Tired of playing "not to lose"

[Roncuba55]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

 

[uihawk82]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

KF has had game day and personnel gaffes for a long time. KF has been very conservative playing old school Penn football for a long time. It is ok to play conservative on offense when you have the horses to run over the opponent. But Iowa hasnt had the big time running game for some years now and our passing game has been terrible the past few years.

Much of the game of football is surprising the opponent and doing what they do not expect, setting up plays to use later in the game, but against ISU we saw a very conservative final drive by Iowa. I was almost surprised we got the first first down. But then we tried running straight ahead with no counter play action, no trickery, nothing but running into a 10 man in the box defense. Hard to pick up a first down against that type of defense with basic run calls.

I would say that in the 6 scrimmage plays the hawks ran if the hawks had run sweep plays then each of those sweep plays would have used up a few more seconds. Six plays times 3 seconds in 18 seconds which lets Iowa win.

 

[eyesofhawk]

What on earth are you talking about?

Trying to get cute twice with goal to go, inside the 5 yard line, killed Iowa vs ISU.

Trying to get cute with the throwback pass out of halftime helped to change the momentum in the wrong way.

Playing "not to lose" would have been great, as this was the first Iowa loss after leading in the 2nd half by 10 since 2014.

I'm sorry you're tired of winning

 

[coorsoriginal02]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

The problem is we’ve gotten used to not having a productive offense. IOWA football almost literally has become the program/fan base that is excited to have any offense at all. It’s amazing that the Gameday talking heads quickly focus on “Iowa scored touchdowns” while laughing their asses off.

It is very, very sad what we’ve become and how low the expectation is for watching good football 😔

We all know what the common denominator is.

 

[Roncuba55]

What on earth are you talking about?

Trying to get cute twice with goal to go, inside the 5 yard line, killed Iowa vs ISU.

Trying to get cute with the throwback pass out of halftime helped to change the momentum in the wrong way.

Playing "not to lose" would have been great, as this was the first Iowa loss after leading in the 2nd half by 10 since 2014.

I'm sorry you're tired of winning

I maintain 100% that you are the son of Tommy from Des Moines.

 

[eyesofhawk]

The problem is we’ve gotten used to not having a productive offense. IOWA football almost literally has become the program/fan base that is excited to have any offense at all.

It is very, very sad what we’ve become and how low the expectation is for watching good football 😔

Yeah, it just sucks watching a team that's made the conference championship 2 out of the last 3 seasons

 

[HawkBall23]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

Considering his overall record in the last 25+ years, he can't even do "not to lose" right.

Playing "not to lose" right would mean a really good winning %, but most of those games would be 'ugly', IE close 'dog fight' affairs, but instead he's necessarily still coaching as as to get his percentage up to HOF-worthy. As well as other records.

 

[AEG82]

I maintain 100% that you are the son of Tommy from Des Moines.

I think STL Badger.

 

[markfromj]

Ooh, look, “playing not to lose”…me so clever.

 

[WhiteDog125]

Another stupid post by an Iowa fan that doesn't know anything about football. Next

 

[mvhomerl]

Yeah, it just sucks watching a team that's made the conference championship 2 out of the last 3 seasons

Making it to the conference championship, and showing up are two different things.

 

[Hawk_4shur]

It feels like we've seen this 100 times. Iowa is ahead by less than one score and has the ball with 2 minutes to go. Opponent using up time-outs. One first down and the game is over. Hawks don't get the first down and punts.

Yeah, it's a little frustrating.

But the thing is - the Hawks win almost all those games.

Throw an incomplete pass and the clock stops. Lose yardage on a play gives the opponent better field position.

Yes, you can call it conservative. But when you have a struggling offense and an excellent defense, it's smart.

But Iowa State beat the odds and the Iowa D and won the game. That doesn't mean the strategy was wrong.

 

[Roncuba55]

Another stupid post by an Iowa fan that doesn't know anything about football. Next

Stick to taking pictures of your dog goofball.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Making it to the conference championship, and showing up are two different things.

2 games and 24 games are two different things

 

[Iron Doc]

What on earth are you talking about?

Trying to get cute twice with goal to go, inside the 5 yard line, killed Iowa vs ISU.

Trying to get cute with the throwback pass out of halftime helped to change the momentum in the wrong way.

Playing "not to lose" would have been great, as this was the first Iowa loss after leading in the 2nd half by 10 since 2014.

I'm sorry you're tired of winning

(groan)

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

If Iowa tried to pass the ball to pick up a first down, it goes incomplete and then ISU has 1:20 to drive for a game winning field goal, everyone would be bitching that we didn't just run the ball given our success all day running.

A lot of people are bitching about the first pick Cade threw in the 2nd half. That play call was an attempt to put a nail in the coffin. It backfired.

I generally didn't have as much questions with the play calling as I do with personnel decisions. Cade looks pretty bad and I think Sullivan could provide a boost. We ran a couple jet-sweep touch passes to Washington and Gill. Could either Brown or Wetjen been better targets? Why was Johnson out of the game in our first two redzone opportunities?

But at the end of the day, (1) Iowa State has good players too, and (2) Lester put our guys in position to make plays and they just did not make them. I do think Lester is a significant upgrade over Brian Ferentz.

 

[eyesofhawk]

(groan)

It's a good thing that you're a man of few words because there's nothing in my post that can even be argued against.

You wanted Iowa's offense to change to a degree that was never going to happen. So you are choosing to be unhappy

 

[mvhomerl]

2 games and 24 games are two different things

Your math is impeccable. WTF does that have to do with getting embarrassed in 2 championship games?

 

[eyesofhawk]

Your math is impeccable. WTF does that have to do with getting embarrassed in 2 championship games?

Wtf does losing in two championship games have to do with the overall state of the program?

Follow the thread better

 

[WhiteDog125]

Stick to taking pictures of your dog goofball.

plan on it

 

[robbiepi72]

I maintain 100% that you are the son of Tommy from Des Moines.

🤣

 

[Gonzo Bloor]

Playing not to lose is all KF has become. He values not turning the ball over more than he does trying to move the ball and score. His gameday coaching is driven entirely by fear of what could go wrong, instead of scheming for what could go right. He thinks if something worked 15 years ago there's no reason it shouldn't work today. The game has passed him by. Luckily for him he's had Uncle Phil to bail him and his son out by playing nearly perfect on defense to ensure close, low-scoring wins over sh*tty opponents. If last week was any indication, the defense may have taken a noticeable step backwards. If KF loses that security blanket, he'll be in serious trouble.

 

[dozeman]

Yeah, it just sucks watching a team that's made the conference championship 2 out of the last 3 seasons

68-3 cumulative score, never had a chance of winning. JFC, I only read these boards but that is so stupid it's mind numbing. You should read other boards and see what they think of KF. Your tiny brain is in the extreme minority. It was awesome the way he tried to leave ISU as much time as possible at the end of the first half!!!!! He screwed up the Wisconsin game at the end in 2010 and tried in the Purdue game in 2002. He should not be allowed to make real time decisions, it's too much for him!!

 

[pistachio1999]

It's like the age old prevent defense.

 

[Iron Doc]

Playing not to lose is all KF has become. He values not turning the ball over more than he does trying to move the ball and score. His gameday coaching is driven entirely by fear of what could go wrong, instead of scheming for what could go right. He thinks if something worked 15 years ago there's no reason it shouldn't work today. The game has passed him by. Luckily for him he's had Uncle Phil to bail him and his son out by playing nearly perfect on defense to ensure close, low-scoring wins over sh*tty opponents. If last week was any indication, the defense may have taken a noticeable step backwards. If KF loses that security blanket, he'll be in serious trouble.

This is THE carved in stone TRUTH!
This summarizes concisely the deterioration appearing before our eyes.
Phil will fix things, The Capt won't/can't.

 

[Iron Doc]

68-3 cumulative score, never had a chance of winning. JFC, I only read these boards but that is so stupid it's mind numbing. You should read other boards and see what they think of KF. Your tiny brain is in the extreme minority. It was awesome the way he tried to leave ISU as much time as possible at the end of the first half!!!!! He screwed up the Wisconsin game at the end in 2010 and tried in the Purdue game in 2002. He should not be allowed to make real time decisions, it's too much for him!!

No one but ol' eyes and F5N5 could support the current offensive crap.

 

[WaterTower]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

It has basically come down to women's basketball that's worth watching.

 

[hexumhawk]

Iowa's style keeps lesser teams close but also usually keeps us close against better talent. 95% of the time that game goes Iowa's way, it just so happened that ISU made every single play that they needed. It happens.

 

[BonzoFury]

Iowa's style keeps lesser teams close but also usually keeps us close against better talent. 95% of the time that game goes Iowa's way, it just so happened that ISU made every single play that they needed. It happens.

95%? No. Not even close.

 

[hexumhawk]

95%? No. Not even close.

Uh, yeah.

How many times do we give up a 1 play 75 yard drive? Even with all of the mistakes and missed opportunities, Iowa still had a 90% chance of winning when we punted the ball back to them. So, yeah.

 

[BonzoFury]

Uh, yeah.

How many times do we give up a 1 play 75 yard drive? Even with all of the mistakes and missed opportunities, Iowa still had a 90% chance of winning when we punted the ball back to them. So, yeah.

By "that game", it seems you're referring to the last series...not the entire game or history of games.

 

[Hawkstate1]

Still mad 5 days later. Complete cowardice and incompetence on the part of the coaching staff, we need to rename Kinnick; Turtle Stadium in dishonor of Ferentz. I have been a Ferentz supporter for many years, good years and bad, but he lost me last Saturday.

 

[pistachio1999]

Still mad 5 days later. Complete cowardice and incompetence on the part of the coaching staff, we need to rename Kinnick; Turtle Stadium in dishonor of Ferentz. I have been a Ferentz supporter for many years, good years and bad, but he lost me last Saturday.

Well the no look jump pass to Lachey was not turtling. If only they had.

 

[IowaHawk1994]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

How else can you play with this lack of talent. KF has to run clock and play prevent D the whole game. Trying to shoot out vs the new Big 10 with these players will get you beat 65-21. Better to play stall ball and hope the other teams are not very good.

 

[WaterTower]

Iowa's style keeps lesser teams close but also usually keeps us close against better talent. 95% of the time that game goes Iowa's way, it just so happened that ISU made every single play that they needed. It happens.

Hope your theory is correct next week.

 

[jonesy5960]

College FB is way different now in 2024 than it was in 1999. You got teams like Ohio State playing for blood and naming the score on opponents, here we are still scared or incapable to throw the ball down the field for 30 yards. It's unacceptable... especially in our coaches 26th year. KF alone should not be considered for the HOF because of his GameDay gaffes and games he has lost.

Well they could play not to win, but that sounds worse than playing not to lose. It's a real conundrum for sure.

 

[Lone Clone]

Iowa's style keeps lesser teams close but also usually keeps us close against better talent. 95% of the time that game goes Iowa's way, it just so happened that ISU made every single play that they needed. It happens.

Whoa. ISU made a whole bunch of critical plays in the second half, but sucked big-time before intermission. Gained hardly any yardage, committed numerous penalties and missed a field goal.

 

[iahawks10]

Whoa. ISU made a whole bunch of critical plays in the second half, but sucked big-time before intermission. Gained hardly any yardage, committed numerous penalties and missed a field goal.

Iowa State couldn’t get out of their own way in the first half. Iowa didn’t capitalize only being up 13-0. Being content with being up by 13, classic KF went to shut down mode running the ball 21 times to 10 pass attempts in the second and let the game ride with the defense. ISU mostly stopped the obvious run plays and Iowa can’t pass the football.

 

[CAhawki]

It feels like we've seen this 100 times. Iowa is ahead by less than one score and has the ball with 2 minutes to go. Opponent using up time-outs. One first down and the game is over. Hawks don't get the first down and punts.

Yeah, it's a little frustrating.

But the thing is - the Hawks win almost all those games.

Throw an incomplete pass and the clock stops. Lose yardage on a play gives the opponent better field position.

Yes, you can call it conservative. But when you have a struggling offense and an excellent defense, it's smart.

But Iowa State beat the odds and the Iowa D and won the game. That doesn't mean the strategy was wrong.

The strat is very outdated and flawed. You are in minus territory... you need yards, not to kill the clock. ISU only needed 3 and less than 40 yards to get into position. On top of that the clock stops after very first down. Also, Iowa typically goes pretty conservative on D in those positions. ISU executed well down the stretch.

 

[aflachawk]

Considering his overall record in the last 25+ years, he can't even do "not to lose" right.

Playing "not to lose" right would mean a really good winning %, but most of those games would be 'ugly', IE close 'dog fight' affairs, but instead he's necessarily still coaching as as to get his percentage up to HOF-worthy. As well as other records.

Iowa and every other team in America play not to lose at times depending on time, score and field position