Kirk Ferentz Gets Big Ten Record In Iowa’s 47-7 Romp Over UMass
Iowa Hawkeye Coach Kirk Ferentz broke the record for wins by a Big Ten coach on Saturday night, as his Iowa Hawkeyes demolished the University of Massachusetts Minutemen 47-7. For Ferentz, it was Big Ten win number 206, pulling him ahead of the late, great Ohio State coach Woody Hayes. That would not be the only record for the Hawkeyes on Saturday night.
Ferentz’s Tenure In Iowa City
Ferentz took over the Iowa football program in December of 1998, following legendary Iowa Coach Hayden Fry. It was a rocky start for Ferentz that year, going 1-10. He followed that up by going 3-9 in 1999, and the Hawkeye faithful were calling for him to be fired. Iowa stuck with Ferentz, though, and he would lead the team to a 7-5 record and a win in the Alamo Bowl in 2000. He would lead the team to an 11-2 season, capped by a berth in the Orange Bowl the following year, and his legend began to grow.
Since those first two years at Iowa, Ferentz has only had one losing season (2012). Now in his 27th season at the helm, he has a record of 206-125. Ferentz has led the Hawkeyes to 21 bowl games, where he has a 10-11 record. He has guided the school to two Big Ten titles and three Big Ten West division titles.
Wetjen’s Big Night
Ferentz was not the only Hawkeye to enter the record books on Saturday. Wide Receiver Kaden Wetjen had a mammoth night. The senior totaled 236 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns. Wetjen had punt returns of 40 and 95 yards, the latter for a touchdown. The 95-yarder tied a school record. Wetjen also had a 20-yard touchdown run on a jet sweep near the end of the first quarter.
Gronowski Finally Breaks Out
Iowa Quarterback Mark Gronowski had not looked comfortable in the passing game in his first two outings at Iowa, but he broke out against UMass. He totaled just 127 yards passing, one touchdown, and one interception combined in his first two games, but threw for 175 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday.
Gronowski also added a 13-yard touchdown run just before the end of the first half, his third rushing touchdown of the season. He left the game in the third quarter with the Hawkeyes ahead 40-7. Senior wideout Seth Anderson caught both of Gronowski’s TD passes.
Iowa’s Defense Dominated
Iowa’s defense held the Minutemen to just 119 total yards on the day. UMass was 0-10 on third down conversions and 0-2 on fourth down conversions. The Hawkeyes had five sacks, and they allowed just one yard per rush for the game. Massachusetts turned the ball over on downs twice. UMass Quarterbacks Grant Jordan and AJ Hairston combined for just 93 yards passing. Jacquon Gibson led Minutemen receivers with five catches for 37 yards. Rocko Griffin led UMass rushers with 26 yards, and Jordan had the team’s lone rushing touchdown.
What’s Next?
Iowa (2-1) travels to Rutgers (3-0) next Friday for a 7 p.m. game against the Scarlet Knights. UMass (0-3) has next week off before facing the Missouri Tigers (3-0) in two weeks.
