IOWA CITY Six practices into fall camp and four Saturdays away from its season-opening game against Wyoming, the Iowa football team remains a little rough around the edges. <\/p>\n
The Hawkeyes areas of need are mostly on what coach Kirk Ferentz labels the perimeter, in the secondary on defense and at receiver, tight end and quarterback on offense. <\/p>\n
Every time you start a new season, you have new challenges, new opportunities, said Ferentz, preparing for his 19th season as Iowas head coach. Its a different equation every year and the trick is to put it all together. <\/p>\n
That remains a work in progress, particularly behind center where sophomore Nathan Stanley and junior Tyler Wiegers continue to battle for the opportunity to replace C.J. Beathard as the Hawkeyes starter. <\/p>\n
Were making each other better, Stanley said. Were close friends competing for the same thing, but in doing that we are moving each other forward. <\/p>\n
I think weve both gotten better and we worked hard this summer and I feel like things went well, Wiegers said. We came back to camp ready to go. Weve both been working at it. Its a good competition for both of us. <\/p>\n
Ferentz said Saturday it remains an ongoing competition. <\/p>\n
Both continue to split reps with the first-team offense and ultimately, Ferentz said coaches believe Iowa can be successful with either quarterback. <\/p>\n
Theyve made strides since last spring, certainly, and they have improved in the last couple days, as well, Ferentz said. <\/p>\n
Quarterbacks coach Ken OKeefe said the pair have had their ups and downs during the first week of fall camp. <\/p>\n
Thats normal. One will look good one day, the other the next. This past week was a little like spring in that we were starting up again, working to get back in the routine and that leads to a little inconsistency, OKeefe said. <\/p>\n
History tells me that we can probably expect the same for about another week. I dont think were going to see one guy separate this next week. Id be surprised by that. <\/p>\n
OKeefe helped the Hawkeyes break in Brad Banks, Nathan Chandler, Drew Tate, Ricky Stanzi and James Vandenberg as successful first-year starters during his previous tenure as Iowas offensive coordinator. <\/p>\n
As was the case then, every statistic is being documented. Every completion percentage, quarterback rating number, throw times, plusses, minuses, theyre all being charted. <\/p>\n
They will all be discussed, reviewed, reviewed again and ultimately will factor into a decision. <\/p>\n
You cant rush it, though, OKeefe said. As much as you would like me to stand here today and say this is the guy, I cant say that because we arent at that point yet. Thats the reality of it. <\/p>\n
First-year offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz doesnt expect or want to be in a position where Iowa would platoon two quarterbacks and let a final decision play out on the field once the season starts. <\/p>\n
What we want is what is best for the team and Ive never been around a situation where a two-quarterback rotation of some sort was best for the team, he said. <\/p>\n
He believes that Iowas current situation at quarterback isnt necessarily a bad one. <\/p>\n
We have two guys working hard, two guys who their teammates believe in and two guys who are capable of leading our football team. Thats a good thing, Brian Ferentz said. The tough thing is that only one of them can start and I still believe that will sort itself out on the field. <\/p>\n
A year ago as a true freshman, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound Stanley completed 5 of 9 passes for 62 yards. Wiegers didnt play last fall, but did complete 3 of 4 passes for 32 yards as Iowas back-up in 2015. <\/p>\n
Both said they have benefitted from OKeefes knowledge and experience, providing them with tips that are helping them grow as quarterbacks. <\/p>\n
All we can do right now is keep working to be consistent, Wiegers said. Thats the main thing. Every day, you want to be as consistent as you can. <\/p>\n
Stanley said ultimately, that will likely be the difference-maker. <\/p>\n
The consistency is the big thing that I think were both working toward, he said. All we can do every day is show up ready to work and try to put our best out there with every snap we get. <\/p>\n
As the second week of camp begins, the Hawkeyes continue to seek answers at receiver, where Matt VandeBerg has enjoyed a good opening week of camp in his return from two foot surgeries. <\/p>\n
He has 106 career catches on his resume, the extent of the experience at Iowa for current Hawkeye receivers. <\/p>\n
The group is working hard, making progress, receivers coach Kelton Copeland said. Its a daily thing, trying to take one, two steps forward and eventually, it will work. <\/p>\n
Junior-college transfer Nick Easley currently joins VandeBerg on the top of the depth chart, but one week into camp Copeland has been pleased with the progress Adrian Falconer has made since spring and he likes the potential he sees in a collection of four true freshmen. <\/p>\n
Were going to need some help from them and they came in ready to compete, Copeland said. <\/p>\n
On defense, Kirk Ferentz said the Hawkeyes will also likely need help from at least a couple of the four true freshmen Iowa brought in at cornerback. <\/p>\n
Theres been a lot written and said about our youth at the receiver position, but I would say thats who we are on the back end (on defense), too, Ferentz said. Were just really young on the perimeter right now. Young, inexperienced, that is us at the corners, at safety and at receiver. Quarterback, too. Thats our team in a nutshell right now. <\/p>\n
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Iowa football: Hawkeyes remain a work in progress - Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IOWA CITY Six practices into fall camp and four Saturdays away from its season-opening game against Wyoming, the Iowa football team remains a little rough around the edges. The Hawkeyes areas of need are mostly on what coach Kirk Ferentz labels the perimeter, in the secondary on defense and at receiver, tight end and quarterback on offense. Every time you start a new season, you have new challenges, new opportunities, said Ferentz, preparing for his 19th season as Iowas head coach Continue reading