Iowa's Defense Looked Fast Last Saturday. Here's why.

[MelroseHawkins]

It wasn't so much the talent on the field. Michigan overall will have more athletic and faster players. So, why did Iowa's defense look so fast and electric on Saturday playing Michigan. One reason. They played terrific assignment football and were in the correct positions in a timely manner. The stayed focused and took good angles to the assignment or ball carrier.

They didn't have to chase players because of bad angles. They were merely in the correct position in time playing terrific assignment football, hence, making them look quick to the ball. Great job coaches and players!! Good game plan and the players made the plays.

 

[HawkGold]

I would add that due to the QB's glaring lack of accuracy, they were able to sell out stacking the box.

 

[hwk23]

It wasn't so much the talent on the field. Michigan overall will have more athletic and faster players. So, why did Iowa's defense look so fast and electric on Saturday playing Michigan. One reason. They played terrific assignment football and were in the correct positions in a timely manner. The stayed focused and took good angles to the assignment or ball carrier.

They didn't have to chase players because of bad angles. They were merely in the correct position in time playing terrific assignment football, hence, making them look quick to the ball. Great job coaches and players!! Good game plan and the players made the plays.

King made a comment that they were committed to playing aggressively on defense. Not sure, maybe it means everyone was committed to their initial read. Whatever it was, it may have been the only way to win.

 

[uihawk82]

King made a comment that they were committed to playing aggressively on defense. Not sure, maybe it means everyone was committed to their initial read. Whatever it was, it may have been the only way to win.

I think aggressive here means penetrating rather than sitting back and 'reading' the play and then reacting. Lbkrs and even safeties were rushing forward into holes instead of waiting for running backs, on the edge King and others were making plays in the backfield. The hawks may have had more TFL in this game than other games this year outside of the first two , and maybe more than the first two games against lowly opponents.

I have always thought that Fry's Dee Coords, Brashier and Bob 'the AD's son' cant think of his last name, were always attacking more and trying to get into the backfield more than Norm and Phil Parker.

 

[Mrke1]

People are reading way to much into this. You want to know the difference between our game against Michigan and PSU/tNW?

A mobile quarterback. When our linebackers can squat, they excel. Playing a pro-style offense like UM plays into Iowa's strength.

 

[PCHawk]

I would add that due to the QB's glaring lack of accuracy, they were able to sell out stacking the box.

So you think they decided before the game to stack the box and hope he was going to be inaccurate or they changed their game plan after he missed a couple throws?

 

[Mrke1]

So you think they decided before the game to stack the box and hope he was going to be inaccurate or they changed their game plan after he missed a couple throws?

Actually, yes. We didn't have a choice. Their WRs are superior to our secondary, you saw that on Saturday. All you can pray for is them missing their deep shots and force pressure. Which happened.

 

[PCHawk]

Actually, yes. We didn't have a choice. Their WRs are superior to our secondary, you saw that on Saturday. All you can pray for is them missing their deep shots and force pressure. Which happened.

You just answered yes to an 'either or' question.

 

[Mrke1]

You just answered yes to an 'either or' question.

My mistake. I read it more as a multi-part question than either/or. Hoping for misses and changing their game plan.

 

[HawkGold]

So you think they decided before the game to stack the box and hope he was going to be inaccurate or they changed their game plan after he missed a couple throws?

I missed the first of the game so I don't know. They were daring him to throw later.

On UM message boards there hasn't been a lot of love all year for the QB in spite of a high QB rating.

The passes he did complete were rather ugly. He telegraphs like Purdue's QB only with a slow release.

Wish someone at the game would comment on overall Iowa coverage. It looked bad on the long throws, but what you can't tell on TV is what it was on other plays away from the ball.