Boone Myers Q&A: 'We have worked for this for a long time'

Iowa is living the dream. And, it won?t die.

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The Hawkeyes will arrive in Indianapolis with a 12-0 clip, looking to win the program?s first Big Ten championship since 2004 and punch a ticket to the playoffs. No one saw this coming back in the summer, as the Hawkeyes were coming off a 7-6 season that ended with Iowa losing its last three games and four of its last five. Needless to say, fans were restless for better results-and Iowa has delivered.

Iowa will take on an 11-1 Michigan State program that is making its third appearance in five years in the Big Ten title game. The Hawkeyes never have been on this stage before. How will they respond?

I caught up with Iowa sophomore offensive tackle Boone Myers, a 6-5, 300-pound rising star who arrived on campus as a walk-on after playing tight end and defensive end in high school, as he prepped to play the Spartans.

Q: What would it mean to push your record to 13-0 and land a spot in the playoffs?
A: It is awesome to think about. That has been one of our goals all season. It?s awesome to think about, having Iowa in the Big Ten championship and possibly the playoffs. We have worked for this for a long time.

Q: Last year, the offensive line didn?t live up to expectations even though the unit featured NFL picks at both tackle spots in Brandon Scherff and Andrew Donnal. What has been the key to the unit playing better in 2015?
A: The leadership is good, Austin Blythe, Jordan Walsh have really taken a hold of this team and brought it together. It feels like we are bonded this year a bit more than last year. We have each other?s backs. And we have had guys step up when injuries have hit. The bond and atmosphere is different than last year.

Q: What has been your role this season?
A: Doing my job at left tackle. Doing my assignments. That?s basically all you can do. And you trust the guy next to you to do his job.

Q: What does it mean to play left tackle for Iowa? That is a glamour position that has produced some great players like Scherff, Bryan Bulaga and Robert Gallery, among others?
A: It is awesome. I take a lot of pride in that. I hope I can carry on the tradition that some of the greats who have gone before have established.

Q: Many experts think Michigan State has the best defensive line in the Big Ten, with players like Shilique Calhoun, Lawrence Thomas and Malik McDowell. Are you ready for this group?
A: They are really good. They have a lot of NFL-caliber players on that line. We are going to need to be focused in practice and prep well to accommodate for that.

Q: What do you think of Calhoun? Have you seen him on film?
A: Yes I have. He?s good. I will watch more film on him and see what he likes to do. He is so fast and athletic. Strong, too.

Q: Has C.J. Beathard bought you and your linemen buddies a meal yet for all of your good work?
A: No, he hasn?t yet. I think he is waiting. I think the bill would be big. I know I wouldn?t want to have to pay it.

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