We were joined by Iowa defensive line coach Kelvin Bell today for the assistant coach interview. Here's a summary, not a transcript of what he had to say to the media.
Opening Statement
To sum up the first half, very pleased with the way they have attacked the season. talked about a young group attacking every week and doing the detail work needed to be successful. Frustrated by the loss to Purdue. Bye was a blessing and a curse. They needed the rest, but living with the loss an extra week was hard.
Says the standard is the standard. have to temper expectations at times, but they are doing the work they need to do and he is excited about the second half of the year. Said Wisconsin is a great challenge and they are united in taking on that challenge this weekend.
Q: About the Wisconsin OL...struggled against Michigan and ND but better the last three weeks. How improved?
He thinks they have decided to put the game in the hands of the OL and the RB's. The number of carries each game has gone up. To be able to run it that way it is a product of complementary football. Work with the defense and if you are playing with a lead, you can run it 60 times. Have to do the job on first and second down on Saturday to put them in second and third and long.
Q: Asked about Black and the injuries in camp and how he has developed. Bigger role coming?
Every role the same after the bye. He is pleased with the way he has developed. He has to play his role and no dropping off in the level of his play and he's doing that. He feels just as confident with him as with the starters. He has a bright future ahead of him and he's doing a great job.
Q: Asked about Van Ness and his development?
Concentration and mental focus. Has physical tools you can't coach. As he continues to play that game is going to slow down for him and that will increase his production. Make reps count and continue to do better.
Q: Asked about additional guys beyond the top seven?
Said Reames has stepped in and he is doing better. He was on scout team and now he's with the second team. He is earning more trust with us. He will be on the trip this week so that means he could play.
Q: Asked about the bigger Wisky OL against a smaller Iowa DL
Talked about fundamentals. Have to have great pad level. If your hat is under his, you have a chance to beat the block. Keep hands inside as well. Fundamental football will always win. You have to work at it all the time.
Q: Asked about not leaving spare change on the field?
We talk about gap sound football. They run the ball, but they use the TE and fullback to make extra gaps. Eyes have to be in the right place and understand the scheme. We have to fill every gap.
Q: Asked about Max Llewllyn? Possibly playing the last four games and keep redshirt?
Said unlikely to play this year. Maybe find a role? Possible? Said he has been scout team player of the week twice this year. Like what he has done so far this year and his potential, but just don't see him contributing this year.
Q: Asked about Linderbaum and playing OL and DL?
Saw him playing at HS level both sides. He always wants to punish you on the field and dominate you.
Q: Asked about Logan Jones and being available?
It is not really inexperience. He is a guy who is coming into meetings all the time. Getting extra film work done. There is a mental side of it too. He is practicing with us, but until it clicks in his mind that he's ok, I can't put him out there. Want him to have success and be confident when he's on the field.
Q: Asked about the OL play of Wisconsin and how challenging it is against them?
Have to go back to the fundamental base that you develop at Iowa. The older guys have had a lot of time to work with them. Working more with the younger guys and we talked a lot more with them during the Zoom meetings when we had Covid. Covered it in April and May that year, so that put them again. Wisconsin is the ultimate test for those guys and their base. Our challenge is when we are in two gap or one gap we have to govern ourselves and execute. He said they have a great game plan this week.
That's it for the Zoom today.
Opening Statement
To sum up the first half, very pleased with the way they have attacked the season. talked about a young group attacking every week and doing the detail work needed to be successful. Frustrated by the loss to Purdue. Bye was a blessing and a curse. They needed the rest, but living with the loss an extra week was hard.
Says the standard is the standard. have to temper expectations at times, but they are doing the work they need to do and he is excited about the second half of the year. Said Wisconsin is a great challenge and they are united in taking on that challenge this weekend.
Q: About the Wisconsin OL...struggled against Michigan and ND but better the last three weeks. How improved?
He thinks they have decided to put the game in the hands of the OL and the RB's. The number of carries each game has gone up. To be able to run it that way it is a product of complementary football. Work with the defense and if you are playing with a lead, you can run it 60 times. Have to do the job on first and second down on Saturday to put them in second and third and long.
Q: Asked about Black and the injuries in camp and how he has developed. Bigger role coming?
Every role the same after the bye. He is pleased with the way he has developed. He has to play his role and no dropping off in the level of his play and he's doing that. He feels just as confident with him as with the starters. He has a bright future ahead of him and he's doing a great job.
Q: Asked about Van Ness and his development?
Concentration and mental focus. Has physical tools you can't coach. As he continues to play that game is going to slow down for him and that will increase his production. Make reps count and continue to do better.
Q: Asked about additional guys beyond the top seven?
Said Reames has stepped in and he is doing better. He was on scout team and now he's with the second team. He is earning more trust with us. He will be on the trip this week so that means he could play.
Q: Asked about the bigger Wisky OL against a smaller Iowa DL
Talked about fundamentals. Have to have great pad level. If your hat is under his, you have a chance to beat the block. Keep hands inside as well. Fundamental football will always win. You have to work at it all the time.
Q: Asked about not leaving spare change on the field?
We talk about gap sound football. They run the ball, but they use the TE and fullback to make extra gaps. Eyes have to be in the right place and understand the scheme. We have to fill every gap.
Q: Asked about Max Llewllyn? Possibly playing the last four games and keep redshirt?
Said unlikely to play this year. Maybe find a role? Possible? Said he has been scout team player of the week twice this year. Like what he has done so far this year and his potential, but just don't see him contributing this year.
Q: Asked about Linderbaum and playing OL and DL?
Saw him playing at HS level both sides. He always wants to punish you on the field and dominate you.
Q: Asked about Logan Jones and being available?
It is not really inexperience. He is a guy who is coming into meetings all the time. Getting extra film work done. There is a mental side of it too. He is practicing with us, but until it clicks in his mind that he's ok, I can't put him out there. Want him to have success and be confident when he's on the field.
Q: Asked about the OL play of Wisconsin and how challenging it is against them?
Have to go back to the fundamental base that you develop at Iowa. The older guys have had a lot of time to work with them. Working more with the younger guys and we talked a lot more with them during the Zoom meetings when we had Covid. Covered it in April and May that year, so that put them again. Wisconsin is the ultimate test for those guys and their base. Our challenge is when we are in two gap or one gap we have to govern ourselves and execute. He said they have a great game plan this week.
That's it for the Zoom today.
