[bears9]

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Spring football practice begins Wednesday afternoon at the University of Iowa and head coach Kirk Ferentz used the success of the national champion Hawkeye wrestling team as an example of what could happen in the fall.

"Our wrestling team is a great example of that," Ferentz said. "I don't think we're ready to win a national championship quite yet like they did, but some of the improvement some of their young guys made is a great, great illustration and a great example for our team on how players can improve."

Ferentz was referring to how the UI wrestling program went from third in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation in 2007 to becoming conference and national champions one year later.

Last season the Hawkeye football team was 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the Big Ten. Iowa won three of its final four games, but it was the season-ending 28-19 setback at home to Western Michigan that kept the Hawkeyes from a seventh consecutive postseason bowl invitation.


Ferentz, Hawkeyes ready for spring football to begin :: UI wrestling team's improvement will serve as a 'great, great illustration'