Kirk Ferentz, Jay Higgins credit Iowa defense for slowing down Michigan
Iowa got shut out in the Big Ten Championship Game by Michigan. However, as head coach Kirk Ferentz and linebacker Jay Higgins explained, the team’s defense, the Hawkeyes did keep things close for a while at least.
First, Higgins credited the defensive coaches for getting the unit prepared to play and the other players on the Iowa defense for being ready for the game.
“I would definitely say just we understood how big this game was, and obviously Coach [Phil] Parker, Coach [Seth] Wallace prepared us,” Jay Higgins said. “We had a lot of tape on these guys obviously being in Week 13. I just feel like my teammates went out there and they competed. That’s all I can ask for. I mean, guys who were making plays when we needed them. You have to show up in big moments. I’m really proud of my defense.”
In the end, Michigan beat Iowa 26-0. At halftime, however, the Hawkeyes defense only had allowed 10 points and by the end of the game, Michigan only gained 213 total yards and 3.3 yards per play.
As Kirk Ferentz explained, the Iowa defense has been great all season for the Hawkeyes.
“Guys have been playing great defense all season long, and tonight was no exception. Tremendous amount of respect for our opponent’s offensive football team, their entire football team. I said that during the week. That was sincere,” Ferentz said.
“Both teams played got defensively tonight. I don’t think it’s a huge surprise, and credit to our guys. They gave us a chance and kept us in the game really until that turnover in the third quarter.”
This season, Iowa only allowed 13.2 points per game on defense. Given Iowa’s defensive struggles, it’s no wonder that defensive coordinator Phil Parker won the Broyles Award as the nation’s best assistant coach.
Kirk Ferentz addresses challenge of Tennessee’s up-tempo pace
In Iowa’s bowl game, Kirk Ferentz is again going to rely on his defense. However, that comes with a challenge against Tennessee‘s up-tempo offense.
“We certainly haven’t seen them this year. I know the work that Josh [Heupel] has done, both, obviously, at Tennessee and then Central [Florida] before that. Just outstanding,” Ferentz said.
“We saw Tennessee the last two years against Kentucky. We played Kentucky [in bowls] for two straight years. So we do have some familiarity but certainly weren’t looking at them from a game plan standpoint. The nice thing about playing on January 1st as well is there’s plenty of time to look at them.”