Hank has earned his job

[BuiltLikeWilt]

No Interceptions!!! He took care of the ball well and played good down the stretch. Pretty sure they knew what they were doing despite the good practice (kids day) by Heck. I had more issues with some of the play calling than the execution. But not complaining. It'll be Fun to watch this team get better and gain the confidence it will take to plow through this season. Biggest issues IMO The not getting the safety subbed out when the whole world saw him gimp up on the play before the TD, and trying to FORCE the ball to Diaz made for some lost possessions. Typical good Phil Defense bend but don't break. We got what an Iowa Game and it paid off.

 

[dagdaj]

He indeed avoids mistakes, pressure or not.
Not easily sacked.

But NGL, he sorta looks like a really smart Petras.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Looks like a guy who's really growing and building confidence.

 

[haydensly]

Hank earned the trust of the coaches in this one. Enough so, they should open up the playbook sooner. In every game. Because we will continue to face loaded boxes. Make 'em pay, Hank!

 

[guffus]

He indeed avoids mistakes, pressure or not.
Not easily sacked.

But NGL, he sorta looks like a really smart Petras.

I think Hank throws a better and more accurate ball overall than Petras, but Hank can't seem to make the deep throws. But I think his 20-yard passes are pretty good.

 

[haydensly]

I think Hank throws a better and more accurate ball overall than Petras, but Hank can't seem to make the deep throws. But I think his 20-yard passes are pretty good.

To be fair to Hank, did they even call any deep throws yesterday? I can't remember one. I would guess they didn't trust the protection with Michigan's pass rush. But I think you have to at least try to keep the safeties honest.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Looks like a guy who's really growing and building confidence.

I will cautiously go out on a limb and say that driving nearly the length of the field in less than two minutes at the big house didn't hurt his confidence

 

[HuckFinn]

I love deep throws. One side effect is pass interference on the D. But, the over all completion % is probably not great. Anyone have stats?

 

[guffus]

To be fair to Hank, did they even call any deep throws yesterday? I can't remember one. I would guess they didn't trust the protection with Michigan's pass rush. But I think you have to at least try to keep the safeties honest.

That could be. Not complaining but for some reason the cosches did not try the deep pass. The coaches either dont trust the protection, the WR"s or the QB. Or all of the above.

 

[Gibsonian]

He indeed avoids mistakes, pressure or not.
Not easily sacked.

But NGL, he sorta looks like a really smart Petras.

I think Hank throws a better and more accurate ball overall than Petras, but Hank can't seem to make the deep throws. But I think his 20-yard passes are pretty good.

Oh my gosh he looks way better than Petras. He’s never playing scared. Big difference

 

[BuiltLikeWilt]

That could be. Not complaining but for some reason the cosches did not try the deep pass. The coaches either dont trust the protection, the WR"s or the QB. Or all of the above.

Yes, But ......we never really tried to go deep ..untill we had to and really never did . Diaz is now a focus on other teams' defensive strategy, (maybe a bit premature) but that alone opens up our other receivers/te's with little midranges routes, and when they adjust gets him some BIG HITTERS plays

 

[haydensly]

I do remember going deep on the last drive, IIRC. Diaz was open and Hank missed him. I thought that was going to be the game. I still think we should be trying it more. As HuckFinn said, a side affect is getting a pass interference, which is at least as common as a completion.

 

[guffus]

I do remember going deep on the last drive, IIRC. Diaz was open and Hank missed him. I thought that was going to be the game. I still think we should be trying it more. As HuckFinn said, a side affect is getting a pass interference, which is at least as common as a completion.

Oh yeah, you are right. I remember thinking if Hank hits that pass, Diaz was gone to the endzone for 6 points and an Iowa win. All that drama at the end could have been avoided. If iowa would have lost, it would have been the overthrow to Diaz everybody remembers and talking about today.

But it all worked out anyway, so all is forgiven.

 

[dagdaj]

Yah....don't get me wrong about Brown.
I say he's a smarter Petras. I'm a Petras 'defender'. He had a TON of things working against him and he bore the bulk of the blame. I did not like when he was booed.
I 100% believe he could have been better. Not great. Maybe not even 'good'. But better.
And a lot of it would have come from:
-being smarter
-having a better offensive coordinator


One question I have is, was Petras just not able to roll out? Could he not run the boot?
Or did Brain just not run those plays. That's been bread and butter for average Iowa QBs to become good to great Iowa QBs. Not sure I ever saw Petras step up in a pocket, which Brown can and does do. Again, not sure if that was Petras or the offensive incapability of Brain.

I do think Stanzi comparisons are pretty good in the playmaking/slinger style. If Brown stays and becomes a 'smarter' Stanzi, he'll be extremely fondly remembered. The bit you cannot deny about Brown....almost zero head scratchers.

After 4 games....no INTs. There's been 1 or 2 that maybe shoulda been picks. And I don't really count any of them on Saturday. Yah, maybe not great passes on all those tipped balls, but none that I can sit there and say "what the hell? Why he throw there?". At this point, I'll absolutely root for a dude connecting at 65% against the two FBS teams he's played. Even if it was mostly successful in just 1 quarter at Michigan. The lack of the run game against FBS teams....is super distressing.

 

[dagdaj]

I do remember going deep on the last drive, IIRC. Diaz was open and Hank missed him. I thought that was going to be the game. I still think we should be trying it more. As HuckFinn said, a side affect is getting a pass interference, which is at least as common as a completion.

That was a great play call. I think he was long by 5 yards and either the wrong shoulder or wrong communication with Diaz.

But damn....if he hit that throw.....that was 7. All the way. Diaz had 3 steps on the guy and had the defender all turned around. I know the plays are all scripted, but I would have one of those deep to Diaz in any first drive after a first down or two. Hell, maybe any drive.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

No Interceptions!!! He took care of the ball well and played good down the stretch. Pretty sure they knew what they were doing despite the good practice (kids day) by Heck. I had more issues with some of the play calling than the execution. But not complaining. It'll be Fun to watch this team get better and gain the confidence it will take to plow through this season. Biggest issues IMO The not getting the safety subbed out when the whole world saw him gimp up on the play before the TD, and trying to FORCE the ball to Diaz made for some lost possessions. Typical good Phil Defense bend but don't break. We got what an Iowa Game and it paid off.

I kept waiting for and wanting to see a wheel route by Jackson down the sideline. I think that could have burnt them. But, maybe he needed to stay up to help in pass pro with Michigan's athletes. I dunno.

I do want to see that in future games, though. Jackson has proven to may be the most versatile player on O with his running and catching abilities along with receiving downfield.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

To be fair to Hank, did they even call any deep throws yesterday? I can't remember one. I would guess they didn't trust the protection with Michigan's pass rush. But I think you have to at least try to keep the safeties honest.

They weren't going downfield at all it seems. I'd like them to be able to hit the 15-20 yarder downfield at times but maybe Michigan was taking that away.

It was always these short passes to the outside or checkdowns. Seems the short passes to the outside would only gain a couple 2-3 yrds which was frustrating.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I will cautiously go out on a limb and say that driving nearly the length of the field in less than two minutes at the big house didn't hurt his confidence

The outcome doesn't but one still has to put into perspective that they got very lucky with a couple of tips.

But, anything to gain a little confidence surely helps.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

That could be. Not complaining but for some reason the cosches did not try the deep pass. The coaches either dont trust the protection, the WR"s or the QB. Or all of the above.

Michigan is known to have stout back end to their D. Much of it was they prob took it away is my guess.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Oh my gosh he looks way better than Petras. He’s never playing scared. Big difference

He did but one has to put into perspective that Petras I think didn't have the difference makers at WR and I also think the line was a mess at one point with unbalanced classes and injuries. It wasn't all just on Petras. Hank seems to be in a better situation with the talent at WR & TE now along with the line play.