Iowa hidden yardage

[swihawk]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

 

[BrotherHawkeye]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

Valid points, but I'd still prefer Iowa having a reliable offense that can move the ball, because there are days when the field position game doesn't work, and Iowa simply needs to score points. And they've shown they can do so this year, even though it has not been consistent. I've written this before, Friday was a Ferentz game, all the way. Don't make mistakes, make the opponent go long fields to score and count on the opponent to make mistakes. When all those boxes are checked, Iowa wins that game more often that almost any other team. It was a nice win against a truly classless program. In some ways, winning that game in that way was more satisfying because it was Nebraska.

 

[swihawk]

Valid points, but I'd still prefer Iowa having a reliable offense that can move the ball, because there are days when the field position game doesn't work, and Iowa simply needs to score points. And they've shown they can do so this year, even though it has not been consistent. I've written this before, Friday was a Ferentz game, all the way. Don't make mistakes, make the opponent go long fields to score and count on the opponent to make mistakes. When all those boxes are checked, Iowa wins that game more often that almost any other team. It was a nice win against a truly classless program. In some ways, winning that game in that way was more satisfying because it was Nebraska.

Yes. We'd prefer scoring 30 points but some opponents have defenses. Kirk can punch above his weight occasionally with these hidden yards most us don't recognize or appreciate.

As we know, he sometimes wins games that Iowa "shouldn't have". Some are head scratchers unless you look under the covers.

 

[uihawk82]

Valid points, but I'd still prefer Iowa having a reliable offense that can move the ball, because there are days when the field position game doesn't work, and Iowa simply needs to score points. And they've shown they can do so this year, even though it has not been consistent. I've written this before, Friday was a Ferentz game, all the way. Don't make mistakes, make the opponent go long fields to score and count on the opponent to make mistakes. When all those boxes are checked, Iowa wins that game more often that almost any other team. It was a nice win against a truly classless program. In some ways, winning that game in that way was more satisfying because it was Nebraska.

I agree and I would like to punt a lot less and be punting from midfield. You want a reliable and tough offense that can pass and run so when you are pinned down you can get at least 2-3 first downs and flip the field.

And you want this offense to score 30-40 pts per game so there is less punting.

 

[dozeman]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

Most teams turn that kind of field position into more than 13 lousy points and five first downs. You're really trying hard to put lipstick on the pig here.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Most teams turn that kind of field position into more than 13 lousy points and five first downs. You're really trying hard to put lipstick on the pig here.

What pig? Iowa won the game. They don't need any lipstick

 

[eyesofhawk]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

KF teams have pretty much always had the hidden yardage. Penalty yardage differential has been huge too.

Add in that Iowa usually wins the turnover battle and you usually have your team in a real good place

 

[Beattheohiostate]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

You make some good points, but Iowa has relied on hidden yardage for about six straight years. Other teams count on hidden yardage too, but they still have an offense. That's what I'd like to see Iowa try. Imagine it: big yardage right out there in plain sight . . .

 

[Mister Plow]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

I get it the overall concept but you bring up a good point calling them "hidden yards" which may be the first time I've seen that (maybe bc I don't spend a lot of time here). In addition to punting, you also have penalties. We had 1 (for 15 yards) where they had 4 (for 20). Not a big yardage difference but that's still 3 more penalties and I don't know the game situations. You throw in turnovers too. This is like the opposite of the Bears. Generally, Iowa doesn't beat itself.

 

[dozeman]

What pig? Iowa won the game. They don't need any lipstick

Yeah, yeah 8-4, broken record. Real impressive with wins over the number 8,11,12,14,16, and 17 teams in the league. Not to mention losses to 13 and 15. Lipstick. 💄💄🐷🐷

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

Yes. We'd prefer scoring 30 points but some opponents have defenses. Kirk can punch above his weight occasionally with these hidden yards most us don't recognize or appreciate.

As we know, he sometimes wins games that Iowa "shouldn't have". Some are head scratchers unless you look under the covers.

We got lucky against Nebraska. Hidden yardage or not.

 

[coorsoriginal02]

I don't give a sh*t about using "hidden yardage" to get to 8 wins, with only two of those against teams that finished above .500

Kirk depending on these hidden yardage games has gotten old as hell.

 

[coorsoriginal02]

Yes. We'd prefer scoring 30 points but some opponents have defenses. Kirk can punch above his weight occasionally with these hidden yards most us don't recognize or appreciate.

As we know, he sometimes wins games that Iowa "shouldn't have". Some are head scratchers unless you look under the covers.

Serious question - When is the last time we won a game we "shouldn't have?"

 

[obfuscating]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

Let us unhide from what has been hidden.

 

[eyesofhawk]

We got lucky against Nebraska. Hidden yardage or not.

What was lucky about it?

 

[stanzithemanzi12]

What was lucky about it?

Opposing teams muffing punts and recovered by opposition when opposing team is winning by more than an TD in the second half? I bet that happens less than 10% of games.

Tied game, 40 seconds or so left, sack fumble on opposing team's 40 yard line. That happens less than 10% of the time.

We hit on two huge plays that happen seldomly considering the time, score, and situation.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Serious question - When is the last time we won a game we "shouldn't have?"

'23 Nebraska. 2.5 point dog at kickoff.

Btw, being favored in most of your games means the program is in a pretty good spot

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Valid points, but I'd still prefer Iowa having a reliable offense that can move the ball, because there are days when the field position game doesn't work, and Iowa simply needs to score points. And they've shown they can do so this year, even though it has not been consistent. I've written this before, Friday was a Ferentz game, all the way. Don't make mistakes, make the opponent go long fields to score and count on the opponent to make mistakes. When all those boxes are checked, Iowa wins that game more often that almost any other team. It was a nice win against a truly classless program. In some ways, winning that game in that way was more satisfying because it was Nebraska.

I'm sure Ferentz would want a more reliable O too. However, given that we were starting our 5th string QB ... the passing game is going to necessarily be limited. Hell, even with Cade and Brendan, our passing game was, AT BEST, a work in progress. However, that is what is going to happen when QB #1 has lost most of his confidence and QB #2 is mostly a run-first QB. On top of all that ... Lester's schemes weren't as TE-friendly as Iowa's passing schemes traditionally have been. Furthermore, our WRs were VERY young and pretty darn inconsistent. It makes the job of the QB even harder when guys aren't going where they're supposed to be going!

 

[eyesofhawk]

Opposing teams muffing punts and recovered by opposition when opposing team is winning by more than an TD in the second half? I bet that happens less than 10% of games.

Tied game, 40 seconds or so left, sack fumble on opposing team's 40 yard line. That happens less than 10% of the time.

We hit on two huge plays that happen seldomly considering the time, score, and situation.

Iowa gets no credit for any of that?

 

[BrotherHawkeye]

We got lucky against Nebraska. Hidden yardage or not.

Is this luck? No, it's Nebraska.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

The remarkable thing about Ferentz is that he likely has a better win percentage with a team having under 250 yards than any other coach ... probably in history!

There is something to be said about the fact that games are often lost more often than they are won. Certainly the "hidden" yardage plays a huge part of that.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The remarkable thing about Ferentz is that he likely has a better win percentage with a team having under 250 yards than any other coach ... probably in history!

There is something to be said about the fact that games are often lost more often than they are won. Certainly the "hidden" yardage plays a huge part of that.

Well said.

Welcome to football

 

[swihawk]

You make some good points, but Iowa has relied on hidden yardage for about six straight years. Other teams count on hidden yardage too, but they still have an offense. That's what I'd like to see Iowa try. Imagine it: big yardage right out there in plain sight . . .

Maybe longer. Its why Ferentz has that "does more with less" reputation. He plays that conservative field position chess game, every game. It works fairly often. There is an unbelievable stat about teams who have less than 200 yards of offense and how often they win when doing so. Those teams win about 4% of those games, Iowa wins 46% of them. Something like 6-7 when under 200 yards of offense. I wish I captured the source of that. It is crazy.

 

[swihawk]

Opposing teams muffing punts and recovered by opposition when opposing team is winning by more than an TD in the second half? I bet that happens less than 10% of games.

Tied game, 40 seconds or so left, sack fumble on opposing team's 40 yard line. That happens less than 10% of the time.

We hit on two huge plays that happen seldomly considering the time, score, and situation.

Kinda helps that we shut Debbie out the second half. Our punter put that punt near the goal line that they muffed. As a husker media guy said, Iowa's special teams are like a military special forces unit, describing that turnover.

Forced 3 fumbles in the 4th quarter including the strip sack and fumble recovery. Many teams would fail on that 53 yard FG.

The result of a disciplined, well coached team, taking advantage of opportunities a lesser squad provided.

Probably doesn't hurt that Ravioli is a turnover machine.

 

[TailgateTom]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

I have always been a fan of this philosophy, because as stated, the hidden yards are a real thing. However, combining that with a potent, even semi-potent offense could (would?) put Iowa in the upper echelon. To me, we do the most difficult parts well, and really struggle with the "less" difficult things.

 

[swihawk]

I have always been a fan of this philosophy, because as stated, the hidden yards are a real thing. However, combining that with a potent, even semi-potent offense could (would?) put Iowa in the upper echelon. To me, we do the most difficult parts well, and really struggle with the "less" difficult things.

Yes. Something the fans want. At least Lester nearly doubled our points per game. Had our defense played like last year...

 

[gojojo]

We got lucky against Nebraska. Hidden yardage or not.

There is no such thing as ‘luck’. I’ve never heard a successful person talk about their luck, only ‘unlucky’ people trying to explain their failures.

 

[eyesofhawk]

There is no such thing as ‘luck’. I’ve never heard a successful person talk about their luck, only ‘unlucky’ people trying to explain their failures.

There is such a thing as luck.

It's just pretty much never an important factor in sports and especially football

 

[swihawk]

True. To take advantage of luck, it helps to be prepared.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

I’m guessing Wetjen will end up with around 1,000 return yards.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The hard time that people give Iowa football for their lack of yardage on offense isn't and never has been warranted.

There are other ways to win football games. And Iowa has consistently done that for over two decades.

Really, the program has been too successful for any criticism of it to be valid. Sure, there are some frustrating areas for some fans. But in the end, the win/loss records prove Iowa to be a darn good, respectable, and amazingly consistent football program.

Iowa football doesn't deserve the level of negativity it has gotten. Come back after a couple 6/7 win seasons if you expect your complaints to be taken at all seriously

 

[93hawkeye]

It's all about the W's.
KF's teams have "stolen" a lot of wins over the years with hidden yards, timely takeaways, etc.
Some of us probably thought Chris Doyle and Norm Parker were the real coaching geniuses on Iowa sideline....except the good-to-excellent seasons have continued after their departures.
Could be KF himself is to blame as much as anybody.

 

[BrotherHawkeye]

I’m guessing Wetjen will end up with around 1,000 return yards.

He's close. 888. He could get there with a nice bowl game (1 kick return and several punt returns).

 

[TailgateTom]

We got lucky against Nebraska. Hidden yardage or not.

I mean, call it what you want but I've seen KF muddy up games like this countless times and get the win. Luck by design.

 

[IowaHawk1994]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

Works real well vs good teams like 0-35 well Hawks are not even competitive vs decent teams.
Ugly home wins vs other bad teams is what this program is.

 

[IowaHawk1994]

I have always been a fan of this philosophy, because as stated, the hidden yards are a real thing. However, combining that with a potent, even semi-potent offense could (would?) put Iowa in the upper echelon. To me, we do the most difficult parts well, and really struggle with the "less" difficult things.

It's the schedule stupid .... Iowa is not competitive vs the good teams. The elite D thing is a myth and the offense is offensive as we all know.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

Works real well vs good teams like 0-35 well Hawks are not even competitive vs decent teams.
Ugly home wins vs other bad teams is what this program is.

Given that we're only 1 season in with having a new OC ... and we had plenty of QB issues ... I'm not that disheartened with where we're at.

If you compare our O this year to where our O was through the prior few seasons ... we're currently in a much better place. In all frankness, it's too bad that our D didn't have a better season this year.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

It's the schedule stupid .... Iowa is not competitive vs the good teams. The elite D thing is a myth and the offense is offensive as we all know.

The elite D thing is totally not a myth ... tell that to OSU in 2017.

 

[MichaelKeller99]

From a comment in the College Football with Sam channel:

The Ferentz style of playing field position chess with opposing coaches produces hidden yardage almost always overlooked by the fans. Debbie out gained Iowa 334-164 offensively but
Iowa had 45 more return yards and enjoyed an average starting field position of our 37 yard line while Debbie started from their 22 yard line, 15 hidden yards over 11 drives that's an adjusted total of 410 for Iowa and 370 for Debbie. A 15 yard advantage on each drive before the ball is snapped.

The Ferentz way, beat you with special teams and defense. With all of Debbie's offensive "dominance", they only scored 10 points.

In the end, the stat that counted was 13-10.

The Iowa way relies on 4 things to be successful. 1) defense 2) special teams 3) not turning the ball over, and 4) a steady dose of average to poor opponents.

It usually works for a decent record but it’s nearly unwatchable.

 

[hawkeyeinmo]

He's close. 888. He could get there with a nice bowl game (1 kick return and several punt returns).

Add in his reception and rushing yards for “all purpose” yards and he’s really close to 1,000.