Another key to last Saturday

[theboat]

The defense got off the field. Granted they had a lot of momentum, but how many times last year did the other team have the ball, needing to score to win, and the defense just couldn't make the play. Saturday they did. Hopefully that is another turning point.

 

[Ronco]

Making plays when you have to make plays on both sides of the ball is important. Last year we rarely did that on offense or defense. In the 4th quarter we had good play in all three phases. Hopefully in the games and weeks to come we have more quarters like the 4th against Pitt.

 

[DFaceHawkeye]

It seems like in the best years Iowa has had under Ferentz, this is almost always the case. And it seems like a lot of times the defense would come up with a big interception to finish the game off. I think that's where Iowa's defense is designed to work the best. They don't change their execution, the other team just decides it needs to press for more chunks of yards and plays right into the Iowa defense. I think back to Saturday, Pitt didn't need to throw anything over 7-8 yards, but they did and it was picked. I remember plenty of other games that finished just this way, including the last time Iowa went to Happy Valley.

 

[hawkeyebob62]

It seems like in the best years Iowa has had under Ferentz, this is almost always the case. And it seems like a lot of times the defense would come up with a big interception to finish the game off. I think that's where Iowa's defense is designed to work the best. They don't change their execution, the other team just decides it needs to press for more chunks of yards and plays right into the Iowa defense. I think back to Saturday, Pitt didn't need to throw anything over 7-8 yards, but they did and it was picked. I remember plenty of other games that finished just this way, including the last time Iowa went to Happy Valley.

Basically, our KO coverage after the go-ahead TD is what sealed the deal. If we give up our "typical" return, Pitt has more room for one of those infuriating "gimmick" plays!

 

[hawkeyebob62]

The defense got off the field. Granted they had a lot of momentum, but how many times last year did the other team have the ball, needing to score to win, and the defense just couldn't make the play. Saturday they did. Hopefully that is another turning point.

I still think our biggest "underrated" need right now is punt and KO coverage. The last KO we covered to perfection, leaving Pitt with their backs against the wall, almost. Give them room, and who knows?

ISU absolutely KILLED us with a couple big returns.