Alert Top Story COLLEGE FOOTBALL | IOWA Kirk Ferentz won't change his opening kickoff philosophy. Here's why that matters against Minnesota. ethan.petrik Oct 21, 2026 Oct 21, 2026 Updated 11 mins ago 0 × Kirk Ferentz | Iowa football | Oct. 20 Prefer us on Google Learn More Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz drew plenty of criticism last season for his preference for receiving opening kickoffs. The criticism wasn't without merit, either.kAmx@H2 8@E E96 @A6?:?8 <:4<@77 :? 6249 @7 E96 7:CDE D6G6? 82>6D =2DE D62D@? 2?5 D4@C65 @? :ED @A6?:?8 5C:G6 ;FDE E9C66 E:>6D]k^AmkAm“xE 8@6D 324< a_ A=FD J62CD[ 6G6? H96? H6 4@F=5?’E H:? G6CJ >2?J 82>6D[ H6 E@@< E96 32==[” u6C6?EK D2:5 2E E96 E:>6] “x E9:?< :7 J@F =@@< :E FA — E9@D6 82>6 ?@E6D[ E96C6’D 2=H2JD E92E DEF77 :? E96C6] %96 A6C46?E286 :D 36EE6C H96? 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E96 C@25[” {FE>6C D2:5] “x7 J@F 42? 86E FA 62C=J[ :E 96=AD @FE 2 =@E[ 6DA64:2==J @? E96 @776?D:G6 D:56 @7 E96 32==] %96J’C6 23=6 E@ 4@>>F?:42E6 2?5 ;FDE 8@ @FE 2?5 A=2J H:E9@FE 92G:?8 E96 72?D D4C62>:?8 :? E96:C 62CD]”k^Am kA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^`f3ag`_b\`46_\cg3f\2cd_\7234eb65gbe5Qm(9J z:C< u6C6?EK :D DE2J:?8 A2E:6?E H:E9 x@H2’D ?6H\=@@< @776?D:G6 =:?6k^2mk^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^2_d_fgca\dfah\c2dc\2f7a\_3faah_2fbc2Qmx@H2 4@2496D[ A=2J6CD AC6G:6H |:??6D@E2 >2E49FA[ C642A 3J6 H66<k^2mk^AmkA 4=2DDlQE?4>D\:?=:?6\=:?<Qmk2 9C67lQ9EEADi^^B4E:>6D]4@>^E?4>D^2DD6E^65:E@C:2=^27gf64c2\ad3f\cd`5\3_3a\5324ehacc44fQmx@H2 ?2>6D y6C6>J w64<=:?D<: DE2CE:?8 BF2CE6C324<] w6C6VD H9J]k^2mk^Am Ethan Petrik is a University of Iowa beat writer for the Lee Enterprises network. Follow him on X or send him an email at ethan.petrik@wcfcourier.com. 0 Comments ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today Related to this story Kirk Ferentz | Iowa football | Oct. 20 Kirk Ferentz | Iowa football | Oct. 20 Why Kirk Ferentz is staying patient with Iowa’s new-look offensive line Iowa’s offensive line struggled early, but a dominant rushing performance against Washington offered signs of progress. Kirk Ferentz believes … Iowa coaches, players preview Minnesota matchup, recap bye week Iowa football is back from its bye week and preparing for Minnesota. Here's what Kirk Ferentz and Hawkeyes players had to say. Iowa names Jeremy Hecklinski starting quarterback. Here's why. Jeremy Hecklinski will start again for Iowa against Minnesota. Kirk Ferentz explains why the Hawkeyes are sticking with the sophomore despite … Iowa reopens quarterback battle ahead of Week 8 bout with Minnesota Iowa's quarterback competition is back on. After Jeremy Hecklinski's breakout performance against Washington, the Hawkeyes face another decisi… How Iowa stopped Demond Williams and why it struggled against Washington’s backup Demond Williams gave Kirk Ferentz headaches before kickoff. Iowa's defense contained him, only to struggle against an unexpected challenge. What changed in Iowa’s offense with Jeremy Hecklinski in at quarterback? Iowa's offense erupted with Jeremy Hecklinski at quarterback. Tim Lester explains why that doesn't necessarily mean he'll start against Minnesota. Iowa football coordinators discuss first half of Hawkeyes' 2026 season Iowa football is 5-1 at the midway point of the regular season. Here's what the Hawkeyes' three coordinators said heading into the bye week. Inside the plays that turned momentum in Iowa’s 41-24 win over Washington Iowa built a 27-0 lead, then held off Washington's second-half rally. Here are four plays that shaped the Hawkeyes' 41-24 victory. Instant Reaction to Iowa’s beatdown of Washington: Hecklinski may have reopened QB battle Iowa needed a response after its loss to Ohio State. The Hawkeyes delivered with a 41-8 rout of Washington. Here are five takeaways. Iowa routs Washington to roll into bye week 5-1 Jeremy Hecklinski will make his first career start Friday against Washington as Iowa turns to its backup quarterback with Hank Brown dealing w… Here's what to know ahead of the Hawkeyes' matchup against Washington Here's everything you should know ahead of Iowa's football matchup against Washington in a Friday night road clash. Before punting for Iowa, Boston Everitt grew up on his parents' travel TV show Before punting for Iowa, Boston Everitt grew up on his parents’ Australian travel TV show. Now, his unusual upbringing is helping him navigate… Everything you need to know about Jeremy Hecklinski before his first career start Jeremy Hecklinski is set for his first career start tonight against Washington. Catch up on the Iowa quarterback's journey, preparation and op… Watch Now: Related Video Brewers Vs Rays World Series Predictions! 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ethan.petrik Author email Follow ethan.petrik Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today
Why Kirk Ferentz is staying patient with Iowa’s new-look offensive line Iowa’s offensive line struggled early, but a dominant rushing performance against Washington offered signs of progress. Kirk Ferentz believes …
Iowa coaches, players preview Minnesota matchup, recap bye week Iowa football is back from its bye week and preparing for Minnesota. Here's what Kirk Ferentz and Hawkeyes players had to say.
Iowa names Jeremy Hecklinski starting quarterback. Here's why. Jeremy Hecklinski will start again for Iowa against Minnesota. Kirk Ferentz explains why the Hawkeyes are sticking with the sophomore despite …
Iowa reopens quarterback battle ahead of Week 8 bout with Minnesota Iowa's quarterback competition is back on. After Jeremy Hecklinski's breakout performance against Washington, the Hawkeyes face another decisi…
How Iowa stopped Demond Williams and why it struggled against Washington’s backup Demond Williams gave Kirk Ferentz headaches before kickoff. Iowa's defense contained him, only to struggle against an unexpected challenge.
What changed in Iowa’s offense with Jeremy Hecklinski in at quarterback? Iowa's offense erupted with Jeremy Hecklinski at quarterback. Tim Lester explains why that doesn't necessarily mean he'll start against Minnesota.
Iowa football coordinators discuss first half of Hawkeyes' 2026 season Iowa football is 5-1 at the midway point of the regular season. Here's what the Hawkeyes' three coordinators said heading into the bye week.
Inside the plays that turned momentum in Iowa’s 41-24 win over Washington Iowa built a 27-0 lead, then held off Washington's second-half rally. Here are four plays that shaped the Hawkeyes' 41-24 victory.
Instant Reaction to Iowa’s beatdown of Washington: Hecklinski may have reopened QB battle Iowa needed a response after its loss to Ohio State. The Hawkeyes delivered with a 41-8 rout of Washington. Here are five takeaways.
Iowa routs Washington to roll into bye week 5-1 Jeremy Hecklinski will make his first career start Friday against Washington as Iowa turns to its backup quarterback with Hank Brown dealing w…
Here's what to know ahead of the Hawkeyes' matchup against Washington Here's everything you should know ahead of Iowa's football matchup against Washington in a Friday night road clash.
Before punting for Iowa, Boston Everitt grew up on his parents' travel TV show Before punting for Iowa, Boston Everitt grew up on his parents’ Australian travel TV show. Now, his unusual upbringing is helping him navigate…
Everything you need to know about Jeremy Hecklinski before his first career start Jeremy Hecklinski is set for his first career start tonight against Washington. Catch up on the Iowa quarterback's journey, preparation and op…