When you look back at 1981 season and compare seasons, the Iowa Hawkeyes didn't score 20 points, until Week 3 in the 20-7 win over #12 UCLA.
One would expect QB Spencer Petras will play better at Kinnick on Saturday. He looked outstanding in the 2nd quarter at Iowa State leading the Hawkeyes to a 14-3 lead, until ISU ran right down the field against the Hawkeyes solid defense.
The #1 priority of any Kirk Ferentz team begins with the offensive line. In 2002 and 2015, ultimately, line play was huge in their ability to be successful.
The Iowa offensive line has work to do. Like the 2015 team, Iowa had to replace two offensive tackles. In 2021, Iowa also lost their veteran guard for Week 1 and 2.
From Scott Dochterman with The Athletic:
Iowa State’s attacking 3-3-5 defense Saturday paralyzed every aspect of Iowa’s offense, but the right side in particular. Three of the Cyclones’ four sacks came against the right side and the other was from pressure on both sides. Petras bears some responsibility because he held the ball too long on at least three of the sacks. However, right-side blockers also struggled against Iowa State’s backside penetration in the running game.
That’s where some nastiness could return this week. Senior guard Kyler Schott, a former walk-on with eight career starts, suffered a broken foot while baling hay shortly before training camp. He has progressed to where he could return to practice this week. Schott is listed at 6-foot-2 and 294 pounds but that height has to be with his helmet on and cleats laced up. However the former high school wrestler is built like an oak tree stump and just as rugged.
Fortunately, it wasn't this bad one, when Iowa was ranked #10 in 2010.
Iowa was playing a true freshman at RG on Saturday again, against Iowa State. We need to be patient with the Iowa offense. Two non-conference games back in Kinnick should provide a great opportunity for development of the Iowa offense.
Against Indiana, we witnessed drops in the passing game. Actually, the secondary for Iowa had a few too!
Scott raises an important issue at Iowa State again.
Petras has targeted LaPorta 15 times in two games, by far the most on the team. Against Iowa State, Petras threw seven times on third down and five were directed toward LaPorta. The problem was, only one of those targets turned into a catch, albeit a big one.
Iowa has a long history of using a tight end as a third-down security blanket, especially in 2015 when Henry Krieger Coble converted nine consecutive third-down targets on into first downs. Although no receiver before or since can match Krieger Coble’s pure catching prowess, LaPorta has enough ability to enter the T.J. Hockenson or Brandon Myers area as a vital possession receiver. But the more LaPorta is targeted on third down, the more opposing defenses will scheme to take him away.
Unlike 1981, Iowa is 2-0, and more like the 2015 team. The 2015 Hawks opened 4-0 with less than eye popping QB numbers, from C.J. Beathard, as was shared recently, in another thread.
Iowa State in 1981 beat Iowa 23-12. As mentioned, Iowa wasn't at the 20 point stage on the score board, until Week 3. And, that was as a team.
Kent State would be the #15 rated team in the conference, behind Illinois and Nebraska, per The Athletic ratings. By the way, the Athletic has Oregon #3 and Iowa #4, but as Iowa players shared, it isn't January yet.
As Scott Dochterman shared, in the second half against Indiana and Iowa State, the Hawkeyes rushed for a combined 81 yards on 39 carries. Considering one was a 22-yard run against Indiana (and Iowa lost the ball on a fumble, no less), that’s 38 carries for 59 yards. Those numbers didn’t make a difference against Indiana or Iowa State, but that must improve and quickly.
As we hopefully have an opportunity to head to Kinnick Stadium again on Saturday, one should inspect continued growth in all three phases of the game. The most noticeable should be with the offense. The offense hopefully has the higher space between ceiling and current level.
RB Ivory Kelly-Martin will be a captain for Week 3. Like last season, when CB Matt Hankins was added as a fifth, Kelly-Martin now has enough votes.
If RB Tyler Goodson isn't 100%, could we see Ivory more against Kent State?
Goodson has 1 TD rushing in both games in 2021.
Iowa will want to open up the running backs on Saturday against Kent State. Texas A&M did.
It should be good to be back in Kinnick on Saturday for the young Iowa offense. Hopefully, Shooter can set the tone early.
One would expect QB Spencer Petras will play better at Kinnick on Saturday. He looked outstanding in the 2nd quarter at Iowa State leading the Hawkeyes to a 14-3 lead, until ISU ran right down the field against the Hawkeyes solid defense.
The #1 priority of any Kirk Ferentz team begins with the offensive line. In 2002 and 2015, ultimately, line play was huge in their ability to be successful.
The Iowa offensive line has work to do. Like the 2015 team, Iowa had to replace two offensive tackles. In 2021, Iowa also lost their veteran guard for Week 1 and 2.
From Scott Dochterman with The Athletic:
Iowa State’s attacking 3-3-5 defense Saturday paralyzed every aspect of Iowa’s offense, but the right side in particular. Three of the Cyclones’ four sacks came against the right side and the other was from pressure on both sides. Petras bears some responsibility because he held the ball too long on at least three of the sacks. However, right-side blockers also struggled against Iowa State’s backside penetration in the running game.
That’s where some nastiness could return this week. Senior guard Kyler Schott, a former walk-on with eight career starts, suffered a broken foot while baling hay shortly before training camp. He has progressed to where he could return to practice this week. Schott is listed at 6-foot-2 and 294 pounds but that height has to be with his helmet on and cleats laced up. However the former high school wrestler is built like an oak tree stump and just as rugged.
Fortunately, it wasn't this bad one, when Iowa was ranked #10 in 2010.
Iowa was playing a true freshman at RG on Saturday again, against Iowa State. We need to be patient with the Iowa offense. Two non-conference games back in Kinnick should provide a great opportunity for development of the Iowa offense.
Against Indiana, we witnessed drops in the passing game. Actually, the secondary for Iowa had a few too!
Scott raises an important issue at Iowa State again.
Overreliance on TE
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta is a quality tight end with NFL ability. But Petras’ overreliance on LaPorta, especially on third down, is negatively impacting the passing game.Petras has targeted LaPorta 15 times in two games, by far the most on the team. Against Iowa State, Petras threw seven times on third down and five were directed toward LaPorta. The problem was, only one of those targets turned into a catch, albeit a big one.
Iowa has a long history of using a tight end as a third-down security blanket, especially in 2015 when Henry Krieger Coble converted nine consecutive third-down targets on into first downs. Although no receiver before or since can match Krieger Coble’s pure catching prowess, LaPorta has enough ability to enter the T.J. Hockenson or Brandon Myers area as a vital possession receiver. But the more LaPorta is targeted on third down, the more opposing defenses will scheme to take him away.
Unlike 1981, Iowa is 2-0, and more like the 2015 team. The 2015 Hawks opened 4-0 with less than eye popping QB numbers, from C.J. Beathard, as was shared recently, in another thread.
Iowa State in 1981 beat Iowa 23-12. As mentioned, Iowa wasn't at the 20 point stage on the score board, until Week 3. And, that was as a team.
Kent State would be the #15 rated team in the conference, behind Illinois and Nebraska, per The Athletic ratings. By the way, the Athletic has Oregon #3 and Iowa #4, but as Iowa players shared, it isn't January yet.
As Scott Dochterman shared, in the second half against Indiana and Iowa State, the Hawkeyes rushed for a combined 81 yards on 39 carries. Considering one was a 22-yard run against Indiana (and Iowa lost the ball on a fumble, no less), that’s 38 carries for 59 yards. Those numbers didn’t make a difference against Indiana or Iowa State, but that must improve and quickly.
As we hopefully have an opportunity to head to Kinnick Stadium again on Saturday, one should inspect continued growth in all three phases of the game. The most noticeable should be with the offense. The offense hopefully has the higher space between ceiling and current level.
RB Ivory Kelly-Martin will be a captain for Week 3. Like last season, when CB Matt Hankins was added as a fifth, Kelly-Martin now has enough votes.
If RB Tyler Goodson isn't 100%, could we see Ivory more against Kent State?
Goodson has 1 TD rushing in both games in 2021.
Iowa will want to open up the running backs on Saturday against Kent State. Texas A&M did.
It should be good to be back in Kinnick on Saturday for the young Iowa offense. Hopefully, Shooter can set the tone early.
