It sure looked as though someone besides the norm was calling them. Absolutely fantastic play calling all game. Did KF finally let Brian do his job? If he did it was one helluva good move.
Did BF finally get to call the plays?
- Thread starter Kurt Warner
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A few people will be along shortly to tell you that nothing changed with the play calling. Only Iowa somehow learned to execute 110%.
I said the same thing during the game. Variety of different formations, shifts and plays.....very unpredictable. Great game plan!
The play calling was definitely great.
But I think a big difference was that Iowa could run the ball. It looked almost easy getting 4 yards a run which is what we are used to as Iowa fans.
But I think a big difference was that Iowa could run the ball. It looked almost easy getting 4 yards a run which is what we are used to as Iowa fans.
He called a great game yesterday, kept them on their toes and mixed it up. I think another huge part was the O-line played their asses off and only allowed 1 sack and moved their d-line back on run plays. I just hope we get this same game plan next week.
That game is exactly how we all wish iowa would play every game. Kept our foot on the gas and the other team guessing for once. I bet other teams coaches are just hoping that we revert back to our predictable selves because THAT team last night could hang with anybody
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
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Best job by an Iowa OC in at least 20 years. Coincidence that it happened against a great Ohio State team one week after the big press box blowup? I'm not big on coincidence.
I have no inside info, but here's my take, FWIW: Yes, BF was ticked at the replay guy, but his REAL beef was with his dad for vetoing his play-calling all season long. So when the stuff hit the fan, BF says, "Look, Dad, if you want to call the plays, do it. If you want somebody besides me to call the plays, I'll go back to being a position coach. Or maybe I'll just take a job at another school... or back in the NFL...where I won't be micromanaged into oblivion. I'm tired of being blamed for your BS offense. Either I call the plays, or I'm done."
KF says, "Well, son, we don't want you to leave...We've got nothing to lose with Ohio State coming in...OK. You can call the plays, and I'll stay completely out of it and we'll see how it goes."
What other explanation could there be? It was as close to a perfectly called game as you'll ever see ANYWHERE, and it was against a top ten defense filled with top NFL draft choices.
Iowa's offense looked like the Pats, and Stanley looked like Tom Brady. Iowa scratched where it itched. And OMG, I just about had a heart attack when the Hawks pulled off that trick play. The difference in Iowa before and Iowa yesterday was like the difference between grandma knitting in her wheelchair and then, out of nowhere, leaping up and rattling off a rap.
I've never been so shocked at the difference in an Iowa team this late in the season as I was yesterday. And it must have been because, for the first time in 19 years, KF took the handcuffs off the OC. May it continue.
I have no inside info, but here's my take, FWIW: Yes, BF was ticked at the replay guy, but his REAL beef was with his dad for vetoing his play-calling all season long. So when the stuff hit the fan, BF says, "Look, Dad, if you want to call the plays, do it. If you want somebody besides me to call the plays, I'll go back to being a position coach. Or maybe I'll just take a job at another school... or back in the NFL...where I won't be micromanaged into oblivion. I'm tired of being blamed for your BS offense. Either I call the plays, or I'm done."
KF says, "Well, son, we don't want you to leave...We've got nothing to lose with Ohio State coming in...OK. You can call the plays, and I'll stay completely out of it and we'll see how it goes."
What other explanation could there be? It was as close to a perfectly called game as you'll ever see ANYWHERE, and it was against a top ten defense filled with top NFL draft choices.
Iowa's offense looked like the Pats, and Stanley looked like Tom Brady. Iowa scratched where it itched. And OMG, I just about had a heart attack when the Hawks pulled off that trick play. The difference in Iowa before and Iowa yesterday was like the difference between grandma knitting in her wheelchair and then, out of nowhere, leaping up and rattling off a rap.
I've never been so shocked at the difference in an Iowa team this late in the season as I was yesterday. And it must have been because, for the first time in 19 years, KF took the handcuffs off the OC. May it continue.
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Yes sir!! We are not just little old Iowa. We can play with the big boys. This offense was fun to watch. Please don’t revert back to predictably, please!!
Which they made happen by throwing on first down enough to keep the bucknuts off balance. Also no question our young athletic tackles are starting to settle in.
And they will.
We've seen this before, although not quite as aggressive, only to go back to stretch playes to the short side and run every time on second, every audible is a run ect.
Iowa will be back to predictably soon and close games against weak opponents.
C'mon. KF finally let BF call the plays? Seriously? Why does KF get no credit for anything good that happens, and all the blame when something bad happens. Do you really think KF "calls" plays?
Against Minny, Stanley was 15-27, 190. Against OSU he was 20-31 226. So, KF "let" BF call 4 more pass plays against OSU?
How about execution? No drops, no drive killing penalties. Other than the fake field goal, I don't remember any "new" plays - just better executed ones. And, if you don't think KF called the fake you're kidding yourself.
Did you notice how the running game improved vs the last few weeks? The Hawks threw the ball almost as much against MInny, but the run game was stuffed. Maybe blocking was better?
How about defense? 4 picks? 1 pick 6? Defense gave up NO first downs to OSU in the 3rd quarter!
The Hawks had a great game plan and executed it to perfection. KF gets no credit for that?
Against Minny, Stanley was 15-27, 190. Against OSU he was 20-31 226. So, KF "let" BF call 4 more pass plays against OSU?
How about execution? No drops, no drive killing penalties. Other than the fake field goal, I don't remember any "new" plays - just better executed ones. And, if you don't think KF called the fake you're kidding yourself.
Did you notice how the running game improved vs the last few weeks? The Hawks threw the ball almost as much against MInny, but the run game was stuffed. Maybe blocking was better?
How about defense? 4 picks? 1 pick 6? Defense gave up NO first downs to OSU in the 3rd quarter!
The Hawks had a great game plan and executed it to perfection. KF gets no credit for that?
Agreed, it looked like a Patriots game plame complete with the lineman eligible play.
Theres no reason to go back to the old ways but im almost positive Kirk will.
I can’t understand the “we just executed better crowd” after watching this game.
It was so clear that we executed better yesterday because Ohio St had no idea what play was coming. The unpredictability caused the better execution.
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anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba
Guest
Of course KF gets the credit. After 19 years, he finally had it pointed out to him that he doesn't know a thing about offense, and he let his son do his job. That's what great CEOs do in any profession. Hire good people, then get the hell out of the way and let them do their jobs.
So yes, absolutely, credit KF for finally getting out of the way of the Iowa offense.
I get it now!
When a play call works, it's "creative, imaginative, unpredictable". When a play call doesn't work, it's "the wrong call, predictable, boring".
When several plays don't work, KF is calling the plays. When several plays work, BF is calling the plays.
Did anyone actually hear the announcers refer to their discussions with BF who said maybe he was being too dedicated to the run game, and maybe he needed to open it up a little?
Iowa had 6 drops against Minny. Did KF call those plays?
When a play call works, it's "creative, imaginative, unpredictable". When a play call doesn't work, it's "the wrong call, predictable, boring".
When several plays don't work, KF is calling the plays. When several plays work, BF is calling the plays.
Did anyone actually hear the announcers refer to their discussions with BF who said maybe he was being too dedicated to the run game, and maybe he needed to open it up a little?
Iowa had 6 drops against Minny. Did KF call those plays?
No play calling is predictable when you do it over and over again until the other team doesn’t have to guess what you are doing. Prior to this game that was the Iowa offense. Yesterday we had Ohio St guessing. I love it!!
So, KF has somehow been calling the plays all season, and BF sits in the pressbox talking to .... his wife? Then, KF has an epiphany this week and "lets" BF call the plays?
Then when the Hawks get stuffed this week at Wisky, KF will have decided that he will call the plays again?
That's the story?
Absolutely. I agree that BF did an amazing job against OSU. But, the same guy was calling the plays in all of Iowa's games. KF did not "get out the way". BF is getting better at his job.
His finger prints are all over yesterdays game plan...
I don’t care about the KF or BF bullshit. I just want us to continue mixing the plays up and not be so predictable.
You actually watched that game thinking the only difference was better execution? Really?
The execution was great but OSU never got comfortable on defense becasue that was not an Iowa team they had game planned for.
It is likely because of the same old product year in and year out. Kirk has to have some of the credit, but this was not entirely Kirk Ferentz. Maybe not entirely Brian either. Heck, maybe they finally listened to Polasek. I think a big part of it was we had two exceptionally talented tight-ends playing well, making positive contributions all throughout the game, wide-receivers finally hanging on to balls, a quarterback coming of age and an offensive line finally able to open up some creases. Whoever called the plays was able to take advantage of throwing one of the most talented teams in the country off balance and they had no answer for it! The naysayers can say what they want, that Ohio State was still in hangover mode from their come from behind win last week. It was more than that, This Iowa team had them figured out from both sides of the ball. Stanley looked to be the Heisman caliber quarterback and not the product on the other side of the field (JT Barrett).
You’re wasting your time arguing with the KF haters. It doesn’t matter what happens or who we beat and how. The haters gonna hate no matter what. Just a few years ago they all wanted BB to be our coach, I bet they still think he’s a better coach. KF is a great coach and the haters are just blinded by their hate!
No, not the only difference. I'm assuming that you don't think the ONLY difference in the game was play calling, do you? No drops! No turnovers! No great plays called back due to penalties! The run game actually produced some positive yardage! The defense got the ball back with interceptions and 3 and outs.
BF called a great game. The players executed it to perfection.
Obviously it was execution + aggressive play calling. Wirf at RT, they didn't give him any PT until Boetger went down..he is just getting it. As far as game plan, I saw a draw play I hadn't seen all season, I saw a QB punt, I saw a Fake FG I'd never seen in 20 years of KF. I saw aggressive 1st down throws and sticking with it. I saw passing from bad field position. I saw red zone passes instead of running into a brick wall.
It is reminiscent of 2004, where after a chit kicking by Michigan and 5 games into the season without a run game, they dumped the run and put the offense in Tate's arm and legs---the play calling changed dramatically as did the results.
It is reminiscent of 2004, where after a chit kicking by Michigan and 5 games into the season without a run game, they dumped the run and put the offense in Tate's arm and legs---the play calling changed dramatically as did the results.
None of what happened yesterday is mutually exclusive. Iowa gave osu a bit of the unexpected, iowa executed on pass plays, which helps the running game, etc. Just because the passing stat lines may look similar to the minnesota doesn't mean the timing of play calls, type of play calls, etc was the same
I think we saw at least two things that explain yesterday. This team is finally jelling at a point in the season when Ferentz's teams usually round into a potent force. Secondly, I'm convinced that yesterday we saw the first real game plan designed around the idea of what we can do against a specific oppenent instead of just employing a general "this is who we are" philosphy. Case in point... the use of our very talented TE's for more than the occasional short and mid-range attempts - these guys can do so much more than just block.
By my count, Brian Ferentz called about 75 plays and Colten Rastetter called 1.
But seriously, the game plan was markedly different than we saw at NW, for example. I've always been of a mind that execution can be made easier by a good game plan, though yesterday Iowa had both in spades: great play calling that kept OSU off-balance, and amazing execution on both offense and defense.
If we'd had average execution, I think we perhaps win a close game rather than walloping them like we did. But luckily we made so many amazing plays that we smashed them, just smashed them. But the plays that were called were of a different philosophy than before: more pass-first than run-first, and who ever thought we'd run a Swinging Gate formation ever?
BTW, I think Colten Rastetter's play-calling days are over.
On the other hand, the field WAS wide open for him, and if any of THREE Hawkeyes had blocked the guy who tackled Rastetter (the guy weaved thru THREE Hawks to get to him), he'd have gotten the first down easy. Easy.
But seriously, the game plan was markedly different than we saw at NW, for example. I've always been of a mind that execution can be made easier by a good game plan, though yesterday Iowa had both in spades: great play calling that kept OSU off-balance, and amazing execution on both offense and defense.
If we'd had average execution, I think we perhaps win a close game rather than walloping them like we did. But luckily we made so many amazing plays that we smashed them, just smashed them. But the plays that were called were of a different philosophy than before: more pass-first than run-first, and who ever thought we'd run a Swinging Gate formation ever?
BTW, I think Colten Rastetter's play-calling days are over.
On the other hand, the field WAS wide open for him, and if any of THREE Hawkeyes had blocked the guy who tackled Rastetter (the guy weaved thru THREE Hawks to get to him), he'd have gotten the first down easy. Easy.
I think we saw the Oline dominate yesterday. Everything good that happens at Iowa starts in the trenches. Griese even commented how Schianno never sends linebackers on blitzes to get pressure and that the Iowa Oline was so dominant, he started sending his backers. Yes, we passed more on first down, but have been trending that way over the past couple of games already.
To say it wasn't largely due to execution shows little knowledge of the game. Execution includes blocking, not dropping the ball, no penalties, keeping sound assignments on defense, proper technique stopping run and pass, etc. We executed in all phases of the game yesterday, period. Enjoy the win and stop over analyzing this thing.
To say it wasn't largely due to execution shows little knowledge of the game. Execution includes blocking, not dropping the ball, no penalties, keeping sound assignments on defense, proper technique stopping run and pass, etc. We executed in all phases of the game yesterday, period. Enjoy the win and stop over analyzing this thing.
So you think the O line play wasn't better just the same as all the other games.
Having Butler back for the second week didn't help.
I don't remember any drops.
Very few penalty killing drives, if any at all.
Change in punt returner.
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Ok just watched replay.
Some very different playcalling than just normal stretch plays into a stacked box. Gressie called it right off the bat, this is not the same stuff he saw on film leading up to the game. He would know.
Toss sweep and draw plays to Wadley, lots of passes on first down.
This was not just about execution, (sure that was good too), as it was strategy. Doing things OSU was not expecting rather than trying to over power them.
Its frustrating to see Iowa be able to mix it up against good teams but not do it regularly against beatable teams.
Some very different playcalling than just normal stretch plays into a stacked box. Gressie called it right off the bat, this is not the same stuff he saw on film leading up to the game. He would know.
Toss sweep and draw plays to Wadley, lots of passes on first down.
This was not just about execution, (sure that was good too), as it was strategy. Doing things OSU was not expecting rather than trying to over power them.
Its frustrating to see Iowa be able to mix it up against good teams but not do it regularly against beatable teams.
I think he did, I hope he watches this film before every game for the rest of his career. How fun was the unpredictability to watch?
We ran very few zone stretch, that wasnt working earlier. More traps was good.
Yeah, but those runs were opened up because Ohio State had to pull their 8th and 9th men out of the box early in the game because Stanley was slinging it. THAT is what a balanced offense is supposed to look like. Teams put 8 or 9 in the box? Pass until they stop doing it. Honestly, I don't even care either way. I'm just so f'ing happy right now.
No way was the play calling the same. I am not sure I previously saw more than 1 or 2 roll outs by Stanley all year. Pretty sure I saw at least 3 and probably many more in this game. Center eligible receiver - yah, every week. QB punt - ditto. Same as always ... ha ha
Yawn... who REALLY cares?? Enjoy the damned win! That was "tOSU" we trounced; regardless of who called the plays and who executed. GO HAWKS!!!!
