It wasn't pretty ... but a win is a win

[DesMoinesHawki]

First half Hawks looked good. Second half, Northwestern made adjustments and our defense was on the field way too much. I think we can all agree this Iowa team was not going to compete for a Big 10 title. I have been frustrated with the direction of the program and have tempered my expectations beyond what I ever thought I could do.

That being said, with this Iowa team any win is a good win. It may not have been pretty. We may have turned to conservative mode, etc., etc., but we won. Any win is a good win.

Heck, we are 5-3. We lost to 3 teams that have a combined loss of "1." We went into Buckeyeland and made them sweat for 3 quarters. We beat a Minnesota team convincingly. A Minnesota team that just knocked off Nebraska.

I have NOT been a glass half-full as of late when it comes to Iowa football. I am not a Kirk apologist. I have not been happy with the last three years. But today, Kirk is our coach. And today we won. No telling what the future holds but credit to the players for doing what they needed to do. As fans, we get frustrated. We vent. We want changes, etc.

All understandable. I have been a die-hard for 33 years. Good teams. Bad teams. I think we can agree this Iowa team is much better than what we saw last year. And that is all you can hope for. The last couple of seasons we regressed. This year, we aren't seeing that. A win may be ugly, but at the end of the year ... nobody can take it away from you.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Agreed.

Onward and hopefully Upward !

 

[woodyk1]

 

[bigjim]

It was ugly today but you have to be proud of our guys they way they fought back to win in a very tight gm that could have went either way. GO HAWKS!

 

[M1911A1Hawkeye]

It was ugly today but you have to be proud of our guys they way they fought back to win in a very tight gm that could have went either way. GO HAWKS!

+1. Go Hawks!!!

 

[Bigtenchamp]

win next week and some more people will start to believe

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

win next week and some more people will start to believe

Gonna be hellofa challenge. If we can pull what would be considered a pretty big upset, and stay healthy, could be a far better season than I expected. Don't wanna get ahead of myself though....one game at a time

Hawks....Please beat nebby though...please

 

[Clark]

I think people don't realize, or in their hurry to insult Ferentz just don't care, how much of a factor the wind played in yesterdays game. Both teams had to play in it so it's not an excuse for a loss, but it is an excuse for low scoring on both sides.

Northwestern did what they always do to Iowa's run game. They slanted their d linemen towards whatever side the QB opened up to and then brought linebackers and a safety off those blocks. The wind played havoc with both passing games, basically eliminating any routes 20 yards or longer.

That doesn't mean that their aren't things to improve on offense. Bullock should never see more than 10 carries and the only reason he should see that many is so people don't just assume it's a pass when he's on the field. People are right that Weisman doesn't break many long runs but he certainly gets more than Bullock and he gets a lot fewer two yards gains as well. I like that they're using Daniels more but if he can't see an obvious cutback lane then he can't be a runningback at Iowa. He's still learning but there are reasons why he isn't seeing more carries.

 

[HawkeyeDenis]

Ya but in overtime, with the exception of the penalty(which worked Iowa's favor) Iowa looked great.

 

[Clark]

As for Wisconsin, I'm terrified of two players: Abbrederis and Borland. How Iowa goes about dealing with those two players will go a long way in determining who wins this game.

 

[uihawk82]

As for Wisconsin, I'm terrified of two players: Abbrederis and Borland. How Iowa goes about dealing with those two players will go a long way in determining who wins this game.

If you make Stave uncomfortable you can take care of Abbracadabra.

Borland , they have some other good defenders, so I say just try to block him as you would normally.

I am more worried about Gordon's speed and Gordon and White getting on a roll with the offensive line.

 

[okeefe4prez]

As for Wisconsin, I'm terrified of two players: Abbrederis and Borland. How Iowa goes about dealing with those two players will go a long way in determining who wins this game.

Borland is a slightly less talented version of Morris, but who can pass cover well enough to maybe get a sniff at the NFL. He don't scare me.

 

[deanvogs]

Beating the Cats is always a good win. The team could have folder, but really turned it up in OT. Was it pretty? No, but I'd take that than looking good against Ohio St. and losing.