What to make of Iowa's second half against Maryland

[homes]

Do you think Ferentz knew he had the game in hand, particularly after King's INT, and therefore intentionally didn't show anything new to anyone, i.e., saving formations and plays for when they may be needed later this year? I mean, for one, the TE over the middle off of play action seemed quite viable when Maryland had all 11 within 5 yards of the LOS. Or was it not that strategic, instead, he was just tucking it in, hoping to get to the finish line, with no greater purpose than that? In the past years, when I've seen this, I've always waited for the next game for something to get revealed, and it never happened. It was frustrating to watch, but he might have had a greater purpose in his conservatism this past game. Don't know what to think. He's got better athletes at the skill positions this year - hanging on can be a dangerous way to play - we've seen this in the past, so I don't see the need to do that this year.

 

[IAHAWK1982]

I don't think it was a matter of showing anything new. Kirk was just trying to run clock and not put CJB at risk by throwing the ball. With the defense dominating as it was it was a simple decision.

 

[DBAHawkFan]

Correct. We had a 21 point lead, a hurt QB and MD did themselves no favor by having a 8 min drive to start the 2nd half and come away with no points.

KF shut everything down at that point. I didn't mind having us run the ball so much, but was more upset with the fact we ran the same damn stretch play over and over. We could have done more screens, draws, counters, reverses.....anything to throw off the blitz and aggression by MD.

Against a better offense, we may lose that game because of that mindset. It was old KF, but we did enough to win.

Another issue I had was not kicking the ball through the endzone. Seems like he has the leg to do it EVERY time, and there wasn't a lot of wind that day (his 49 yard FG had plenty of leg). I think we look at this game differently if we don't give up that kick return

 

[ColumbusHawk]

Do you think Ferentz knew he had the game in hand, particularly after King's INT, and therefore intentionally didn't show anything new to anyone, i.e., saving formations and plays for when they may be needed later this year? I mean, for one, the TE over the middle off of play action seemed quite viable when Maryland had all 11 within 5 yards of the LOS. Or was it not that strategic, instead, he was just tucking it in, hoping to get to the finish line, with no greater purpose than that? In the past years, when I've seen this, I've always waited for the next game for something to get revealed, and it never happened. It was frustrating to watch, but he might have had a greater purpose in his conservatism this past game. Don't know what to think. He's got better athletes at the skill positions this year - hanging on can be a dangerous way to play - we've seen this in the past, so I don't see the need to do that this year.

Your wrong. Beathard can't do much including play action passes. The conservatism was because of Beathard's health.

Ferentz said after yesterday’s assignment was completed against Maryland (really, kind of what that was, right?) that you’re probably not seeing naked rollouts and play-action moves from Beathard the rest of the season. You watched the ABC broadcast. Clearly, this was spilled in the production meeting. Ferentz said on the pregame radio that Beathard probably won’t be right until January.

 

[homes]

Your wrong. Beathard can't do much including play action passes. The conservatism was because of Beathard's health.

Ferentz said after yesterday’s assignment was completed against Maryland (really, kind of what that was, right?) that you’re probably not seeing naked rollouts and play-action moves from Beathard the rest of the season. You watched the ABC broadcast. Clearly, this was spilled in the production meeting. Ferentz said on the pregame radio that Beathard probably won’t be right until January.

It was really a question, not a right or wrong proposition, but don't really want to quibble about that. I'm am interested in why Beathard's injury prevents play action passes. I get why no rollouts or bootlegs, but what am I missing on how his injury won't allow a play action pass.

 

[Floridahawkeye1]

Play action on occasion, yes. But, if CJ keeps holding the ball and goes down, less success. Face it, he is not the same CJ from September. O line must perform better. ( run plays - pass pro )

A 60% CJ is o.k., if the other 10 are 100%. Especially the front 7.

 

[ColumbusHawk]

It was really a question, not a right or wrong proposition, but don't really want to quibble about that. I'm am interested in why Beathard's injury prevents play action passes. I get why no rollouts or bootlegs, but what am I missing on how his injury won't allow a play action pass.

Eddie P. said during the game that Beathard looked very slow dropping back to pass. Because of the injury movement has to be minimalized.

 

[SonofaSailor]

Yeah, and I believe Kirk even said something on the post game when they asked him about the second half playcalling. something to the tune of, "Given the score and our health it was a conscious decision to play it kind of close. Had the game situation been different we would have had to open it up a bit more."

Really at the end of the day, we're still banged up...and we totally dominated a team. Sure it was only a 16 point win...but that game was never in doubt. 8-0 on to next week.

 

[cincyhawk]

They had the lead they needed to win, and left the qb in? Just put Weigers out there to hold the lead. You You still have CJ in your back pocket and it's not like they could stack the box any more than they did.

We need CJ walking. Protect him by not playing him in a tgree score game.

 

[DDThompson]

What to make of the second half?
Nothing. And everything.

KF was confident that his defense would keep Mary from the three endzone scores they needed to tie. Mission accomplished.

What to make of the first half?
Iowa dominated on both sides of the ball.


KF saying that he isn't sure how good of a football he has is not a putdown. He knows he has a good team. He also knows that on both sides of the ball his team has only played one complete clean game (@NW Sorry, not counting low-level S.ILL and NoTex.)