Did BF finally get to call the plays?

[Kurt Warner]

Yawn... who REALLY cares?? Enjoy the damned win! That was "tOSU" we trounced; regardless of who called the plays and who executed. GO HAWKS!!!!

Huh? My Lord, it's the difference between a team that can beat anyway with that play calling and execution to a boring predictable team that loses to teams it shouldn't. I think a lot of us care. They proved they can play with the big boys if they just open it up and play to win and not play to not lose.

 

[pkongsh]

BF has been calling the plays all year, and KF has not stood in his way. A young OC grew up Saturday and performed better than he did in the first games of his career as an OC. Certainly we all hope this is the new blueprint for the BF era.

 

[INXS83]

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.

If Rastetter had clued the WR's (gunners) on the left side to block for him it would have worked. He obviously did it on his own.

If he called that play in the huddle I'm pretty confident one of the players in the huddle would have called timeout.

 

[hawkfeever]

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.

Stupid comment. Still can't let it go. Yeah I am sure KF had been overruling BF up to this point. KF only decides whether they go for it on 4th down and whether to accept penalties or not.

 

[Dauminator]

Didn't read all the posts, so sorry if already pointed out, but I don't think OSU played us on D like other teams this year. They didn't sell out against the run with stacked lines and run blitzes. Now, the pass-first attack may have forced that. But OSU's team had a real casual air to them, like they expected to just play base and stroll out with a victory on talent. It was their inability to respond to adversity that was most shocking. They had it all to play for and they gave up.

 

[ICSquawk]

Someone tell me what Iowa did that was so remarkably different yesterday other than more passing on 1st down? Yeah, the fake FG obviously...but what else changed?

They were unpredictable!

 

[dfelg11404]

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?

You are absolutely nuts if you think the only difference in this game vs say the MSU and jNW games was execution.

Iowas entire offense script was flipped upsidedown. Counting how many run vs pass plays where used shows no insight into that. Most teams know what's coming next against Iowa. Seemed like not once did Ohio state know what was next. That doesn't fall simply on better execution by Iowa.

Did Iowa execute better in this game than they have all year? Sure, absolutely they did. But it is also significantly easier to execute offensively when the defense doesn't know where you are going before the ball is even snapped

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

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?

Are you talking about the 4th quarter fake punt? Yeah, no, he didn't call that.

 

[iowa surfer]

A few people will be along shortly to tell you that nothing changed with the play calling. Only Iowa somehow learned to execute 110%.

Execution as a word has some ugly sounds no? Like I am right and you are wrong. I know one thing.Hawk players TOUGH and do not quit. And we have several big time players no? Fun win yes.A game yes but beer tastes better no?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Are you talking about the 4th quarter fake punt? Yeah, no, he didn't call that.

Fake FG.

 

[Kurt Warner]

Stupid comment. Still can't let it go. Yeah I am sure KF had been overruling BF up to this point. KF only decides whether they go for it on 4th down and whether to accept penalties or not.

Stupid post

 

[myteamcanbeatupyourteam]

Fake FG.

Ah. Yes, of course he did on that one. Someone actually saying he didn't? Wow.

Lets suppose, somehow, some way Iowa players went rouge on that one. You know KF would have just called a time out.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

You are absolutely nuts if you think the only difference in this game vs say the MSU and jNW games was execution.

Iowas entire offense script was flipped upsidedown. Counting how many run vs pass plays where used shows no insight into that. Most teams know what's coming next against Iowa. Seemed like not once did Ohio state know what was next. That doesn't fall simply on better execution by Iowa.

Did Iowa execute better in this game than they have all year? Sure, absolutely they did. But it is also significantly easier to execute offensively when the defense doesn't know where you are going before the ball is even snapped

I watched the replay yesterday. The Hawks ran the stretch play, Wadley between the tackles, short passes to the TE's. The Hawks threw on 1st down, which they have been doing lately. They got great field position thanks to a couple of Jackson's INT's. They threw one long pass to Fant that was perfectly executed. Stanley was on the mark and the receivers caught the ball.

When a running play is stopped cold, it looks like the defense knew it was coming. When it is blocked well, it looks like the defense was fooled.

Iowa had many opportunities with the ball, because the defense stopped OSU. OSU did what Iowa has done lately - missed tackles, penalties, a stupid play by Bosa that got him kicked out.

If OSU "didn't know" Iowa was going to hand the ball to Wadley and throw to the TE's, then they slept through the film sessions.

Did BF call a great game? Sure he did! Was it dramatically different than the plays against Minny? I don't think so. Maybe I am nuts.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Ah. Yes, of course he did on that one. Someone actually saying he didn't? Wow.

Lets suppose, somehow, some way Iowa players went rouge on that one. You know KF would have just called a time out.

As well he should have! We don't need players drawing up plays in the dirt, uh, field turf.

No, I don't think anyone said KF didn't call it. My post was responding to those that thought KF "finally got out of the way" and let BF call the game.

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

The first thing that struck me was that tOSU wasn't playing hyper aggressive D like the teams that have shut us down did. We've seen teams stack the box and crash the gaps with reckless abandon and not get punished for it all season. It really is (was?) a recipe to shut down the Iowa O. Yesterday, tOSU started out playing straight up balanced D. We quickly got comfortable the rest was history.

Had tOSU come at us like MSU did, we would not have done nearly as well as we did. But I think they thought they could just out-athlete us on D and it backfired. While the O-line did better, the Buckeyes made it really easy on on them. Couple that with our talented TE's that tOSU simply had no answer for and we had them back pedaling from the start. Also, I think the second INT rattled Barrett. He was never the same after that.

Finally, tOSU was killing us with the RO...I have no idea why they abandoned that.

 

[RocknRollface]

You are absolutely nuts if you think the only difference in this game vs say the MSU and jNW games was execution.

Iowas entire offense script was flipped upsidedown. Counting how many run vs pass plays where used shows no insight into that. Most teams know what's coming next against Iowa. Seemed like not once did Ohio state know what was next. That doesn't fall simply on better execution by Iowa.

Did Iowa execute better in this game than they have all year? Sure, absolutely they did. But it is also significantly easier to execute offensively when the defense doesn't know where you are going before the ball is even snapped

It was obvious. Brian Griese called it very quickly on. This is not what he had watched on film while prepping for this game.

This is the point allot of people have been making for a long time. Game planning and play calling can make a huge difference in football. More so than other sports.

I dont think Kirk has been calling plays but in general he effects the game plan going in to be ultra conservative. And Brian was falling into that rut too.

Some of the stuff the announcers were saying about their conversations with Brian durring the meetings was interesting. Specifically about his past conversations with Belichek saying something to the effect, what does the defense think youre going to do? Then do the opposite.

That was what was happening saturday. That was a defense that had no read as to what was coming. Contrast that with MSU who was running straight to where the play was going and manipulating our O to audible to runs.

In what scenario is the almighty "execution" going to be easier?

 

[dfelg11404]

I watched the replay yesterday. The Hawks ran the stretch play, Wadley between the tackles, short passes to the TE's. The Hawks threw on 1st down, which they have been doing lately. They got great field position thanks to a couple of Jackson's INT's. They threw one long pass to Fant that was perfectly executed. Stanley was on the mark and the receivers caught the ball.

When a running play is stopped cold, it looks like the defense knew it was coming. When it is blocked well, it looks like the defense was fooled.

Iowa had many opportunities with the ball, because the defense stopped OSU. OSU did what Iowa has done lately - missed tackles, penalties, a stupid play by Bosa that got him kicked out.

If OSU "didn't know" Iowa was going to hand the ball to Wadley and throw to the TE's, then they slept through the film sessions.

Did BF call a great game? Sure he did! Was it dramatically different than the plays against Minny? I don't think so. Maybe I am nuts.

Idk man I think you are missing a lot that went on in this game. This wasn't the same game plan vs Minnesota or any other team this season for that matter. Did Iowa execute the same plays they've ran all year better this game? Yeah, but that's also a product of not being predicitible like they have been for most of the year.

Iowa made one of the best defenses in the country look absolutely stupid Saturday after having a near abysmal offense all year. That doesnt occur on better execution alone

 

[dfelg11404]

It was obvious. Brian Griese called it very quickly on. This is not what he had watched on film while prepping for this game.

This is the point allot of people have been making for a long time. Game planning and play calling can make a huge difference in football. More so than other sports.

I dont think Kirk has been calling plays but in general he effects the game plan going in to be ultra conservative. And Brian was falling into that rut too.

Some of the stuff the announcers were saying about their conversations with Brian durring the meetings was interesting. Specifically about his past conversations with Belichek saying something to the effect, what does the defense think youre going to do? Then do the opposite.

That was what was happening saturday. That was a defense that had no read as to what was coming. Contrast that with MSU who was running straight to where the play was going and manipulating our O to audible to runs.

In what scenario is the almighty "execution" going to be easier?

I'm not in the crowd that thinks KF has been calling plays this year. Brian has been calling them, but that doesn't mean Kirk's influence and advice didn't weigh heavily on Brian's choices I think some form of handcuffs have been there In one form or another most of the year. Not because it's the kirk way, but because we have a 1st year OC and an incredibly young offense with a sophomore QB. They had to keep the reins tightened to protect Stanley and help him build his confidence.

Saturday night I think we saw the playbook open up a bit more than it has in a long time. Iowa has been pure vanilla for so long. Even the smallest tweaks in play calling can dramatically alter the game for them. This game was the prime example.

When the defense spends the entire game on their heels, execution becomes much easier.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Idk man I think you are missing a lot that went on in this game. This wasn't the same game plan vs Minnesota or any other team this season for that matter. Did Iowa execute the same plays they've ran all year better this game? Yeah, but that's also a product of not being predicitible like they have been for most of the year.

Iowa made one of the best defenses in the country look absolutely stupid Saturday after having a near abysmal offense all year. That doesnt occur on better execution alone

Still scratching my head to figure out what was different, besides execution. Maybe the play-call combinations? The Hawks threw 4 more passes than they did against Minny, but had 5 fewer drops, and Stanley was very sharp - fewer misses. If you watch the first series, Wadley's first run I think,it was a simple dive up the middle and he busted it for 20+ yds. OSU didn't know the Hawks would hand the ball to him?

 

[RocknRollface]

Idk man I think you are missing a lot that went on in this game. This wasn't the same game plan vs Minnesota or any other team this season for that matter. Did Iowa execute the same plays they've ran all year better this game? Yeah, but that's also a product of not being predicitible like they have been for most of the year.

Iowa made one of the best defenses in the country look absolutely stupid Saturday after having a near abysmal offense all year. That doesnt occur on better execution alone

Clearly missing a ton, seeing what he wants to.

Yeah they ran stretch plays but mostly after we had the lead and had forced osu to back off the box by throwing.

 

[DodgerHawki]

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.

Iowa used basically the same formations and variety of plays they have all year. Fullback in for 31 plays, 2 TE's for 37 plays. I've been pleasantly surprised that the passing game has been okay this year based on the disaster it was at the end of last year. The only people returning in the passing game were a WR coming off two foot surgeries and a TE who caught 7 passes last year. Oh and a brand-new QB and the starting senior tackles are out basically the whole year. The fact that Iowa put 55 on OSU with those guys, plus a walk-on WR, a true freshman 3-star receiver and a redshirt freshman 3-star TE is astounding.

That's a long-winded way of saying it's been building to this. At Iowa State was a terrific offensive game. The losses at Northwestern and MSU were definite letdowns. Is it possible that Iowa was successful because of a lot of factors and not just "being more aggressive"? The play-action game becomes exponentially more effective after the first carry of the game has Wadley going for 30 on an inside zone. Iowa had only 3 negative yardage plays for -5 yards THE ENTIRE GAME, against a defense had had forced 72 negative yardage plays coming into the game. Even when the runs were not effective, Iowa was getting 2 yards, or 5 yards, or 6 yards, or 3 yards. That is much better than losing 3 on a weak-side zone run and having 2nd and 13. Wirfs and Jackson appeared to grow up a lot this week. If so, that is huge going forward.

That OSU DL is the most talented Iowa will face all year, and not once did the OL blow an assignment and give a free run at Stanley.

I do agree that there is no reason BF shouldn't let it all hang out and go for it every game left this season. Play offense like you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

 

[David1979]

These are plays they have been running all year. difference was the oline and elimination of mistakes.

 

[RogerKint]

Wrong.

 

[dfelg11404]

Still scratching my head to figure out what was different, besides execution. Maybe the play-call combinations? The Hawks threw 4 more passes than they did against Minny, but had 5 fewer drops, and Stanley was very sharp - fewer misses. If you watch the first series, Wadley's first run I think,it was a simple dive up the middle and he busted it for 20+ yds. OSU didn't know the Hawks would hand the ball to him?

You are starting to get it re: "the play-calling combos" it was a different game plan and approach offensively plain and simple. Sure it was full of the same plays we always run, but the game was absolutely called differently in regards to timing of certain plays and the addition of wrinkles thrown into spots teams have never seen from Iowa. Iowa was significantly more aggressive in this game than they had been in years. We didn't tuck into a ball to start the 3rd and start run run pass for 5, punt like we've all been accustomed too. That isn't all. Just on execution. They executed the game plan flawlessly, thing is, it wasn't a game plan any of have seen Iowa run.

Again the being close on the same number of passes or runs as another game does not indicate that those two games where using the same offensive philosophy. You don't drop 55 on a top 10.defense based on execution alone

 

[gohawks999]

Not a KF hater....but something sure changed Saturday and I'd sure like Tom or Blair to find out what it was. It was definitely something like we've never seen before.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

You are starting to get it re: "the play-calling combos" it was a different game plan and approach offensively plain and simple. Sure it was full of the same plays we always run, but the game was absolutely called differently in regards to timing of certain plays and the addition of wrinkles thrown into spots teams have never seen from Iowa. Iowa was significantly more aggressive in this game than they had been in years. We didn't tuck into a ball to start the 3rd and start run run pass for 5, punt like we've all been accustomed too. That isn't all. Just on execution. They executed the game plan flawlessly, thing is, it wasn't a game plan any of have seen Iowa run.

Again the being close on the same number of passes or runs as another game does not indicate that those two games where using the same offensive philosophy. You don't drop 55 on a top 10.defense based on execution alone

No, I don't think I get it. The Hawks have been throwing the ball on all downs, and in many different situations. But, instead of a critical miss or drop on 3rd down followed by a crappy punt, the drive was kept alive with a well executed play. As the Hawks moved down the field, they got some rhythm. The Hawks started picking up 4 and 5 yards with running plays, instead of getting stuffed. Plays worked. Yes, in the 3rd and 4th quarters they were aggressive, but they also had really good field position.

OSU had 18 tackles for a loss against PSU. PSU has a very creative offense and talent all over the field. Iowa gave up one sack, and I don't remember more than a couple TFL's.

And, don't forget, the defense kept giving the ball back to the offense after the 1st quarter.

BF called a great game. The players made it work. I'd say 75 - 80% execution, 20-25% change in play calling.

 

[cg8284]

For you guys to debate.

First down plays during conference play-


Ohio St ( Run - 18 Pass - 15; 4th qtr - 5 runs, 0 passes)
MN (Run - 16, Pass - 12)
NW (Run - 16, Pass 11)
ILL (Run - 19, Pass - 9)
Mich St (Run - 8, Pass - 11)
Penn St (Run - 10, Pass - 11)

 

[JAMAM]

His finger prints are all over yesterdays game plan...

I was kinda thinking the same thing?

 

[youflog1hawk]

Someone tell me what Iowa did that was so remarkably different yesterday other than more passing on 1st down? Yeah, the fake FG obviously...but what else changed?

I thought when under the center Stanley only took a quick three step drop and got rid of it as quickly as possible. I could be wrong but we had not been doing that much.

 

[youflog1hawk]

I Think the frustration from the likes of Boza was attributed to them not being able to get to Stanley because of the short drops and breaking tendencies and then executing on those changes made a huge difference. A defense that likes to be aggressive but just couldn't.

 

[iowa surfer]

I was kinda thinking the same thing?

No doubt.

 

[RocknRollface]

These are plays they have been running all year. difference was the oline and elimination of mistakes.

Brian Griese was adamant about the difference in what Iowa did saturday vs the film he had watched of them that week to prepare.

He repeated it numerous times.

Allot of the same plays/formations were used but different level of aggressiveness and risk taking. Tendencies were not the same.

Also toss sweeps and draws arent what Iowa normaly does. They did both in first quarter.

 

[David1979]

Brian Griese was adamant about the difference in what Iowa did saturday vs the film he had watched of them that week to prepare.

He repeated it numerous times.

Allot of the same plays/formations were used but different level of aggressiveness and risk taking. Tendencies were not the same.

Also toss sweeps and draws arent what Iowa normaly does. They did both in first quarter.

They have called those plays this year.

 

[DrewHawk33]

You are absolutely nuts if you think the only difference in this game vs say the MSU and jNW games was execution.

Iowas entire offense script was flipped upsidedown. Counting how many run vs pass plays where used shows no insight into that. Most teams know what's coming next against Iowa. Seemed like not once did Ohio state know what was next. That doesn't fall simply on better execution by Iowa.

Did Iowa execute better in this game than they have all year? Sure, absolutely they did. But it is also significantly easier to execute offensively when the defense doesn't know where you are going before the ball is even snapped

Exactly!!

How some people still cannot wrap their brain around this amazes me!!

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

Brian Griese was adamant about the difference in what Iowa did saturday vs the film he had watched of them that week to prepare.

He repeated it numerous times.

Allot of the same plays/formations were used but different level of aggressiveness and risk taking. Tendencies were not the same.

Also toss sweeps and draws arent what Iowa normaly does. They did both in first quarter.

Did you forget the toss sweep for a safety earlier this year?

The difference was that tOSU tried to stop us with a vanilla base D. The teams that have stuffed us have run blitzed aggressively and dared us to beat them through the air. We seemed unwilling to try (or at least pass more than normal). Couple that with a young mix/match OL just starting to gel, and we looked much better. I'd say the one big change was rolling Nate out more than usual, which I think wasn't expected.

We actually attempted fewer deep (20+ yards) passes than usual. We ran a fake FG, but mostly we just did what we do, but better. Literally everyone was firing on all cylinders.

My honest opinion is that tOSU thought they could come in, play a vanilla game and shut us down like everyone else. If they'd run MSU's defensive plan, they probably would have. They've been hanging points on everyone, so there was no reason to think we'd shut 'em down. Even if we scored 21, they'd certainly hang 40+ on us, right? A couple turnovers and we were in the QB's head. They inexplicably abandoned the ZR, which was working really well.

If I were Wiscy, I'd start out with a plan similar to the hyper aggressive D's we've played this year. I think we've improved, but I don't think our offense does well against that approach. Other that quick hitter passes, the blitzes effectively stop the run and put pressure on our non-mobile QB. It's possible Nate and the O-line just had a simultaneous massive aha moment, but the more likely answer is that we just capitalized on a defense that did not take us seriously in preparation.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

For you guys to debate.

First down plays during conference play-


Ohio St ( Run - 18 Pass - 15; 4th qtr - 5 runs, 0 passes)
MN (Run - 16, Pass - 12)
NW (Run - 16, Pass 11)
ILL (Run - 19, Pass - 9)
Mich St (Run - 8, Pass - 11)
Penn St (Run - 10, Pass - 11)

Nice stat. Thanks.

 

[ScoutRefugee]

I have a theory. It came to me when KF told the commentators that he had to go back to the Tampa Bay Bucs years with Greg Schiano, to get a look at his defense. 2012-2013. Guess who was playing for Schiano on that TB team? AC. Would anyone here have a problem with KF/BF getting Schiano's defensive signals/plays from a former Hawkeye? It's just a theory.

 

[beans 33]

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).

100% agree!

 

[doughuddl2]

You are absolutely nuts if you think the only difference in this game vs say the MSU and jNW games was execution.

Iowas entire offense script was flipped upsidedown. Counting how many run vs pass plays where used shows no insight into that. Most teams know what's coming next against Iowa. Seemed like not once did Ohio state know what was next. That doesn't fall simply on better execution by Iowa.

Did Iowa execute better in this game than they have all year? Sure, absolutely they did. But it is also significantly easier to execute offensively when the defense doesn't know where you are going before the ball is even snapped

Your absolutely nuts if you think they game plan the same plans for every team. Come on your better than that aren't you?

 

[ConvenientParking]

I have a theory. It came to me when KF told the commentators that he had to go back to the Tampa Bay Bucs years with Greg Schiano, to get a look at his defense. 2012-2013. Guess who was playing for Schiano on that TB team? AC. Would anyone here have a problem with KF/BF getting Schiano's defensive signals/plays from a former Hawkeye? It's just a theory.

Pretty unrealistic/unlikely. D is usually adjusting to what the offense presents for personnel. No way he's using the same signals used in TB. There are a lot of ways to disguise/change signals if you suspect the other team is stealing them.