An understated, but surprising outcome of the IU game

[ghostOfHomer777]

Against Michigan State, IU's D held their running game to 131 yards on 40 carries (3.3 ypc). Jefferson averaged 3.4 ypc and Heyward had 1.9 ypc.

Against OSU, IU's D held their running game to 154 yards on 48 carries (3.2 ypc). Dobbins had 26 carries but only 82 yards (ypc of 3.2). Weber did better, having a ypc of 5.4 yards per carry ... but he also only had 13 carries.

Between how Iowa schemed IU, the quality of the execution by the players, and the mismatches that some of our players posed .... IU's D gave up 159 yards on just 32 carries (5.0 ypc). Young had 96 yards on 19 carries (ypc of 5.1) and Sargent had 59 yards on 10 carries (5.9 ypc)!

I was just struck by how decently IU defended the run against 2 of the better B1G East teams ... but they got gashed so badly by us. Interesting ....

 

[nu2u]

Against Michigan State, IU's D held their running game to 131 yards on 40 carries (3.3 ypc). Jefferson averaged 3.4 ypc and Heyward had 1.9 ypc.

Against OSU, IU's D held their running game to 154 yards on 48 carries (3.2 ypc). Dobbins had 26 carries but only 82 yards (ypc of 3.2). Weber did better, having a ypc of 5.4 yards per carry ... but he also only had 13 carries.

Between how Iowa schemed IU, the quality of the execution by the players, and the mismatches that some of our players posed .... IU's D gave up 159 yards on just 32 carries (5.0 ypc). Young had 96 yards on 19 carries (ypc of 5.1) and Sargent had 59 yards on 10 carries (5.9 ypc)!

Moral of the story: Toren Young will wreck your run defense ….. and after he throttles your run deense, Mekhi Sargent will pour salt on the wound.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Moral of the story: Toren Young will wreck your run defense ….. and after he throttles your run defense, Mekhi Sargent will pour salt on the wound.

I don't know if that is precisely the lesson. The Hawks also had 3 receptions by our RBs in the game ... furthermore, we have the best TE unit in the nation! The consequence of these 2 facts is that places A LOT of stress on opposing LBs.

Another element is that Iowa's pass-pro has been quite decent .... consequently IU felt like they could only get pressure on the passer by throwing a lot of different blitzes and looks at the Hawks. When you do that ... it increases the odds that the D misses assignments .... and furthermore, it leaves the secondary caught in man-coverage a lot. Thus, the guys in coverage aren't going to be there on run support (because their backs are turned) ... and the LBs are worried about TEs ... so that impacts how "downhill" they are ... so when our RBs can get a good crease, they're a little more likely to make it to the 2nd or 3rd levels.

 

[nu2u]

I don't know if that is precisely the lesson. The Hawks also had 3 receptions by our RBs in the game ... furthermore, we have the best TE unit in the nation! The consequence of these 2 facts is that places A LOT of stress on opposing LBs.

Another element is that Iowa's pass-pro has been quite decent .... consequently IU felt like they could only get pressure on the passer by throwing a lot of different blitzes and looks at the Hawks. When you do that ... it increases the odds that the D misses assignments .... and furthermore, it leaves the secondary caught in man-coverage a lot. Thus, the guys in coverage aren't going to be there on run support (because their backs are turned) ... and the LBs are worried about TEs ... so that impacts how "downhill" they are ... so when our RBs can get a good crease, they're a little more likely to make it to the 2nd or 3rd levels.

Yes, my reply was a weak humor. Do you play chess? Iowa's multiple offensive threats, especially the dynamic TEs, reminds me of the feeling you get about mid-match when you have a dominant board position plus the advantage of an extra major piece.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Against Michigan State, IU's D held their running game to 131 yards on 40 carries (3.3 ypc). Jefferson averaged 3.4 ypc and Heyward had 1.9 ypc.

Against OSU, IU's D held their running game to 154 yards on 48 carries (3.2 ypc). Dobbins had 26 carries but only 82 yards (ypc of 3.2). Weber did better, having a ypc of 5.4 yards per carry ... but he also only had 13 carries.

Between how Iowa schemed IU, the quality of the execution by the players, and the mismatches that some of our players posed .... IU's D gave up 159 yards on just 32 carries (5.0 ypc). Young had 96 yards on 19 carries (ypc of 5.1) and Sargent had 59 yards on 10 carries (5.9 ypc)!

I was just struck by how decently IU defended the run against 2 of the better B1G East teams ... but they got gashed so badly by us. Interesting ....

Bau....

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Yes, my reply was a weak humor. Do you play chess? Iowa's multiple offensive threats, especially the dynamic TEs, reminds me of the feeling you get about mid-match when you have a dominant board position plus the advantage of an extra major piece.

Nah ........ I follow you. I also like the chess metaphor - very appropriate.

The Hawks may use heavy personnel ... but then we go empty ... and they're stuck in a personnel-group that opens up mismatches in the passing game.

Before too long ... you got them so worried about the pass ... that they're focused on rushing the passer and coverage ... that they're not controlling their gaps as well. Consequently ... we gash 'em!

 

[Slappy Pappy]

Because we could pass. You want to open up some room to run? Start completing passes, especially downfield!

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Because we could pass. You want to open up some room to run? Start completing passes, especially downfield!

OSU's Haskins passed for over 400 yards on IU ... yet they didn't rush as effectively (as us) vs IU. Similarly, MSU's Lewerke is considered by many as one of the better passers in the B1G ... shouldn't that have opened up their running game too?