A tough, tough loss. But a guy hits a 57 yarder on you at the gun, you kinda have to tip your cap. Let's get into it.
1. First and foremost the 4th and inches decision. I thought it was a brutally bad call. I heard Coach Duzz explanation and frankly it's a very defensive minded coach's explanation. The reason it was so bad is it really would have extended a drive where for the first time in the game you have a chance to take the lead. Your tied, your team is moving the ball, and it keeps the IOWA qb on the bench. On the road, in that environment you HAVE to go for it. Period.
2. Peterman clearly looks better throwing the ball, there's no question. But, and it's a big but you cannot dismiss the bad throws in the first half especially the one at the goal line. You need the points there. I thought he had tunnel vision in the game looking for Boyd, but after the TD to Orndoff he started looking for JP more and hit Ford and the RB's a few times.
3. Two games 21 catches for Boyd. I mean what can you say? A complete stud. Fluid, catches everything, beats double teams. Beats zones, beats man. Glad he's a Panther, and yeah enjoy his last year.
4. If anyone doesn't think we miss Conner they are fooling themselves. Hall will be good as will Ollison and James but not in the same stratosphere. The RB's even though the OL didn't block great left yards on the table, didn't break a lot of tackles and weren't patient enough.
5. I think Jim Chaney got better as the game wore on. Thought he learned from his trip to the red zone where he tried to run it with heavy bunch set to no avail. Second time around he hits Orndoff off the play action and he was wide open. He was driving me crazy early with the constant first down runs for 3 yards. And pls don't have a righty QB throwing on a designed rollout to his left across his body.
6. I've given up on Pitts playing the ball. My goodness TURN AROUND and locate the ball LaFayette!
7. Good adjustement by Iowa Coaching staff going to more draw and screen looks. Their OL wasn't moving our line off the ball with pro I sets so the draws and bubble screens worked better for them in the second half
8. Hidden yardage. The kickoff after our tying TD in the fourth Q, you have King pinned and somehow you don't hold contain and the guy gets it to near the 30. Could have been down at the 15. Big difference. Key play.
9. Man is Rutgers a train wreck or what?
10. Price's injury in the second quarter, hurts the unit pass rush big time. This is where recruiting will help. There was no edge threat after that. With Price and Blair you've got some semblance of edge pressure but it went out the window after his injury hope he's ok.
11. Nice to see Blewit hit a good FG but man he does look shaky sometimes. Got me nervous on the extra point try.
12. I watched a lot of the GT/ND and I can't tell if I'm more impressed with ND's defensive speed or GT's lack of offensive execution? Very underwhelming display by GT.
13. When I looked at the schedule I had us at 2-1 to start the season. I had this game as a loss. So not surprised with the record. Would have been nice to steal this win. Thought the teams were evenly matched but tough spot on the road at night against a Big Ten team. That's why while you hate to lose, you can clearly see improvement from this team.
14. Thought the OL did a great job pass blocking all night, though Iowa rarely if ever blitzed. Our run blocking for the second straight game was not great. I think some of that is due to Conner's injury and some of it to the shifting of the tackles and guards. OL needs some continuity so I hope they find 5 and stick with it.
15. Just have a feeling that Saban is getting restless in Bama. Just a gut.
16. I feel for Voytik. I will say this though. Peterman made a wide field boundary throw to Dontez Ford that really shows you how good his arm is. I think the chief difference I see between the two is that Peterman is the more accurate passer and he had better pocket presence.
17. A 57 freaking yard field goal. CJ Bethard takes two more steps on his scramble and the clock runs out. Smart slide by him.
18. Really think our secondary is going to get better and better. Whitehead is a star in the making, Webb is extremely athletic and has great recovery speed. His INT was I think a read he made on his own coming off his man. Maddox has played all season at a very high level, in fact after 3 games he might be the defensive MVP. I'd say Jarrett is up there too but he's not a 3 down player.
19. Great scene by the young man walking the team out in a walker. Heartbreaking but inspiring. I will say this people get down on Ferentz but his teams are well coached, they don't beat themselves and are physical. Fans get spoiled but this is a good football program.
20. Besides that decision, Narduzzi has the team playing with a lot of intensity, has them really rallying to the ball and has them competing. I thought the team showed a lot of grit and grew up offensively on that last drive but they now need to win these close games. VT would be a really nice start.
Pitt82
1. First and foremost the 4th and inches decision. I thought it was a brutally bad call. I heard Coach Duzz explanation and frankly it's a very defensive minded coach's explanation. The reason it was so bad is it really would have extended a drive where for the first time in the game you have a chance to take the lead. Your tied, your team is moving the ball, and it keeps the IOWA qb on the bench. On the road, in that environment you HAVE to go for it. Period.
2. Peterman clearly looks better throwing the ball, there's no question. But, and it's a big but you cannot dismiss the bad throws in the first half especially the one at the goal line. You need the points there. I thought he had tunnel vision in the game looking for Boyd, but after the TD to Orndoff he started looking for JP more and hit Ford and the RB's a few times.
3. Two games 21 catches for Boyd. I mean what can you say? A complete stud. Fluid, catches everything, beats double teams. Beats zones, beats man. Glad he's a Panther, and yeah enjoy his last year.
4. If anyone doesn't think we miss Conner they are fooling themselves. Hall will be good as will Ollison and James but not in the same stratosphere. The RB's even though the OL didn't block great left yards on the table, didn't break a lot of tackles and weren't patient enough.
5. I think Jim Chaney got better as the game wore on. Thought he learned from his trip to the red zone where he tried to run it with heavy bunch set to no avail. Second time around he hits Orndoff off the play action and he was wide open. He was driving me crazy early with the constant first down runs for 3 yards. And pls don't have a righty QB throwing on a designed rollout to his left across his body.
6. I've given up on Pitts playing the ball. My goodness TURN AROUND and locate the ball LaFayette!
7. Good adjustement by Iowa Coaching staff going to more draw and screen looks. Their OL wasn't moving our line off the ball with pro I sets so the draws and bubble screens worked better for them in the second half
8. Hidden yardage. The kickoff after our tying TD in the fourth Q, you have King pinned and somehow you don't hold contain and the guy gets it to near the 30. Could have been down at the 15. Big difference. Key play.
9. Man is Rutgers a train wreck or what?
10. Price's injury in the second quarter, hurts the unit pass rush big time. This is where recruiting will help. There was no edge threat after that. With Price and Blair you've got some semblance of edge pressure but it went out the window after his injury hope he's ok.
11. Nice to see Blewit hit a good FG but man he does look shaky sometimes. Got me nervous on the extra point try.
12. I watched a lot of the GT/ND and I can't tell if I'm more impressed with ND's defensive speed or GT's lack of offensive execution? Very underwhelming display by GT.
13. When I looked at the schedule I had us at 2-1 to start the season. I had this game as a loss. So not surprised with the record. Would have been nice to steal this win. Thought the teams were evenly matched but tough spot on the road at night against a Big Ten team. That's why while you hate to lose, you can clearly see improvement from this team.
14. Thought the OL did a great job pass blocking all night, though Iowa rarely if ever blitzed. Our run blocking for the second straight game was not great. I think some of that is due to Conner's injury and some of it to the shifting of the tackles and guards. OL needs some continuity so I hope they find 5 and stick with it.
15. Just have a feeling that Saban is getting restless in Bama. Just a gut.
16. I feel for Voytik. I will say this though. Peterman made a wide field boundary throw to Dontez Ford that really shows you how good his arm is. I think the chief difference I see between the two is that Peterman is the more accurate passer and he had better pocket presence.
17. A 57 freaking yard field goal. CJ Bethard takes two more steps on his scramble and the clock runs out. Smart slide by him.
18. Really think our secondary is going to get better and better. Whitehead is a star in the making, Webb is extremely athletic and has great recovery speed. His INT was I think a read he made on his own coming off his man. Maddox has played all season at a very high level, in fact after 3 games he might be the defensive MVP. I'd say Jarrett is up there too but he's not a 3 down player.
19. Great scene by the young man walking the team out in a walker. Heartbreaking but inspiring. I will say this people get down on Ferentz but his teams are well coached, they don't beat themselves and are physical. Fans get spoiled but this is a good football program.
20. Besides that decision, Narduzzi has the team playing with a lot of intensity, has them really rallying to the ball and has them competing. I thought the team showed a lot of grit and grew up offensively on that last drive but they now need to win these close games. VT would be a really nice start.
Pitt82
