JonDMiller
Publisher/Founder
Come Together | Hawkeye Nation
The loss on Saturday was a bitter pill to swallow. Iowa message boards on this site and everywhere I’ve been on the web have been pretty negative since the Cats topped the Hawks this week. I get that.
What I don’t get are alleged Iowa fans posting messages to player facebook pages, ripping into them for losing.
As if the players don’t feel bad about it.
After the Wisconsin loss, Jared Clauss said in this space to take the pain your are feeling as a fan and multiply it by ten, and you might start to feel how bad the players take a loss.
Yes, we have years and in some instances decades invested as being fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes and I don’t want to belittle that. For some, it’s a considerable financial investment. But the players are invested with their day to day lives for the most part, while they are in college. This is their life and they are broken after losses. There is no skipping class, there is no calling in sick to work for them. They have to go right back to practice and play a game that exacts a physical toll.
Tyler Sash received a message from an ‘Iowa fan’ on facebook that ripped into him and the team. My guess is that it’s from some kid from some Chicago suburb who became a ‘fan’ in the last few years because he started going to Iowa and is upset that he won’t be getting his drunk on in New Orleans or Pasadena this year.
Stuff like this embarrassing for the vast majority of Iowa fans that would never stoop to such a thing.
These players deserve better than that. They deserve the support of the fans. That’s not to say the fans wont be upset or irritated when they lose games and I realize this year is going to leave the mark that goes along with unmet expectations.
But to ignore all the amazing moments these guys have delivered in recent years would be more than just a shame.
It’s Senior Day on Saturday in Kinnick. It’s the last time many of these players will play before their home fans. It’s a very special day, and this team needs the support of the Iowa fans now more than ever.
The Recruiting Class of 2006 has seen quite a bit in their years on campus. Many of them, as true freshmen sitting out with a redshirt, went through Iowa’s first losing season since 2000. Then as redshirt freshmen, they went through the 2007 season, one that ended with an embarrassing loss to Western Michigan at home. They saw the tears streaming down Albert Young’s face on that senior day, they saw the pain.
Then as sophomores, many of them were standing in the gap, helping to turn the tide for the program. Rick Stanzi emerged as the quarterback. Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard started as defensive ends on one of the most statistically dominant defenses in Iowa football history. Brett Morse emerged as a devastating blocker from his fullback position. DJK emerged as a playmaker. Jeremiha Hunter would be a three year starter at linebacker. More players would emerge; Julian Vandervelde, Ryan Donahue, Paul Chaney, Jeff Tarpinian, Karl Klug, Troy Johnson.
These players put in the work to turn the program around while fellow classmates Arvell Nelson, Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman were bringing embarrassment off the field.
This class has done a lot. They have delivered a lot to the fans.
Rick Stanzi is the second winningest quarterback in Iowa history. He has led amazing fourth quarter rallies and engineered some game winning drives that will never be forgotten. Penn State in 2008, Michigan State and Indiana in 2009. Clayborn has done the same on his side of the ball. DJK is the most decorated receiver in school history. Ballard and Klug have been outstanding defensive linemen while Donahue has been arguably the best punter since Reggie Roby.
Allen Reisner is a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award, Vandervelde has started on the offensive line over the span of three seasons. Brett Greenwood has started in four seasons for Iowa at free safety, while Troy Johnson has been a jack of all trades. Kirk Ferentz called Jeff Tarpinian the ‘best guy that has never played here’ due to his injuries. Colin Sandeman has made key catches, including a touchdown grab in the Orange Bowl and has been a steady punt return player. Paul Chaney has also overcome key injuries in his career to contribute.
These players have been key ingredients for Iowa teams that won 22 of their last 27 games, including two January bowl games. With one more win this year they have had the third most successful three year run in school history. If they win two of their last three, it will be the second most successful three year run in school history behind the 31 wins between 2002-2004 and the 29 wins between 1985-1987.
That sort of production is excellent and it’s never been routine at Iowa. This group has accomplished much, even though this season has not gone according to their plan.
This weekend, Ohio State comes to town. These seniors, this entire team, needs the Iowa fan base to rally behind them and show them the legendary support Hawkeye teams have come to expect. There is a time for critical opinions, then there’s a time to set those aside and show your true colors.
Believe it or not, as the gnashing of teeth has been the dominant force on the message boards and talk radio shows since Saturday, this Iowa team has a chance to finish with a record of 10-3.
There have been just seven teams in Iowa football history that have won at least ten games. Seven. This team can still have a great finish and a great season through the eyes of history, even if it didn’t accomplish what it wanted to before the season began.
I know they won’t be able to do that without their 12th man at it’s absolute best on Saturday in Kinnick Stadium. Do your part, Hawkeye fan, to let this team know how much you have appreciated the amazing run they have taken us on the last two and a half years.
In football, just like life, things don’t always go according to plan. But the Iowa fans have been dependable for so long…bring it again this weekend.
Because you will see this for the last time for another year. Don’t take this stuff for granted.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OpIHW6B2WY]YouTube - The Swarm: 2010 Iowa-ISU Intro[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p9xT-7-UkU] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur0clGs3Rsk] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_nYU-laOc] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx8FKLXUmHA] youtube[/ame]
The loss on Saturday was a bitter pill to swallow. Iowa message boards on this site and everywhere I’ve been on the web have been pretty negative since the Cats topped the Hawks this week. I get that.
What I don’t get are alleged Iowa fans posting messages to player facebook pages, ripping into them for losing.
As if the players don’t feel bad about it.
After the Wisconsin loss, Jared Clauss said in this space to take the pain your are feeling as a fan and multiply it by ten, and you might start to feel how bad the players take a loss.
Yes, we have years and in some instances decades invested as being fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes and I don’t want to belittle that. For some, it’s a considerable financial investment. But the players are invested with their day to day lives for the most part, while they are in college. This is their life and they are broken after losses. There is no skipping class, there is no calling in sick to work for them. They have to go right back to practice and play a game that exacts a physical toll.
Tyler Sash received a message from an ‘Iowa fan’ on facebook that ripped into him and the team. My guess is that it’s from some kid from some Chicago suburb who became a ‘fan’ in the last few years because he started going to Iowa and is upset that he won’t be getting his drunk on in New Orleans or Pasadena this year.
Stuff like this embarrassing for the vast majority of Iowa fans that would never stoop to such a thing.
These players deserve better than that. They deserve the support of the fans. That’s not to say the fans wont be upset or irritated when they lose games and I realize this year is going to leave the mark that goes along with unmet expectations.
But to ignore all the amazing moments these guys have delivered in recent years would be more than just a shame.
It’s Senior Day on Saturday in Kinnick. It’s the last time many of these players will play before their home fans. It’s a very special day, and this team needs the support of the Iowa fans now more than ever.
The Recruiting Class of 2006 has seen quite a bit in their years on campus. Many of them, as true freshmen sitting out with a redshirt, went through Iowa’s first losing season since 2000. Then as redshirt freshmen, they went through the 2007 season, one that ended with an embarrassing loss to Western Michigan at home. They saw the tears streaming down Albert Young’s face on that senior day, they saw the pain.
Then as sophomores, many of them were standing in the gap, helping to turn the tide for the program. Rick Stanzi emerged as the quarterback. Adrian Clayborn and Christian Ballard started as defensive ends on one of the most statistically dominant defenses in Iowa football history. Brett Morse emerged as a devastating blocker from his fullback position. DJK emerged as a playmaker. Jeremiha Hunter would be a three year starter at linebacker. More players would emerge; Julian Vandervelde, Ryan Donahue, Paul Chaney, Jeff Tarpinian, Karl Klug, Troy Johnson.
These players put in the work to turn the program around while fellow classmates Arvell Nelson, Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman were bringing embarrassment off the field.
This class has done a lot. They have delivered a lot to the fans.
Rick Stanzi is the second winningest quarterback in Iowa history. He has led amazing fourth quarter rallies and engineered some game winning drives that will never be forgotten. Penn State in 2008, Michigan State and Indiana in 2009. Clayborn has done the same on his side of the ball. DJK is the most decorated receiver in school history. Ballard and Klug have been outstanding defensive linemen while Donahue has been arguably the best punter since Reggie Roby.
Allen Reisner is a semi-finalist for the Mackey Award, Vandervelde has started on the offensive line over the span of three seasons. Brett Greenwood has started in four seasons for Iowa at free safety, while Troy Johnson has been a jack of all trades. Kirk Ferentz called Jeff Tarpinian the ‘best guy that has never played here’ due to his injuries. Colin Sandeman has made key catches, including a touchdown grab in the Orange Bowl and has been a steady punt return player. Paul Chaney has also overcome key injuries in his career to contribute.
These players have been key ingredients for Iowa teams that won 22 of their last 27 games, including two January bowl games. With one more win this year they have had the third most successful three year run in school history. If they win two of their last three, it will be the second most successful three year run in school history behind the 31 wins between 2002-2004 and the 29 wins between 1985-1987.
That sort of production is excellent and it’s never been routine at Iowa. This group has accomplished much, even though this season has not gone according to their plan.
This weekend, Ohio State comes to town. These seniors, this entire team, needs the Iowa fan base to rally behind them and show them the legendary support Hawkeye teams have come to expect. There is a time for critical opinions, then there’s a time to set those aside and show your true colors.
Believe it or not, as the gnashing of teeth has been the dominant force on the message boards and talk radio shows since Saturday, this Iowa team has a chance to finish with a record of 10-3.
There have been just seven teams in Iowa football history that have won at least ten games. Seven. This team can still have a great finish and a great season through the eyes of history, even if it didn’t accomplish what it wanted to before the season began.
I know they won’t be able to do that without their 12th man at it’s absolute best on Saturday in Kinnick Stadium. Do your part, Hawkeye fan, to let this team know how much you have appreciated the amazing run they have taken us on the last two and a half years.
In football, just like life, things don’t always go according to plan. But the Iowa fans have been dependable for so long…bring it again this weekend.
Because you will see this for the last time for another year. Don’t take this stuff for granted.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OpIHW6B2WY]YouTube - The Swarm: 2010 Iowa-ISU Intro[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p9xT-7-UkU] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ur0clGs3Rsk] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib_nYU-laOc] youtube[/ame]
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx8FKLXUmHA] youtube[/ame]
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