Iowa's pass protection was a real problem
Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley entered Saturday as one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the Big Ten with eight passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. Against Michigan, he threw three picks. He was also sacked and pressured routinely. You can start tallying Iowa's problems by pointing to the trenches. Michigan won there, hands down. Iowa has typically been known for great offensive line play, but between the poor rushing day and the QB pressures, the Hawkeyes were wholly beaten up front. But protection problems don't simply lie with the offensive line. Pass protection from running backs was a problem and there were a few instances in which Stanley held on to the ball too long and took a sack when he should have thrown it away.
Again, credit Michigan's defense for a great game plan, but Iowa failed in pretty much every way at protecting the quarterback -- and that includes issues from the quarterback himself.
From CBS CFB
Hawkeyes quarterback Nate Stanley entered Saturday as one of the more efficient quarterbacks in the Big Ten with eight passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. Against Michigan, he threw three picks. He was also sacked and pressured routinely. You can start tallying Iowa's problems by pointing to the trenches. Michigan won there, hands down. Iowa has typically been known for great offensive line play, but between the poor rushing day and the QB pressures, the Hawkeyes were wholly beaten up front. But protection problems don't simply lie with the offensive line. Pass protection from running backs was a problem and there were a few instances in which Stanley held on to the ball too long and took a sack when he should have thrown it away.
Again, credit Michigan's defense for a great game plan, but Iowa failed in pretty much every way at protecting the quarterback -- and that includes issues from the quarterback himself.
From CBS CFB
