It’s a BOWL GAME!!!!!!

[hawkeye12345]

Two plays, or lack of plays to be more exact, stood out in the L.


1. Tied at 14, 4th and 2 from Mizzou 40 and we punt.

2. Down 3, 4th and 2 from our own 30ish with 3:13 remaining in game and we punt.

May I remind you, it’s a BOWL GAME!

Nobody really gives two shits if we win or lose but at least have the balls for once in your life to play to win.

 

[haydensly]

Two plays, or lack of plays to be more exact, stood out in the L.


1. Tied at 14, 4th and 2 from Mizzou 40 and we punt.

2. Down 3, 4th and 2 from our own 30ish with 3:13 remaining in game and we punt.

May I remind you, it’s a BOWL GAME!

Nobody really gives two shits if we win or lose but at least have the balls for once in your life to play to windlkdjfl

On #1, we punted to the 10 yard line. They moved the ball 40 yards to mid-field and punted to our 10 yard line. (Had we gone for it and failed they could have kicked an easy field goal). From there we drove 90 yards for the go ahead TD with seconds left in the half. Hard to argue with those results.

 

[Fryowa]

Two plays, or lack of plays to be more exact, stood out in the L.


1. Tied at 14, 4th and 2 from Mizzou 40 and we punt.

2. Down 3, 4th and 2 from our own 30ish with 3:13 remaining in game and we punt.

May I remind you, it’s a BOWL GAME!

Nobody really gives two shits if we win or lose but at least have the balls for once in your life to play to win.

That first punt was fine. We were getting the ball back after halftime. The second one was idiotic.

 

[MikeyLikesIowa]

That first punt was fine. We were getting the ball back after halftime. The second one was idiotic.

The first punt made no sense. We should have kicked a FG. Drew has proven he can make one from that far out and weather wasn't much of a factor at all. I didn't have a problem with the second punt. You basically lose the game right there if you don't get it.

 

[hawkeye12345]

Iowa has gone for it on 4th down 4 times this year. The point to all of this is Capt Conservative is so old school that he rarely goes for it on 4th down and plays field position. Zero creativity, zero stones, as old school as it gets.

To me it says you have no confidence in your O. It tells your OLine they’re not good enough. It tells your team that we’re afraid to lose.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

Just because its a bowl game does not mean that KF all of sudden becomes a river boat gambler and does a bunch of crazy shit. He is trying to win the game just like any other game he coaches and he is going to do it his way. Those were both very Ferentzy decisions and frankly, both worked out. We stopped them with the long field on the first one and the second one was a 3 and out and then a shanked punt.

KF's decision making did not cost us the game. Not by any stretch. We were at the 50 with over a minute to go and were in a position to tie or win against a very good SEC team. We lost because our starting QB was not ready to meet that moment, IMHO.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Just because its a bowl game does not mean that KF all of sudden becomes a river boat gambler and does a bunch of crazy shit. He is trying to win the game just like any other game he coaches and he is going to do it his way. Those were both very Ferentzy decisions and frankly, both worked out. We stopped them with the long field on the first one and the second one was a 3 and out and then a shanked punt.

KF's decision making did not cost us the game. Not by any stretch. We were at the 50 with over a minute to go and were in a position to tie or win against a very good SEC team. We lost because our starting QB was not ready to meet that moment, IMHO.

I thought the drop by Gill was really deflating... Just an absolute killer. Granted alot had to happen after that too if he woulda caught it. But a 1st down there and we are right where we wanted to be.

Sullivan is gonna take a ton of heat. But kid was 14-18 with that terrible drop I mentioned. The interception he threw was an absolute killer it was. But I thought our play calling from the time we got up 10 to the end of the game was the same 'not to lose' style BS that we've often had and just needs to change. Lester is who I have more of an issue with then Sullivan. 18 pass attempts wasn't enough especially with as efficient as he'd been.

During the Petras era we'd have killed to have had a 14-18 game. So yeah Sullivan is going to get the brunt of the hate but for my money my gripes are more with how the D couldn't come up with any TOs or play very well frankly most of the game and Lesters play calling. We can win with Sullivan he wasn't the biggest thing that kept Iowa from wining that game.

Lets not forget how we had a backup center in there throwing wild snaps all over the place half the time. So again to me that's on Lester. When you KNOW your backup center is struggling with that why after the first wild one do you continue to line up in shot gun so much? That has to be automatic and QB shouldn't have to be so hyper focused on just gathering that in to the point that it throws off the play. That happened way way too many times.

It worked out but I wasn't happy when at the goal line they lined up in shotgun and ran it with Moulton. That had disaster written all over it and it seemed like they were fortunate it worked. BF wouldn't have even done that nonsense. So to me Lester has yet to totally earn my trust. Is he better then BF overall? Absolutely I'd hire any of you over him. But some of Lesters situational playcalling and lack of creativity still leaves alot to be desired.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I am not saying Sully played poorly. He made some good plays and stunk it up a few times as well. He played well enough to win if Missouri beat itself. They did not. He needed to beat them and he did not rise to the moment. He is certainly more of a playmaker and more competent than anything we have had in 3 years. But, he just is what he is. I don't see much ceiling for him. He does not have good downfield vision or pocket presence. His arm is average at best. His in-game decision-making is inconsistent at best. He is good enough to beat most teams in the old West and collect 8 wins under the Ferentz formula. But, he is not the type of playmaking QB to lead you to many Top 25 wins. My opinion.

 

[Grady]

I thought the drop by Gill was really deflating... Just an absolute killer. Granted alot had to happen after that too if he woulda caught it. But a 1st down there and we are right where we wanted to be.

Sullivan is gonna take a ton of heat. But kid was 14-18 with that terrible drop I mentioned. The interception he threw was an absolute killer it was. But I thought our play calling from the time we got up 10 to the end of the game was the same 'not to lose' style BS that we've often had and just needs to change. Lester is who I have more of an issue with then Sullivan. 18 pass attempts wasn't enough especially with as efficient as he'd been.

During the Petras era we'd have killed to have had a 14-18 game. So yeah Sullivan is going to get the brunt of the hate but for my money my gripes are more with how the D couldn't come up with any TOs or play very well frankly most of the game and Lesters play calling. We can win with Sullivan he wasn't the biggest thing that kept Iowa from wining that game.

Lets not forget how we had a backup center in there throwing wild snaps all over the place half the time. So again to me that's on Lester. When you KNOW your backup center is struggling with that why after the first wild one do you continue to line up in shot gun so much? That has to be automatic and QB shouldn't have to be so hyper focused on just gathering that in to the point that it throws off the play. That happened way way too many times.

It worked out but I wasn't happy when at the goal line they lined up in shotgun and ran it with Moulton. That had disaster written all over it and it seemed like they were fortunate it worked. BF wouldn't have even done that nonsense. So to me Lester has yet to totally earn my trust. Is he better then BF overall? Absolutely I'd hire any of you over him. But some of Lesters situational playcalling and lack of creativity still leaves alot to be desired.

Agreed. Sully was for all practical purposes 15-18 on the day, with 1 INT. Since a good number of snaps from Center were near ground level (and 100mph to boot), I thought Sullivan showed a lot yesterday -- especially in the 1st half. How many times in the 1st half did he buy time and/or gain significant yardage with his feet, that led to perhaps the best half of Iowa football for the entire season against a good team. (195 yds, to be exact.) The 1st half gave me confidence that he's improved his throwing accuracy. He has plenty of arm strength. Unlike McNamara, he really does just need more snaps and experience in this offense. Overall, his performance -- and the team's offensive performance -- gave me hope for next year. The RBs were running with purpose.

 

[Grady]

I am not saying Sully played poorly. He made some good plays and stunk it up a few times as well. He played well enough to win if Missouri beat itself. They did not. He needed to beat them and he did not rise to the moment. He is certainly more of a playmaker and more competent than anything we have had in 3 years. But, he just is what he is. I don't see much ceiling for him. He does not have good downfield vision or pocket presence. His arm is average at best. His in-game decision-making is inconsistent at best. He is good enough to beat most teams in the old West and collect 8 wins under the Ferentz formula. But, he is not the type of playmaking QB to lead you to many Top 25 wins. My opinion.

I don't know. He was 10 yds away from getting to OT vs the #19 team in the nation just yesterday on a neutral field. He only had one truly bad play the entire game that I can think of: not hitting an open Lachey on 3rd and 4, and then scrambling and throwing the INT instead. Two bad decisions in one play, actually.
Historically, Iowa's elite QBs -- Banks and Beathard -- were mobile and could get key first downs with their legs. Sully can do that. His passing accuracy was much improved yesterday from just 6 weeks prior. In some ways, I think he's a very special player.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I don't know. He was 10 yds away from getting to OT vs the #19 team in the nation just yesterday on a neutral field. He only had one truly bad play the entire game that I can think of: not hitting an open Lachey on 3rd and 4, and then scrambling and throwing the INT instead. Two bad decisions in one play, actually.
Historically, Iowa's elite QBs -- Banks and Beathard -- were mobile and could get key first downs with their legs. Sully can do that. His passing accuracy was much improved yesterday from just 6 weeks prior. In some ways, I think he's a very special player.

Look, I hope you are right and I am wrong. Close to 100% he will be the starter next year.

I would frame it the other way. I agree he did not screw up that many times, but how many big plays did he make? He made some nice throws in the first series and his scramble at the goal line was epic. But, for the majority of the game he was a game manager, and he certainly did not rise to the moment in that last series taking a terrible sack and then failing to organize and execute the sneak.

He has great feet and can scramble. I don't think he can pass down field and thus, why Mizzou was sending the house all second half. They did not fear downfield passing. Juxtapose that with Mizzou's QB who not only could run, but could rifle the ball through our zone and did so all day long. I don't think Sully will ever have that skillset. Again, hope I am wrong.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Look, I hope you are right and I am wrong. Close to 100% he will be the starter next year.

I would frame it the other way. I agree he did not screw up that many times, but how many big plays did he make? He made some nice throws in the first series and his scramble at the goal line was epic. But, for the majority of the game he was a game manager, and he certainly did not rise to the moment in that last series taking a terrible sack and then failing to organize and execute the sneak.

He has great feet and can scramble. I don't think he can pass down field and thus, why Mizzou was sending the house all second half. They did not fear downfield passing. Juxtapose that with Mizzou's QB who not only could run, but could rifle the ball through our zone and did so all day long. I don't think Sully will ever have that skillset. Again, hope I am wrong.

All true. The lack of downfield passing to me is more a product of the play calling and Olines ability to protect to me though. And WRs ability to separate. I really woulda like to have seen Vander Zee get a jump ball or 2 thrown his way. Mighta been able to draw a PI if nothing else. I think Sully was just trying to run the plays that were called.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

All true. The lack of downfield passing to me is more a product of the play calling and Olines ability to protect to me though. And WRs ability to separate. I really woulda like to have seen Vander Zee get a jump ball or 2 thrown his way. Mighta been able to draw a PI if nothing else. I think Sully was just trying to run the plays that were called.

Its sort of a chicken egg thing. Yes, he is running the plays called, but are the plays called because he does not have the arm and judgment to hit a 20 yard seam route?

I saw several replays where WRs had separation, but Sully did not release the ball. The OL was inconsistent, but played well enough to win.

Lester can create a scheme for Sully with RPO, zone reads, and roll outs. That is all well and good, and can beat most of our competition. It won't beat elite teams. I just do not believe that Sully, on third and 9, can drop back in the pocket and consistently rifle a ball into a gap in the zone.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

Its sort of a chicken egg thing. Yes, he is running the plays called, but are the plays called because he does not have the arm and judgment to hit a 20 yard seam route?

I saw several replays where WRs had separation, but Sully did not release the ball. The OL was inconsistent, but played well enough to win.

Lester can create a scheme for Sully with RPO, zone reads, and roll outs. That is all well and good, and can beat most of our competition. It won't beat elite teams. I just do not believe that Sully, on third and 9, can drop back in the pocket and consistently rifle a ball into a gap in the zone.

And he might very well not. I just don't think we've seen enough to totally know that for sure yet. They haven't done enough of it. Maybe in practice Lester knows but in game situations I don't think we do. I think Lester calls a tight conservative game. I'm not totally sold that this style works either. Not unless Oline and RBs are dominant it can't

 

[haydensly]

Its sort of a chicken egg thing. Yes, he is running the plays called, but are the plays called because he does not have the arm and judgment to hit a 20 yard seam route?

I saw several replays where WRs had separation, but Sully did not release the ball. The OL was inconsistent, but played well enough to win.

Lester can create a scheme for Sully with RPO, zone reads, and roll outs. That is all well and good, and can beat most of our competition. It won't beat elite teams. I just do not believe that Sully, on third and 9, can drop back in the pocket and consistently rifle a ball into a gap in the zone.

Sullivan was improved yesterday. Some of that was him and some of that should be credited to the WR's. Both showed better yesterday. But it seemed to me that after the opening 2-3 drives when all of the opening set plays had been called, he had a much harder time. Lester has said repeatedly this year that he wants a QB who can be decisive and get the ball out quickly (even if that means throwing the ball away). Outside of the first few series I did not think Sullivan did that well enough.

 

[kicker22]

Sullivan was improved yesterday. Some of that was him and some of that should be credited to the WR's. Both showed better yesterday. But it seemed to me that after the opening 2-3 drives when all of the opening set plays had been called, he had a much harder time. Lester has said repeatedly this year that he wants a QB who can be decisive and get the ball out quickly (even if that means throwing the ball away). Outside of the first few series I did not think Sullivan did that well enough.

I've never played the QB position, let alone a scrambling one, but at what point does the mentality to take off set in. I agree that we want a guy that can get the ball out quickly and at times he did, but if our receivers are needing even just a little extra time to create separation is that fraction of a second too long for a QB that's programmed to run?

I pose that as a question, because I have no idea and don't know the answer, but I wonder if by switching to a mobile QB we've closed that window for our WR's to separate even more because now were thinking tuck and run rather then buying ourselves that extra time with a pocket passer who can't create with his feet.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I've never played the QB position, let alone a scrambling one, but at what point does the mentality to take off set in. I agree that we want a guy that can get the ball out quickly and at times he did, but if our receivers are needing even just a little extra time to create separation is that fraction of a second too long for a QB that's programmed to run?

I pose that as a question, because I have no idea and don't know the answer, but I wonder if by switching to a mobile QB we've closed that window for our WR's to separate even more because now were thinking tuck and run rather then buying ourselves that extra time with a pocket passer who can't create with his feet.

There are really two types of QBs, but both require impeccable instincts. Rythym QBs quickly go through progressions and reads and release the ball or take off and run. Think Manning, Brady, Cousins, Tua, Stroud, Darnold type. Then there are instinct QBs that are comfortable being off schedule and off balance. They too go through progressions and reads, but are the guys that buy more time either inside the pocket or out. They extend plays with their feet. Think Mahommes, Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Lamar Jackson.

Sully, IMHO, hasn't mastered either and struggles because he is somewhere in between. As someone else posted, Lester wants him to release the ball. He needs to study Sam Darnold tape. Two, maybe three reads and then release or run. He doesn't quite have those instincts. Maybe he can develop them. Lester is good at what he does.

 

[Grady]

There are really two types of QBs, but both require impeccable instincts. Rythym QBs quickly go through progressions and reads and release the ball or take off and run. Think Manning, Brady, Cousins, Tua, Stroud, Darnold type. Then there are instinct QBs that are comfortable being off schedule and off balance. They too go through progressions and reads, but are the guys that buy more time either inside the pocket or out. They extend plays with their feet. Think Mahommes, Allen, Trevor Lawrence, Lamar Jackson.

Sully, IMHO, hasn't mastered either and struggles because he is somewhere in between. As someone else posted, Lester wants him to release the ball. He needs to study Sam Darnold tape. Two, maybe three reads and then release or run. He doesn't quite have those instincts. Maybe he can develop them. Lester is good at what he does.

I think the first sentence of your last paragraph is right on. His running ability is ahead of his passing ability at this point, but the first drive of the game -- which included a nice 20-30 yd touch pass, along with slant-route rifles over the middle -- gives me hope that he (and the coaches) can gain confidence in his passing game. Because only truly elite teams these days can have success without a mobile QB. And Iowa ain't an elite offensive team.

 

[NorthKCHawk]

I think the first sentence of your last paragraph is right on. His running ability is ahead of his passing ability at this point, but the first drive of the game -- which included a nice 20-30 yd touch pass, along with slant-route rifles over the middle -- gives me hope that he (and the coaches) can gain confidence in his passing game. Because only truly elite teams these days can have success without a mobile QB. And Iowa ain't an elite offensive team.

Agreed. He also is unwise with his body. If he does not adjust to relying more on his passing and less on his scrambling, he won't make it through the season. I am glad we have four QB bodies, all mostly chosen by Lester, in Spring Ball this year. QB is a position that should improve next season.