The Hawks moved to 10-2 with a last second win against the worst program in the Power 5. It's been quite a season of ups, downs, and extremely close games. So let's get to it:
1. Hurkett's Huge Game. How about unheralded Ethan Hurkett stepping up huge. Not only did he set career bests with 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks, but he had the game winning interception at a time when it looked like Nebraska was going to sting the Hawks with a last second field goal. The guy should be one of the bright spots next year on a fully rebuilt defense.
2. If Kirk Can Bench His Kicker Why Not His QB? While it was a no brainer for Kirk to bench Iowa's star kicker because he struggled in one game (and is still one of the Big 10's best), it still "never occurred" to Kirk or Brian to bench the Big 10's worst performing QB at any point in any game? How? The emergence of Brown from the bottom of the WR depth chart due to an injury and the backup kicker's ability to step in and hit a clutch kick answered the question "what's the upside" in playing a backup. Yet somehow Hill continues to take every snap from Labas & Lainez no matter how poorly he performs. He was an embarrassing 11 for 28 for 94 yards, 0 touchdowns while averaging just 3 yrds per attempt. He also had a crucial late game interception that should have cost Iowa the game, and threw 3 other interceptions that the defenders simply dropped. Hawk fans have now had to endure 4 straight years of having the worst QB in the Big 10 and there's been zero accountability at the position.
3. Love Watching Castro. Let's not take for granted all those smooth sliding tackles where Castro swoops in and takes out a guy's legs in the blink of an eye. He had 2 more key tackles for loss this week. It would be fantastic if he comes back next year and becomes the star of the defense, but if not, he's clearly got a huge NFL career ahead of him like so many who came before him.
4. Weakest Schedule in Iowa History? Years from now, fans will only remember 2023 for the 10 win season. But as we assess the year, it's hard to overlook that none of Iowa's 10 wins were against anyone with a pulse. Believe it or not, 6-5 Northwestern was Iowa's "best" Big 10 win. The Hawks also beat 6-5 Wisconsin in their worst season in a decade. That's it. It's unheard of for a Big 10 team to play just one Top 25 opponent in 12 games, but that's how the schedule worked out. If Iowa gets blown out in the Big 10 championship game, it'll be hard to remember this team as anything but beneficiaries of the softest schedule they may ever have.
5. Williams is Growing On Me. Williams always struck me as a career depth player. Solid, but not enough sizzle or speed to be a featured back. With that said, the guy runs harder than more talented backs. He has slowly become Iowa's most reliable back. He finished the day with 16 carries for 111 yards for a whopping 7 yards per carry...while Johnson averaged just 3 yards per carry. It'll be interesting to see which RBs stick around next year with 3 guys vying for the starter role.
6. Ultra Conservative Play Calling Continues. How many times do we have to watch Iowa run up the middle for no gain on 3rd and 7? How many more punts on 4th and inches? Why is it still so scary to throw the ball down the field to one of your 8 scholarship wide receivers? Brian has nothing to lose, yet he continues to go out there and coach like it's 1912 and points are impossible to get. Rather than sulk and throw out all his Iowa gear while still getting paid $900,000 + bonus this year, it would be nice to see Brian at least try to be innovative and accomplish some big plays.
1. Hurkett's Huge Game. How about unheralded Ethan Hurkett stepping up huge. Not only did he set career bests with 9 tackles and 1.5 sacks, but he had the game winning interception at a time when it looked like Nebraska was going to sting the Hawks with a last second field goal. The guy should be one of the bright spots next year on a fully rebuilt defense.
2. If Kirk Can Bench His Kicker Why Not His QB? While it was a no brainer for Kirk to bench Iowa's star kicker because he struggled in one game (and is still one of the Big 10's best), it still "never occurred" to Kirk or Brian to bench the Big 10's worst performing QB at any point in any game? How? The emergence of Brown from the bottom of the WR depth chart due to an injury and the backup kicker's ability to step in and hit a clutch kick answered the question "what's the upside" in playing a backup. Yet somehow Hill continues to take every snap from Labas & Lainez no matter how poorly he performs. He was an embarrassing 11 for 28 for 94 yards, 0 touchdowns while averaging just 3 yrds per attempt. He also had a crucial late game interception that should have cost Iowa the game, and threw 3 other interceptions that the defenders simply dropped. Hawk fans have now had to endure 4 straight years of having the worst QB in the Big 10 and there's been zero accountability at the position.
3. Love Watching Castro. Let's not take for granted all those smooth sliding tackles where Castro swoops in and takes out a guy's legs in the blink of an eye. He had 2 more key tackles for loss this week. It would be fantastic if he comes back next year and becomes the star of the defense, but if not, he's clearly got a huge NFL career ahead of him like so many who came before him.
4. Weakest Schedule in Iowa History? Years from now, fans will only remember 2023 for the 10 win season. But as we assess the year, it's hard to overlook that none of Iowa's 10 wins were against anyone with a pulse. Believe it or not, 6-5 Northwestern was Iowa's "best" Big 10 win. The Hawks also beat 6-5 Wisconsin in their worst season in a decade. That's it. It's unheard of for a Big 10 team to play just one Top 25 opponent in 12 games, but that's how the schedule worked out. If Iowa gets blown out in the Big 10 championship game, it'll be hard to remember this team as anything but beneficiaries of the softest schedule they may ever have.
5. Williams is Growing On Me. Williams always struck me as a career depth player. Solid, but not enough sizzle or speed to be a featured back. With that said, the guy runs harder than more talented backs. He has slowly become Iowa's most reliable back. He finished the day with 16 carries for 111 yards for a whopping 7 yards per carry...while Johnson averaged just 3 yards per carry. It'll be interesting to see which RBs stick around next year with 3 guys vying for the starter role.
6. Ultra Conservative Play Calling Continues. How many times do we have to watch Iowa run up the middle for no gain on 3rd and 7? How many more punts on 4th and inches? Why is it still so scary to throw the ball down the field to one of your 8 scholarship wide receivers? Brian has nothing to lose, yet he continues to go out there and coach like it's 1912 and points are impossible to get. Rather than sulk and throw out all his Iowa gear while still getting paid $900,000 + bonus this year, it would be nice to see Brian at least try to be innovative and accomplish some big plays.
