Iowa
- Thread starter Homerdance
- Start date
I would say the offence won yesterday also, as they out scored their opponent as well. It may not have been pretty, but 7-0 is still winning. Over all the Hawkeyes won yesterday. Way to go Hawks.
True. Just wish we could have gotten one more offensive TD for good measure. But that would not be very much like the 2022 Iowa football hawkeyes now would it.
In a perfect world, me too. But, with only two weeks of preparation for his first start since HS 2 years ago, against an excellent SEC Conference Defense, I was happy just waiting for a short field gift delivered by our D from their inexperienced QB, and our special teams. As luck would have it, instead of simply turning the ball over, our D turned INTs to pick 6s. At 21 - 0 by halftime (only 7 against their Defense) and or defense in complete control, I have to admit, I was thinking we should focus on the things that were most certain about delivering: winning the Field position battle through rushing offense and superior punting (giving them nothing but the long field) and not do anything crazy ourselves, given the experience we had at QB and respecting their Defense.
Brian called plays that did not pretend Joe had more experience than he did. And, in the end, as it turned out, our Offense held on to the ball, avoided throwing any INTs, or fumbling, and did not get sacked too often. For his first game with the big boys, 1 TD and no fumbles/ints, and not too many sacks would be great, especially if we won.
To be fair, our Offensive line's performance was better in some respects too (it seemed like they gave Joe some decent Pass protection). But, expecting us to consistently blow open huge wholes against Kentucky's front 7 was asking too much.
Trying to throw deep would be playing into their hands, too risky, giving them too much of a chance to mount a comeback. Still, I am glad we didn't break their record for the number of punts in a bowl game.
I honestly don't understand how people come to the conclusion we should be able to post 300-plus yards offense against a strong SEC defense with a QB on his 1st start since HS. I mean, really, what are you smoking?
This was about as good as it gets. I think we could have passed the ball more if we needed to, but we didn't, why take the risk?
Last edited:
I thought the offense looked much more in sync for this game. Labas completed some pretty crisp passes, makes one wonder how this team would have finished had Joe been the starting QB halfway through the season.
The o-line was not as good then as it was vs. Kentucky. But it does make you wonder. Considering no fix at WR or O-Line at hand, we may have lost the same games by more...even lost one or two more...and yet been somewhere around 125-128 in the Offensive stats.