Iowa and Conditioning Last Year

[JonDMiller]

Preparing to finish | Hawk Central

This from Broderick Binns in the item linked:

Much like when he chases after a quarterback, Iowa defensive end Broderick Binns held nothing back with reporters Tuesday.

When asked if a lack of conditioning was the reason Iowa had a costly habit of blowing leads in the fourth quarter last season, Binns didn’t beat around the bush.

“I thought it was because the year before, the Orange Bowl year, we were able to finish games in the fourth quarter,” Binns said during a 45-minute question-and-answer session with several Iowa players and the media. “Last year, we weren’t. So I just attribute it to us not being ready to take on the fourth quarter.”

But when asked why, Binns drew a blank.

“I really couldn’t tell you because we’ve done the same summer program for the past five years that I’ve been here,” he said. “It’s the same routine. I couldn’t tell you. But in my mind, that’s what it was, not being conditioned enough.”

I agree that Iowa didn't close out games...but I think it's a lot simpler than that. Iowa's offense was anemic after the Michigan State game, where they had lost their top two RG options and Adam Robinson was never the same player...they left that game, which was 2/3 of the season in the book, averaging over 30ppg and converting over 50% of their third downs...after that point, they struggled to average 20ppg and their third down conversion rated dropped to a poor 32% or so for the rest of the regular season...the defense was on the field so much more at that point and their numbers went the other way on third downs.

It's pretty simple IMO; the offense dropped the ball and failed to move the chains. You are gonna get tired on defense when that happens. The offense has to move the chains consistently to give you a chance.

 

[kicker22]

I like the fact that he doesn't put the blame on the offensive production, but at the same time doesn't pin it on the defense. IMO he's basically saying they're team losses and addressing the fact that he didn't think they were conditioned enough for whatever reason. Sounds to me that from a team standpoint, they've addressed the issue and are working to make sure it doesn't happen again.

 

[edr247]

There was something very wrong after the MSU game. That game should have been the game that sparked a fire in the bellies of that Iowa team. We crushed the potential (and eventual) Big Ten champs. But for some reason, the whole team came out deflated afterwards, and would stay that way through the end of the regular season.

I agree that the offense couldn't get it done, and would collapse at the most inopportune moments. For example, during the Wisconsin game, we got the ball inside the Wisconsin 30 (may have even been the 20), and a score would likely have sealed it. Instead the offense struggled and we all know what followed.

That said, the defense also had opportunities to put games away and failed, allowing big drives in the waning minutes. Overall, all involved are to blame for missed opportunities and blown plays.

 

[NorthFloridaHawkeye]

The offense not effectively moving the ball definitely hurt the defense, but outside the Wisconsin game where they just pounded the ball down our throats on their last drive, the defense was not able to get off the field against spread offenses.

 

[JonDMiller]

The offense not effectively moving the ball definitely hurt the defense, but outside the Wisconsin game where they just pounded the ball down our throats on their last drive, the defense was not able to get off the field against spread offenses.

While that certainly was the case, Iowa allowed an average of just 20.25 points per game over its final four regular season games, with three of those opponents being Indiana, NW and Minnesota, teams Iowa should have been able to score more points against. The offense scored just two touchdowns against Minnesota and NW and one against Indiana. The offense let the team down.

 

[smbhawk1]

Agreed, but these are also teams that Iowa should not have given up 20+ points.

 

[racerhawk]

I think that Northworstern ran something like 50 (!) plays in the second half in last year's banner game. Please correct me if that's inaccurate.

If they did in fact run 50 plays in the second half, it makes perfect sense that our defense was absolutely gassed. Our offense should've put the kitties away and didn't. After MSU, something was definitely amiss with the offense.

Hopefully we'll see some long sustained scoring drives during crunch time in games this year. My my my my Coker pace...

 

[racerhawk]

While that certainly was the case, Iowa allowed an average of just 20.25 points per game over its final four regular season games, with three of those opponents being Indiana, NW and Minnesota, teams Iowa should have been able to score more points against. The offense scored just two touchdowns against Minnesota and NW and one against Indiana. The offense let the team down.

Word. We should've been able to put up some serious points aginst all of those teams. We didn't. That's on the offense.

 

[JonDMiller]

Agreed, but these are also teams that Iowa should not have given up 20+ points.

The point is has the offense just been average in those games, those other teams would have likely scored 3 to 7 fewer points in each of those games.

An ineffective offense can be as damaging to its own defense as the opponent can, because of increase opportunities and more time on the field. No defense can answer the call that many times each game.

 

[JonDMiller]

I think that Northworstern ran something like 50 (!) plays in the second half in last year's banner game. Please correct me if that's inaccurate..

32 in the first, 50 in the second.

Iowa was 2-14 on third downs in that game.

 

[creeksider]

Penn St, with a walk on QB, scored 35, 41 and 33 points against NW, Indiana, and Minnesota, respectively. The Iowa O came up way short against these teams.

 

[hawkfan2679]

To play devil's advocate...

A lot has been made of the defense getting tired in the 2nd half against NW. What about their inability to get off the field on 3rd down to help themselves out? NW was 9/16 on 3rd downs that day...here's a recap of the 3rd downs in the 4th quarter of that game.

3rd & 10 - Persa to Ebert for 18 yards, first down
3rd & 1 - Offsides Iowa, first down
3rd & 2 - Rush for 3 yards, first down
3rd & 4 - Rush for 22 yards, first down
3rd & 1 - Rush for 2 yards, first down
3rd & 3 - Rush for 4 yards, first down

That's 5/5 (the offsides was considered no play). Not to mention that we had them in a 2nd and 19 at one point early in their first drive and immediately gave up a first down on the successive play. Also, of note was that in the 2 epic long drives they had (91 and 85 yards, I believe), they only had to complete 4 3rd down conversions.

 

[FML]

when you rely on a defense that allows the dink and dunk passes, you will get guys tired out.

 

[JonDMiller]

To play devil's advocate...

A lot has been made of the defense getting tired in the 2nd half against NW. What about their inability to get off the field on 3rd down to help themselves out? NW was 9/16 on 3rd downs that day...here's a recap of the 3rd downs in the 4th quarter of that game.

3rd & 10 - Persa to Ebert for 18 yards, first down
3rd & 1 - Offsides Iowa, first down
3rd & 2 - Rush for 3 yards, first down
3rd & 4 - Rush for 22 yards, first down
3rd & 1 - Rush for 2 yards, first down
3rd & 3 - Rush for 4 yards, first down

That's 5/5 (the offsides was considered no play). Not to mention that we had them in a 2nd and 19 at one point early in their first drive and immediately gave up a first down on the successive play. Also, of note was that in the 2 epic long drives they had (91 and 85 yards, I believe), they only had to complete 4 3rd down conversions.

Cuz you get tired when your offense goes 0-7 on third downs in the first half and 2-7 in the second...and still, NW had only scored twice until there was 1:22 to go! And the defense made them go 91 and 85 yards to score...hats off to NW for putting 24 plays together on those drives to score. It's not easy, and it's the way Iowa has constructed things to have to beat them that way...few QB's in college football can do that twice per game.

The offense let the team down the last four games and all the evidence is there to support that.

 

[MoseSchrute]

Jon is right. When the offense doesn't hold up its end, you can't count on the defense to win it. They should have been able to score, or at least drive more on those teams.

 

[BabcockIC]

It has been said before but with our scheme the LBs have to help cover and with our lack of depth and youth in that position last year they gave up a lot of the short passes to the outside. Some of those routes are hard for a DB to cover let alone an exhausted LB.

 

[WinOneThisCentury]

Cuz you get tired when your offense goes 0-7 on third downs in the first half and 2-7 in the second...and still, NW had only scored twice until there was 1:22 to go! And the defense made them go 91 and 85 yards to score...hats off to NW for putting 24 plays together on those drives to score. It's not easy, and it's the way Iowa has constructed things to have to beat them that way...few QB's in college football can do that twice per game.

The offense let the team down the last four games and all the evidence is there to support that.

Wow...This is a great thread as for some reason there are a ton of people on this board that have felt our defense was suspect last year, especially in the fourth quarter. Agreed, they weren't as dominate as the year before, but they were playing with alot of inexperience at LB.

I completely agree the issue was the offense and their inability to sustain drives and score points...in particular in the second half of games...that was the reason we lost four of the five games. Wisconsin was special teams and clock management. Stanzi was terrible in the second half of every one of our last four games...including the Insight Bowl. I know the offensive line was hurting at RG, but he had time to make plays and couldn't. After watching Tate against LSU in the Cap One...now that was running for your life and damn, he could throw when he was on the run. That was a thing of beauty. That Insight Bowl second half, aside from a few drops by the usually reliable Reisner, was terrible by Stanzi.

When your defense is number 7 in scoring defense...and gives up less than 24 points in your losses...all signs point to your offense.

Thanks for the post Jon.

 

[ShadasRevenge]

The offense not effectively moving the ball definitely hurt the defense, but outside the Wisconsin game where they just pounded the ball down our throats on their last drive, the defense was not able to get off the field against spread offenses.

That's very true, but at the same time, in every one of Iowa's late-season losses, the offense had a chance to put the game away by just getting a couple of first downs. A lot of people point to the NW game as an example of Iowa's defense being sub-par, but look at what happened in the last 7 minutes of that game.

1. Stanzi goes for the homerun, only have to the ball picked off inside the NW 10 (or near there). Not a big deal, because it works almost like a punt and Iowa has a 10 point lead with 7 minutes or so left.

2. NW goes 80+ yards and scores a touchdown. Iowa gets the ball back, and can ice the game with a couple 1st downs. They go 3 and out. Remember, the defense had just given up an 80-yard drive for a score and now they're right back on the field.

We all know what happened after that.

Same thing happened against Ohio State, Minnesota, and Indiana. The offense had chances to put games away by merely holding onto the ball and moving the chains, but failed to do so with every opportunity.

 

[JonDMiller]

That's very true, but at the same time, in every one of Iowa's late-season losses, the offense had a chance to put the game away by just getting a couple of first downs. A lot of people point to the NW game as an example of Iowa's defense being sub-par, but look at what happened in the last 7 minutes of that game.

1. Stanzi goes for the homerun, only have to the ball picked off inside the NW 10 (or near there). Not a big deal, because it works almost like a punt and Iowa has a 10 point lead with 7 minutes or so left.

2. NW goes 80+ yards and scores a touchdown. Iowa gets the ball back, and can ice the game with a couple 1st downs. They go 3 and out. Remember, the defense had just given up an 80-yard drive for a score and now they're right back on the field.

We all know what happened after that.

Same thing happened against Ohio State, Minnesota, and Indiana. The offense had chances to put games away by merely holding onto the ball and moving the chains, but failed to do so with every opportunity.

The situation where Stanzi threw that pick, it was 2nd and 11 on the NW 43 yard line. Not quite a punting situation

 

[JonDMiller]

It has been said before but with our scheme the LBs have to help cover and with our lack of depth and youth in that position last year they gave up a lot of the short passes to the outside. Some of those routes are hard for a DB to cover let alone an exhausted LB.

Which brings up another factor that changed following the MSU game; Tyler Nielsen was lost for the year against the Spartans, and he was Iowa's best cover LB...right before a three in four game stretch where that was going to be a much needed asset.