Deshaun Lee saved the game

[DukeSlater]

Lee and the other corners were much maligned going into this season, but they have continued to improve and are playing with great confidence right now. Deshaun Lee in particular deserves credit for a fabulous, diving INT and, more important, for perfect defense on the final PSU pass that, if complete, could have led to a game-winning PSU field goal. I don't think Lee has been getting the credit he deserves.

And it should be noted that Phil Parker's decision several games ago to dial up the pressure has done wonders for the entire Iowa defense and, most particularly, the corners. This is the most aggressive the Iowa D has been for ages, and it has made all the difference. The guys are playing fast, and you can see the determination in their eyes. Lee and Xavier Nwankpa, this week's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, may be the two most obvious examples of how the Hawkeye defense has evolved into an aggressive, hard-hitting, confident group. So let's give credit to the D-backs in particular for stepping up.

 

[LIV4GOD]

I think Deshaun could have been called for PI on that last play. He fully hooked the left arm before the ball arrived.

His interception is one of the greatest catches I have ever seen. Too bad it put us terrible field position, lol.

 

[Jonesy5960]

The entire secondary has really stepped up this year much to the surprise of many.

 

[ClarindaA’s]

The entire secondary has really stepped up this year much to the surprise of many.

Big TJ Hall fan here

 

[Jonesy5960]

I think Deshaun could have been called for PI on that last play. He fully hooked the left arm before the ball arrived.

This could be said about a lot of plays on both sides the last few years. It seems that a lot of deference is being shown to pass defenders by the officials. If contact is just close to when the ball arrives the officials are letting it go, even if it's early. I don't really like it, but I'm glad that Phil has recognized it and is instructing his DB's to play accordingly.

 

[83Hawk]

The DB’s have been a pleasant surprise this year.

 

[BunchofAholes]

Phil Parker gets it done...year after year. Amazing.

 

[nu2u]

Big TJ Hall fan here

He is playing well, for sure. For me, the secondary player standing out and taking it up another level is Koen Entriger.

 

[LincolnHawkeye]

I think Deshaun could have been called for PI on that last play. He fully hooked the left arm before the ball arrived.

His interception is one of the greatest catches I have ever seen. Too bad it put us terrible field position, lol.

If I remember correctly, that INT was on 3rd down, I remember thinking how that INT probably gave us worse field position than if PSU would've tried a pooch punt to pin us deep on the next play

 

[JerseyCityHawk]

Lee and the other corners were much maligned going into this season, but they have continued to improve and are playing with great confidence right now. Deshaun Lee in particular deserves credit for a fabulous, diving INT and, more important, for perfect defense on the final PSU pass that, if complete, could have led to a game-winning PSU field goal. I don't think Lee has been getting the credit he deserves.

And it should be noted that Phil Parker's decision several games ago to dial up the pressure has done wonders for the entire Iowa defense and, most particularly, the corners. This is the most aggressive the Iowa D has been for ages, and it has made all the difference. The guys are playing fast, and you can see the determination in their eyes. Lee and Xavier Nwankpa, this week's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, may be the two most obvious examples of how the Hawkeye defense has evolved into an aggressive, hard-hitting, confident group. So let's give credit to the D-backs in particular for stepping up.

Unsung hero of the game for sure - great points here

 

[the24fan]

said this earlier, but I really think that game vs Rutgers was huge.
They threw all night long and our secondary had to grow up fast. It seems it's paying dividends now.

 

[oldxbbc]

Secondary has really improved with Lee and X. Thought there was a lot of contact involving Lee late but there was contact all game long. Was holding my breath on that last one lol Also, it seemed to me watching on the tube that some of the ball placing after runs, passes were not where they should of been.

 

[Palmerhawk]

said this earlier, but I really think that game vs Rutgers was huge.
They threw all night long and our secondary had to grow up fast. It seems it's paying dividends now.

Agree. RU s wrs, duff and strong, were about the best pair on our schedule so far so it was good prep for IU, PSU, Oregon and USC.

 

[r_desihawk]

Lee and the other corners were much maligned going into this season, but they have continued to improve and are playing with great confidence right now. Deshaun Lee in particular deserves credit for a fabulous, diving INT and, more important, for perfect defense on the final PSU pass that, if complete, could have led to a game-winning PSU field goal. I don't think Lee has been getting the credit he deserves.

And it should be noted that Phil Parker's decision several games ago to dial up the pressure has done wonders for the entire Iowa defense and, most particularly, the corners. This is the most aggressive the Iowa D has been for ages, and it has made all the difference. The guys are playing fast, and you can see the determination in their eyes. Lee and Xavier Nwankpa, this week's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, may be the two most obvious examples of how the Hawkeye defense has evolved into an aggressive, hard-hitting, confident group. So let's give credit to the D-backs in particular for stepping up.

you are quite right. Lee's defense on the last pass has received little attention but in a sense it won the game. on a related note the psu freshman qb despite poor stats was a gamer.

 

[Kirbs]

The entire secondary has really stepped up this year much to the surprise of many.

It has played well and I really like X and Koen as blitzers. Lutmer is much quicker and faster than people may think-seems to always have good coverage.
DEs have been the biggest disappointment of the defense this year.

 

[LIV4GOD]

This could be said about a lot of plays on both sides the last few years. It seems that a lot of deference is being shown to pass defenders by the officials. If contact is just close to when the ball arrives the officials are letting it go, even if it's early. I don't really like it, but I'm glad that Phil has recognized it and is instructing his DB's to play accordingly.

You're right. We had a guy with us to watch the game who hasn't kept up with college football for a few years. He was constantly surprised saying, "That's pass interference!" We kept responding, "Not in this day and age. The playing field in that regard has changed."

 

[MFinn]

If I remember correctly, that INT was on 3rd down, I remember thinking how that INT probably gave us worse field position than if PSU would've tried a pooch punt to pin us deep on the next play

It also prevented another 4th down conversion.

 

[eyesofhawk]

Team win.

As they all are

 

[MAKhawks]

If I remember correctly, that INT was on 3rd down, I remember thinking how that INT probably gave us worse field position than if PSU would've tried a pooch punt to pin us deep on the next play

3rd and 12 on the Iowa 38 yd line.

It could have been four down territory or even a FG Att, so I have no problems with Lee making the play he did.

As we found out, PSU marched the punting team out there and I would almost guarantee not have punted it better than they ended up after the INT was reversed. But, Lee still made the correct play knowing what he knew at the time. Heck of a play.

 

[DukeSlater]

I think Deshaun could have been called for PI on that last play. He fully hooked the left arm before the ball arrived.

His interception is one of the greatest catches I have ever seen. Too bad it put us terrible field position, lol.

If you've watched much college football this season, you may have noticed that pass interference is not called often, unless it's really obvious. Lots of contact of all kinds is being allowed, by BOTH the receiver and the D-back. In that context, Lee did a terrific job. Had that been called PI, it would have been one of the most ridiculous and infamous calls in Iowa football history, right up there with the Fainting Irish of 1953 and the DeJean "illegal fair catch." IMHO.

If I remember correctly, that INT was on 3rd down, I remember thinking how that INT probably gave us worse field position than if PSU would've tried a pooch punt to pin us deep on the next play

Nobody can know that. Maybe they'd have downed it at the one. Maybe it would have been a touchback and brought out to the 25. What we do know is that Lee's INT was one of the greatest catches of the year by anybody, anywhere.

 

[DukeSlater]

Secondary has really improved with Lee and X. Thought there was a lot of contact involving Lee late but there was contact all game long. Was holding my breath on that last one lol Also, it seemed to me watching on the tube that some of the ball placing after runs, passes were not where they should of been.

Spotting the ball is egregiously poor in college football across the board, and it has been for several years. They just guess. The refs seem to make no effort to get it right. As for Saturday night, even the Press-Citizen wrote about how bad it was and that it has been a joke in the press box for quite a while. And, of course, the powers that be have said nothing and clearly are doing nothing about it.

 

[DukeSlater]

Team win.

As they all are

LOL. Not if that pass is complete. It would have been a team loss, and most people on this board would be blaming Lee.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

It also prevented another 4th down conversion.

Penn State was lined up to punt when they blew for the review. HC said he didn't mind it because it was better than the punt they were gonna do.

 

[Stoopsbrother]

Montgomery looked like a sledgehammer out there playing down hill

 

[LIV4GOD]

If you've watched much college football this season, you may have noticed that pass interference is not called often, unless it's really obvious. Lots of contact of all kinds is being allowed, by BOTH the receiver and the D-back. In that context, Lee did a terrific job. Had that been called PI, it would have been one of the most ridiculous and infamous calls in Iowa football history, right up there with the Fainting Irish of 1953 and the DeJean "illegal fair catch." IMHO.

I agree. It's amazing what they allow now. But, I do suspect, if PSU was undefeated, then somehow, someway we probably see a flag on that play. I'm glad Phil is on top of it and has instructed the secondary accordingly.

 

[AxisBoldAsKIrk]

Montgomery looked like a sledgehammer out there playing down hill

He whiffed on tackling their good RB scoring a TD, looked like.

 

[r_desihawk]

slightly off topic but entringer made a great play as well to save by any means necessary what imo would’ve been a long psu td. was called for pi but that was a great play for us. the receiver i believe was devonte ross who is fantastic at psu. too bad we didn’t get him from troy.

 

[BioHawk2]

The entire secondary has really stepped up this year much to the surprise of many.

The fact this happens basically every year tells you how good their coaching is at this position.

 

[uihawk82]

I think Deshaun could have been called for PI on that last play. He fully hooked the left arm before the ball arrived.

His interception is one of the greatest catches I have ever seen. Too bad it put us terrible field position, lol.

Well PSU was already in or close to FG range so you turn the ball over whenever you can. The only time you dont pick a pass is on 4th down on a deep ball; bat it down and your offense takes over at the LOS.

 

[uihawk82]

Lee and the other corners were much maligned going into this season, but they have continued to improve and are playing with great confidence right now. Deshaun Lee in particular deserves credit for a fabulous, diving INT and, more important, for perfect defense on the final PSU pass that, if complete, could have led to a game-winning PSU field goal. I don't think Lee has been getting the credit he deserves.

And it should be noted that Phil Parker's decision several games ago to dial up the pressure has done wonders for the entire Iowa defense and, most particularly, the corners. This is the most aggressive the Iowa D has been for ages, and it has made all the difference. The guys are playing fast, and you can see the determination in their eyes. Lee and Xavier Nwankpa, this week's Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, may be the two most obvious examples of how the Hawkeye defense has evolved into an aggressive, hard-hitting, confident group. So let's give credit to the D-backs in particular for stepping up.

Great comments. Lee's INT deep in Iowa territory probably stopped a FG attempt and maybe a make. I think PSU had the ball at the Iowa 40, cant remember what down it was but if they had another play and get a few more yards they might make a FG which could have been a winner in the end

 

[uihawk82]

This could be said about a lot of plays on both sides the last few years. It seems that a lot of deference is being shown to pass defenders by the officials. If contact is just close to when the ball arrives the officials are letting it go, even if it's early. I don't really like it, but I'm glad that Phil has recognized it and is instructing his DB's to play accordingly.

Yes, and Lee was doing the most important thing, he looked back for the ball.

In my book, any defender who doesnt look back for the ball and makes some contact should be flagged. Make them play the correct way

 

[WDSMHawk]

X getting through on the blitz blew the play up, if he doesn't the Penn St Qb keeps rolling left and would have had a wide open wr for a first down.