Iowa’s quest for a third Big Ten title game appearance in the last five years is underway.

“Always good to start Big Ten play. Certainly, it’s a different feel,” said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football’s head coach.

“Yeah, I mean, this is definitely varsity play. Ya know, going into conference means a bit more,” said Max Llewellyn, an Iowa defensive lineman. “Every game is big, but, ya know, it’s just a little bit extra going into conference play.”

“Starting the Big Ten you want to get off to a good start, and we have a really good opportunity to go 1-0 this week and get off to a great start,” said Zach Lutmer, an Iowa defensive back.

“It’ll be a test of our maturity and our ability to focus and hopefully we will be at our best Friday night, but it’s going to be a tough challenge,” Ferentz said.

The Hawkeyes open conference play against undefeated Rutgers. Led by quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis, the Scarlet Knight offense averages over 46 points per game.

“(Kaliakmanis) is real consistent. Ya know, he’s been playing college football for a while, so we’ve faced him before when he was at Minnesota, and so he is doing a good job timing up with his receivers,” said TJ Hall, an Iowa defensive back.

“He was a good player for them last year, but he is playing at a higher level right now if you look at his stats. Ya know, it is significantly better right now, so he is playing his best football,” Ferentz said.

Similar to Iowa, Rutgers emphasizes special teams. They lead the nation in blocked punts.

“Just got to make sure we are ready each time the ball is snapped so we can execute as a unit,” said Rhys Dakin, Iowa’s punter.

“If we operate like the way we are supposed to, it doesn’t matter who you have on the other side of the line,” said Drew Stevens, Iowa’s kicker. “We are going to execute. Especially since last game wasn’t the best game for specialists, it’s almost like a strength because it’s good it happened then. Everyone this week is just that much more focused.”

“You can’t take anything for granted, especially in the kicking game, and that’s the two things we work on both in spring and in camp besides in season,” Ferentz. “(We) spend a lot of time on the punt game, a lot of time on PAT, field goals.”

It’s clear that Rutgers has Iowa’s full attention.

“A big challenge with a short week, playing a good team, and walking into a tough environment,” Ferentz said. “It’s going to be a blackout out there and expect the place to be pretty electric.”