Each week Kirk Ferentz talks with the media on Tuesday. Here’s what he had to say this week.

• “Certainly happy we’re preparing for a football game and not sandbagging.”
• Says that Northwestern is an established program and they have a challenge ahead of them.
• Obviously disappointed by Matt VandeBerg’s injury, says he will be out for a significant amount of time.
• Jonathan Parker is working his way back, but has missed a lot of time.
• Ferentz isn’t even going to “try and guess” what will happen with a potential Matt VandeBerg redshirt. It’s going to be a similar fight to what happened with Drew Ott last year. There’s no way Ferentz is looking forward to this.
• Complimentary of Northwestern. Says Justin Jackson is as good as he was last year.
• Jay Scheel might be playing a couple positions, as will Riley McCarron.
• Says McCarron might play a couple positions, says he has improved a lot as a player.
• Says Iowa’s identity is to not make errors… says it’s hard to win games when the offensive is making mistakes.
• On Ronald Nash: “We’ve watched him grow at each turn. He’s gotten a lot better… we’ve seen his confidence grow.”
• Derrick Mitchell Jr. is back in practice. Adrian Falconer is also injured.
• “This is hardly a crisis stage.”
• Says that WR Devonte Young has done a good job, might have a bit of an opportunity. Also mentions that he he is a physically mature player.
• Homecoming game: Said the football team went out and signed autographs, doesn’t expect it to be much of a distraction.
• “We’ve got the greatest country in the world, expression is healthy.”
• Michael Slater is back practicing.