Damn, Just damn. We are a good football team and 1 player cost us the game

[CelticHawk]

The season is far from over but one guy had the worst night of his life. Fair catching inside the 5 and then not fair catching so the player runs into the ball. Then fumbling the ball. Urghhh.


I like what I see though. Good play calling, solid D and good O Line play. Stanley is an NFL QB. We can still win the West, but the margin of error is zero.

On Iowa and go Hawks.

 

[BirdistheWord]

Beyer screwed up, cannot blame that on punt returner. Maybe should have been some more vocal communication from others to get the fack away from the ball, would give you that.

 

[Harbinger273]

No. Groenewegs fumble cost us, red zone issues cost us, Beyers gaffe cost us and not sticking with what was working in the run game cost us the game. One overthrow late to Hock prevented a drive from materializing as well.

 

[And1Hawk]

I agree it was a big play but multiple plays killed us. Remind yourself even after all of that we entered the 4th quarter with a lead (up 100 yards too) and each team got 2 possessions. One team drove it 88 yards and scored a TD, one did not. Ball game right there when it counted most. Stop or TD drive and we win regardless and could not get it done. Program loss.

Also keep in mind this same Wisky program threw not 1 but 2 pick sixes last year and still throttled us. They can overcome mistakes. We are just inferior to them so let’s face the reality. It’s not really about 1 play.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

If you're gonna blame Beyer, then blame the coaches, too. BF called some awesome plays, but the QB sneak that came up short on the opening drive of the game was just as huge. No points when it should have been seven.

And on 3rd and goal from the two later on, BF dials up a wide play that gets blown up for a four-yard loss. In both cases, where's the toss to Fant or to the FB?

Some great calls, but man, getting no points after the sneak and only 3 after the wide play...if you think Beyer lost the game, well, he doesn't get paid as much as BF, and his two plays calls on the goal line cost Iowa a pretty crucial 11 points. Wow.

 

[DavenportHawk228]

One person cannot lose a team game. Special teams as a whole we’re bad. But also our offense was hit or miss and defense was being manhandled all night

 

[HawkinK.C.1]

I'm sure than nobody feel worse about this than Beyer. Show some compassion and let it go. We still could have won.

 

[Harbinger273]

Iowa lacks championship level execution and play calling on offense right now. Our offense was decent last night but obviously not good enough to win on the biggest stage against championship competition. Wisconsin executed offense at a high level to take the game at the end. We did not.
I should add pass defense cost us as well.

 

[desihawk]

The ability to get 1 yard at will (90+% clip) needs be part of the Iowa repertoir. We aren't a finesse team, so this is a basic bread and butter thing but we are unbelievably bad at it, that too with a power runner, a fb, and a big qb.

That said, this is a solid team, just got to keep their heads up and play to their potential rest of the way. Good things will happen.

 

[EpenesaEpenesa]

One person cannot lose a team game. Special teams as a whole we’re bad. But also our offense was hit or miss and defense was being manhandled all night

I thought both offenses let the opposing defenses off the hook a little bit playcalling wise. Both offensive lines were getting a great push in the running game

 

[Phenomenally Frantastic]

Hayden had Timmy Dwight returning punts.

Dopey Kirk has a walk on returning punts.

There are 50 kids in the Iowa program that could have done a better job last night.

Participation trophy award winner gets to return punts.

 

[TS568]

Iowa lacks championship level execution and play calling on offense right now. Our offense was decent last night but obviously not good enough to win on the biggest stage against championship competition. Wisconsin executed offense at a high level to take the game at the end. We did not.
I should add pass defense cost us as well.

I thought the offense looked very good last night- no penalties or drops and play action was superb. Not great on the last drive clearly but overall at least a B +. I'm not sure Wisky is "championship competition" year unless you are calling the Big 10 West a "championship"- they did lose to Brigham Young at home last week. That said, this is the best overall Iowa team I've seen in a while, better on offense than in 2015. 10-2 very doable.

 

[blackandgoldPT]

Sucks to lose but encouraged by what we saw last night. Nate played well just missed a couple throws. Loved the improv bomb to hockenson. I think fant needs more targets outside of the red zone as well. I think 9-3 or maybe even 10-2 with a nice bowl game is still a successful season. The thought of OSU in Indy with how good they have looked and wanting revenge is scary.

 

[Harbinger273]

I thought the offense looked very good last night- no penalties or drops and play action was superb. Not great on the last drive clearly but overall at least a B +. I'm not sure Wisky is "championship competition" year unless you are calling the Big 10 West a "championship"- they did lose to Brigham Young at home last week. That said, this is the best overall Iowa team I've seen in a while, better on offense than in 2015. 10-2 very doable.

Like I said our offense was decent but not great. Who plays in the btcg nearly every year put of the West? They drove down to win and we fell flat at the end. They are on a higher level.

 

[Kurt Warner]

No. Groenewegs fumble cost us, red zone issues cost us, Beyers gaffe cost us and not sticking with what was working in the run game cost us the game. One overthrow late to Hock prevented a drive from materializing as well.

Don't forget the D cost us also, not getting the stop when they had to (which always seems to be the case)

 

[hawkguy77]

In a low possession game we lost two possessions on the Groeneweg fumble and the Beyer mistake. I think the latter play was partly Groeneweg's fault for not calling for a fair catch. The defense spent too much time on the field due to those mistakes. This team is not good enough to lose the turnover battle against a team like Wisconsin.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

If you're gonna blame Beyer, then blame the coaches, too. BF called some awesome plays, but the QB sneak that came up short on the opening drive of the game was just as huge. No points when it should have been seven.

And on 3rd and goal from the two later on, BF dials up a wide play that gets blown up for a four-yard loss. In both cases, where's the toss to Fant or to the FB?

Some great calls, but man, getting no points after the sneak and only 3 after the wide play...if you think Beyer lost the game, well, he doesn't get paid as much as BF, and his two plays calls on the goal line cost Iowa a pretty crucial 11 points. Wow.

Agreed. That said, the play action to Hockensen for about 45 was a phenomenal call. As you mentioned, there were some great calls in that game -- none of which would have been made by Greg Davis. I see some progress in our playcalling, which is encouraging.

 

[BigHawksFan]

Don't forget the D cost us also, not getting the stop when they had to (which always seems to be the case)

This happens more often than it should. It would help if late in the 4th qtr our offense could at least drive most of the field to within fg range instead of always punting and the other team going on their best drive of the game with a game-winning td. Our D is almost always gassed at that point, but opposing team's D always seems fresh at same point in game.

 

[grayhair81]

Yup. There is that Cubs/Bartman loser mentality coming to the fore. Ignore all the other things that went wrong in the game so you can sleep easier by telling yourself "if only Beyer hadn't . ."

 

[Franisdaman]

No. Groenewegs fumble cost us, red zone issues cost us, Beyers gaffe cost us and not sticking with what was working in the run game cost us the game. One overthrow late to Hock prevented a drive from materializing as well.

At least KF is not saying "that's football" as much

 

[Harbinger273]

I appreciate you ability to look at this glass quarter full.

At least KF is not saying "that's football" as much[/QUOT

 

[BigHawksFan]

At least KF is not saying "that's football" as much

That actually made me laugh lol

 

[HawkTex]

Hayden had Timmy Dwight returning punts.

Dopey Kirk has a walk on returning punts.

There are 50 kids in the Iowa program that could have done a better job last night.

Participation trophy award winner gets to return punts.

Moron! Kid has a 25 yard return and you rip. Did not have the ball secured like he should have.

 

[kcgolfer]

Good teams do not make those mistakes. We all love our Hawkeyes but it's foolish to say we are a good team right now. Maybe we will become one, but it's not a given.

 

[takai]

As much as that play was detrimental to us, it wasn't all his fault. Even with that egregious mistake we still had the lead halfway into the fourth. We ****ed up too many times on multiple facets.

 

[markfromj]

No one player ever costs any team a game.

 

[Hawk fan in MN]

Iowa lacks championship level execution and play calling on offense right now. Our offense was decent last night but obviously not good enough to win on the biggest stage against championship competition. Wisconsin executed offense at a high level to take the game at the end. We did not.
I should add pass defense cost us as well.

Bingo. Wisconsin made plays when they needed to to win the game. Iowa didn't.

 

[CelticHawk]

Not blaming the guy that ran into the ball, blaming our punt returner. The guy blocking down field was doing his job. Had the punt returner done his, its a mute point.

 

[CelticHawk]

No one player ever costs any team a game.

WRONG. We played a perfect game. IMO.

 

[amahawk]

As much as that play was detrimental to us, it wasn't all his fault. Even with that egregious mistake we still had the lead halfway into the fourth. We ****ed up too many times on multiple facets.

It is a little like hoops at the end of the game. Fans moan about the last missed shot or free throw but forget about every other missed shot or free throw in the game.

 

[BigHawksFan]

No one player ever costs any team a game.

Unless you're a pitcher.

 

[hawktrooper1]

It’s the reason Iowa lost. A pick 6 or 80 yard touchdown pass on blown coverage are forgivable. Pissing down your leg when you have no business being there is not part of rational football.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Not blaming the guy that ran into the ball, blaming our punt returner. The guy blocking down field was doing his job. Had the punt returner done his, its a mute point.

Nice WOB.

 

[HemiHawk]

Good teams do not make those mistakes. We all love our Hawkeyes but it's foolish to say we are a good team right now. Maybe we will become one, but it's not a given.

I agree with KC. Iowa has the potential to be good but is just too sloppy and inconsistent right now. Special teams have a ton of issues to work on.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

And yet, but for three plays, Iowa wins easily: 28-14 at the worst. I'd have to say that's a pretty good football team. And honestly, how many times does that punt touching thing happen? I've maybe seen it two or three times in, well, many years of watching football at every level. It may have been a dumb play, but it was also bad luck, and if you don't think luck plays a part in sports, you don't know sports.

It's not an excuse, but seriously, it takes an amazing number of factors for that punt touching to happen. Wow.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

No. Groenewegs fumble cost us, red zone issues cost us, Beyers gaffe cost us and not sticking with what was working in the run game cost us the game. One overthrow late to Hock prevented a drive from materializing as well.

Yep ... it's a classic mistake to place things on a single play or player. I'd also point to issue relating to gap integrity ... that cost us against the run too. Additionally, you could tell our LBs were newbies ... because I saw issues with our pass-drops too. That contributed to the windows in the zone being a little slow to close ... and that opened up some passing lanes to Wisconsin's Ferguson.

On the flip side ... despite the missed opportunities and the turnovers ... there was a lot of good play by our Hawks too.

I have mixed feelings ... I loved how we fought ... but I'm disappointed by the outcome.

It strikes me that we're a team with a pretty high ceiling ... but the guys need to keep on working in order to shore up their mistakes.

 

[David1979]

Not just one guy, I think the Groenewig play was huge as well. Opportunity to end the half with a score gets thwarted.

 

[mlee3553]

In a low possession game we lost two possessions on the Groeneweg fumble and the Beyer mistake. I think the latter play was partly Groeneweg's fault for not calling for a fair catch. The defense spent too much time on the field due to those mistakes. This team is not good enough to lose the turnover battle against a team like Wisconsin.

This is 100% correct, take those two plays out of the game and I think we are all happy with the outcome of the game. Can't give away possessions in a tight game. I really think we would have put points on the board as well on both of those possessions. Momentum plays such a huge roll in the college game young men really feed of those emotions. Saw a lot of encouraging things they should have a solid year if they rebound and take care of business.

 

[INXS83]

The season is far from over but one guy had the worst night of his life. Fair catching inside the 5 and then not fair catching so the player runs into the ball. Then fumbling the ball. Urghhh.


I like what I see though. Good play calling, solid D and good O Line play. Stanley is an NFL QB. We can still win the West, but the margin of error is zero.

On Iowa and go Hawks.

You win as a team and lose as a team. Groenweg & Beyer had a tough night, but don't put it all on them.

Some on this board did the same thing when Fant dropped the 4th down pass in OT at NW last year. He's made up for it and then some.

 

[steelrain]

60 minutes in a game. Can't blame it on one play. While a critical error, can't solely blame the loss on one.