Hawkeye Talk with Jimmy Hawk

Nebraska lost to NW in the most Nebraska way possible. Scott Frost called an onside kick up 11 in the 3rd quarter, which failed miserably. It was all Pat Fitzgerald needed to turn the tide and beat the Huskers. Two other 2022 Hawkeye opponents also played on Saturday. I predict the depth chart that will come out on Monday and talk about stories to look for on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium! I can’t w...

The talk last season and during the off-season has focused on improving quarterback play at Iowa. Offensive coordinator, Brian Ferentz, has taken over as QB coach and is tweaking the offense this season. With 23 years for Kirk Ferentz as head coach at Iowa, I go back in time and pick my top five quarterbacks under Kirk Ferentz. Number one was easy for me, but the order is up for debate. Will an im...

The Hawkeyes were left out of the preseason coach’s poll barely…sitting at 26. Why is Wisconsin ranked but not Iowa when looking at the players returning in Iowa City? Plenty of media day and kids day notes after watching videos of interviews and practice plays. Pryce Sandfort fits in well with the Fran Mac system. Go Hawks!!

A recap of comments from coaches at the Big Ten Media Days in Indy, focusing on Coach Ferentz and Iowa’s nine opponents in 2022. A quick look at cross divisional games for the West this season with Iowa having the biggest challenge, facing both Ohio State and Michigan. The first virtual call with the Iowa City NIL took place on Friday and was enjoyable. Edit: Did I really mention watering holes ar...

Keegan Murray continues to excel in the NBA summer league. The football team got another Chicago area commitment. the football players’ Iowa City NIL Club is open for members, and I joined to check out the player content. Game by game score predictions for the football season. A couple surprises in there, but there are always surprises in football. Go Hawks!

The Iowa Hawkeyes play again in 56 days! What player will have the biggest jump in production on offense (hint: RB), on defense (hint: fan favorite TR) and on special teams (hint: Coooop). The Iowa football players announced the Iowa City NIL collective. Recruiting is still on a roll, and new teams in the B1G from the West Coast??

Congratulations to Keegan Murray on being the number four overall pick in the NBA draft. Iowa received commitments from ‘23 basketball recruit Brock Harding and legacy recruit in the ‘24 class, Cooper Koch, both from Illinois. Kendrick Raphael from Florida picked the Hawkeyes as a running back in the ‘23 class, and Iowa landed a DL from Des Moines and a big OT from IL.

Matt Gatens was named as replacement for retiring assistant basketball coach Kirk Speraw. Incoming freshman defensive lineman Aaron Graves is a beast athletically and academically!

Charlie Jones was a surprising late transfer to Purdue before his COVID senior year. The transfer portal is the new fad, and we should know more about NIL collectives at Iowa soon. The Hawkeyes need to beat Purdue by three touchdowns next year. Edit: I mistakenly said Barker for Illinois had 845 yards and 11 TD last season. I meant to say in his career at Illinois.

It was another good season for Iowa baseball, but the team was not selected for the NCAA tournament again. They just want to get in the tournament and have a shot at making it to the College World Series in Omaha. The Big Ten in general was snubbed by the NCAA. Hawkeye fans got some great news with the return of Kris Murray to Iowa next season. While short handed as far as scholarship players, Fra...

The consensus All-American and Rimington Trophy winner, Tyler Linderbaum, was the 25th overall pick by the Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh. Dane Belton went to the Giants in the 4th round, and several other Hawkeyes have opportunities to make rosters as free agents. Kirk Ferentz coached players always have a shot because they are coached in a pro system, and Iowa develops players. The basketba...

The spring practice on Saturday didn’t show too much with so many players out with injuries. Despite losing some key guys in the secondary, I predict the defense will be better than last year. Who will step up at QB? How will the starting offensive line shake out? A lot of good story lines heading into summer!

In episode 2.60, the defense two deep was discussed. This episode focuses on the offense and special teams. There are some holes to fill but also a lot of talented players returning that could be really special this season.

It’s no surprise, but the great Keegan Murray entered the NBA draft. He should be a top 5 pick. Two Iowa basketball players entered the crowded transfer portal. Best of luck to Joe and Josh! The Iowa football two deeps are out and practice is well underway. Taking a look at the defense in this one. The defense will be great in 2022!!

After being picked to finish around 9th place by most publications after losing two players to the NBA and two to the Portal, the Hawkeyes finished 5th and win the B1G Tournament championship. Who is back and how might the lineup look next year? Go Hawks!

The Iowa Hawkeyes fell in the first round of the NCAA tournament, playing the Spiders of Richmond. Iowa couldn’t make a basket, and it was a disappointing ending to the amazing, short career of the best basketball player in college, Keegan Murray.

Fran McCaffery’s Hawkeyes stormed Indianapolis with an impressive four day run to win the conference tournament championship. The Hawkeyes are peaking at the best possible time with the NCAA tournament starting later this week. Iowa faces the Richmond Spiders on Thursday and will play the winner of Providence and South Dakota State on Saturday. Go Hawks!

Iowa started slow then got it going with Keegan Murray leading the Hawkeyes to victory with 26 points against the Scarlet Knights. JBo and Tony Perkins with 16 points, and the bench provided a boost.

The Hawkeyes were on fire shooting the basketball, and 112 points broke the prior record of 97 points in a B1G tourney game. Fourteen players scored, and ten players hit threes for Iowa. This team is clicking and has Rutgers next with a possible rematch with Illinois with another W.

Iowa went to Michigan on Thursday and got a road win on senior night against a team desperate for wins to get to the NCAA tournament. The Hawks have won 8 of the last 9! Keegan Murray is so good. Does he lead Iowa players in the last 20-40 years in “talent”? Abdul Hodge is a great hire for the Hawkeyes, and BF can focus on QB play with KOK in an analyst role. Iowa football finally tapped into the...

On senior night it was seniors getting it done in a Hawkeye blowout victory over the Wildcats! CMac, JBo, Ash, Devlin all with huge shots from long range! Keegan Murray with 26 points and 18 rebounds, and he should be the POY in the Big Ten!

The Hawkeyes have struggled in Lincoln lately but came away with a ten point win on Friday led by 20 points from Tony Perkins. Connor McCaffrey continues to shoot the rock from deep of late, and the Murray Bros got hot in the second half. Lame duck coach Fred Hoiberg is 1-16 this season and continues to be the worst coach in the B1G. MSU beat Purdue and is tied for fifth with the Hawkeyes

Iowa basketball has been on fire lately! The women’s team had two big wins over Indiana, and Fran’s Hawkeyes have won 5 of 6. A road win at #18 Ohio State was followed up with a home win over the Spartans and the angry leprechaun! Postseason could be fun this year!

The Hawkeyes lost by five at home to Michigan. They were tied for 7th place in the B1G coming into this game, both with 7-6 records. Now, Iowa is alone in 8th place at 7-7 with a tough schedule over the next few days. Ken O’Keefe is moving out of the QB coach role and into an analyst position. Who will the Hawkeyes target for this opening?

The Hapless Hoibergs came to Carver-Hawkeye, looking for a two game B1G win streak and their second overall conference win. By halftime, this game was over with the Hawkeyes leading 53-25 en route to a three game winning streak. Keegan Murray went off for 37 points. Congrats to Alaric Jackson and Jake Gervase for getting rings!