One simple decision cost IOWA vs Purdont

[IowaNiceHawk]

Early in the game, some genius on the Iowa sidelines called for
'Block' punt, when the IOWA Defense had held Purdont, around the 20 yard line
& would have gotten ball back in good field position.

The Special Teams genius called Block Punt and guess what ??
About 3 Hawkeyes roughed the Purdue punter, clearly.

The result ?? Purdue took over at midfield and promptly scored, taking the lead
7-0. And, I don't believe that Iowa ever lead the game??

Considering Iowa's history with Block punt attempts (failed one costly in BIG10 championship game vs MSU), I'd think IOWA would ONLY call for that with a 10 point lead, or more.

Actually, that play might cost the Hawkeyes their season, in terms of a nice Bowl berth.

 

[DogBoyRy]

Early in the game, some genius on the Iowa sidelines called for
'Block' punt, when the IOWA Defense had held Purdont, around the 20 yard line
& would have gotten ball back in good field position.

The Special Teams genius called Block Punt and guess what ??
About 3 Hawkeyes roughed the Purdue punter, clearly.

The result ?? Purdue took over at midfield and promptly scored, taking the lead
7-0. And, I don't believe that Iowa ever lead the game??

Considering Iowa's history with Block punt attempts (failed one costly in BIG10 championship game vs MSU), I'd think IOWA would ONLY call for that with a 10 point lead, or more.

Actually, that play might cost the Hawkeyes their season, in terms of a nice Bowl berth.

Plus sending slower lbs for the block vs dbs

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

Plus sending slower lbs for the block vs dbs

The Blocked Punt call is simply too much RISK for a 1 out of
25 reward. This is a prime example, but unfortunately Iowa has done it before, as noted.

 

[hawkguy77]

Early in the game, some genius on the Iowa sidelines called for
'Block' punt, when the IOWA Defense had held Purdont, around the 20 yard line
& would have gotten ball back in good field position.

The Special Teams genius called Block Punt and guess what ??
About 3 Hawkeyes roughed the Purdue punter, clearly.

The result ?? Purdue took over at midfield and promptly scored, taking the lead
7-0. And, I don't believe that Iowa ever lead the game??

Considering Iowa's history with Block punt attempts (failed one costly in BIG10 championship game vs MSU), I'd think IOWA would ONLY call for that with a 10 point lead, or more.

Actually, that play might cost the Hawkeyes their season, in terms of a nice Bowl berth.

The score was 9-7 Iowa at the half.

 

[cecilB]

So, some want to critique being too conservative, but when they aren't they want to critique for being too aggressive?

Iowa's best teams have been outstanding on special teams, and fg and punt blocks were crucial advantages in those seasons.

How can one fault a staff for seeing something to take advantage, and going for it. I don't get some of you.

 

[BGHAWK]

I suppose one indecision, putting a freshman corner on their WR who had just beat 2 of our DBs for receptions and a TD, and not putting Jackson on him 1 series earlier may have also helped a little bit.

 

[2tightTshirt]

So, some want to critique being too conservative, but when they aren't they want to critique for being too aggressive?

Iowa's best teams have been outstanding on special teams, and fg and punt blocks were crucial advantages in those seasons.

How can one fault a staff for seeing something to take advantage, and going for it. I don't get some of you.

If Iowa blocks it and scores a touchdown instead, I guarantee the thread today is "Why doesn't Iowa try and block every punt?? C'mon conservative Kirk!!!"

 

[HaydenHawk8]

I was actually liking the call. If you remember KF early days we used to block a lot of punts in big games. It seemed like lately weve gotten conservative on Special teams.

I think what changed the game was the poor play by our young CB and all our drops by our WRs. We had a couple of first down pass plays that were dropped.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

(Was expecting the 1 decision to be the contract extension)

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

I suppose one indecision, putting a freshman corner on their WR who had just beat 2 of our DBs for receptions and a TD, and not putting Jackson on him 1 series earlier may have also helped a little bit.

Obviously, that decision wasn't terrific, either. But the Block Punt call started the roll to the L against purdont.

 

[Freyvet]

So, some want to critique being too conservative, but when they aren't they want to critique for being too aggressive?

Iowa's best teams have been outstanding on special teams, and fg and punt blocks were crucial advantages in those seasons.

How can one fault a staff for seeing something to take advantage, and going for it. I don't get some of you.

BINGO!

 

[speed4power]

I don't really have a problem going after punts when we can't move the football on offense with any consistency

 

[mvhomerj]

Given the score, I think Purdont doesn't apply.
I think it's more Purdid.

 

[El Simbolo]

Iowa's best teams have been outstanding on special teams, and fg and punt blocks were crucial advantages in those seasons.

This is not one of his best teams. I’d guess the success of such things with our more standard teams isn’t very good

 

[moondog24]

Iowa lost because Purdue controlled the LOS on both sides of the ball and won the special teams battle. Iowa might be able to win if they only lose one of those battles.

 

[soybean]

Early in the game, some genius on the Iowa sidelines called for
'Block' punt, when the IOWA Defense had held Purdont, around the 20 yard line
& would have gotten ball back in good field position.

The Special Teams genius called Block Punt and guess what ??
About 3 Hawkeyes roughed the Purdue punter, clearly.

The result ?? Purdue took over at midfield and promptly scored, taking the lead
7-0. And, I don't believe that Iowa ever lead the game??

Considering Iowa's history with Block punt attempts (failed one costly in BIG10 championship game vs MSU), I'd think IOWA would ONLY call for that with a 10 point lead, or more.

Actually, that play might cost the Hawkeyes their season, in terms of a nice Bowl berth.

Meh, I find it hard to argue with going for the kill...a blocked punt there would have been a bone in the Boilermakers throat. Better execution, yeah, but I can't disagree with the decision to go for the block - if it had worked Kirk would have been hailed as being agressive. I'm OK with it.

 

[Shafthawk]

I was actually liking the call. If you remember KF early days we used to block a lot of punts in big games. It seemed like lately weve gotten conservative on Special teams.

I think what changed the game was the poor play by our young CB and all our drops by our WRs. We had a couple of first down pass plays that were dropped.

I get what your saying, but it seems like blocked punts have become rarer the last few seasons. Not just at Iowa, but throughout College Football.

 

[HawkBlocked]

The Iowa offensive line made multiple decisions to not block anyone, that hurt us more than one decision to try to block a punt.

 

[Slappy Pappy]

I kinda see your point, since our special teams play has been kinda a disaster this year (how about getting back that blocked fg against PSU? All the oline had to do was stand up!).

But in the coach's favor, KF apparently knew what we had for offense, and realized that blocking a punt was our defense's best opportunity to score.

 

[Muskie5]

So, some want to critique being too conservative, but when they aren't they want to critique for being too aggressive?

Iowa's best teams have been outstanding on special teams, and fg and punt blocks were crucial advantages in those seasons.

How can one fault a staff for seeing something to take advantage, and going for it. I don't get some of you.

This is correct^^^^^^^ Oh, I get them. They're idiots. Hell, the OP thinks 'about 3 guys' ran into the kicker and that Iowa never led in the game. Case closed.

 

[Muskie5]

Iowa lost because Purdue controlled the LOS on both sides of the ball and won the special teams battle. Iowa might be able to win if they only lose one of those battles.

They didn't control the LOS on both sides, lol. Purdue couldn't run the ball to save their lives until the last play of the game and our Oline just kept blowing assignments, they were't being 'controlled'. As Don Patterson said on a Podcast, Iowa lost because of poor execution, losing the TO battle, and the field position battle (punting). He is correct.

 

[CFNiteHawk85]

I can live with aggressive mistakes. I don't like the playing not to lose mentality that seems pervasive at times.

 

[HaydenHawk8]

I get what your saying, but it seems like blocked punts have become rarer the last few seasons. Not just at Iowa, but throughout College Football.

I'm not gonna nit pick, but most teams have their back-up WR/DB's rushing after the punt. I think Iowa used 2 LB's is that correct?? Maybe not your best option in terms of speed. IDK

I can't fault the call, Ive been calling for Iowa to get aggressive on Punt teams. We seem to just fair catch it or let it drop and roll. I can't remember the last time an Iowa player fielded a punt and actually returned it for more than 30-40yds. KMM I think was the last player to do that.

 

[MadDogC]

We gave Chris Leak a freebie like that once—was the difference in that bowl game. Almost the exact same gave NW a game that year...

 

[farhawks]

Iowa was absolutely dead in the water. They made several splash plays that should have jacked this team up to begin gaining momentum. just a few plays of the top of my head:
1. Safety (huge play should have built a ton of momentum)
2. ensuing kickoff gave us great field position (i think we scored on this drive)
3. Josey's huge hit on the receiver coming back in on a screen.
4. Josey's next play...the sack for at least 11 yard loss.
The Hawks came out flat, stayed flat, and played like they just expected to win this game. When Iowa comes out feeling like they have something to prove (Penn state and OSU) they play like a top 10 team. When they play the Minnesota's and Purdue's I feel like they play down more times than not.
Just a complete TEAM loss. Just like against Wisky and NW.

 

[hawkcub]

This is the ultimate Monday morning quarterback comment. It was the first series and hardly was the difference. Even though they did score later. We were still up at half.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

How about Brian Ferentz's game plan against Purdon't? I'm still trying to figure out if KF coached teams know they can scheme against their opponents weaknesses instead of play call into their strengths.

Haven't seen it since KoK was the OC. How I miss those days.

 

[Dick Rambone]

my biggest issue for the called punt block was it was called with Purdue punting from the 40 yard line , If You are going to go for a block it really should be when the opponent is pinned deep . That and the players not taking good angles and avoiding the penalty of course .

 

[El Simbolo]

I'm not gonna nit pick, but most teams have their back-up WR/DB's rushing after the punt. I think Iowa used 2 LB's is that correct?? Maybe not your best option in terms of speed. IDK

I can't fault the call, Ive been calling for Iowa to get aggressive on Punt teams. We seem to just fair catch it or let it drop and roll. I can't remember the last time an Iowa player fielded a punt and actually returned it for more than 30-40yds. KMM I think was the last player to do that.

King took a long one to the house against Maryland in 2015, and McCarron had a TD last year

 

[HaydenHawk8]

King took a long one to the house against Maryland in 2015, and McCarron had a TD last year

That's right, I forgot about McCaron at Illinois last year.