Iowa's Kirk Ferentz Praises Ryan Day's Ohio State: 'They Don't Beat Themselves'
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Iowa Hawkeyes are riding high after a dramatic last-second win over Michigan, but head coach Kirk Ferentz isn't letting the celebration last long. No. 14 Iowa (4-0) hosts No. 5 Ohio State this Saturday at Kinnick Stadium, and Ferentz knows his team faces its toughest test yet against a Buckeyes squad that rarely makes mistakes.
Ferentz spent part of his weekly press conference praising Ohio State head coach Ryan Day and the machine he has built in Columbus. The Hawkeyes' veteran coach didn't mince words about the challenge ahead.
“They're always prepared,” Ferentz said. “They're talented but they're well coached and well prepared and don't beat themselves very often. That's pretty much been the case since he's taken over. He's done a phenomenal job... He's just an excellent coach, great person, excellent coach.”
The numbers back up Ferentz's assessment. Ohio State has thrown for 1,461 yards and 13 touchdowns through four games, with quarterback Julian Sayin accounting for 1,206 yards and 10 scores while completing over 72% of his passes. The Buckeyes are coming off a 42-19 win over Illinois where Sayin threw for 367 yards and four touchdowns.
What Michigan Taught Iowa About Ohio State
Ferentz was asked whether Iowa's physical battle against Michigan could prepare his team for what's coming Saturday. His answer was direct: yes, because Iowa just got a taste of Big Ten heavyweight football.
“At least we know what it's like,” he said. “They're different, but they're the same. They're very similar teams and they're really talented. They've got good size. They're built differently, if that makes any sense. You can tell what Ohio State's goal is and you know they're just really big on both lines.”
The Hawkeyes escaped Michigan Stadium with a 20-19 victory after Hank Brown found Reece Vander Zee for a last-second touchdown. Iowa was outgained 429-285 but found a way to win, a trait Ferentz hopes carries over.
“You play a game like that last week where it was really pretty intensely physical and you turn around, you got one more like it the same way,” Ferentz added. “So, and I imagine a week from now it won't be much different either.”
Jeremiah Smith Presents Unique Challenge
Ohio State brings far more than size. Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith torched Illinois with 12 catches, 217 yards and four scores. Ferentz didn't downplay Smith's rare talent, referencing players like Saquon Barkley and Randy Moss when discussing the kind of ability that can change a game.
Iowa has taken a much less flashy route to 4-0. Brown has 700 passing yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. The Hawkeyes rely on discipline, physicality and opportunistic play, a formula that has served them well.
History at Kinnick Stadium
Saturday marks Ohio State's first trip back to Kinnick since the Buckeyes were embarrassed 55-24 in 2017. But Ferentz isn't pretending history gives Iowa any kind of head start. This Ohio State team is different, and the Hawkeyes know it.
The Hawkeyes have momentum, but Ohio State brings the kind of talent and discipline Ferentz says rarely gives opponents anything for free. After escaping Michigan at the buzzer, Iowa now has to prove that toughness can carry over against an even more dangerous opponent.
Kickoff is set for Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. The game will be broadcast nationally as the Hawkeyes look to pull off their second consecutive upset of a Big Ten powerhouse.