What's the problem with the iowa run game ?

[r_desihawk]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

 

[Unclesammy]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

We're not using any misdirection or deception. We're generally trying to block 5-8 defenders with 5 blockers. Running on first down most of the time doesn't help.

 

[squeezebox_1]

loaded boxes are mostly the issue, but I will say, Moulton doesn't present a ton of funk, he is an incredible down hill runner, as was evidence by absolutely mowing over an LB on Saturday, but we don't have a Wadley type of back.

 

[Grayhair1981]

Opposing defenses still don't fear the passing game. They won't find success running against good teams til that changes.

 

[HawksRule73]

3 new OL starters, so still learning to gel. I think the RBs aren’t being patient enough and running straight to the line. QB who’s still learning proper running game checks based on presnap reads. We’ll get there…hopefully this week.

 

[uihawk82]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

Well check out the size of the defensive tackles for ISU and Mich. The tv people said one Mich Dtackle was 330 and they are not slow and unathletic. I heard and read that ISU's starting DTackles were 3rd year guys over 300 lbs. This is one big reason plus ISU was overloading the box and Mich had 7 in the box. Hard to consistently run against those two factors, I think.

But that is one reason I would like to see more wide runs with the running backs, sweeps, toss sweeps, even more slants to the outside of the tackle position. Make those big DTackles run laterally a lot and also with them pass rushing you can tire them out. Wide runs let your running back pick a hole and hit it.

 

[Hawksfor3]

loaded boxes are mostly the issue

Too much "Gut", and not enough "Edge".

 

[squeezebox_1]

Too much "Gut", and not enough "Edge".

it is bewildering watching those up the gut runs, over and over and over.

 

[BlIIlken2]

We have played 2 stout defensive lines with a loaded box behind them. Dead serious, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Iowa have success on the ground this weekend. Patience.

 

[Ellobo]

FYI... Michigan wasn't loading the box yesterday. Our DL is by far our best unit on the team and the coaches trust them to do their job. Sure our LBs move forward better than backwards so when a team runs at Umich you'll see them crash. Our CBs do line up close to the LOS, which allows them to funnel the ball back inside if it is a run play, but they are outside the box playing man with our safeties deep...we actually often drop 8...which makes what your QB did yesterday (in the 4th) even more impressive.

To sum up...you couldn't run yesterday not because Umich loaded the box but because it's what Umich is good at

 

[Jonesy5960]

We have played 2 stout defensive lines with a loaded box behind them. Dead serious, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Iowa have success on the ground this weekend. Patience.

This is not a particularly strong run blocking unit yet. They look fine against weaker opposition, but struggle to move bigger more talented lines. I would be very surprised to see a lot of success next week given the opponent.

 

[WDSMHawk]

It's tough with the tv angle but it looked like on a few called runs towards the right Moulton forced the cutback to the left instead of staying play side where there was more room.

I'm curious on what the @The ANF Podcast sees when they break down the game

 

[BlIIlken2]

This is not a particularly strong run blocking unit yet. They look fine against weaker opposition, but struggle to move bigger more talented lines. I would be very surprised to see a lot of success next week given the opponent.

Mich has a much stronger defense than OSU.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Mich has a much stronger defense than OSU.

I guess we'll see. I think OSU has every bit the athletes on defense that Michigan has if not more.

 

[BlIIlken2]

I guess we'll see. I think OSU has every bit the athletes on defense that Michigan has if not more.

Not going to argue on the athletes, more so the scheme. Just look at what Illinois did (outside the scoreboard). Just think the matchup will be better, especially on the line. Hank might not have as much time to throw though.

 

[2D]

Consistently met at the LOS, the OLine isn't getting push against Power 4 DLines so far. Kind of concerning.

 

[r_desihawk]

i was not surprised to see reports that isu lost coz that’s what they do but only just saw that utah was able to run on isu at will. 33 rushes 205 yards 6.2 ypc. that’s insane. were the clones coked up against us or are we overrated?

 

[rfgiowa]

Michigan was stacking 8 in the box...begging Iowa to throw. Brown and the receivers now have a legitimate threat moving forward. Cheers and GO HAWKS!

 

[T. Kimball]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

Million ollar question! My question to Leistikow was if Iowa State taught Mecheatagain how to defend our run game.

 

[Ellobo]

Michigan was stacking 8 in the box...begging Iowa to throw. Brown and the receivers now have a legitimate threat moving forward. Cheers and GO HAWKS!

No we weren't...not sure why you make stuff up like this...it just takes away from what your QB did which was impressive

 

[Jayb01]

it is bewildering watching those up the gut runs, over and over and over.

I forget which juncture of the game it was, I think still the first half. There was a lot of motion and it looked like an end around or maybe even setting up a reverse. But it was just misdirection to set up an inside handoff and the running back got immediately stuffed. Did the same thing and achieved the same result, but it looked pretty neat lol.

 

[Anon1751457816]

This is a thread as old as time

 

[Hawk4Ever!]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

Oline isn't very good. Look big but too slow and soft.

 

[HoggI74]

We're not using any misdirection or deception. We're generally trying to block 5-8 defenders with 5 blockers. Running on first down most of the time doesn't help.

We threw on first down 50% of the time...12/24

 

[DuddyB]

We threw on first down 50% of the time...12/24

Greatly skewed by the last two drives I would guess. It sure felt like ran on almost every first down outside the very first play. I know the wasn’t reality but I’d guess Iowa threw on the last 6 first downs when we had no other choice.

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

We have played 2 stout defensive lines with a loaded box behind them. Dead serious, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Iowa have success on the ground this weekend. Patience.

The Utes just ran for over 200 on ISU.

 

[Rambler Hawk]

loaded boxes are mostly the issue, but I will say, Moulton doesn't present a ton of funk, he is an incredible down hill runner, as was evidence by absolutely mowing over an LB on Saturday, but we don't have a Wadley type of back.

I am still hopeful McNeal can be that Wadley type, he just needs some more action...although Jackson may have just leap frogged him...

 

[BlIIlken2]

The Utes just ran for over 200 on ISU.

Still not discrediting the ISU d line that game. Different schemes different weekends.

 

[Grayhair1981]

Michigan was stacking 8 in the box...begging Iowa to throw. Brown and the receivers now have a legitimate threat moving forward. Cheers and GO HAWKS!

Teams will put as many players in the box as the offense has there. It isn't where the defense lines up pre-play, it's what they are doing post-snap. ISU's LBs and safeties were moving forward on nearly every snap. Michigan really didn't. There weren't receivers uncovered like there was vs ISU. Michigan's defense looked pretty stout. KF/Lester played right into ISU's gameplan.

 

[rchawk]

Teams will put as many players in the box as the offense has there. It isn't where the defense lines up pre-play, it's what they are doing post-snap. ISU's LBs and safeties were moving forward on nearly every snap. Michigan really didn't. There weren't receivers uncovered like there was vs ISU. Michigan's defense looked pretty stout. KF/Lester played right into ISU's gameplan.

Yeah, UM has one of the best defenses Iowa will play. They know how to defend the run. I will say kudos to the OL for protecting Hank in the pocket.

 

[93hawkeye]

This is not a particularly strong run blocking unit yet. They look fine against weaker opposition, but struggle to move bigger more talented lines. I would be very surprised to see a lot of success next week given the opponent.

this. I also don't think our RBs are especially talented. They are taking about what the defense gives them...not creating alot of extra yardarge on their own.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

Went against a great defensive line in Michigan.

 

[WeBeHerkin]

And they were still loading box and doing man coverage (the candy store)

 

[UIAlumFireFighter]

Still not discrediting the ISU d line that game. Different schemes different weekends.

Well, it's apparent that our OL needs to get bigger and stronger so when a decent P4 program lines up on the other side, we don't suck...

This hugely applies to the DL as well.

 

[uihawk82]

This is not a particularly strong run blocking unit yet. They look fine against weaker opposition, but struggle to move bigger more talented lines. I would be very surprised to see a lot of success next week given the opponent.

Hey hawks fans, Saturday Illinois ran for a 6 yard per carry average against ohio st. I was watching some of that game and the OSU defense does not look near as strong as Mich against the run and against the pass also.

Look at the stats below and the player names are in reverse order for some weird reason. I hope Iowa can repeat this, control the game, and mix in the pass on first and 2nd downs to keep OSU off balance and win this game.

Illinois Rushing

team
Jershaun Newton#6
Javari Barnett#24
Katin Houser#4
Jordan Anderson#23
Ca'Lil Valentine#5
Aidan Laughery#21

CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
11	113	10.3	0	37
10	47	4.7	0	12
2	20	10.0	1	22
7	14	2.0	0	25
2	4	2.0	0	3
1	1	1.0	0	1
33	199	6.0	1	37

 

[Amahawk]

non existent run games against the two p5 teams we've played
i wouldn't be concerned if we were even slightly below average instead of abysmal
that's despite the general thinking that both OL and RB room are top notch.

I have this same question. Something is wrong. It is virtually non-existent vs power 4 teams.

 

[KurtWarner]

If you don't throw the ball down field some it's going to be tough running it. They did the last drive only because they had to...and it turned out pretty well. Kirk is afraid to when he doesn’t have to and the running game and whole offense suffers because of it

 

[uihawk82]

KF/Lester played right into ISU's gameplan.

This is so true and KF is so tight and conservative, usually, against ISU (the exception is when Iowa is just so much better like 2009, 2010, 2015 and 2016 where Iowa blew them out)

 

[RuggieC]

Hey hawks fans, Saturday Illinois ran for a 6 yard per carry average against ohio st. I was watching some of that game and the OSU defense does not look near as strong as Mich against the run and against the pass also.

Look at the stats below and the player names are in reverse order for some weird reason. I hope Iowa can repeat this, control the game, and mix in the pass on first and 2nd downs to keep OSU off balance and win this game.

Illinois Rushing

Aidan Laughery#21
Ca'Lil Valentine#5
Jordan Anderson#23
Katin Houser#4
Javari Barnett#24
Jershaun Newton#6
team

CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
11	113	10.3	0	37
10	47	4.7	0	12
2	20	10.0	1	22
7	14	2.0	0	25
2	4	2.0	0	3
1	1	1.0	0	1
33	199	6.0	1	37

I was just looking this up as when I was watching i was encouraged by Illinois running game in hopes we could do something similar.
(1) Need more edge running /stretch play opportunities
(2) Don't be afraid to throw on running downs. We are still too predictable on offense regarding down/distance.
(3) Too many 2 TE sets where they are just off the Tackle. That is a sure sign we are running.

Michigan D-Line will create a bunch of problems for other teams moving forward.

 

[Jonesy5960]

Hey hawks fans, Saturday Illinois ran for a 6 yard per carry average against ohio st. I was watching some of that game and the OSU defense does not look near as strong as Mich against the run and against the pass also.

Look at the stats below and the player names are in reverse order for some weird reason. I hope Iowa can repeat this, control the game, and mix in the pass on first and 2nd downs to keep OSU off balance and win this game.

Illinois Rushing

team
Jershaun Newton#6
Javari Barnett#24
Katin Houser#4
Jordan Anderson#23
Ca'Lil Valentine#5
Aidan Laughery#21

CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
11	113	10.3	0	37
10	47	4.7	0	12
2	20	10.0	1	22
7	14	2.0	0	25
2	4	2.0	0	3
1	1	1.0	0	1
33	199	6.0	1	37

Well you're right in that the OSU defense hasn't been anything like last year's OSU defense and they had their struggles last week against a good Illinois offense. I could also point to the struggles that Iowa had running against an ISU defense that was manhandled by Utah at home last week. Iowa achieved 3.2 yards per rush against an Iowa State D that is allowing 4.2 yards per rush. OSU is allowing only 3.5 yards per rush.

In short, don't expect Iowa to light it up on the ground this weekend.