One way or the other, issues simply appear to maintain getting worse and worse for the Iowa Hawkeyes in 2022.
Iowa (3-4, 1-3 Huge Ten) has insisted week after week on turning into essentially the most unlikable staff within the nation, and it’s plain apparent to anybody maintaining with the staff this 12 months.
It isn’t simply that this staff is an assault on the eyes and minds of all spectators with the worst offense in school soccer. The staff being dangerous this 12 months is just one a part of the equation. There are dangerous groups in school soccer, in Energy 5 conferences like Iowa, too, who aren’t almost as disagreeable as this Iowa staff.
Nothing summarizes all of it higher than head coach Kirk Ferentz’s feedback from this previous week.
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As soon as once more, after the Ohio State recreation, Ferentz demonstrated a sample within the Iowa soccer program of caring extra about previous success than the dumpster hearth that’s at the moment in entrance of us all.
“Okay, the fellows on our workers are guys I believe which have demonstrated success. They’re good individuals and we’re going to maintain pushing ahead. I don’t really feel like we’re doing something incorrect,” Ferentz mentioned.
“I don’t really feel like we’re doing something incorrect,” says the coach of a 3-4 staff that has the 128th highest scoring offense within the nation. Thoughts you, that’s out of 131 groups. Solely Colorado, Colorado State, and UMass common much less factors per recreation. Certain, looks as if nothing’s incorrect!
Ferentz then obtained very snippy with a Cleveland.com reporter’s questions in regards to the offense and his offensive coordinator (and son) Brian Ferentz. He interrupted reporter Doug Lesmerises throughout his questioning.
That wasn’t all for Ferentz this week, not by a protracted shot. His actual lowlight got here in his most up-to-date press convention, offered by Hawkeye Insider David Eickholt. You possibly can watch the total video down beneath.
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He referred to the questions by Lesmerises as an “interrogation,” then proceeded to demean his job, and coincidentally the roles of everybody within the room.
“It dawned on me coming dwelling, you already know. I mentioned man, as dangerous as at present was it may have been worse, as a result of I may have been that man. I may have been that man… had his job and needed to act like he did. It may very well be a hell of so much worse,” Ferentz mentioned.
Certain Kirk, strategy to make your self really feel higher after getting embarrassed 54-10 on nationwide tv. At the least you aren’t that reporter! Certain, appears tasteful to mock a reporter’s occupation in entrance of a gaggle of reporters!
Is there a staff that exudes the stench of unearned vanity greater than this present Hawkeyes staff? They always discuss previous success as in the event that they’ve been nationwide title contenders, when in actuality they haven’t gained the Huge Ten since 2004.
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Certain, they’ve been a great staff, however we noticed simply final 12 months the large hole between them and a real contender like Michigan. We’ve seen a horrid offense over the previous few years beneath Brian Ferentz, and it’s all supposed to only be okay since they’ve been in a few Outback bowls.
Regardless of being a a blue collar staff for a blue collar state, there’s virtually an air of elitism across the Hawkeyes. They’re so satisfied that their means is greatest, and that they’re doing the best possible they’ll for a faculty like Iowa and that anybody who dares query is within the incorrect.
Simply being a nasty staff doesn’t instantly make you unlikable. Most groups are certain to have at the least one down season. Nevertheless, these packages don’t act snarky to the media who rightfully ask legitimate questions on a staff that’s struggling, and an offense that has been struggling mightily for years now.
As a substitute of 2022 feeling like only a down 12 months that can be only a bump within the highway for a profitable program, feedback like those from these previous two press conferences simply provide the feeling that it’s extra of an inevitable crash for the Ferentz period.
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‘It is change into virtually pleasant to observe’: Iowa offense now formally a nationwide laughingstock
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USA TODAY Sports activities’ Scooby Axson hammers Iowa, Kirk Ferentz for offensive nepotism
Checklist
Every thing Kirk Ferentz mentioned forward of Iowa’s Homecoming battle versus Northwestern
Checklist
Social media reactions: Iowa Hawkeyes followers undergo via blowout loss at Ohio State Buckeyes
Contact/Comply with us @HawkeyesWire on Twitter, and like our web page on Fb to observe ongoing protection of Iowa information, notes, and opinions.
Former Iowa Hawkeyes star George Kittle is in the midst of what has to be the most trying season of his NFL career.
Kittle’s San Francisco 49ers—who were Super Bowl contenders heading into 2024—fell to just 5-6 with their loss to the Green Bay Packer this past Sunday, further hindering their playoff chances.
However, the tight end is not giving up hope in the midst of severe adversity.
“My optimism is not broken by any means,” Kittle told reporters. “We still have a lot of very talented players. We will get some guys back. And I still have full trust in the coaching staff to put our guys in position to make plays, and I got no worry about that. But definitely an uphill grind, and going to see what we’re made of, which I’m looking forward to.”
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You have to love Kittle’s fighting spirit, but it seems hard to imagine the 49ers righting the ship in their current predicament.
San Francisco is dealing with a plethora of injury issues up and down the roster, which includes quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed the Packers game with a shoulder problem.
Kittle himself had a strong performance in Week 12, logging six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He has also been his usual impressive self overall this season, totaling 49 receptions for 642 yards and eight scores in nine appearances.
But not even Kittle can save the Niners from all of their current troubles.
The 49ers will face the Buffalo Bills in a matchup that could ultimately decide their playoff fate this Sunday.
No. 17 Iowa State goes into its home game against Kansas State on Saturday night as one of the Big 12 teams with the highest probability of making it to the conference championship game next week.
That calculation comes from conference officials putting pencil to paper to figure out all the scenarios that could unfold on the final weekend of the regular season.
Cyclones coach Matt Campbell said his team just needs to worry about itself and not the myriad of possibilities that could determine the matchup for next week’s Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
“To me,” he said, “all that other stuff is wasted time, effort and energy.”
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If the Cyclones (9-2, 6-2, No. 18 CFP) beat the Wildcats (8-3, 5-3, No. 24 CFP), they probably would be in. Arizona State would be the likely opponent if the Sun Devils win at Arizona.
So much would have to align for the Wildcats to advance — starting with beating Iowa State — that coach Chris Klieman said he didn’t plan to address the possibilities with his players. He said he wouldn’t have to anyway.
“The kids know,” he said.
Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson runs the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Arizona State Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Manhattan, Kan. Credit: AP/Charlie Riedel
Going for 10
The Cyclones are trying to become the first team in the program’s 133-year history to win 10 regular-season games. Wildcats’ tight end Will Swanson said he wasn’t aware of the 10-win milestone until a reporter told him. He indicated he and his teammates would like to keep the Cyclones from achieving it.
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“I’ll probably have to mention that,” he said, laughing.
Up and running
K-State quarterback Avery Johnson appears to be back to his old self. The staff tried to reduce his rushing attempts after he was injured Oct. 12 at Colorado. There were no limitations on him in last week’s 41-15 win over Cincinnati. He ran 10 times for 70 yards, including a 33-yard burst and a 21-yard touchdown.
“People saw when he’s healthy, we’re really good on offense,” Klieman said.
Cold, but no snow
Temperatures are expected to be in the teens in Ames, but no snow is in the forecast. Heavy snow fell during last year’s game in Manhattan, Kansas. Abu Sama III ran for 276 yards and three touchdowns and the Cyclones’ defense made a fourth-down stop in the final minute to preserve a 42-35 victory.
“I just remember the snow and Abu running wild,” ISU receiver Jayden Higgins said. “There definitely was a lot of snow on the field.”
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K-State’s Swanson said the game reminded him of a backyard football game but that it “panned out terribly.”
“Some spots there were 6 inches of snow,” he said. “I remember I caught a ball and I got tackled. I was face-first in the ground and had a pound of snow between my face and my facemask.”
Injury update
Klieman said RB Dylan Edwards could return against the Cyclones after sustaining a no-contact leg injury two weeks ago against Arizona State.
Campbell said S Drew Surges will be available and DT J.R. Singleton and TE Ben Brahmer are on track to play.
Colorado Buffaloes (5-1) vs. Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Lahaina, Hawaii; Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. EST
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BOTTOM LINE: Colorado and No. 5 Iowa State play at Lahaina Civic Center in Lahaina, Hawaii.
The Cyclones are 4-1 in non-conference play. Iowa State ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 41.2 points per game in the paint led by Keshon Gilbert averaging 9.2.
The Buffaloes are 5-1 in non-conference play. Colorado ranks fifth in the Big 12 shooting 39.3% from 3-point range.
Iowa State makes 49.0% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Colorado has allowed to its opponents (40.8%). Colorado averages 13.9 more points per game (77.7) than Iowa State gives up (63.8).
The matchup Wednesday is the first meeting of the season for the two teams in conference play.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Gilbert is scoring 16.8 points per game with 2.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Cyclones.
Elijah Malone is averaging 14.3 points for the Buffaloes.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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