Offensive' was in response to former ESPN college football analyst Ed Cunningham's comments in last week's New York Times. In the story, Cunningham said he was retiring from announcing college football games because of what he feels is increasing brutality. Cunningham called the action for Iowa's 2017 Outback Bowl defeat. Former Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard suffered a hamstring injury and yet stayed in the game. In the Times story, Cunningham accused the Iowa coaching staff of mistreatment.

Ferentz and the school released a statement, which also included a statement from Casey Beathard, C.J.'s father, supporting the Iowa program. Ferentz also addressed during his weekly news conference.

'That was my decision,' Ferentz said. 'You can second guess it. People can. Ed chose to. That's his prerogative, certainly, but I found it a little bit offensive quite frankly because he (Beathard) was not at risk medically.'

Hlas: Ferentz fires back at Cunningham's criticism

'Insulting' came a little earlier in the news conference.

Ferentz was asked if he hears from fans while out on the summer I-Club circuit about putting more 'emphasis' on the Iowa State game. Ferentz is 9-9 against the Cyclones (1-0), who got their season off to a solid start with a 42-24 victory over Northern Iowa. Hayden Fry, Ferentz's predecessor, was 16-4 against Iowa State, including a 15-game winning streak.

Ferentz said he does hear that, but also bristled at the suggestion that the Iowa State game, which does come with the Cy-Hawk Trophy, doesn't mean a lot to the Iowa program.

'Those memories, they never leave you,' Ferentz said. 'If you're a part of something — I've been part of this thing for a long time (28 years as an assistant and head coach) — I'll go to my grave thinking about those games, that's for sure. You always remember losses, right?'

The follow-up was where does Ferentz think that narrative comes from, that one side cares about Cy-Hawk more than the other.

'I kind of found it insulting in some ways,' Ferentz said. 'You know, it's almost like you don't care. That's really insulting to say to anybody who competes in anything.

'I guess I haven't jumped up and down. Have to do some jumping jacks or something, be a little bit more demonstrative out there. When you win, what you do is great. When you lose, not so great. I think it's just kind of part of that narrative.'

When the Hawkeyes (1-0) walked into the weight room Sunday after their 24-3 victory over Wyoming, they found the Cy-Hawk Trophy, which Iowa has held the last two years, waiting for them.

'It stays in the weight room,' said linebacker Josey Jewell, who Tuesday was named the Bednarik Award's player of the week, his second national player of the week award after his 14-tackle performance against Wyoming. 'Today or tomorrow (Wednesday) it'll move to Ames and it'll be there for the game.'

When the Iowa football offices were in the old Jacobson Building, some of the program's motivational pinups or whatnot were more exposed. In the new Hansen Center, most of football operations are stationed beyond the public's view.

But, yes, the Iowa State fight song is being pumped into the players' locker room on a never-ending loop.

'It's in there playing right now, I think,' said Jewell, who also earned Big Ten defensive player of the week. 'After you hear it for about the 10th time, it gets a little annoying. It's one way to motivate.'

Beyond the issues of the day, Ferentz said in the Wyoming postgame that he expected center James Daniels back this week. That appears to be on track. Daniels practiced Tuesday morning.

'He had a good day today, so we're hoping makes it through the week and is ready to go,' Ferentz said.

Daniels' absence last week had a domino effect on the offensive line. Junior Keegan Render moved from guard to center, his first game at the position in more than four years. Senior Boone Myers is nursing an ankle injury, so he moved to left guard and split time with junior Ross Reynolds, who saw the first extended playing time of his career. Redshirt freshman Alaric Jackson went the whole way at left tackle in his career first start.

Ferentz made it sound as if Jackson and Myers would be the combo on the left side again against Iowa State.

'As long as Boone can go, he's still a really good football player in our mind,' Ferentz said. 'He's a really aggressive, physical player out there. Having him out there makes us a better team whether it's guard or tackle.

'Alaric has done a really nice job, so we're pleased with his growth and development. The good thing about having guys injured, I guess is hopefully you develop some guys that get some depth and experience.'

Iowa played just four wide receivers against Wyoming (Matt VandeBerg, Nick Easley, Devonte Young and Ihmir Smith-Marsette). That wasn't the plan, Ferentz said, but turnovers kept the Cowboys in the game and took offensive snaps away from the Hawkeyes.

'We didn't get a lot of snaps to start with, and when you turn the ball over, that's what's going to happen. Price you pay,' Ferentz said. 'I think we're open to more guys playing. I think we'll see more guys playing here in the next couple weeks, but we have to have that opportunity to get them out there.'

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