One of the worst performances ever by an Iowa team in Kinnick on national tv against an unranked opponent. A 12-10 loss that helped put an end to any type of national discussion of Iowa, good or bad. The worst part about it is, there was NOTHING to give fans hope that the team can regroup and actually play offense.
Play Calling Can't Get Worse. It was kind of cute early in the season when commentators noticed how Iowa's offense only seems to move at the beginning of games when running their pre-scripted plays (i.e. plays planned by the entire staff in the week leading up to the game). Once the script ends, week after week, the Hawks offense stalls. At halftime, when most coaches put pen to paper and make adjustments, boy wonder proves time and time again he's not qualified. Each play on offense looks unnecessarily difficult. Somehow even short simple passes always seem to be forced into triple coverage. The route trees are so pathetic that it's impossible for anyone to get open, even with 5 guys running routes. Then there's the runs, which are so predictable that dline knows the play before Deac hikes the ball. The OC, who should have been fired 2 years ago, and again last year, deserves a fat F on the day and needs to donate his pay check to the children's hospital.
Remember that "Resurgent Running Game?" Ha! The Hawks had 28 rushes today for just 11 yards!!! Has anyone ever seen a stat line that bad, especially with a "run oriented offense?" I don't care if it's Iowa City High against Alabama, .4 yards per rush is not acceptable. Kaleb Johnson, the 1st teamer/most hyped, seems to go down the instant he's touched. Jaz Patterson, who, for some reason, was brought in on most 3rd and short situations, averaged just .7 yards per carries and failed to reach the line to gain on any of his attempts. Then there's the workhorse, Williams, who averaged just 1.2 yards because every time he touched the ball there were 3 defenders in the backfield.
Higgins Deserves Better. Iowa's most underrated player is not only making a case for team MVP, but also for 1st team All American. This week, Higgins added to his Big 10 lead with 14 more tackles, including a tackle for loss. I don't even recall Jack Campbell consistently recording that many tackles en route to winning the Butkus award.
Nwankpa Disappears Again. Was the guy's name ever called during the game? He was out there, but did anyone see him in on any play? I sure didn't. While unheralded Castro was all over the field, X was a huge no show on defense yet again.
Anderson Should Have Stayed at DII. Three straight drops by Anderson this week after a horrible first half of the season. The only positive is he didn't smile with a huge grin after each drop of like Vines in weeks past on his drops. And what about the Ohio State transfer that would come in and light up the offense? 8 games and zero catches. I bet no one had that on their bingo card this year.
QB Play is Way Worse Than Even Petras. Who would have thought Iowa would keep playing a QB who can't manage to complete 38% of his passes every down of every game? What coaching staff leaves in a QB after 3 horrible turnovers, zero mobility, and zero throwing ability? At this point, the Hawks would be better off starting DeJean at QB and letting someone else help him out on defense.
What Happened to Jermari Harris. Wasn't it just a few years ago when the staff was making comparisons between Harris and some Hawkeye greats? Minnesota completed 10 passes and nearly all of them involved Harris getting burned or being out of position (if he wasn't getting called for pass interference). What a contrast to the way DeJean plays on the other side of the field. Now we can see why the staff was desperately hunting for a CB in the portal this past year even knowing they had a pre-season all-American cb.
Play Calling Can't Get Worse. It was kind of cute early in the season when commentators noticed how Iowa's offense only seems to move at the beginning of games when running their pre-scripted plays (i.e. plays planned by the entire staff in the week leading up to the game). Once the script ends, week after week, the Hawks offense stalls. At halftime, when most coaches put pen to paper and make adjustments, boy wonder proves time and time again he's not qualified. Each play on offense looks unnecessarily difficult. Somehow even short simple passes always seem to be forced into triple coverage. The route trees are so pathetic that it's impossible for anyone to get open, even with 5 guys running routes. Then there's the runs, which are so predictable that dline knows the play before Deac hikes the ball. The OC, who should have been fired 2 years ago, and again last year, deserves a fat F on the day and needs to donate his pay check to the children's hospital.
Remember that "Resurgent Running Game?" Ha! The Hawks had 28 rushes today for just 11 yards!!! Has anyone ever seen a stat line that bad, especially with a "run oriented offense?" I don't care if it's Iowa City High against Alabama, .4 yards per rush is not acceptable. Kaleb Johnson, the 1st teamer/most hyped, seems to go down the instant he's touched. Jaz Patterson, who, for some reason, was brought in on most 3rd and short situations, averaged just .7 yards per carries and failed to reach the line to gain on any of his attempts. Then there's the workhorse, Williams, who averaged just 1.2 yards because every time he touched the ball there were 3 defenders in the backfield.
Higgins Deserves Better. Iowa's most underrated player is not only making a case for team MVP, but also for 1st team All American. This week, Higgins added to his Big 10 lead with 14 more tackles, including a tackle for loss. I don't even recall Jack Campbell consistently recording that many tackles en route to winning the Butkus award.
Nwankpa Disappears Again. Was the guy's name ever called during the game? He was out there, but did anyone see him in on any play? I sure didn't. While unheralded Castro was all over the field, X was a huge no show on defense yet again.
Anderson Should Have Stayed at DII. Three straight drops by Anderson this week after a horrible first half of the season. The only positive is he didn't smile with a huge grin after each drop of like Vines in weeks past on his drops. And what about the Ohio State transfer that would come in and light up the offense? 8 games and zero catches. I bet no one had that on their bingo card this year.
QB Play is Way Worse Than Even Petras. Who would have thought Iowa would keep playing a QB who can't manage to complete 38% of his passes every down of every game? What coaching staff leaves in a QB after 3 horrible turnovers, zero mobility, and zero throwing ability? At this point, the Hawks would be better off starting DeJean at QB and letting someone else help him out on defense.
What Happened to Jermari Harris. Wasn't it just a few years ago when the staff was making comparisons between Harris and some Hawkeye greats? Minnesota completed 10 passes and nearly all of them involved Harris getting burned or being out of position (if he wasn't getting called for pass interference). What a contrast to the way DeJean plays on the other side of the field. Now we can see why the staff was desperately hunting for a CB in the portal this past year even knowing they had a pre-season all-American cb.
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