Pro Combat uniforms are here
Scheel’s in Iowa City has this uniform on display (Photo by Iowa City Press-Citizen photographer David Scrivner). It looks a lot like the NIKE Pro Combat uniform that the Iowa players talked about during Big Ten Football media days in Chicago.
Iowa sports information didn’t confirm this is what the actual uniforms will look like.
Iowa is expected to wear the uniforms on Nov. 10 against Purdue in Iowa City.
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Below is a story Des Moines Register reporter Randy Peterson wrote about the uniforms at B1G Media Days.
CHICAGO, Ill. –The secret’s out on Iowa’s new football uniforms.
Cornerback Micah Hyde confirmed at the Big Ten Conference’s annual football Media Days what many people speculated for a long time – that the Hawkeyes will wear a combat-style uniform on Nov. 10 against Purdue at Iowa City.
“I can’t wait to put it on,” Hyde said. “I think it’s a big deal to the players, but maybe not coach (Kirk) Ferentz.
“When you’re in the locker room and you see the new uniforms, you automatically get excited. It’s a big deal.
“They always say that when you look good, you play good.”
The combat uniforms will be worn during the game Iowa honors military personnel.
“I’ve seen a mockup,” center James Ferentz said. “I think it looks cool. The fans will really be into it.”
Both Kirk Ferentz and athletic director Gary Barta just hinted about the combat uniforms that seem to be a current rage among some college teams.
“Nike Combat? You’ve seen us over the last couple years try some things,” Barta said. “We’ve dipped our toe in the water, and my guess is that we’ll continue to do it.
“I have a 14-year-old son. He shows me on the Internet what our uniforms should look like, because evidently there’s a way you can manipulate uniforms.
“We haven’t gone to his design yet.”
The jersey will be black with goldish numbers. The pants and helmet will be silver. Military logos will be represented on the back of the jersey.
“They gave us the option that if we knew people that represented the military – that we can wear their branch on our jersey,” quarterback James Vandenberg said. “I have a buddy that spent two tours in Afghanistan. I’ll be wearing his branch on my back.
“It’s a great idea. We’ve all embraced it.”
Even the old-school coach is on board.
“It’s kind of like the spread offense,” Ferentz said. “It’s a sign of the times (like) Twitter.
“We’re open to anything — offense, defense, special teams, and uniforms.”
An eye-opener for Ferentz has been watching his sons on the Internet.
“Right, wrong or indifferent, it’s one of those things high school players and younger are in tune to,” Ferentz said. “I’ve witnessed it with some of my own – being on the computer with all the video games they play, picking uniforms.
“It’s a sign of the times.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
