Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz knows how good UK receiver Wan'Dale Robinson is. (UK Athletics Photo)
This could be a really good omen for Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl Saturday that Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says UK’s offensive line reminds him of Michigan. You might remember that Michigan dismantled Iowa in the Big Ten championship game.
“Really good up front. Very veteran, physical, strong, execute really well. Good skill guys. This might be history, when we face the same quarterback (Will Levis) year after year, but two different schools. And we ironically are the first one to offer him, I think first major school to offer him. Good trivia there,” Ferentz said.
But it is not just UK’s offense that has impressed Ferentz, who has led his team to 15 straight non-conference wins, the nation’s longest streak.
“They’re a good team and defensively they’re an odd front a little bit. Not exactly like Nebraska, but like some teams we’ve played this year. They’re playing really well,” the Iowa coach said.
“They’re just a really well-coached outfit in all three phases, like you’d expect. They’ve got good players, good skill guys, good line, big bodies up front on defense. It’s going to be a tough challenge.”
Ferentz says along with Michigan, Kentucky is the most balanced offensive team the Hawkeyes have faced this season.
“Michigan does what they have to do. So that’s probably fair. They’re going to run the football, and they do it well. Quarterback is part of their run attack more so than Michigan, probably,” the Iowa coach said.
Iowa also faced UK receiver Wan’Dale Robinson when he played at Nebraska before transferring to Kentucky. However, Ferentz says having played against Levis and Robinson before does not give his team any kind of edge.
“Really I wish they were still at Penn State and Nebraska, quite frankly, because they’re both good players,” he said. “We played against them, but that’s not going to help us stop them.”
Robinson, UK’s top receiver, was used both as a running back and receiver at Nebraska.
“The guy’s a good football player. And I’m not sure how he ended up there. They’ve done a good job in the transfer market, obviously. It’s paid off for them,” Ferentz said. “But they’ve had some good additions. It’s going to be interesting.
“But like I said, they’ve got a good line. They have skilled position players at every stop.”
4 Responses
This figures to be a very good match up, and I like UK’s chances against Iowa.
It can’t hurt their starting running back opted out. Cats will want it. I’ll take 10-3 anytime. Stoops is the man in Kentucky now. As a 50+yr. football fan I’m thankful he’s here. I think he has something special is in the making.
You have to watch out for coach-speak. They’re "preaching to the choir". You best believe that the Iowa coaching staff will have some interesting wrinkles for the UK secondary to defend and, trust me, they’re working on a box for the UK running game. Look for Iowa to run straight at KY on offense and to "tackle the ball" on defense. Their passing game feeds of the run. If we cannot consistently defend the run, our secondary will not be able to keep up with the pass. Of course, I have to believe that Brad White knows this and can coach his defense up. It’s all about execution. Go Cats.
Iowa will be a heavy lift for UK, they are a stout football team on both fronts, on offense and defense. If UK can run the football effectively, I feel they can win this game going away. It will allow UK to open up their passing game for Levis to Robinson, etc. However, some other receivers for UK need to step up in this game "big time" with Ali and Epps out. UK’s TE’s must be play makers and play physical at the LOS. I am very glad UK has Will Levis under center. He is becoming a great SEC QB, and leader on the field. He still has a lot to prove this season too. The UK defense must lay the wood to Hawkeye skill players, and bring some thunder from start to finish. In the end, I believe the most physical team wins.