The Bowl Game gives us a Preview of Lester's 2025 Offense

[2D_]

While bowl's are more or less meaningless, we now get to have a glimpse of what could be with Lester's offensive plans going forward with life after Kaleb Johnson. We won't have a generational RB in the backfield, which may lead Lester to have an entirely new gameplan/scheme than what we've seen this year. Since Minnesota, we've more or less put every game on the back of KJ2.

The fact is, we have to embrace more passing to open up the run. With games like little debbie for example, they dared us to pass on every single down and keyed on the run. And without the B1G RB of the Year on the field, passing will be essential going forward. With a number of rumors for a new QB, as well as several WR targets, it's my belief that Lester will be implementing more passing than we saw this year.

 

[squeezebox]

While bowl's are more or less meaningless, we now get to have a glimpse of what could be with Lester's offensive plans going forward with life after Kaleb Johnson. We won't have a generational RB in the backfield, which may lead Lester to have an entirely new gameplan/scheme than what we've seen this year. Since Minnesota, we've more or less put every game on the back of KJ2.

The fact is, we have to embrace more passing to open up the run. With games like little debbie for example, they dared us to pass on every single down and keyed on the run. And without the B1G RB of the Year on the field, passing will be essential going forward. With a number of rumors for a new QB, as well as several WR targets, it's my belief that Lester will be implementing more passing than we saw this year.

I would be very wiling to say, this in fact will not be a glimpse of what Iowa will look like next year. Iowa will most likely have different skill players, a different QB, and a vastly different O-line.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Yeah this will more or less be a swan song to the old KF ways and what remains of this senior class and whoever else either isn't opting out or transferring.

 

[2D_]

I would be very wiling to say, this in fact will not be a glimpse of what Iowa will look like next year. Iowa will most likely have different skill players, a different QB, and a vastly different O-line.

It seems you missed the point. The point is that we'll be seeing what the scheme will look like with life after Kaleb Johnson. Meaning the play calls and looks will be different than what we've seen prior.

 

[chaneccooms]

I would be very wiling to say, this in fact will not be a glimpse of what Iowa will look like next year. Iowa will most likely have different skill players, a different QB, and a vastly different O-line.

With three starters and several reserves who played in 2024 returning, how do you figure Iowa will a “vastly different O-line?”

 

[hawkeyebob62]

Ah, one of the infamous tropes of bowl season: "building for next year". Alas, that one died with unrestricted portal and NIL.

 

[2D_]

Ah, one of the infamous tropes of bowl season: "building for next year". Alas, that one died with unrestricted portal and NIL.

Who said anything about building? This is strictly play calling and scheme related now that we don't have a generational RB in the backfield.

 

[BrewHawk]

It seems you missed the point. The point is that we'll be seeing what the scheme will look like with life after Kaleb Johnson. Meaning the play calls and looks will be different than what we've seen prior.

I highly doubt it.

 

[squeezebox]

With three starters and several reserves who played in 2024 returning, how do you figure Iowa will a “vastly different O-line?”

Replacement of jones, Elsbury, Delong, Colby, Richman. Assuming no extra years. Yeah lol, that’s vastly different. This isn’t looking at whether Dunker leaves early.

 

[squeezebox]

It seems you missed the point. The point is that we'll be seeing what the scheme will look like with life after Kaleb Johnson. Meaning the play calls and looks will be different than what we've seen prior.

No it means that the offense will be even more conservative. Guys that weren’t getting reps, suddenly are.

 

[QChawks]

 

[Scott559]

Does Iowa have a Qb available for the Bowl game that Lester truly trusts to put the ball in harms way? I don’t know the answer but we do know Kirk doesn’t like risk. Be interesting to see.

 

[squeezebox]

Does Iowa have a Qb available for the Bowl game that Lester truly trusts to put the ball in harms way? I don’t know the answer but we do know Kirk doesn’t like risk. Be interesting to see.

Kirk said yesterday that he thought it would be sully.

 

[2D_]

No it means that the offense will be even more conservative. Guys that weren’t getting reps, suddenly are.

Like who, exactly? Both Moulton and Patterson have played this year, both with touchdowns. Who else would be new not getting reps? I don't know of any other opt outs on the offensive side of the ball. Next season we'll surely have new players, but Lester has gone on record saying he wanted to call other plays, but stayed with Kaleb because that's what worked. Now that he's gone, he'll be forced to try other looks.

 

[onlyTheObvious]

Ah, one of the infamous tropes of bowl season: "building for next year". Alas, that one died with unrestricted portal and NIL.

Been practicing since July but the key is a few more practices in December because they will carry over so much knowledge come next July.

The teams that don’t make a bowl usually forget everything. It’s really scary.

 

[BrewHawk]

Like who, exactly? Both Moulton and Patterson have played this year, both with touchdowns. Who else would be new not getting reps? I don't know of any other opt outs on the offensive side of the ball. Next season we'll surely have new players, but Lester has gone on record saying he wanted to call other plays, but stayed with Kaleb because that's what worked. Now that he's gone, he'll be forced to try other looks.

Those "on record" play calls you're referring to weren't called because the game was out of hand and not needed.

Kirk will still shoot down aggressive passing play calls when we're up multiple scores.

 

[littlez]

Been practicing since July but the key is a few more practices in December because they will carry over so much knowledge come next July.

The teams that don’t make a bowl usually forget everything. It’s really scary.

This is what I love. More reps for the "young guys, even though they've been practicing since as you said July!" And truly, the first team guys get most of the reps anyway so they'll be getting most of the reps. Now if we had 10 guys opt out it would be true. Will be good for our backup running backs and also hopefully good for Sully if he's healthy and can actually take most of the reps.

 

[83Hawk]

It seems you missed the point. The point is that we'll be seeing what the scheme will look like with life after Kaleb Johnson. Meaning the play calls and looks will be different than what we've seen prior.

I would be surprised to see anything different.

 

[squeezebox]

Like who, exactly? Both Moulton and Patterson have played this year, both with touchdowns. Who else would be new not getting reps? I don't know of any other opt outs on the offensive side of the ball. Next season we'll surely have new players, but Lester has gone on record saying he wanted to call other plays, but stayed with Kaleb because that's what worked. Now that he's gone, he'll be forced to try other looks.

Jackson Stratton would be the number one answer. They aren’t going to suddenly change up the offense in the bowl game. Maybe they will throw more, but I hope the offense looks worlds different next year.

 

[Ferentz_Fan]

SIAP, knowing both teams sport their versions of school colors, do we know what unis the Hawks will wear?

I asked Google this question and it replied Iowa will wear their alternate unis, TIA

 

[fecal particulate]

Who said anything about building? This is strictly play calling and scheme related now that we don't have a generational RB in the backfield.

Ok, but what do you think Lester is really going to change for the bowl game? Iowa was 65/35 run/pass this season, it seems unlikely they would deviate too much from that formula.

And going into next year, who the QB ends up being would probably impact Lester’s offense more than the loss of Kaleb.

 

[2D_]

Jackson Stratton would be the number one answer. They aren’t going to suddenly change up the offense in the bowl game. Maybe they will throw more, but I hope the offense looks worlds different next year.

From what I've gathered, Sully is the starter for the bowl unless something changes.

Ok, but what do you think Lester is really going to change for the bowl game? Iowa was 65/35 run/pass this season, it seems unlikely they would deviate too much from that formula.

And going into next year, who the QB ends up being would probably impact Lester’s offense more than the loss of Kaleb.

I think they'll be more aggressive with the pass. Lester has alluded to wanting to pass more for some time, and I think that will directly affect his choice at QB for next year.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Even if Sully is 100% healthy, the Hawks only have 2 QB's. As a result, probably won't see to many Sully runs, which is a real strength.

I expect a conservative game plan.

 

[littlez]

Even if Sully is 100% healthy, the Hawks only have 2 QB's. As a result, probably won't see to many Sully runs, which is a real strength.

I expect a conservative game plan.

Say it isn’t so!

 

[eyesofhawk]

This one is really simple, folks.

Iowa will do whatever gives them the best chance of beating Mizzou. Nothing more, nothing less

Welcome to sports

 

[desihawk]

i'm going to go ahead and predict the unthinkable. iowa scores 30+ points without kj.

 

[eyesofhawk]

i'm going to go ahead and predict the unthinkable. iowa scores 30+ points without kj.

As long as that leads to a W, it would be just fine by me

 

[obfuscating]

While bowl's are more or less meaningless, we now get to have a glimpse of what could be with Lester's offensive plans going forward with life after Kaleb Johnson. We won't have a generational RB in the backfield, which may lead Lester to have an entirely new gameplan/scheme than what we've seen this year. Since Minnesota, we've more or less put every game on the back of KJ2.

The fact is, we have to embrace more passing to open up the run. With games like little debbie for example, they dared us to pass on every single down and keyed on the run. And without the B1G RB of the Year on the field, passing will be essential going forward. With a number of rumors for a new QB, as well as several WR targets, it's my belief that Lester will be implementing more passing than we saw this year.

We have 2 serviceable QBs, we need to upgrade all around them (except rb/te) to open the offense. Go get 2 top wr's and 2-3OL.