The Hawkeyes controlled games on the ground during a four-game stretch when converted fullback Mark Weisman ran for more than 600 yards and eight touchdowns, but he fought through lingering leg issues and valued linemen Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal were lost for the season.

There were no such excuses for the passing game. Everyone was healthy, but hardly anyone was productive.

Still, Ferentz believes that Davis — who won a national title during his tenure under Mack Brown at Texas — is the right man to fix what’s broken.