We are on a Zoom with three Iowa players. First one is Tyler Goodson. Summary of comments.
Q: Asked about the impact of the Iowa inside zone helping to define the season?
It has been working extremely well lately. Have been focused on consistency up front and it's coming together. Feels like footwork has gotten better.
Q: Message from coaches about run game?
Nothing has changed. They know Michigan is fundamentally sound and this game comes down to who wants it more.
Q: Why has the big game becomes successful?
Just guys improving and working on their technique. For the guys in the backfield it has been about timing and setting those guys up too.
Q: How much of an emphasis has their been on pass protection?
It will be very important stopping 55 and 97. It will be important for the backs to chip those guys and that's going to have to be part of the game plan.
Q: The players parents and players tweeting out support of Minnesota? What did you do?
We were talking among the team was Go Gophers. We just watched the game and it was a result in our favor. We are very blessed to have this opportunity.
Q: Took the two losses after the #2 ranking. Was there ever any doubt on your end?
Our mindset was to block out the outside noise. It wasn't a great feeling and our focus was getting back to winning. We worked day to day and was consistent. Never had a doubt that this team would fight through adversity.
Q: Haven't been in post season for two years and being in the title game are you cherishing it more?
Absolutely. Going to try and take advantage of this opportunity. Not every team is in the position to play for a Big Ten title and I am going to cherish it.
Next up after Goodson is Jack Campbell.
Q: How much do you embrace being an underdog in this game?
We are used to it. A lot of people overlook us. They have fantastic athletes and we are going to have to embrace the opportunity and roll with it.
Q: When MN and Wisky were playing did you watch it and what was that like?
Actually went home to see family. Was out hunting with his brothers and watching it on the phone.
Q: What about Michigan's run game and what made them successful this season?
It all starts up front. They are big athletic dudes up front. Then they have two or three outstanding running backs and they know how to hit the seams. They have three different TE's that are great blockers. They also have a good pass game and good receivers. It will be a challenge.
Q: Was there ever doubt after the two game losing streak?
After we lost those two games, no one wanted it to happen. I never once felt there was doubt within the team. Just have to saddle up and keep going. Guys were never going to give up. Games were hard fought and they kept going.
Q: Going up against 11 personnel?
It's impressive that they are able to run really well out of that formation. They run some 12 too, but it speaks volumes about them.
Q: What is the energy level around the building today?
It's been special. one of the team goals was to win the west and make the Big Ten title game. Lots of guys thankful for the opportunity. We have to keep stacking days and we will be ready on Saturday.
Q: How important was Kirk Ferentz in winning the last four games?
He's a first class guy and does a lot of little things for his players. He put a quote in our locker from Tony Bennett after that lost to the 16 seed. When you use adversity in the right way you can get to a place you have never been before. Taking the adversity and turning it the right way was important and we did that.
Charlie Jones in the final Iowa player today
Q: Petras listed as the starter. Has he been taking all the #1 reps?
He was taking the first team reps today. he has been working hard and he has always stayed as a leader.
Q: Over the weekend did you watch the MN/Wisky game?
Watched it with my roommates. We were excited that Minn pulled it off. We just hung out and enjoyed the game.
Q: how important will it be for you to get free quick?
It will be important because of their pass rush. Have to get free from man coverage to give spencer time to throw.
Q: View of their good special teams as well?
We talked about it today, how good they are in that area. Have to focus on what we do and have to find a way to get that edge by keeping to look at the tape.
Q: Have you seen the excitement carry over in the last day?
Yeah, it's been great. Coming in on Sunday was awesome. There were a lot of emotions. Happy to represent Iowa in the Big Ten title game.
Q: Thoughts on the quarterback. Can you describe the relationship between the two and the locker room?
No divide at all. Both are great guys and are really close friends. They help each other out all the time and try to give each other tips. As far as the locker room goes, we trust both and we are rolling with them.
That's it as far as the players today. Iowa will have their usual Tuesday presser tomorrow. Players at 11 and Kirk around 1:30.
Q: Asked about the impact of the Iowa inside zone helping to define the season?
It has been working extremely well lately. Have been focused on consistency up front and it's coming together. Feels like footwork has gotten better.
Q: Message from coaches about run game?
Nothing has changed. They know Michigan is fundamentally sound and this game comes down to who wants it more.
Q: Why has the big game becomes successful?
Just guys improving and working on their technique. For the guys in the backfield it has been about timing and setting those guys up too.
Q: How much of an emphasis has their been on pass protection?
It will be very important stopping 55 and 97. It will be important for the backs to chip those guys and that's going to have to be part of the game plan.
Q: The players parents and players tweeting out support of Minnesota? What did you do?
We were talking among the team was Go Gophers. We just watched the game and it was a result in our favor. We are very blessed to have this opportunity.
Q: Took the two losses after the #2 ranking. Was there ever any doubt on your end?
Our mindset was to block out the outside noise. It wasn't a great feeling and our focus was getting back to winning. We worked day to day and was consistent. Never had a doubt that this team would fight through adversity.
Q: Haven't been in post season for two years and being in the title game are you cherishing it more?
Absolutely. Going to try and take advantage of this opportunity. Not every team is in the position to play for a Big Ten title and I am going to cherish it.
Next up after Goodson is Jack Campbell.
Q: How much do you embrace being an underdog in this game?
We are used to it. A lot of people overlook us. They have fantastic athletes and we are going to have to embrace the opportunity and roll with it.
Q: When MN and Wisky were playing did you watch it and what was that like?
Actually went home to see family. Was out hunting with his brothers and watching it on the phone.
Q: What about Michigan's run game and what made them successful this season?
It all starts up front. They are big athletic dudes up front. Then they have two or three outstanding running backs and they know how to hit the seams. They have three different TE's that are great blockers. They also have a good pass game and good receivers. It will be a challenge.
Q: Was there ever doubt after the two game losing streak?
After we lost those two games, no one wanted it to happen. I never once felt there was doubt within the team. Just have to saddle up and keep going. Guys were never going to give up. Games were hard fought and they kept going.
Q: Going up against 11 personnel?
It's impressive that they are able to run really well out of that formation. They run some 12 too, but it speaks volumes about them.
Q: What is the energy level around the building today?
It's been special. one of the team goals was to win the west and make the Big Ten title game. Lots of guys thankful for the opportunity. We have to keep stacking days and we will be ready on Saturday.
Q: How important was Kirk Ferentz in winning the last four games?
He's a first class guy and does a lot of little things for his players. He put a quote in our locker from Tony Bennett after that lost to the 16 seed. When you use adversity in the right way you can get to a place you have never been before. Taking the adversity and turning it the right way was important and we did that.
Charlie Jones in the final Iowa player today
Q: Petras listed as the starter. Has he been taking all the #1 reps?
He was taking the first team reps today. he has been working hard and he has always stayed as a leader.
Q: Over the weekend did you watch the MN/Wisky game?
Watched it with my roommates. We were excited that Minn pulled it off. We just hung out and enjoyed the game.
Q: how important will it be for you to get free quick?
It will be important because of their pass rush. Have to get free from man coverage to give spencer time to throw.
Q: View of their good special teams as well?
We talked about it today, how good they are in that area. Have to focus on what we do and have to find a way to get that edge by keeping to look at the tape.
Q: Have you seen the excitement carry over in the last day?
Yeah, it's been great. Coming in on Sunday was awesome. There were a lot of emotions. Happy to represent Iowa in the Big Ten title game.
Q: Thoughts on the quarterback. Can you describe the relationship between the two and the locker room?
No divide at all. Both are great guys and are really close friends. They help each other out all the time and try to give each other tips. As far as the locker room goes, we trust both and we are rolling with them.
That's it as far as the players today. Iowa will have their usual Tuesday presser tomorrow. Players at 11 and Kirk around 1:30.
