What an all around shocking performance! 55 points is the most points Iowa has scored against OSU in history! Un-freaking-believable.
1. Stanley - Today was the kid's coming out performance. 20/31 for 226 yards is solid, but the 5 tds and 0 ints is historic. That's 1/3 of the touchdowns that CJ threw all season last year. Stanley was hitting on his deep balls, his check downs, his throws against his body and play action roll outs. He was also staying up and delivering throws even after being hit. This was Stanley's first big win, and it won't be his last. If we can teach the guy to scramble for first downs every now and then, and find him some D1 WRs, he could be a first team All-Big 10 QB next year.
2. Running Game - Thus far, our running game has been the most disappointing unit at Iowa. Wadley came into the year averaging over 6 yards per carry, and Butler is a 2,000 yard grad transfer. Despite the talent, our running game was ranked nearly last in the Big 10 after 9 weeks of play. Today was another story. Wadley was used the right way, out running defenders around the corners, running counters, and catching passes. The coaching staff got the memo that running a 190lb back up the gut against 9 men in the box over and over and over again isn't going to work. 20 rushes for 118 yards is solid against anyone, but this was far and away the most yards gained against OSU all year. Butler came in relief and had 10 carries for 74 yards, mostly running right up the middle for tough yards. Even Toren Young had 50 yards, and he's hardly played all year. This is how the running game was supposed to play. Are we ever going to see Wadley and Butler in the game at the same time? It would be nice.
3. Sudden Coaching Creativity - This was a huge, monumental upset, no doubt. The use of the tight ends, the play action, the proper utilization of Wadley, the beautiful fake field goal. But WHY WASN'T THIS OUR SYSTEM IN OUR VANILLA, LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCES VS. MSU, NORTHWESTERN, etc.? The same players who put up 55 points vs OSU could barely muster 10 points against inferior opponents. Our defense hasn't changed; it's all on the offensive play calling. Too much learning on the job and randying around by Brian Ferentz. This team is too good to have 3 losses already, but let's hope the high scoring offense is here to stay.
4. Josh Jackson - I was tough on Jackson in the past for his god awful punt returning. As a CB, however, he has always been solid. I was a little surprised last week when publications came out touting him a possible high round NFL prospect, as he barely even played last year. With 3 interceptions on national tv against a Heisman contender, I think it is safe to say that talent scouts from every NFL team will be taking a good look at his tape, and Jackson won't make the same mistake King did in coming back for his senior season. Barring an unforeseen injury, Jackson is going to be the next great Hawkeye DB in the NFL next year.
5. True Freshmen Still Playing Like True Freshmen - It's great seeing Wirfs out there playing well as a true freshmen. But what's up with the most highly hyped kids in last year's recruiting class? Epenesa played quite a bit today, but he was blanked, with zero tackles, and he has a combined 2 tackles in the last 3 games. Brandon Smith, our diamond in the rough savior at WR, has dropped/fumbled more passes this season than he's caught. Literally. Max Cooper had his redshirt burned, but has yet to even have a pass come his way in 10 games. Smith-Marsette had the infamous wide open deep ball last week that bounced right off his facemask, and today he returned a kickoff from the 1 yardline to the 7 yardline. And what happened to the punter who burned his redshirt in the 8th game of the year, averaged 52 yards per punt, then found himself back on the bench this week? These guys have potential, no doubt, but they are playing like freshmen.
6. Tight Ends - TE U is back! Fant and Hockenson had 125 yards and 4 touchdowns! George Kittle, a starting TE in the NFL this year, had just 300 yards and 4 touchdowns all year last year. These guys are big, fast, and have great hands. Best of all, they are both going to be around for several more years catching passes from Stanley.
1. Stanley - Today was the kid's coming out performance. 20/31 for 226 yards is solid, but the 5 tds and 0 ints is historic. That's 1/3 of the touchdowns that CJ threw all season last year. Stanley was hitting on his deep balls, his check downs, his throws against his body and play action roll outs. He was also staying up and delivering throws even after being hit. This was Stanley's first big win, and it won't be his last. If we can teach the guy to scramble for first downs every now and then, and find him some D1 WRs, he could be a first team All-Big 10 QB next year.
2. Running Game - Thus far, our running game has been the most disappointing unit at Iowa. Wadley came into the year averaging over 6 yards per carry, and Butler is a 2,000 yard grad transfer. Despite the talent, our running game was ranked nearly last in the Big 10 after 9 weeks of play. Today was another story. Wadley was used the right way, out running defenders around the corners, running counters, and catching passes. The coaching staff got the memo that running a 190lb back up the gut against 9 men in the box over and over and over again isn't going to work. 20 rushes for 118 yards is solid against anyone, but this was far and away the most yards gained against OSU all year. Butler came in relief and had 10 carries for 74 yards, mostly running right up the middle for tough yards. Even Toren Young had 50 yards, and he's hardly played all year. This is how the running game was supposed to play. Are we ever going to see Wadley and Butler in the game at the same time? It would be nice.
3. Sudden Coaching Creativity - This was a huge, monumental upset, no doubt. The use of the tight ends, the play action, the proper utilization of Wadley, the beautiful fake field goal. But WHY WASN'T THIS OUR SYSTEM IN OUR VANILLA, LACKLUSTER PERFORMANCES VS. MSU, NORTHWESTERN, etc.? The same players who put up 55 points vs OSU could barely muster 10 points against inferior opponents. Our defense hasn't changed; it's all on the offensive play calling. Too much learning on the job and randying around by Brian Ferentz. This team is too good to have 3 losses already, but let's hope the high scoring offense is here to stay.
4. Josh Jackson - I was tough on Jackson in the past for his god awful punt returning. As a CB, however, he has always been solid. I was a little surprised last week when publications came out touting him a possible high round NFL prospect, as he barely even played last year. With 3 interceptions on national tv against a Heisman contender, I think it is safe to say that talent scouts from every NFL team will be taking a good look at his tape, and Jackson won't make the same mistake King did in coming back for his senior season. Barring an unforeseen injury, Jackson is going to be the next great Hawkeye DB in the NFL next year.
5. True Freshmen Still Playing Like True Freshmen - It's great seeing Wirfs out there playing well as a true freshmen. But what's up with the most highly hyped kids in last year's recruiting class? Epenesa played quite a bit today, but he was blanked, with zero tackles, and he has a combined 2 tackles in the last 3 games. Brandon Smith, our diamond in the rough savior at WR, has dropped/fumbled more passes this season than he's caught. Literally. Max Cooper had his redshirt burned, but has yet to even have a pass come his way in 10 games. Smith-Marsette had the infamous wide open deep ball last week that bounced right off his facemask, and today he returned a kickoff from the 1 yardline to the 7 yardline. And what happened to the punter who burned his redshirt in the 8th game of the year, averaged 52 yards per punt, then found himself back on the bench this week? These guys have potential, no doubt, but they are playing like freshmen.
6. Tight Ends - TE U is back! Fant and Hockenson had 125 yards and 4 touchdowns! George Kittle, a starting TE in the NFL this year, had just 300 yards and 4 touchdowns all year last year. These guys are big, fast, and have great hands. Best of all, they are both going to be around for several more years catching passes from Stanley.
