Iowa players say the goal remains the same even though head coach Kirk Ferentz won’t be at Saturday’s opener against Illinois State. The veteran coach is serving a one game suspension for a recruiting violation. Hawkeye defensive end Deontae Craig.

Craig says the focus this week has been on preparation.

Craig says the game is motivating enough.

Hawkeye corner Jermari Harris says they are not using the absence of their head coach as a rallying cry.

Like the Iowa defense, safety Sebastian Castro enters the season with a lot of hype. He earned All American honors in 2023 but says none of that matters once the season kicks off.