My thoughts on Tim Lester

[NCHawkeye24]

So everyone knows, a 4th or 5th string QB will get exactly zero reps with the ones in practice. Shaggy has studied the playbook and knows the plays, but knowing them and executing them are two different things. This offense under TL is as much predicated on timing as anyone, and people, that just takes time and reps to perfect. Defenses don't always do what you want them to do either thus being able to go through progressions needs to be second nature. That is why you see so many NFL coaches tie themselves to a QB because the investment in a QB is massive and a wrong choice can set a franchise back a decade or more.

Stratton has not really played competitive football since H.S. (much like Deac last year) and is trying to catch up to speed as quickly as he can in the 3 weeks since he has been a 1 or 2. TL can talk to him in his helmet up to 15 seconds before the play clock runs out, but, knowing that the defenses shift and now he has a different look than what he thought. He is at best at this time a first-read QB and now that read is taken away. Everyone knows it; KF, TL, Stratton himself, opposing team HC, DC and all the players. Tough spot for everyone.
Excited for TL with having a full compliment of his QB's in spring and summer practices and a whole year under his system.

 

[sober_teacher]

Ok, so in his 4th year, with all his guys in place and one of the most experienced OL in the country, Iowa finally fielded what almost looked like a serviceable B1G OL. Sorry I’m not impressed.

Certainly BF crippled the offense for years, no arguing that. But not sure he’s totally to blame. It looks like GB failed to develop an NFL OLineman after Linderbaum fell in his lap.

And GMAFB with the Joe Moore award thing. We both know that’s a joke.

So, in 3 years with a terrible OC the OL looks bad; but in 1 year with a new OC they look much better…you don’t think the scheme played a pretty big role in their poor performance?

I’ve said already I think he at least earned another year. If they continue to improve I’d say that it’s a pretty powerful argument that the scheme was holding back the OL far more than barnetts perceived shortcomings.

 

[Ladell-hawk]

Bullshit.
He rarely has any input during the game.

This, Kirk lets the OC call the plays.

 

[BHoppy]

As I said before, until we have the Jimmy and Joes at the skill positions and stop teams from loading the box, we will not know if Lester's offense is going to change things. You can only block so many players at the line.

 

[kwik44]

Play action was our bread butter for years; seems to have gone by the wayside from Davis years forward. No idea why.

Teams defend it better than 15-20 years ago. Those rollouts are a lot more covered than they used to be - particularly the end or lb staying home. Just one thing I’ve noticed.

 

[herkyhawk00]

I think the problem for Sully was that with his ankle his mobility was still really limited. Not really an upgrade imo to put Sully in there if he was a statue.

Stratton did nothing in that game that Sullivan couldn’t have done better. Stratton wasn’t asked to run, didn’t scramble to avoid a sack, and Sully throws better. With Sullivan having practiced all week, it was mind boggling we didn’t throw him in there after the first three series.

 

[Iron Doc]

As I said before, until we have the Jimmy and Joes at the skill positions and stop teams from loading the box, we will not know if Lester's offense is going to change things. You can only block so many players at the line.

I agree.
Time will tell.
I do give Lester credit for at least trying to modernize the Offense within the constraints imposed by Capt Fossil.

 

[MeetTheFerentzes]

So, in 3 years with a terrible OC the OL looks bad; but in 1 year with a new OC they look much better…you don’t think the scheme played a pretty big role in their poor performance?

Didn’t say that

I’ve said already I think he at least earned another year. If they continue to improve I’d say that it’s a pretty powerful argument that the scheme was holding back the OL far more than barnetts perceived shortcomings.

I guess you’re just willing to give GB more leeway than I am. I’ve personally seen enough. Chances are you’ll get your wish and he’ll be allowed to stay in the club as long as he wants, like 90% of KF’s assistants. I won’t be holding my breath awaiting all this sudden improvement in training, development and technique that you apparently expect to see just because BF is mercifully gone. As a Hawkeye fan, I hope you’re right.

 

[BrotherHawkeye]

Stratton did nothing in that game that Sullivan couldn’t have done better. Stratton wasn’t asked to run, didn’t scramble to avoid a sack, and Sully throws better. With Sullivan having practiced all week, it was mind boggling we didn’t throw him in there after the first three series.

I think it being reported that Sullivan was ready to go was a fake. Only in the event that Stratton got hurt and couldn't go back in would be have seen Sullivan in a limited capacity. In 2021, Iowa started Padilla, and then came back with Petrus in the second half because Padilla wasn't effective. No reason to think that wouldn't have happened on Friday, except that Sullivan was not really ready.

 

[BVHawkeye]

Certainly Brian was in over his head but our offensive problems begin with the QB. Hopefully Lester can have some input on recruiting that position. I think Lester did a pretty good job this year. It’s crazy, because I’m such a Phil Parker advocate, but out defense didn’t look like the Iowa defense many times. Michigan State and UCLA was a terrible performance against teams with losing records.

 

[sober_teacher]

Didn’t say that

I guess you’re just willing to give GB more leeway than I am. I’ve personally seen enough. Chances are you’ll get your wish and he’ll be allowed to stay in the club as long as he wants, like 90% of KF’s assistants. I won’t be holding my breath awaiting all this sudden improvement in training, development and technique that you apparently expect to see just because BF is mercifully gone. As a Hawkeye fan, I hope you’re right.

I’m just seeing more progress from the OL than you are apparently.

 

[Thunderlips71]

At least for this year - this is a false narrative. I don't see how you can say the OL has been horrible this year...they weren't semifinalists for the joe moore award for nothing.

While I won't say they've been great the past few years - they obviously weren't, I have and will continue to argue that that had as much to do with the poor scheme and playcalling by BF as well as the atrocious QB play as well. We change OCs who does much better at putting players in good spots to succeed, and look what happens...YPC jumps to over 5, the starting RB breaks the rush TD record and for a time threatened the single-season yardage mark.

The line was dogshit this year. Again. Don’t give them credit for KJ’s talent.

 

[IChawkeye45]

The line was dogshit this year. Again. Don’t give them credit for KJ’s talent.

Yea. I agree. This was supposed to be the year with all the “experience” it came together on the oline . Maybe against the Maryland’s and Northwestern's of the world it did. But it was a lot of Kaleb Johnson just being special.

 

[mixmasta40]

We're likely to have the #1 rushing offense for the first time under KF. Passing game showed signs of life imo. OL took a big step forward, but now we will see what happens with having to replace several starters.

Sure, but anyone expecting a major turnaround at the position in just one offseason, especially when there wasn't nearly the number of options at the QB position in the portal that was expected.

I'm hoping someone asks Kirk/Lester/Stratton...it didn't seem like Stratton had much zip on his passes last night; I'm wondering if the cold was bothering him. Lester has been good enough as a playcaller that it was perplexing to see Iowa insist on running into a brick wall all game.

Looking at the NCAA data for 12 games in 2024, Iowa's defense ranked 10th in the nation allowing 13 points per game. The Offense is ranked 66th, not 114! Iowa averaged 28 points/game with 330 yards of total offense/game. This is a major improvement over the past four years no matter what the contributors were!

 

[Beattheohiostate]

Total offense ranking last year 132
This year 114

70 yds more a game.

Pts per game way up to 28….15 last year

Not as much improvement as we would like but improvement nonetheless.

I think the jury is still out. He took over a train wreck offense.

Sure, but I have to agree that the play calls vs. Nebraska were insanely stupid. BF might as well have been OC . . . or Frank Lauterbur (look it up, kids). Running the ball into the heart of a nine-man front all freakin' night long? What's wrong with some quick pitches to the outside? How about throwing the ball to the TEs? How can you have nine in the box and cover slants? Where was the misdirection? Too cold? LOL

That was a BS attempt at offense vs. Nebraska, no matter how you try to spin it. Although Iowa did manage 1 first down and 20 yards in the whole, entire first damn half! For the game they pumped that up to FIVE first downs. And half the total yardage for the game came on ONE spectacular run by KJ. And it's a disgrace that those yards are credited as passing yards. That was one of the greatest runs in all of college football this year, and they should go on KJ's rushing stats.

And how can you not score a TD when you take over on the FIVE yard line?! It was ISU all over again. No running wide. No naked boot by the QB. No nothin'. And KF, as usual, wimps out on 4th and goal from the two and takes the three points. Wow. What an embarrassment.

 

[jonesy5960]

The line was dogshit this year. Again. Don’t give them credit for KJ’s talent.

There were definitely games where the Iowa line performed at a high level, creating some big holes for backs to run through. It wasn't consistent however, and pass protection was pretty spotty at times.

There were also times where KJ simply put the team on his back and carried them to victory. There were no holes to run through on Friday and that screen pass was just KJ doing KJ things by bouncing off and running around half the Husker defense on the way to the end zone.

 

[denmar81]

I think the Joe Moore semifinalist is because Iowa was leading the conference in rushing. The pass blocking was horrible.

 

[sober_teacher]

There were definitely games where the Iowa line performed at a high level, creating some big holes for backs to run through. It wasn't consistent however, and pass protection was pretty spotty at times.

There were also times where KJ simply put the team on his back and carried them to victory. There were no holes to run through on Friday and that screen pass was just KJ doing KJ things by bouncing off and running around half the Husker defense on the way to the end zone.

Don't disagree - but even inconsistent run-blocking and spotty pass protection is still a giant step forward to the last couple years.

 

[binsfeldcyhawk2]

Sure, but I have to agree that the play calls vs. Nebraska were insanely stupid. BF might as well have been OC . . . or Frank Lauterbur (look it up, kids). Running the ball into the heart of a nine-man front all freakin' night long? What's wrong with some quick pitches to the outside? How about throwing the ball to the TEs? How can you have nine in the box and cover slants? Where was the misdirection? Too cold? LOL

That was a BS attempt at offense vs. Nebraska, no matter how you try to spin it. Although Iowa did manage 1 first down and 20 yards in the whole, entire first damn half! For the game they pumped that up to FIVE first downs. And half the total yardage for the game came on ONE spectacular run by KJ. And it's a disgrace that those yards are credited as passing yards. That was one of the greatest runs in all of college football this year, and they should go on KJ's rushing stats.

And how can you not score a TD when you take over on the FIVE yard line?! It was ISU all over again. No running wide. No naked boot by the QB. No nothin'. And KF, as usual, wimps out on 4th and goal from the two and takes the three points. Wow. What an embarrassment.

Yep horrible game offensively.

This season in its entirety showed improvement over last year though.