Posted on August 18th, 2009 by Admin

Greetings Hawkeye Fans!

Unlike say, NASA, where a few wispy clouds can derail a $300 million dollar Space Shuttle mission, the 2009 Hawkeye Football Countdown Clock keep a rollin’ along.  In fact, at noon (eastern) on Friday, we are 50 days from the season opener, 24 hours later, an even 7 weeks!  Nothing short of a tornado running through Kinnick is going to stop this clock.

So, anything been going on over the last 50 days?  Yes.  As is the often the case, the summer time is able to provide a fair share of drama.

You probably felt the sky falling a few weeks back when it was reported that Jewel Hampton had torn his ACL while working out, and was lost for the season.  If you read my 100 days email you know I am very high on the incoming tailbacks, so while I was concerned, I was not pulling my hair out.  Turns out the MRIs were negative, it’s just a tweak, and after 4 weeks of rest, he should be good to go.  That will give him 3 plus weeks of practice to get his full strength back, and even if he can’t be 100% on September 5th, we should be fine with him at 75%, plus our other tailbacks.  He just needs to be all the way back by the Big Ten opener.  Of note, this is basically the same injury that Dallas Clark suffered late in the 2006 season. After missing 4 games, he exploded in the post season, leading the team in reception yardage as the Colts topped the Bears for the Super Bowl title.

The one possible concern is with the guys blocking for the running backs.  First, junior guard Julian Vandervelde had an undisclosed minor surgery in early July; he could be ready by week 1, he may not be.  Second, senior Kyle Calloway was busted on June 20th for OWI.  On a moped.  Kyle, the 6’7, 320 lb. offensive lineman. I guess I am old, I don’t think the peds that existed when I was a teenager could hold someone that big.  Regardless, he will miss one game for sure.  So, a little O-line shuffling will be in order to start the season, but I’m not too worried.

We also had junior linebacker Jacody Coleman transfer closer to home (Texas). That hurts the two deep, but our starting linebackers may never want to leave the field, as they might end up being the best linebacking group in the Big Ten.

Besides that, not much in the way of current Hawkeye news, but we do have some excitement when it comes to future Hawkeyes.  Kirk and staff are quietly putting together a rather interesting 2010 recruiting class.  Just verbals, of course, but the Hawks have been pocketing commits from some highly rated linemen (both sides), some interesting linebackers, and a QB, 10 total kids so far.  Scout.com has this class currently ranked 30th – which is all right, though I don’t put a lot of weight into such rankings.  Where were the Iowa classes rated in 1999-2002? Not high. All those kids did were win 31 games in 3 seasons.  Still, if the Hawks can snag some players that everyone else wants, maybe they can help us start playing in bowls games that fall after January 1st.

All right my friends, we are now halfway through July. Most players are back in Iowa City.  Working out, probably going over the play books, and getting ready for the imminent start of fall camp.  The next 50 days will fly by.  I will be posting newsworthy updates as they transpire, and keep your eyes out for the Week 1 Game Notes. When you see them, you will know the clock has moved inside of 96 hours. And the 2009 Iowa football season will be upon us!

GO HAWKS!!!

Sedge

Posted on June 29th, 2009 by Hawkeyes

The Big Ten will hold the 2009 Football Media Days and 38th annual Kickoff Luncheon on Monday and Tuesday, July 27-28, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, featuring all 11 head coaches and some of the conference’s top returning players.

The 114th season of Big Ten football kicks off beginning with every team in action on Sept. 3 or 5.