Kirk Ferentz: 'This one is going to hurt for a while, but we'll move forward'

Iowa lost a tough game to in-state rival Iowa State in the Cy-Hawk Showdown and head coach Kirk Ferentz didn't sugarcoat it, it hurts.

"This one is going to hurt for a while," Ferentz said in a postgame press conference. "But we'll move forward and learn from it tomorrow and go back to work on Monday."

After leading 13-0 at halftime, the Hawkeyes were outscored 20-6 by the Cyclones in the second half in a game where it truly was Iowa's to give away and lose.

The Hawkeyes didn't necessarily look great on offense in the first half, but they were able to move the ball well, which was something they struggled heavily with in the second half. Quarterback Cade McNamara looked like the McNamara of old in the second half struggled to complete passes and scramble effectively.

McNamara ended the game going 4-for-20 on his last 20 passes and that is something that no offense is going to be able to recover from.

"He's still trying to get back in game shape, if you will, or game mode, and he's working hard, he'll do just fine," Ferentz said.

Waiting on a quarterback to get into "game mode" during the season seems like something a team can't afford to do and in Iowa's case, they definitely can't afford to wait. After having the worst offense in the Big Ten last season and one of the worst in college football, the Hawkeyes need to get someone in there who can at least work a functioning offense.

Ferentz however seems to be locked in with McNamara at quarterback and would not let any of the media know whether or not he was truly considering making a change with backup Brendan Sullivan.

The one bright spot of today's game was that running back Kaleb Johnson ran 28 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns, effectively making him the top back in a stacked running back room.

"He's (Johnson) played well for us the last two years, but he's playing at a much higher level right now," Ferentz said. "Part of it's maturity, his focus is better, he's practicing better, I think it's experience and maturity."

The defense unfortunately gave up 20 points in the second half, the first points it had given up all season. Iowa State was able to get a lot of really open looks and able to break down was is known to be a very well-built and solid defense.

However, Iowa, as much as it hurts right now, will have to turn the page and focus on the game ahead of them and the next 10 games they have left this season. One loss won't define them, but if they let it snowball. that is when the Hawkeyes will be in real trouble.