Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz and Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads meet at Kinnick Stadium in 2010.AMES, Iowa (KTIV) - -
Like most college football programs, the Hawkeyes still have some questions after week one, heading into Saturday's game with Iowa State. The Hawkeyes did open with a win, but the offense only managed one touchdown.
Iowa got four field goals from Mike Meyer, but needed a touchdown run from Damon Bullock with just over two minutes left to beat Northern Illinois, 18-17. Iowa QB James Vandenberg completed 21 passes, but for only 129 yards.
But that game was in Chicago and the Cyclones know the Hawkeyes are a different team at Kinnick Stadium.
"They're in your ear the whole game," said ISU linebacker Jake Knott. "I feel like we've played in a lot of tough environments and we're used to that. We're a veteran football team so I don't think it's going to affect us quite as much."
"Every time we're out there, they're right on top of you, yelling at you, calling out your number," said ISU defensive tackle Jake McDonough. "They always have something to say."
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz is 6-7 against Iowa State. But the Hawks have won the last four games against the Cyclones at Kinnick Stadium, a streak that goes back to 2002.
ISU head coach Paul Rhoads is 0-2 at Kinnick, and he sees Iowa's comeback win over Northern Illinois as a sign of Iowa's strength.
"It doesn't matter if you won by fifteen or you won by one, there's a lot to teach off of," said Rhoads. There's a lot to learn coming off your opening game. I'm sure they came back with an energized football team on Sunday and came right back to work. Their program understands how to win, their kids understand how to win and they expect to win."
