IowaLawWasRight
Well-Known Member
The Hawks finished 9-3 and are headed to the Holiday Bowl despite having one of the worst offenses in the nation (#98 out of 130 schools). This was made possible by one of the best defenses in the Kirk Ferentz era. So how did they stack up? In short, they were dominant. Iowa ranked #12 in total defense and #5 in scoring defense. The only significant flaw that can be attributed to them is 3rd down defense, where they were #45.
Defensive Line: A+ It all starts with the conference's first team all-Big 10 defensive end, AJ Epenesa. After getting off to a slow start by his standards, AJE tore things up later in the year. 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 3 deflections. Not only that, but it never even crossed his mind to skip the Holiday Bowl to chase the millions he has coming to him. Joining AJE on the all-conference team were fellow DL Golston & Lattimore, who were each honorable mention. They added another 11.5 tackles for loss combined. Reiff played well at times, but it's more exciting to note that the first DL off the bench is likely a future 1st team all Big 10 selection, Nixon. In his first year, Nixon racked up 5.5 tackles for a loss. Years from now, we are going to look back at how Iowa had 4 NFL DL playing together at the same time.
LBs: C+ The LBs lacked the star power of a Josey Jewell, but they were a solid group. Welch led the team in tackles (79) despite not playing in several games. The Big 10 media named him honorable mention all conference, which is not an easy task given the number of star LBs in the conference. The other LBs were the lone weak spot on a stout defense. Colbert (60 tackles), Nieman (28 tackles), Doyle, & Benson all shared the duties, as the squad failed to use much of the touted "cash" position this year. Fortunately, each LB except Welch will be back next year, so LB should be a strength next year.
Safeties: A- Geno Stone stepped up and became Iowa's next all-Big 10 safety. The coaches named him 2nd team all conference. He had an interception, 3 deflections, and 65 tackles, and laid some of the biggest hits of the year. If he comes back next year, look for Stone to take home Big 10 defensive back of the year honors. Joining Stone at safety was the team's most improved/newcomer of the year, walk-on Jack Koerner, who came out of nowhere to finish 2nd on the team in tackles with 73, plus 5 deflections and an interception. Did he get burned a few times? Sure, but he's a soph walk-on going up against some of the best WRs in the country.
CBs: A Both the coaches and media thought highly enough of Ojemudia to vote him to the all-Big 10 squad. I don't think anyone would have predicted that going into the season. He finished with 3 interceptions and 7 deflections. Joining him was Matt Hankins and occasionally Riley Moss. With Ojemudia graduating, expect Hankins to step up as the #1 cb on the squad. Iowa CBs are clearly well coached, as they are virtually never burned with the big plays.
Kicker: A+ Forget handing Keith Duncan 1st team All-Big 10 honors, All-America honors, or the Lou Groza award, wouldn't it have been nice for Iowa's $5,000,000 per year head coach to think enough of the out-of-state kid who paid his own way to come to Iowa a scholarship going into the year? Maybe he was a little more deserving than the squad's 3rd team punter or its 7th team RB? Keith was clutch, and should take home team MVP honors. He was 29-34 on kicks in windy and cold conditions, and was money on extra points.
Punter: C Sleep-Dalton was celebrated when he joined the team as a grad transfer. His role was to fill one of the most glaring holes Iowa has had in two decades under Ferentz. He started with a bang, leading the Big 10 in punting after the first few weeks. However, as the weather cooled, so too did Sleep-Dalton's punting. He finished the season # 62 in the nation in punting with a 42 yard average. A huge improvement over Rastatter, but not the huge difference maker the Hawks could have used.
Defensive Line: A+ It all starts with the conference's first team all-Big 10 defensive end, AJ Epenesa. After getting off to a slow start by his standards, AJE tore things up later in the year. 45 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 9 sacks, and 3 deflections. Not only that, but it never even crossed his mind to skip the Holiday Bowl to chase the millions he has coming to him. Joining AJE on the all-conference team were fellow DL Golston & Lattimore, who were each honorable mention. They added another 11.5 tackles for loss combined. Reiff played well at times, but it's more exciting to note that the first DL off the bench is likely a future 1st team all Big 10 selection, Nixon. In his first year, Nixon racked up 5.5 tackles for a loss. Years from now, we are going to look back at how Iowa had 4 NFL DL playing together at the same time.
LBs: C+ The LBs lacked the star power of a Josey Jewell, but they were a solid group. Welch led the team in tackles (79) despite not playing in several games. The Big 10 media named him honorable mention all conference, which is not an easy task given the number of star LBs in the conference. The other LBs were the lone weak spot on a stout defense. Colbert (60 tackles), Nieman (28 tackles), Doyle, & Benson all shared the duties, as the squad failed to use much of the touted "cash" position this year. Fortunately, each LB except Welch will be back next year, so LB should be a strength next year.
Safeties: A- Geno Stone stepped up and became Iowa's next all-Big 10 safety. The coaches named him 2nd team all conference. He had an interception, 3 deflections, and 65 tackles, and laid some of the biggest hits of the year. If he comes back next year, look for Stone to take home Big 10 defensive back of the year honors. Joining Stone at safety was the team's most improved/newcomer of the year, walk-on Jack Koerner, who came out of nowhere to finish 2nd on the team in tackles with 73, plus 5 deflections and an interception. Did he get burned a few times? Sure, but he's a soph walk-on going up against some of the best WRs in the country.
CBs: A Both the coaches and media thought highly enough of Ojemudia to vote him to the all-Big 10 squad. I don't think anyone would have predicted that going into the season. He finished with 3 interceptions and 7 deflections. Joining him was Matt Hankins and occasionally Riley Moss. With Ojemudia graduating, expect Hankins to step up as the #1 cb on the squad. Iowa CBs are clearly well coached, as they are virtually never burned with the big plays.
Kicker: A+ Forget handing Keith Duncan 1st team All-Big 10 honors, All-America honors, or the Lou Groza award, wouldn't it have been nice for Iowa's $5,000,000 per year head coach to think enough of the out-of-state kid who paid his own way to come to Iowa a scholarship going into the year? Maybe he was a little more deserving than the squad's 3rd team punter or its 7th team RB? Keith was clutch, and should take home team MVP honors. He was 29-34 on kicks in windy and cold conditions, and was money on extra points.
Punter: C Sleep-Dalton was celebrated when he joined the team as a grad transfer. His role was to fill one of the most glaring holes Iowa has had in two decades under Ferentz. He started with a bang, leading the Big 10 in punting after the first few weeks. However, as the weather cooled, so too did Sleep-Dalton's punting. He finished the season # 62 in the nation in punting with a 42 yard average. A huge improvement over Rastatter, but not the huge difference maker the Hawks could have used.
