What Kirk Ferentz said after Iowa lost to Oregon -

Iowa City, Iowa - No.20 Iowa Lost to Kinnick Saturday, 18-16.

Kirk Ferentz scored the third loss for the Hawkeyes (6-3, 4-2, 4-24, 4-2, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24, 4-24), who went to USC to USC.

Below is a transcript of Ferentz's postgame press conference.

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It's a lot of fun to lose a game, but it's a really good game in November football, especially since we've got two teams behind us.So, everything that we have for the game is well noted.

I have a lot of respect for the talent at Oregon and they are a very good team.They have been all year.We knew we had a big challenge ahead of us there.Then all those clichés you hear forever in football stick around because they mean something.This is a game of inches.Details are important.I think tonight came down to that in a lot of ways.

So we're a little behind, but we're proud of our team's effort and how they got there.This is a tough loss.There are many things that we need to understand, to make them a little better, but the biggest thing is for our team to know.They see a lot of good things in the movie, a lot of things that were on the way.

I think all the coaches are proud of the effort put in and the way we responded many times in football.We still have a good team, and we played a lot of football in front of me.

We'll come back, critique this thing, do what we can to see what we can do better next week, and that's going to be the biggest challenge to keep everybody on their feet here after we get through tomorrow.Hard to lose.It's never fun and it certainly is here.Again, respect for our opponents.A really good football team, and they played well tonight.

A couple of last things.I also want to thank our fans.You've all been to the stadium, and that's typical of November football.Our fans were great.The weather could have been a challenge and you would never know with them.Didn't dampen their enthusiasm.They had a really good start to the finish and we appreciate that.This is a big advantage for us.

Then John Campbell is here somewhere.I'm told this is your last.I thought you said that once before, but whatever.I want to take a minute to appreciate John and the work he has done over the years.

I went into kurt metefe.How many years ago did he speak at the COE graduation?We got a cup of coffee and ran to each other.He told me that the role played by John.Kurt is from Atlanta, if I remember correctly.I came to Coe Coe to be involved in broadcasting.John named it all his work.Curtt was already a fox, and he just told me the role John played and how he went out of his way to really take care of him when he was here.him.Then they put their relationship on hold.John is a first grader.Tell me how it feels, will you?Talk about a day.Thanks, John.

Q: I wanted to ask about fumbles special teams.Was it just a wet ball?Was it something else?

Kirk Ferentz: I think it should be.I didn't ask, but we didn't have that problem, really, for a long time.The first ball came out of it and after that it was no big deal.Then the ball obviously went into the end zone for two.It should be, but fortunately, we made a decision and improved after that, but it is true.

Q. In terms of run defense, it looks like he can really build some momentum in the run game.What do you see from what they do and maybe what you can't do in terms of downtime?

Kirk Franz: I give them credit.We have been consistent for a long time to stop the run.That was a factor tonight, because it's hard to play good defense if you don't control the run or at least control big plays like this.

Those kids, you look up to them.They are big, big in the physical group.We knew it was going to be a challenge.And then their backs are really good.They have three good defenders.Freshmen really benefit from it - they start to rely on it.He is also doing well.

We weren't too scared.They are good, and obviously we have to try to minimize the progress.I think that's going to be a problem for us, but we don't think we're going to take it and like what we can do well.

Q. You have honored the '15 team here in this game.Bringing back memories of the Big Ten Title play a bit.You know, you get the cheering scores at one end and then give up a heartbreaking loss on the other by two.Just curious as you like a coach handle this sweet loss and trying to get your team back with a lot of dreams right now.

KIRK FERENTZ: I'm not good with dreams, but this is the second loss like this of his year, in my opinion, where two teams go back and forth and compete very hard.Coincidentally, both teams we lost to were really good, and I think we could be in that category as well.We are not far from it.

So the trick is how do we get out there and not have more?How can we approach it a little better?It's not one player.It is not a single asset.Everything that is done together is ultimately very important.

We just got back to work and the good news is guys, we do a good job every day.We're going this way after we start, because I can't imagine, because I can't imagine - they're going to feel bad tomorrow.We all do.We have invested a lot here.

But, there's more.I mean, we're not going to collapse this year, but there's still a lot of good things that can happen.For me, at the end of the year you evaluate how you feel.What did you do?What did you invest in?How do you compete?That's what this game is supposed to teach us.

Q. Also, in terms of late scoring, I don't know over the years, but that hasn't happened a lot. What went wrong on that last drive, maybe, to get the ball and shut down the defense?Was it the same as we've seen all game? What went wrong for the defense?

KIRK FERENTZ: I mentioned rebounding and our first TD drive, that was critical.We were losing 9-0 and had to do something before the break.I thought it was a great ride.

Another good lead in the second half, where we unfortunately turned the ball over which cost us points, which obviously played a role in the end.

So, you know, that last drive was amazing and it was a matter of life and death.We had basically four out of 10 games either not, or to score or go home.Sometimes it happens.

Then he threw the last ball, talking about inches.It was a big ball.The guy did a good job bringing it in. TJ had great coverage and he's been playing ass all year.Sometimes it's football.When you play a team like Oregon, you have to be there.Nothing is easy.This feels like such a game.We can't

Q. Given that you had two timeouts left, is there a reason your defense didn't take a timeout on Oregon's last drive?In hindsight, going back over it now, would you have taken the time to give your defense the regroup on Oregon's final drive?

KIRK FERENTZ: No, not really.We all knew what the situation was.Basically, on a show like this, they started the show and I told Phil how many of us there are and if you want, but I don't think we should get back together.

We could have used it if something unexpected happened, if the opponent jumped into our formation or if we had a bad matchup. But no, we felt good about it. We couldn't overcome it.

Q. I was pretty aggressive in play calling throughout the game.Those fourth downs, that long field goal attempt.Was there a sense before this game that the game was going to come down to the tightest of margins and maybe you needed to be a little more aggressive?

Kir Padsats: Yes, in a game like this you want to do a good job, please do a good job.

Then all those things will end up in the position ... down, the continuity is on our side of the field, but on our side.We just feel like we need to do something, so we try to do it.It is a double edged sword.You could have backed up the other way.

Ditto a field goal.It's not a great situation for a field goal, but I thought it was more dangerous than fourth-and-six or eighth-and-eight at this point.So we went with it and thought, that was a big play in the game, that allowed us to at least have some success on the end, and the kids did a good job on those transitions.

Q: It's a short week this week because you're making a long trip to LA next Saturday.Next Saturday you are playing at a famous stadium.Have you ever trained at the LA Coliseum and looked forward to it? It's a famous venue.

Kirk Ferentz: Yeah, that's funny, you should ask that.I had one time in 1993 when we had a triple or fourth or fourth double hit.

We ran the ball like we did in the fourth quarter and they scored on defense.Maybe the funniest - well, two of the funniest things was after the game, I remember calling my wife.I think it was on the pay phone in the hallway outside - whatever you want to call these things.It has a better name on the field.

I also remember the fighters.We were playing strikers.It's revenge, on purpose.They are lined up next to the far cupboard.We'll see this week, but it's going to be a big challenge.I know

Q: In addition to what you have coming up next week, I can imagine how difficult it will be to recruit coaches.

Kirk Ferentz: I'm going to back up for a second.I think it's probably anyone who likes football, this will be more difficult to spend the week when you see our schedule rest in our break.You have a team like Oregon, you expect to be really good.USC is always good.You come back, you play at home, Michigan State and all conference games.

You have a journey, but the most important thing is how we want to tackle it.We will see it tomorrow.I don't think anyone has any false expectations that anyone will feel great tomorrow.That's what happens when you lose.It's never fun.

That's where the 24-hour rule comes into play.Monday morning we will be in the field and we have to move on.You have to move on physically.That's easy.But the mental part, you can't let it linger, because there's still a lot of football ahead.

I've been through so many seasons where things get really good at the end, but it happens - I'm sitting here in '08, I think.We were 3-3, 6-4 or whatever at one point, and then just -- we won five of the last six, I remember.I feel as good as that season.That was a top 20 team.I think we were 20th in the country.

So you can't fall behind.Tomorrow we fall behind, then we move forward and you have to do it.If you can't, don't do it.It's just the way it is.