Dudes, I am going to say this: Tip o' the cap to Greg Davis

[hawkfan340]

I would add this tidbit: Iowa had four dropped passes that were painfully obvious; if all four had been completed, Jake would have been at 70% completions; he would have been around 200 + yards. I would conclude that he was amazingly accurate in this game and furthermore, the receivers were obviously getting open...but, we hear a lot about inability to separate, receivers aren't fast enough, etc. Maybe Achem's Razor applies...we just need to catch the ball.

Made me think about the pass to Tavean Smith. That was a thing of beauty. On the run, into double coverage, into a spot only Smith could catch it for a huge gain. That was a great throw.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

I wonder if the predominance of running plays means that they (the coaching staff) have accepted the fact that these guys can't catch and they have a rookie QB.

 

[dagdaj]

Wait, we all used to b!tch and moan about NOT blitzing, now we do it too much? Got it...

No kidding.
I loved the blitzing. I loved the threat of blitzing.
Half? (or at least darn near, maybe more) the ISU drops and incompletes can be directly attributed to rushed throws.

Our secondary is gonna get torched at times whether there's a blitz on or not. Although, I did think they looked a little better. But that's maybe just because of that incredible INT.

 

[dagdaj]

Made me think about the pass to Tavean Smith. That was a thing of beauty. On the run, into double coverage, into a spot only Smith could catch it for a huge gain. That was a great throw.

Forgot about that one. Sure was good. Warner-esque if I do say. He had about a 10" window to hit for it to be a catch. And if he hits it, it's the only chance for YAC.

I like the kid. If he improves at a regular pace, the Drew Tate comparisons will be accurate. Solid. Quite good, even. If he improves at a pace like Captain America, he'll be talked about as one of the top QBs in the Big 10 in a coming season or two.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

I too think that Davis called a pretty good game overall. When you are getting 5 yards per carry, keep doing it until they prove they can stop you. Nothing wrong with mixing in a play-action pass every so often to keep them honest though IMO.. It should be there if you are running the ball well.

I'm not sure I've seen a better philosophy than "scratch where it itches". If it's there, keep pounding it.

 

[tm3308]

Made me think about the pass to Tavean Smith. That was a thing of beauty. On the run, into double coverage, into a spot only Smith could catch it for a huge gain. That was a great throw.

That was an absolutely gorgeous ball. If we have a line to keep him standing and receivers (besides KMM) who will actually catch the ball, Rudock is going to be something special. His accuracy on short and intermediate throws is just ridiculous, and his deep ball is getting better. He's got awesome pocket presence (seriously, it's very difficult to believe he's just a redshirt sophomore in his first season as a starter) and is a serious threat to run (not Shoelace or T-Mart, but Rudock can definitely move); the play where he split a pair of defenders closing in on him in the pocket before taking off was pretty impressive, even though he did get tripped up just before getting in the open field. He's got a pretty quick first step when he decides to take off.

I honestly haven't had this much fun watching an Iowa quarterback since Tate was under center. Rudock isn't quite the same style (Tate was a poor man's Johnny Football before there was a Johnny Football), but he consistently makes good decisions and can make things happen.

 

[kicker22]

True but there were also some blitzes that forced Richardson to throw the ball early on some 3rd downs which helped Iowa's D get off the field.

With the front 4's lack of pass rush, we are going to have to get used to watching Iowa get burned on some blitzes. Phil can't sit back and watch QBs pick the D apart because there isn't any pressure.

Honest question, but do we know the Dline was out to put pressure on richardson or were they looking to simply contain him? Not trying to defend the line, but at times it appeared as though they they were doing whatever they wanted to do against ISU's O line.

 

[nationalchamps]

GD called a great game, kudos to him.

Now, about our punter, I have a tough time believing he's the best we have.

 

[tm3308]

GD called a great game, kudos to him.

Now, about our punter, I have a tough time believing he's the best we have.

I don't. Not that that's supposed to make you feel anything but depressed, but I do think Kornbrath is probably the best guy we currently have.

 

[nationalchamps]

I don't. Not that that's supposed to make you feel anything but depressed, but I do think Kornbrath is probably the best guy we currently have.

And that is sad.

 

[hwk23]

Ran the ball on 60 of 83 plays. Balance, schmalance. Scratch where it itches. That was all the offense game plan we needed. If the defense and special teams wouldn't have collapsed down the stretch, we would have considered this a thing of beauty.

So, good job GD, yes?

Yep, balance schmalance. There are different defintiions of "balance" to. I heard the announcers talking about Alabama's balance during their game. Alabama had about the same yardage passing and rushing last year, approximately 3,000 yards in both according to the announcers. However, they ran 64% to get that. So a 50/50 play mix doesn't always mean balanced.

 

[Billso]

I would add this tidbit: Iowa had four dropped passes that were painfully obvious; if all four had been completed, Jake would have been at 70% completions; he would have been around 200 + yards. I would conclude that he was amazingly accurate in this game and furthermore, the receivers were obviously getting open...but, we hear a lot about inability to separate, receivers aren't fast enough, etc. Maybe Achem's Razor applies...we just need to catch the ball.

Occam's ugly cousin from Nebraska.