Don't think blame falls on Arnaud...

Hawk3344s

Active Member
First, before anyone jumps this thread, I am not suggesting that AA played a good/great game...however I am not sure that I agree that he played as poorly as some may think he did, and I certainly don't think that ISU fans should place the blame of the loss squarely on his shoulders.
1) I think it was pretty evident, that the Hawks outmanned the Clones at nearly every (if not all) positions. It was a little like men vs. boys at times...and this isn't intended to mock ISU, I actually respect their effort and respect Paul Rhoads...but it is the type of effort we expect from the Hawks if we are to be considered a top 5-10 team (which I believe we are!)
2) Unlike last year (where I think AA shoulders a lot of responsibility for ISU fans) AA did not lose this game. Yes he threw 3 picks (which is never a good formula--unless you have a 4th qtr like Stanzi vs. IND:D) but those did not factor into Iowa jumping on ISU and grabbing the 28-0 lead. If anything, AA should be applauded for no TOs in the 1st half. Yeah, they didn't get anything going, but there are also 10 other players out there responsible for that...not to mention the ELEVEN important ones on our side who are pretty salty! Add into this equation that fact that the Hawk Offense successfully controlled the clock, it is hard for the opposing offense to generate any cohesion.
3) Of the three picks, the only poorly thrown ball/decision is the Prater pick...as a senior he should know better. The other two (IMO) are simply parts of the game. On the Greenwood pick, he got rocked by Clayborn as he was throwing, forcing it high (not much you can do about that). The Nielsen pick was a combination of pressure, and the game being out of reach so he forced it a bit...again, I don't think this should be anything that makes ISU fans overreact.

BOTTOM LINE: Yes, AA did not have a great game, but he is hardly the scapegoat for the Cyclones when the reality is that they were just outclassed by a superior Iowa program. Again this is not to lessen or mock the ISU program, it is just the current reality. The other reality is that they are an improved program (even if the final record this year doesn't eventually show it). Paul Rhoads is the right guy for ISU, and AA is the right qb at this time. For you Iowa/ISU fans that are questioning the young man's ability, I really think that you are misreading/misdiagnosing the reality of Saturday's game!
 


I pretty much agree with everything you said, 3344. I don't think AA is a great QB based on his body of work so far. That said, he shouldn't be blamed for the lost. They got beat soundly in two of the three phases and split the special teams. He had little to do much of that.
 


AA was terrible. Having said that, he was pigeonholed right away by a defense who couldn't stop me, and an Oline who couldn't block Klug or much of anyone for that matter. Our problems came everywhere, not just Arnaud, but, like every game, he will take the heat because he is the QB.
 




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