Going Whole Hog! Victory at Minnesota...Observations.

[Harbinger273]

I'm happy with the 48, not so much with the 31. I'm very happy with the road win today and going 4-1.
I was impressed with the passing numbers today and B. Smith had himself the best game of his career thus far. Congrats to him on that! The run game reached the storied century mark but did so with a sub par 2.7 ypc average. Run blocking issues with the OL or were Golfer defenders solid?
Loved the trickery to Hock for the td and also pumped he got his first receiving td of the season! What a great player.
Brents looks like a star in the making and Moss performed admirably. Needed that secondary to get going in the int department and they did. Geno Stone got one too!
Sounds like some injury issues and hope they don't turn out too bad.

 

[shotdoc08]

31 wouldn't have been as easy had they not had two redzone gifts. TD drive of 3 and 6 yards.

 

[kceasthawk]

31 wouldn't have been as easy had they not had two redzone gifts. TD drive of 3 and 6 yards.

Exactly right. The defense played pretty well overall. We knew that Minny's best players were their WR's and they challenged the young DB's early on. Both responded pretty well after a rough start. As you said, two "GIFTS" by Stanley, in what was otherwise maybe his best game, kept the game interesting.

 

[DaCDiggity]

Stanley actually checked into pass plays!

 

[TKingpin]

Stanley needs to check into pass plays a LOT more often, especially when he sees 8 and 9 in the box.

Even if it is a quick pass to a relief valve RB, it has a better chance than any run where the defense is attacking the LOS with 8 or more.

2nd down was ridiculously ineffective. Could it be that other teams know we run it 95% of the time when we gain 4+ on first down? It is too predictable and needs to be balanced out in the future, IMHO.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Injuries, a suspension, a ridiculous play by Stanley, inability to run the ball, Minny running the ball better than I had hoped - good win, but these things are making it harder to enjoy.

Stanley was sharp, receivers played well. I thought BF called a good game - he had to keep trying to run the ball but it never worked. Minny put everything to stop the run and Stanley tore them up.

Still can't figure out Stanley's INT. A minute to go in the half trying to force a ball into a crowd to gain 10 yards? Did he black out for a second?

Defense looked pretty good - giving up 17 points not bad - but this doesn't look like a great defense that I thought we might have.

A good win, but troubling at the same time.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The run game reached the storied century mark but did so with a sub par 2.7 ypc average. Run blocking issues with the OL or were Golfer defenders solid?

Apart from the Maryland game, the Gophers had been pretty darn solid against the run. I believe that the embarrassment of the Maryland game supplied them with a little extra "juice" for their run D. However, another part of it was, as others have rightly stated ... they were selling out to stop the run. Anyhow, the point being ... they're capable of being strong against the run ... and they also schemed things in order to ensure that they'd slow our running game. They knew that it would be a dangerous proposition to let the Hawks gain traction running the ball.

However, oddly enough, the Gophers had also been quite successful on pass D previously too. Perhaps that's why they were willing scheme to take away the run ... figuring the their guys would hold up agains the pass. Prior to the game against the Hawks, the Gophers had only allowed 4 passing TDs through 4 games. Then, against the Hawks, the allowed 4 passing TDs in a single game ... and it could have been worse!

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Injuries, a suspension, a ridiculous play by Stanley, inability to run the ball, Minny running the ball better than I had hoped - good win, but these things are making it harder to enjoy.

Minnesota was getting the better yardage on the ground, much later in the game. That was at a time when they were behind far enough .... that by letting them run the ball, it was helping to burn the clock. Given that both Niemann and Hockaday were injured and out ... and Welch is presumably still dinged ... and, on top of all that, we started 2 true freshmen at corner .... it's understandable that there might be some issues against the run. In Iowa's D, corners play a key role in run support. Also, with Phil scheming by using the sub-package with Amani Hooker playing the OLB for most of the game ... there's no small surprise that there may have been some issues with the run-fills.

 

[His Hawkness]

Injuries, a suspension, a ridiculous play by Stanley, inability to run the ball, Minny running the ball better than I had hoped - good win, but these things are making it harder to enjoy.

Stanley was sharp, receivers played well. I thought BF called a good game - he had to keep trying to run the ball but it never worked. Minny put everything to stop the run and Stanley tore them up.

Still can't figure out Stanley's INT. A minute to go in the half trying to force a ball into a crowd to gain 10 yards? Did he black out for a second?

Defense looked pretty good - giving up 17 points not bad - but this doesn't look like a great defense that I thought we might have.

A good win, but troubling at the same time.

I think he was trying to throw it out of bounds, but he threw way too far left instead of right.

 

[rufus-hawk]

Injuries, a suspension, a ridiculous play by Stanley, inability to run the ball, Minny running the ball better than I had hoped - good win, but these things are making it harder to enjoy.

Stanley was sharp, receivers played well. I thought BF called a good game - he had to keep trying to run the ball but it never worked. Minny put everything to stop the run and Stanley tore them up.

Still can't figure out Stanley's INT. A minute to go in the half trying to force a ball into a crowd to gain 10 yards? Did he black out for a second?

Defense looked pretty good - giving up 17 points not bad - but this doesn't look like a great defense that I thought we might have.

A good win, but troubling at the same time.

Well, a person controls his own happiness. You just really suck at it.

 

[m.stoops2013]

Stanley needs to check into pass plays a LOT more often, especially when he sees 8 and 9 in the box.

Even if it is a quick pass to a relief valve RB, it has a better chance than any run where the defense is attacking the LOS with 8 or more.

2nd down was ridiculously ineffective. Could it be that other teams know we run it 95% of the time when we gain 4+ on first down? It is too predictable and needs to be balanced out in the future, IMHO.

Hard to check into a GOOD pass play when Cooper or #14 are the only WR on the field in that stupid formation we only ever run outside zone on, why not use hock or fant as the fb & have #12 or #6 in at wr?

 

[Harbinger273]

Yea some sloppy plays made this one look like a game when it should have been more of a blowout. The interception was confounding.
I love the 5 sacks we got, but would like to have seen us a little tighter against their run game.
Overall I'm pleased with our first road game. Can't say we came out sluggish off the bye week this year!

 

[Harbinger273]

Iowa up to 76th nationally in total offense. Trending in the right direction.
Also, Iowa had 18 sacks in the first 5 games of the season. On pace for 47 for the year. That would be very impressive.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Yea some sloppy plays made this one look like a game when it should have been more of a blowout. The interception was confounding.
I love the 5 sacks we got, but would like to have seen us a little tighter against their run game.
Overall I'm pleased with our first road game. Can't say we came out sluggish off the bye week this year!

Run D and run blocking both need serious improvement imo.

No reason they should average 60%+ more per rush than us. I'll take the win, but that can't continue.

 

[Harbinger273]

This play shows good maturation but Stan. Now we just need more consistency.

 

[SLarew]

31 wouldn't have been as easy had they not had two redzone gifts. TD drive of 3 and 6 yards.

Exactly right. The defense played pretty well overall. We knew that Minny's best players were their WR's and they challenged the young DB's early on. Both responded pretty well after a rough start. As you said, two "GIFTS" by Stanley, in what was otherwise maybe his best game, kept the game interesting.

Second gift was courtesy of Alaric Jackson. Stanley never saw guy coming from backside

 

[LuteHawk]

The Hawkeye defense will continue to be our strength.
The offense lacks one solid running back capable of
rushing for 100 yds a game. Having 3 running backs
who are a committee of one still does not equal Wadley.

 

[KujawaFan]

I thought Alaric was really bad yesterday. He missed a lot of blocks with a couple being clear whiffs that about got Stanley killed. I assume just an off game. Seriously our run blocking was pretty bad regardless of Minny selling out in my opinion.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The Hawkeye defense will continue to be our strength.
The offense lacks one solid running back capable of
rushing for 100 yds a game. Having 3 running backs
who are a committee of one still does not equal Wadley.

How do you figure? Wadley had 30 yards on 17 carries against MSU last year and 23 yards on 8 carries against Wisconsin last year. He had only 20 yards against NDSU, 35 yards against Northwestern, 28 yards against Penn State, and 44 yards against Wisconsin in 2016.

Another part of it deal with the blocking of the OL. Another part of it deals with the fact that our current committee is still comprised of a bunch of SOs. As they gain reps ... they'll improve as players. As the blockers in front of them develop ... the running lanes will get bigger too ... and so will the yardage that they'll run for grow.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

I think he was trying to throw it out of bounds, but he threw way too far left instead of right.

That is the only explanation I can come up with. It was a real head scratcher though because he was out of the pocket and easily could have thrown it 10 feet over everyone’s head.

 

[Johnsoda123]

Run D and run blocking both need serious improvement imo.

No reason they should average 60%+ more per rush than us. I'll take the win, but that can't continue.

Iowa's rush defense this year is significantly better than last year. Without looking, it has to be top ten in the country.

 

[bigfridaynite]

I thought Alaric was really bad yesterday. He missed a lot of blocks with a couple being clear whiffs that about got Stanley killed. I assume just an off game. Seriously our run blocking was pretty bad regardless of Minny selling out in my opinion.

This I hate to pick on the young man but he's really struggling right now. I wouldn't be surprise if we don't see a change there but the bye week is over so probably won't happen on 2nd thought

 

[KujawaFan]

Good point I do feel bad on picking on a kid and did add I assume just one bad game. He just didn't look like himself. I thought of any year our OL line would be awesome would be this year since who they practice against each day.

 

[RHBar]

I thought Alaric was really bad yesterday. He missed a lot of blocks with a couple being clear whiffs that about got Stanley killed. I assume just an off game. Seriously our run blocking was pretty bad regardless of Minny selling out in my opinion.

I think that defensive end that he was up against is pretty damn good and I think that will show in the postseason Awards

 

[bigfridaynite]

I think that defensive end that he was up against is pretty damn good and I think that will show in the postseason Awards

This is a good point too,
I'm sure AJ will end up being an all pro guard someday like Brandon

 

[KujawaFan]

Good points all. Guess just not used to seeing the big man get beat!

 

[Harbinger273]

Alaric is just a sophomore now with 16 starts. He's going to have ups and downs. Major size and speed difference between him and some of these edge defenders too. Now if he is turning guys loose regularly toward the end of next season that will be more concerning.

 

[bigfridaynite]

Alaric is just a sophomore now with 16 starts. He's going to have ups and downs. Major size and speed difference between him and some of these edge defenders too. Now if he is turning guys loose regularly toward the end of next season that will be more concerning.

I guess I'm sure he'll be fine with growth but is he the answer right now at that position.

 

[The Deplorable Sleeping Dog]

The interception almost looked like what I believe tactical shooters call a "phantom". The mind creates a target that just doesn't exist. A flash of light or shadow-it was the worst throw Nate Stanley has made.

Agree on the poor run blocking and the very poor play by the left tackle. Alaric has to get up and into the edge rusher. If he can he can push them all over the field.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Iowa's rush defense this year is significantly better than last year. Without looking, it has to be top ten in the country.

It wasn't yesterday, not even close.

 

[Johnsoda123]

It wasn't yesterday, not even close.

86 yards rushing, 2.8 YPC? That's about as good as it gets. LY Iowa was giving up like 4.7 YPC.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

86 yards rushing, 2.8 YPC? That's about as good as it gets. LY Iowa was giving up like 4.7 YPC.

The 2.8 yard average was also biased by the sack yardage. The run D most certainly could have been better against the Gophers ... but I think that the given situations in the game and the personnel we had lends context for why we saw what we saw.

 

[Johnsoda123]

The 2.8 yard average was also biased by the sack yardage. The run D most certainly could have been better against the Gophers ... but I think that the given situations in the game and the personnel we had lends context for why we saw what we saw.

Again, without looking, over 5 games this run defense has been a top 10 run defense. Much improved so far over last year. The wildcat hurt Iowa vs Minnesota.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

86 yards rushing, 2.8 YPC? That's about as good as it gets. LY Iowa was giving up like 4.7 YPC.

There RB avg 5 yards a carry and that is with their best one out for the year.....

Again, without looking, over 5 games this run defense has been a top 10 run defense. Much improved so far over last year. The wildcat hurt Iowa vs Minnesota.

it WASgood before injuries. hopefully we gain some of that back next week.....
It wasn't just the wildcat.

 

[Johnsoda123]

Not trying to be disagreeable at all. Hawk fan for life too. I'm confident this is a legitimate top 20 Iowa defense. I'm more concerned about our running game than stopping the run. I've heard a dozen times oh well Minnesota's game plan was to stop the run. Iowa wins when they can run the ball. Iowa's run game is not very good right now. We will win the West passing the football.

 

[H4wkfan4life]

Not trying to be disagreeable at all. Hawk fan for life too. I'm confident this is a legitimate top 20 Iowa defense. I'm more concerned about our running game than stopping the run. I've heard a dozen times oh well Minnesota's game plan was to stop the run. Iowa wins when they can run the ball. Iowa's run game is not very good right now. We will win the West passing the football.

I'm just happy to see us passing more. If they want to keep defending the run, then keep on passing. They'll have to change eventually.
You're right though, the run block needs to improve and the backs need to be tougher. Good thing is that I'm pretty sure they all know that. I believe it was wirfs that pretty much said run blocking hasn't been near where it should be.
..

 

[chuck285]

Good point I do feel bad on picking on a kid and did add I assume just one bad game. He just didn't look like himself. I thought of any year our OL line would be awesome would be this year since who they practice against each day.

Do we have any other linemen who can replace him until he learns he needs more than size and weight? I know we don't replace QB's but we should be able to interchange linemen....

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

Do we have any other linemen who can replace him until he learns he needs more than size and weight? I know we don't replace QB's but we should be able to interchange linemen....

They do have other linemen. He could be replaced just like Christianson and Ruddock were replaced by Stanzi and Beathard were at QB.

 

[hawkster03]

 

[David1979]

31 wouldn't have been as easy had they not had two redzone gifts. TD drive of 3 and 6 yards.

Yeah, that is the big key. They got 14 points on a total of 9 yards. Which is why Iowa's defensive efficiency remained pretty steady after this game.