Back in Black
Offense, defense and special teams.
I’ve said this before: If you win two out of three, you have a good chance to win.
The Hawkeyes did that last Saturday and snapped a two game losing streak to the Badgers.
You had a pick six, a blocked punt, a 41 yard punt return and only one turnover by the Iowa offense.
“A hard fought game where turnovers made the difference,” said head coach Kirk Ferentz.
“When we protect the ball we are usually pretty good.”
Iowa Defense
You start with Iowa’s defense giving up 51 net yards on the ground.
The Badgers came into the game averaging 30.8 points per game and 183.3 yards on the ground. Since 2009, the Hawkeyes are giving up an average of 4.83 yards per play which is third best in the nation behind only Alabama (4.45) and Clemson (4.74)
Against the Badgers, the Hawks gave up an average of 3.4 yards per play.
How about Cooper DeJean?
The sophomore from Odebolt, Iowa had a 32 yard pick six in the second quarter to give Iowa a 14-3 lead. Cooper also had two punt returns totaling 82 yards including a 41 yard return in the third quarter that set up the Hawks on the Badger 21.
Five plays later, Spencer Petras scored on a QB sneak to give Iowa a 21-10 lead.
Before the season, Gary Dolphin asked Captain Kirk where Cooper would play.
“Anywhere he wants to,” replied Kirk.
DeJean also had ten tackles with Jack Campbell leading the way with 11. Cooper also helped down a punt on Wisconsin’s one yard line.
“I can’t say enough about him,” said coach Ferentz. “He could really start all five positions in the defensive backfield. I’m not sure where he couldn’t play on offense. Micah Hyde had that kind of ability. The craziest part is that he didn’t have one offer. That’s really weird in this day and age. On top of that is that he’s just an incredible kid.”
The Hawks had four sacks including Joe Evans, who sacked Graham Mertz with 2:20 left in the game, forced a fumble that Logan Lee recovered, and pretty much ended the game.
The Hawks played ten defensive linemen which keeps the guys fresh.
It was good to see Riley Moss get his first interception of the year.
Since 2013, Iowa leads the nation with 151 receptions.
Iowa Offense
Okay I’m tired of defending the Iowa offense.
They are not very good but the Hawkeyes are 6-4, 4-3, Bowl eligible and have an outside shot of winning the Big Ten West again
Spencer Petras was 14-23 for 94 yards and was sacked six times.
Six Hawks had catches with Sam LaPorta leading the way with five receptions.
Sam has caught at least one pass in the last 13 games.
Kaleb Johnson led the Hawks with 57 yards rushing and one TD.
The Hawks controlled the clock with a 33:27 to 26:23 advantage.
Iowa Special Teams
You start with Deontae Craig’s blocked punt which resulted in Kaleb Johnson’s two yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Cooper DeJean had four punt returns for 81 yards including 41 yard return that helped set up a score in the fourth quarter. Tory Taylor punted nine times averaging 43.4 yards per punt including a punt of 58 yards. Drew Stevens hit a 44 yard field goal in the fourth quarter to end the scoring.
Flashback – Iowa vs. Wisconsin, 1996
The flashback game was a home game against the Badgers in 1996.
Sedrick Shaw ran for 143 yards and scored three touchdowns as the Hawks shut out the Badgers 31-0.
The three touchdowns Sedrick scored tied Ronnie Harmon’s record with 32. Tavian Banks is he current leader with 33.
That was the first shutout since 1992.
The Hawks held the Badgers to 128 yards of total offence.
Bobby Elliott, the defensive coordinator was given the game ball.
Defensive end Billy Ennis-Inge had four sacks, caused two fumbles and recovered a third fumble in his last game at Kinnick.
Matt Sherman completed his first 10 passes and finished 12-17 for 99 yards.
Matt threw an eight yard TD to Chris Knipper in the second quarter and the Hawks finished 9-3 with a Bowl win over Texas Tech.
Hawkeye Women Start 3-0
Iowa opened the season last week with wins over Southern University (87-34) and Evansville (116-62).
The 116 points scored against Evansville is a new Iowa record.
In the first game, everyone scored and Iowa shot 51% from the floor and 84% from the free throw line.
Catlin Clark played 20 minutes, scored 20 points and had nine rebounds.
In the Evansville game all 13 players scored led by Catlin with 26 points and 12 assists.
Lisa Bluder might have the most depth she has ever had.
Molly Davis, the transfer from Central Michigan, scored 12 points with nine assists and ten rebounds, and has four steals in the two wins.
Super freshman Hannah Stuelke has 24 points shooting 11-14 (78%) from the floor.
She also has 14 rebounds totaling 28 minutes in the two games.
How about Iowa having a 62-14 advantage on points in the paint in the win over Evansville.
The Drake win was the Hawks’ first road trip and a tough one.
Iowa’s one-two punch of Monica Czinano and Catlin Clark combined for 64 points with Catlin dishing out nine assists.
Hawkeye Men 2-0
The men opened the season with an 89-58 win over Bethune-Cookman.
All five starters scored in double figures with Tony Perkins leading the way with 16 points, 7-9 from the floor and five assists.
Tony brings defensive pressure up front and the Hawks had 11 steals.
Last Friday the Hawks smoked North Carolina A&T 112-71.
Four starters scored in double figures led by Kris Murray who scored 22 on 7-11 shooting from the floor and 5-5 from the free throw line.
The Hawks had a 58-30 advantage on points in the paint, had 25 assists and only four turnovers.
I know the competition for the men and women wasn’t great but isn’t it fun to watch the offensive shows.
Hawkeye Wrap
The wrestlers opened their season taking down California Baptist 42-3.
Iowa had three falls, two tech falls and a major decision.
So that means the four sports I cover: football, men’s and women’s basketball plus wrestling went 7-0.
It can’t get any better than that.
The football team travels to Minnesota this week.
Iowa is favored by 2.5.
