Lucky to Win at Rutgers

May 27, 2009
468
723
93
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
 
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Burghawk87

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
801
1,426
93
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
You can't play the what if game with made up statistics. Howard's long ball catch percentage is impossible to calculate. Rutger's kicker is a career 79.5%. Wetjen has a 4.3% TD/return. Penalties are penalties regardless of where they happen. (Iowa should have been called for far more defensive PI/holding but I think the refs felt bad for what looked like little kids hanging off their dad all night)
 
May 27, 2009
468
723
93
You can't play the what if game with made up statistics. Howard's long ball catch percentage is impossible to calculate. Rutger's kicker is a career 79.5%. Wetjen has a 4.3% TD/return. Penalties are penalties regardless of where they happen. (Iowa should have been called for far more defensive PI/holding but I think the refs felt bad for what looked like little kids hanging off their dad all night)
I forgot to add that one to my list. Iowa should have had more penalties thrown on them for holding/PI.
 

QChawks

Heisman
Dec 17, 2022
11,031
23,490
113
It was far from a clean game but they made enough plays in the 4th quarter to win.

obviously the defense and passing game remain a work in process but I am seeing some improvement

we’ll find out a lot more on Saturday
 
May 27, 2009
468
723
93
Be Happy Stanzi - Iowa was the better team in the 2nd half ! Period!

The ref's missed some holding and facemask grabbing by Rutgers. I am super happy with the team. Yes, catch the passes please.
I'll be happy with a win over Indiana. I don't see it coming, but Ferentz has delivered a lot of W's on Saturdays where we didn't see it coming. That's what I'm holding out hope for.
 

joelbc1

All-American
Sep 5, 2007
4,452
5,754
113
You can't play the what if game with made up statistics. Howard's long ball catch percentage is impossible to calculate. Rutger's kicker is a career 79.5%. Wetjen has a 4.3% TD/return. Penalties are penalties regardless of where they happen. (Iowa should have been called for far more defensive PI/holding but I think the refs felt bad for what looked like little kids hanging off their dad all night)
Your last statement is crap. With all due respect, Pure crap. A penalty is a penalty when the official throws his/her flag. The refs did a very consistent job of calling pass interference for BOTH teams the whole game. It was really well officiated from that stand point.
 

Outbackbowl2017

All-Conference
Dec 4, 2016
1,633
2,657
113
You can't play the what if game with made up statistics. Howard's long ball catch percentage is impossible to calculate. Rutger's kicker is a career 79.5%. Wetjen has a 4.3% TD/return. Penalties are penalties regardless of where they happen. (Iowa should have been called for far more defensive PI/holding but I think the refs felt bad for what looked like little kids hanging off their dad all night)

That’s football.
 
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Outbackbowl2017

All-Conference
Dec 4, 2016
1,633
2,657
113
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
That’s football.
 
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WeBeHerkin

All-American
Aug 5, 2016
4,519
5,152
113
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
You could say this about 90% of all football games. Like the ISU pass that was tipped twice and then caught by their TE for the first down. See I can do that too.

Holding away from the play doesn't matter now??? WTF?
 

WeBeHerkin

All-American
Aug 5, 2016
4,519
5,152
113
I do hope X got a good *** reaming for his tackling again. I hope they showed that dive at the QBs feet over and over and over again with Phil present.
 
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May 27, 2009
468
723
93
You could say this about 90% of all football games. Like the ISU pass that was tipped twice and then caught by their TE for the first down. See I can do that too.

Holding away from the play doesn't matter now??? WTF?
It matters, it's just not called as much. And it was called against Rutgers in huge moments.
 
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Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
5,989
12,353
113
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
It wasn't luck. Iowa was the better team. This what if game you're playing is just silly.
 

Garzatough85

Junior
Dec 28, 2022
168
233
43
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
And, if my aunt had balls….
 

Burghawk87

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
801
1,426
93
Your last statement is crap. With all due respect, Pure crap. A penalty is a penalty when the official throws his/her flag. The refs did a very consistent job of calling pass interference for BOTH teams the whole game. It was really well officiated from that stand point.
I don't disagree with you at all. It just appeared the Iowa dbacks were more handsy/trying to be physical and "got away with it" than Rutgers dbacks. But they also had to defend more than twice as many pass attempts so the exposure number was higher. I kept asking why Rutgers was even that close to the Iowa receivers, make them actually prove they can catch before you start grabbing.
 
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r_desihawk

All-Conference
Jul 3, 2025
2,613
3,791
112
I'll be happy with a win over Indiana. I don't see it coming, but Ferentz has delivered a lot of W's on Saturdays where we didn't see it coming. That's what I'm holding out hope for.
do not have issues with your post but the most egregious pi no-call was on iowa’s first drive and if that gets called i feel like game wouldve been 14-0 instead of 7-7
 

TampaHawkFan

All-Conference
Aug 6, 2025
633
1,764
93
Didn't feel like a lucky win to me. The offense was actually putting together drives in the 4th quarter, and finished those with touchdowns. Unlike past years where maybe there was someone like Kaleb Johnson breaking an 80 yard TD run, or the offense converting on a short field after the D forced a turnover, or even last year where it was all run run run but still totally unable to throw the ball.. What I saw was an offense that was able to sustain 70+ yard drives and were able to run AND throw the ball effectively enough to get the ball in the endzone. None of that felt like a fluke to me.

Yeah, I know, it was not a perfect game and it was Rutgers not Ohio State, but I wouldn't be surprised at the same result if the two teams played again.
 

the24fan

All-Conference
Jul 30, 2007
792
1,577
93
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
Come On Please GIF by NBA
 

joelbc1

All-American
Sep 5, 2007
4,452
5,754
113
I don't disagree with you at all. It just appeared the Iowa dbacks were more handsy/trying to be physical and "got away with it" than Rutgers dbacks. But they also had to defend more than twice as many pass attempts so the exposure number was higher. I kept asking why Rutgers was even that close to the Iowa receivers, make them actually prove they can catch before you start grabbing.
Iowa DBs are coached to be “handsy” defenders. That is the way Phil played and that worked well for him. They played that way when Norm was the DC also. They played physical.
 

AnonymousNolonger

All-Conference
Jul 4, 2025
950
1,813
93
Rutgers WR’s were also getting handsy. Grabbing our DB’s jersey and trying to move them or get them off balance.

You can’t just let them be the only ones doing it if the refs aren’t calling it. So the DB’s got more physical.
 
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Burghawk87

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
801
1,426
93
X

X doesn't like contact the way we need a player in his position to like contact. He just hasn't lived up to the hype.
Seems to be a common theme at the FS position the past however many seasons. Schulte was always an expert at touching the pile but never creating it. (In my unqualified middle age opinion)
 
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Nov 29, 2023
594
884
93
The kickoff return for a touchdown was the difference in the game, for the squawks to be successful they have to get points off special teams to stay in the game, or have the defense set them up for a short yardage score. The receivers as a group are MAC level at best, and scare no one, the TEs are either hurt or not producing, and the RBs run hard but when they played both ISU and Rutgers they were shut down, those are the games to look at, not UMASS and Albany which are the two worst teams you will play all year. Indiana looks like the real deal on both sides of the ball, they will hold down the rushing to under 100 yards on Saturday.
 
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Burghawk87

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
801
1,426
93
The kickoff return for a touchdown was the difference in the game, for the squawks to be successful they have to get points off special teams to stay in the game, or have the defense set them up for a short yardage score. The receivers as a group are MAC level at best, and scare no one, the TEs are either hurt or not producing, and the RBs run hard but when they played both ISU and Rutgers they were shut down, those are the games to look at, not UMASS and Albany which are the two worst teams you will play all year. Indiana looks like the real deal on both sides of the ball, they will hold down the rushing to under 100 yards on Saturday.
Neat.
 
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Sep 22, 2025
97
64
18
RU is a sneaky good team
They will give alot of people fits this year.
The secondary getting a workout will benefit them going forward.
Offense is growing and maybe found a rising star in Howard.
Lots of positives. This Saturday will tell us alot.
Lol….rut is not good or even sneaky good, they barely beat an average Ohio team.
 

Kceasthawk@77

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
3,060
5,590
113
Your last statement is crap. With all due respect, Pure crap. A penalty is a penalty when the official throws his/her flag. The refs did a very consistent job of calling pass interference for BOTH teams the whole game. It was really well officiated from that stand point.
Your last statement is crap. With all due respect, Pure crap. A penalty is a penalty when the official throws his/her flag. The refs did a very consistent job of calling pass interference for BOTH teams the whole game. It was really well officiated from that stand point.
This. Thats just nonsense. Our we going to go back and reofficiate every Iowa loss for the penalties that weren't called against our opponents?
 
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uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
2,490
3,772
113
The ball bounced our way a lot in this game, and we were still losing by 4 points in the 4th quarter.

1. Howard makes that catch maybe 25% of the time
2. Fg kicker makes that first miss 90% of the time
3. Fg kicker makes that second kick that was blocked 90% of the time
4. We returned the opening kick off for a TD
5. Two of our key drives were extended by defensive holding calls on wide outs that weren't really involved in the play

Other issues
- Tackling from our secondary continues to be somewhat of an issue
- Our dbs in man coverage are a liability
- We can't get consistent pressure our even pressure 33% of the time with our front 4
- Shorter fg kicking continues to be an issue

Lots of things to clean up still.
Wow, what a negative way to look at things. Are first scrimmage pass of the game was one of the most early Pass Interference hits I have ever seen BUT not called. OUr kicker missed a chip shot FG try from closer than the Butgers kicker!!!! Have you ever played sports because nothing is a sure thing.

Our Defense clamped down, our FG defensive team made the block on the FG, those are not boo boos by Butgers.

We were pounding Butgers defense into submission and our Dee pass rush really came on to make The Greek QB totally unnerved

And it doesnt matter if there DBacks were holding guys that didnt have the pass to them because it Butgers hadnt have held our receivers they migth have been wide open.

I was close game, tied at halftime but Iowa whomped them in the 2nd half
 
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uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
2,490
3,772
113
You can't play the what if game with made up statistics. Howard's long ball catch percentage is impossible to calculate. Rutger's kicker is a career 79.5%. Wetjen has a 4.3% TD/return. Penalties are penalties regardless of where they happen. (Iowa should have been called for far more defensive PI/holding but I think the refs felt bad for what looked like little kids hanging off their dad all night)
The OP is really living in NegativeVille and not sure what game he watched
 
Sep 22, 2025
97
64
18
He would, but you can only spend so many hours discussing why the country should still consider Nebraska a blueblood.
Actually I don’t, i just point out all the unbiased publications and sites that make the lists that always include nebraska for obvious reasons. Sorry sellout streaks and blueblood status is so triggering to iowa fans.
 
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3-D_chess

Senior
Jul 18, 2025
867
959
93
Winning on the road in the B1G is difficult.
And there are 2 people you never diss.
1) Tom Jones
2) Daytona Howard