If my calculations are correct...

[Northside Hawk]

That highest scoring offense stat in a way might be somewhat misleading.

Off the top of my head I can remember at least 4 non offensive touchdowns and a safety, not to mention the two TD drives of less than 20 yards last week against ILL. All of this is to say our offense probabaly isn’t as good as those stats make it appear, which I think is more in line with reality.

That's vintage Kirkball when it's working properly. Short fields and defensive/special teams scores. I'll bet we had a dozen of them in 2002 and at least a dozen off short fields. We were about to go down 17-3 to Purdue in 2002 when the blocked FG and TD return just before the half turned the game around. We later blocked a punt for a TD.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Number 1 defense in the conference and highest scoring offense since 2002 = 8-4.

We've all watched enough Iowa football to know that when the Hawks turn over a unit on defense it usually makes for a bad year because there just aren't plug and play guys sitting on the bench ready to step up at LB or DL. It happens every freaking time we turn over a good LB corps or a solid d-line.

 

[Grady]

Optimism is a fine thing, but a note of caution here. Iowa loses 5 of 11 starters from this year's defense, including at least 3 defensive line starters. Yes, the Hawks this year had a nice rotation, but I attended 6 of the home games and it was quite remarkable how on alternating series how the '2nd team' line of Epenesa, Gholston, Lattimore, etc allowed the opponent to drive into Iowa territory, and then the '1st team' unit made up of Seniors would be inserted to try to put out the fire. It was encouraging to see the '2nd line' play more and more as the year went on, with Parker obviously wanting to get those guys as much experience as possible heading into next year. LB Colbert is excellent for a FR, but Phil has GOT to find a way to get Welch off the field and Neiman onto the field. The safety and CB positions will be as deep as I can ever remember.

 

[PCHawk]

That's vintage Kirkball when it's working properly. Short fields and defensive/special teams scores. I'll bet we had a dozen of them in 2002 and at least a dozen off short fields. We were about to go down 17-3 to Purdue in 2002 when the blocked FG and TD return just before the half turned the game around. We later blocked a punt for a TD.

Is this right? I remember Pagel blocked a kick for a td against Penn State, but I dont remember either of those things against Purdue. Clark had 2 TDs.

 

[PCHawk]

Is this right? I remember Pagel blocked a kick for a td against Penn State, but I dont remember either of those things against Purdue. Clark had 2 TDs.

Nevermind I just googled highlights. I should have known to not doubt you. I thought it was a lower scoring game. Probably because of how little scoring our offense did.

On a side note, we gave up a 2 score 4th quarter lead just like we always do now. Kirk also had terrible clock management at the end. We got a 1st and goal at the 8 with just under 2 minutes left and were still in hurry up mode. Should have burned some clock there. We got a lucky pick at our 15, otherwise we were looking at ot or worse.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Optimism is a fine thing, but a note of caution here. Iowa loses 5 of 11 starters from this year's defense, including at least 3 defensive line starters. Yes, the Hawks this year had a nice rotation, but I attended 6 of the home games and it was quite remarkable how on alternating series how the '2nd team' line of Epenesa, Gholston, Lattimore, etc allowed the opponent to drive into Iowa territory, and then the '1st team' unit made up of Seniors would be inserted to try to put out the fire. It was encouraging to see the '2nd line' play more and more as the year went on, with Parker obviously wanting to get those guys as much experience as possible heading into next year. LB Colbert is excellent for a FR, but Phil has GOT to find a way to get Welch off the field and Neiman onto the field. The safety and CB positions will be as deep as I can ever remember.

I know you can point to 5 starters being seniors. That being said....

Hockaday didn't start the year...and missed 3-4 games with injury. I don't think you lose a thing with Welsh/Neiman on the inside...and watch out for Doyle too. This will be an upgrade.

The other thing is that Epenesa over Hesse will be an upgrade also. I love Parker and he was very good...but if you noticed in the last few games...Epenesa's snap count went up and it wasn't just in passing situations. He's proven he's a great run stopper now. Another spring and fall camp...beast...and a serious upgrade to me.

Gervase played well, no doubt. He was very good in run support and was a very good player. Stone, in my opinion, will be an upgrade. He had a few growing pains (Purdue), but damn, he's a playmaker similar to Hooker. He sees something and is aggressive making the play. He's also 210 pounds and hits you. I think this is an upgrade too.

Now you get to the two defensive tackles. This is the unknown, other than Lattimore, who really hasn't delivered as I think everyone expected. Similar to Brinks this year as a senior, I think Lattimore makes an impact next year. The other tackle spot I think goes to Nixon. He's had a full year to get stronger, and learn the position. He's big and has quick feet for a guy that big. The other guy I'm excited about, is Linderbaum. He'll be 290 next year is my guess and if he was legitimately in the mix as a true freshman...well that says something. Reiff and Shannon also factor in here. Personally, I think we will be better at DT too. Matt Nelson was solid and really played well and under the radar...but I think these guys coming up...have a higher ceiling.

So, I get we lost 5 starters, but you can make the argument that we will be better at definitely three positions, and it could be all of them if our young DT's perform. Reese has proven he can get guys playing at a high level. He now has natural size to work with too...Nixon, Shannon, and Linderbaum.

 

[PCHawk]

So there were at least 2 games in 02 where we got special teams scores and gave up big leads late. We also gave up a big lead to ISU.

 

[Northside Hawk]

Is this right? I remember Pagel blocked a kick for a td against Penn State, but I dont remember either of those things against Purdue. Clark had 2 TDs.

Final score, if I recall was 31-28 Iowa. Two special teams scores and the two Clark TD's. And Purdue still wasn't finished. They started driving again and that game wasn't iced until the late pick of backup Brandon Kirsch.

Didn't Pagel also have a pick six that year? MSU maybe? He definitely knocked Brooks Bollinger out of the Wisconsin game with a hit that may still be reverberating around Kinnick.

 

[PCHawk]

Final score, if I recall was 31-28 Iowa. Two special teams scores and the two Clark TD's. And Purdue still wasn't finished. They started driving again and that game wasn't iced until the late pick of backup Brandon Kirsch.

Didn't Pagel also have a pick six that year? MSU maybe? He definitely knocked Brooks Bollinger out of the Wisconsin game with a hit that may still be reverberating around Kinnick.

Yea their receiver was wide open at the 15 and botched the catch bunching it right to an iowa player. Not sure about the Pagel pick 6.