As he was trapped behind an Ohio State podium that looked more threadbare with each and every sentence, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz floated a line instantly vaporized following his team’s third straight defeat.
All that anyone remembers from a 44-point loss at Ohio State was Ferentz defending his son and his program against nepotism charges. But before the barrage of those questions and his responses, Ferentz was asked if his team could rescue a season spiraling downward.
“I not only think it’s possible, I believe it is possible, and I believe it’s going to happen,” Ferentz said. “But now it’s up to us to make it happen.”
Fast forward three weeks to cold, windy and at times, snowy Kinnick Stadium. In the final moments of a 24-10 win against Wisconsin, linebacker Jack Campbell took the Badgers’ game ball, ran to the Iowa sideline and launched it the stands toward Tori Lee, wife of defensive tackle Logan Lee. After the final snap, the defensive players sprinted toward the north end zone to snag the Heartland Trophy.
Read more, click here.
(Photo: Matthew Holst-Getty Images)