Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the Cy-Hawk Series is a credit to the level of college football played in the state. The Hawkeyes visit the 16th ranked Cyclones on Saturday in the 72nd meeting in the series.

Iowa has won seven of the last nine but Ferentz says it has become a competitive series.

Ferentz says the Cyclones have been impressive early and did a good job handling their trip to Ireland for the opener against Kansas State.

Ferentz is confident quarterback Mark Gronowski will bounce back with a good effort. Gronowski finished only eight of 15 through the air in a 34-7 win over Albany.

Ferentz was asked about the death of former Iowa basketball coach George Raveling. He coached the Hawkeyes from 1983 to 1986 and Ferentz was the offensive line coach at that time. He says Raveling offered to help the football staff with a recruit.