KMCH Radio

Iowa faces early tests in spring practice
03/27/2008

     IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - As Iowa opens spring football practice,
coach Kirk Ferentz is again talking about the off-the-field
behavior of his players.
     At a press conference yesterday, Ferentz fielded more questions
about the dozen or so arrests his players have recenlty had.
     It has gotten to the point where Ferentz is seriously
considering creating a new staff position that would help provide
one-on-one tutelage to Iowa's players about proper conduct.
     Ferentz calls the situation disappointing.
     As far as on-field performance goes, anyone whose seen the
Hawkeyes over the past two seasons knows that Ferentz and his
coaching staff have enough to worry about.
     Iowa has fallen off the Big Ten map, going just 12-13 since 2005
and missing out on a bowl bid last season.
     Iowa, which will have to replace nine starters, opens the 2008
season at home against Maine on August 30th.
     Ferentz says most starting positions are open for competition.
     The Hawkeyes will be without some key personnel for spring ball.
Junior tight end Tony Moeaki, who missed most of last season with
elbow and wrist injuries, will miss spring practice after a
procedure on the wrist that bothered him last fall. Oft-injured
offensive lineman Dace Richardson's status is still up in the air.
     Sophomore offensive lineman Bryan Bulaga and sophomore
cornerback Jordan Bernstine, both of whom are expected to compete
for starting spots next season, recently had work done on their
shoulders and won't be back to full speed until June.