What Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said this week about the Citrus Bowl

What Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said while meeting with reporters this week, previewing the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl against Tennessee on Monday (1 p.m. Eastern Time, ABC) at Camping World Stadium in Orlando:

Iowa’s motivation to win the Citrus Bowl and be just the fourth Iowa football team to win 11 games

“Our attitude has always been, we’re always trying to be, a championship-level outfit. And all you can (control) is your attitude and your effort. Those are two things that (we) can control — talent, experience, all those things, for you every year. But that that’s always been our goal. And each and every season, that’s what we aspire to be. And at some point, most seasons, more than not, get knocked out of that at some point because there’s only one champion. 

“So whenever that day does come, it’s all about building for the next one. And to do that, it goes back to the attitude and effort people put in. So that that’s always kind of been our mindset for 20-some years. Obviously, it’s a little more realistic for us to maybe operate at a higher level now than it was in ’99. But nonetheless, it’s always a challenge.

“What we do is very competitive. This conference is competitive. And as as it pertains to right now where we’re at, the best we could do is be a team which would really be significant. Citrus Bowl champions, that’d be significant. And there’s a million reasons to play. But even when we were 1-9 in ’99, it still was a big game in Minnesota. And it’s a chance to win a game anytime you go out compete. That’s what you’re trying to do. It’s a big game.”

Losing badly in the Big Ten championship game two years ago, then the offense playing well in the bowl game and how much progress the offense can make going into this game 

“I think we’re seeing some good things nd we’re certainly capable. It’s this way, offensive football just generally, it’s all about execution. I think the biggest challenge is can we focus a little bit better? Can we can we make the makeable plays? And I talk about all the time. It’s just, it’s really what the game gets down to. If you can do something beyond the the routine stuff, that’s always great. And To win to win at a high level, you’ve got to do that.

“But it all starts with just making the makeables, which means not having a receiver false start when they should be listening to the cadence. Just things like that, little things. Dropping balls that are catchable, protection, whatever it may be. Those things that are drive-stoppers. And that’s really what usually stops offenses or derails them. When you play a good team, which, bowl season, you’re always gonna play a good opponent. They’re gonna make some plays too because they got good players, but we’ve gotta try to minimize what they can do and maximize what we can do. So hopefully see improvement and progress.”

What it means having his son, outgoing Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, with the team and coaching in Orlando this week and in this game

“I’m appreciative he’s here. I’m appreciative he’s coached the last five games. So, first and foremost, appreciate that. I’m appreciative he’s been a coach for 12 years in the program. He’s been fully invested, done a lot of really good. His contributions have really been very valuable. Like a lot of guys on the staff, he’s been a great staff member. And then his career, five years, left a couple body parts out there. I mean, it’s important to him. It’s always been important to him, and I respect the fact, appreciate the fact that he’s out here. I don’t wanna speak for him, but I think part of his motivation is, like all of us, he cares about the players we work with on a day-to day-basis. I’ve said it many times, the best part of our job my job is specifically is the people I get to work with on a on a day-to-day basis. And it’s tough to minimize that.

“So just our focus right now is on winning this football game, doing the best we can. And I appreciate him, his efforts just like our staff.”