The signs that football season is inching closer and closer in Iowa City are appearing everywhere. One staple for die-hard University of Iowa football fans is the first Johnson County I-Club breakfast, held every Friday morning before home games at the Sheraton hotel.

UI President Sally Mason, head coach Kirk Ferentz, and members of the Johnson County I-Club helped welcome the football season in front of a packed ballroom of anxious Hawkeye fans at the Sheraton. The UI Marching Band and Spirit Squads brought the gameday atmosphere to life, ringing the walls and rafters with the fight song and other cheers.

Mason, who introduced Ferentz during the program, echoed the fan perspective on the arrival of college football season while cracking a few jokes.

“It’s always fun to join you and start the football season,” Mason says. “We are about to start another season on the gridiron, but given the temperatures, it’s more like a griddle iron.”

Hundreds of Hawkeye fans made their way to downtown Iowa City to support the Johnson County I-Club and the Iowa football program. Mason made sure to let fans know where she thought they ranked.

“I can’t wait to see our spectacular student-athletes take the field,” Mason says. “They will be backed up by the greatest fans in the Big Ten and across the country.”

During her introduction of the Hawkeye head coach, Mason described what made the Iowa football program special.

“Our teams always represent excellence,” Mason says. “That comes from the example set by our head coach.”

Eagerness, hard work, and anticipation were the messages from Ferentz leading into the opening game on Saturday.

“We are all eager to get started,” Ferentz says. “It’s even better that we get to open in Kinnick Stadium. We have really worked hard since the end of last year. We had a good camp, it was productive, and we are healthy.

“We are at that point where it’s time to get on the field and see what happens,” Ferentz says. “We have great fan support, and we don’t take that for granted. We are appreciative of what our fans bring to Kinnick Stadium.”

Iowa opens the season on Saturday against Northern Illinois. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and the game will be televised live on BTN.