(Radio Iowa) – There is a sense of urgency as the Iowa Hawkeyes get ready for the upcoming season. Iowa opens the season at home against Indiana and follows that up with a visit to Iowa State. The Hoosiers are ranked 17th in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Cyclones are ranked eighth. Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz.

The Hawkeyes open last year’s COVID shortened season with two close losses to Purdue and Northwestern and it cost them a Big Ten west division title.

Iowa closes last season with six straight wins and Ferentz says they will need to be ready from the outset.

After finishing third in the Big Ten in passing last season Spencer Petras is getting ready for his second season as the starting quarterback.

Petras says the Hawkeyes feel fortunate they get the opportunity to have a normal preseason.

Patras says the experience he gained from last year is a plus.