Kallenberger settles into starting role
Confidence on the field is a process and it took time for Mark Kallenberger some time to gain it. But, last year during bowl prep the belief in himself arrived and the junior offensive lineman played the best game of his career in the 2019 Holiday Bowl. When he was called upon to step in for Coy Cronk, Kallenberger was ready and last week he thrived at right tackle. He discusses his development in the past year and his decision to take a knee during the national anthem.
Q: On the 71 yard run by Goodson you did a lot of different things. Was that something that has come together recently?
KALLENBERGER: it was just something that had come together and ended up working out really well. We had been practicing that one hard and executing it in practice and we executed it on the field. Goody got 71 yards on that and I thought he would score, but we still got in the end zone.
Q: If felt like you had a breakthrough in the Holiday Bowl. How have you tried to capitalize on that?
KALLENBERGER: I just try to work on my technique every day, whether it be run blocking or pass blocking. There is always something that can be worked on and something that can be built on to make myself as good of a player as I can. I have switched from guard to tackle and from left side to right side, so I am just trying to focus in practice and in games and trying to be locked in. I think the Holiday Bowl really gave me a lot of confidence. I thought I played good game there and coming into the season I had a lot to build on.
Q: Iowa has been known as a program that has always been good to great. Some of that goes back to culture. Now that culture is changing with the times. How do you change that while remaining successful?
KALLENBERGER: It is all about being more approachable, from the coaches to the players. We all have to be more approachable and get to know our teammates better. We have to come together as one and be more cohesive. I think that is being shown in the facility right now from top to bottom. I think we are doing a really good job incorporating things in our facility where guys feel like this is home now instead of just being a practice facility.
Q: You are one of the few white players that have taken a knee during the national anthem. Can you discuss that decision?
KALLENBERGER: Yeah, well one of my roommate is Mekhi Sargent and Keontae Luckett and Yahweh Jeudy. I have seen some stuff from those guys. Things aren’t right. I have someone back home from Davenport who is a really good family friend of ours and he’s like a brother to me. He grew up in a crappy area of town. It’s guys like that and I have seen them struggle over the years so I took it upon myself to take a knee. I also took it upon myself to message one of my friends who is actually in Iraq right now. I asked him about it and he said he was all for it and said go ahead and kneel and he said he appreciated me asking. He said America is a little messed up right now and it’s something you should do.
Q: You discussed about moving positions and moving from one side to the other and how challenging that is?
KALLENBERGER: Yeah, so it really confused me last year. I was going from left side to right side in practice and I would step the wrong way because I was so focused in, so there’s a whole lot that goes into it. I think it all comes down to being prepared for practice. What you are doing the day before in practice and what you are studying all goes into the next day.
Q: What can you tell us about Cody Ince?
KALLENBERGER: He is an awesome kid. I room with him on the road. He’s a funny guy and a hard worker. He’s tough kid and he makes plays out there. He started last game and had every right to be out there. He has done a really good job of focusing in on his technique and finishing plays. I am really happy for him and I think we will see some good stuff from Cody.
Q: Trophy games are kind of in the background this year outside the building. What is it like inside the building?
KALLENBERGER: I am not pushing the trophy game aside at all. This is a trophy game and a very competitive game. We are going up to Minnesota to play the Gophers and they are going to bring it to us. I know they want that trophy back. We have to do our job and be prepared for the game. It’s going to be a fist fight. We are not going to be looking past it or be like this trophy doesn’t mean that much this year because it does.
Q: Is Floyd at practice or in the weight room?
KALLENBERGER: It’s in the weight room while we are lifting or if I am going in to get a shake. We are always looking at it and we want it to stay right here in Iowa City.
Q: When we have talked to Coach Polasek in the past, the sense was he was trying to light a fire under you. Did something click to take it to the next level?
KALLENBERGER: I just wasn’t confident in my game. It came down to me getting some reps and winning some reps. I focused more in practice and really trusted myself out there. That’s where all my confidence came from in the Holiday Bowl. It was about preparing in practice and knowing I had confidence in myself to succeed.