Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/202818
Random Thoughts By Rick Klatt R andom thoughts on one of the first days of November… November is the month where, in my opinion, average college football teams become good college football teams, good college football teams become great college football teams, and great college football teams manage to take their game to another level. Based on what I witnessed during the month of October, I like the chances that our University of Iowa Hawkeyes will climb the ladder in November. How many rungs the Hawkeyes climb is the question. Speaking of head coach Kirk Ferentz's group, I could choose to comment on outstanding play of our quarterback, our linebackers, our tight ends, or any number of individuals. But I think I'm going to opt to suggest how bright the future looks based on what we've seen the last few weeks from cornerback Desmond King (true freshman), Reggie Spearman (true freshman), Drew Ott (sophomore), Nate Meier (sophomore), Tevaun Smith (sophomore), Austin Blythe (sophomore), Jordan Walsh (sophomore), Adam Cox (sophomore), and LeShun Daniels (true freshman). All of these youngsters plus, undoubtedly, one or two or four more that I've overlooked are contributing mightily to an Iowa football team that got better week over week in October…and that will pay huge dividends not only this season, but in seasons to come. Speaking of the future, I'm like most fans of the UI… I'm excited about the coming basketball season. Sure, all eyes are on Devyn and Aaron and Adam and others — and with good reason. They will be counted on in a big way along with many others, including Melsahn. As you know, Mr. Basabe is one of my favorites. I'm anxious to see at what level he takes his game in this, his last season as a Hawkeye. I'm also eager to watch how quickly Ally Disterhoft becomes a force for Lisa Bluder's squad. I was able to secure a front row seat for the Black & Gold Blowout and I can tell you that the freshman from Iowa City didn't look at all like a freshman under the bright lights on Carver-Hawkeye Arena. She looked comfortable racing up and down Mediacom Court…and I suspect she will be doing more racing than sitting this winter. You are going to hear a lot about the Hawkeyes winning, graduating, and doing it right over the next five years as we act on what's been committed to paper in the strategic plan for the next five years for the UI Athletics Department. In the spirit of "Win. Graduate. Do it right.", I would like to point to our soccer team's victory over nationally ranked Penn State on Oct. 25 as a great example of "Win." You can read about that by clicking HERE. And, in the spirit of "Graduate.", I would like to point you to HERE, where you will read about the NCAA's most recent report on the Hawkeyes' success in the classroom. 41