Kaden Wetjen tied former Iowa great Tim Dwight with his return TD against Minnesota

HawkeyeHypnosis

HawkeyeHypnosis

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dearoldgold.com

Kaden Wetjen tied former Iowa great Tim Dwight with his return TD against Minnesota

To be mentioned in the same breath as former Iowa legend Tim Dwight is a rare feat. Dwight was a rare combination of speed and power, and had some of the best h
dearoldgold.com dearoldgold.com

It’s really a toss up but Wetjens vision and speed is uncanny. From article:

After notching return touchdown No. 5 for his career, Wetjen tied Iowa great Tim Dwight for the most in Iowa program history.
 






His acceleration is just ridiculous. On TV it's pretty wild but live and from a field vantage point, it's wild. But his vision is also very good. Even on jet sweeps, if he has space, his straight line speed is like a video game. He finds that one cut and hits it, he's off to the races. It's definitely a luxury to have his skill set returning punts and kicks.

But I do like that they are incorporating him into the offense and not just when they call his number. He definitely draws attention of defenses.
 


Dude is setting himself up to be the top returner 2 yrs in a row... He's probably already done it if he fair catches everything else the rest of the yr. I wouldn't kick to him I was surprised MN even did. I still can't get over that over the shoulder one he caught inside the 5 a few weeks ago. He had no business even trying to catch that let alone return it all the way. He's cemented himself as an all time great in my book
 


HawkPowerlifter said:
His acceleration is just ridiculous. On TV it's pretty wild but live and from a field vantage point, it's wild. But his vision is also very good. Even on jet sweeps, if he has space, his straight line speed is like a video game. He finds that one cut and hits it, he's off to the races. It's definitely a luxury to have his skill set returning punts and kicks.

But I do like that they are incorporating him into the offense and not just when they call his number. He definitely draws attention of defenses.
Click to expand...
Like on that first catch he had against Nestor he does that slight hesitation/dead leg and boom. Down the sideline he went leaving Nestor diving for air.
 




HawkPowerlifter said:
His acceleration is just ridiculous. On TV it's pretty wild but live and from a field vantage point, it's wild. But his vision is also very good. Even on jet sweeps, if he has space, his straight line speed is like a video game. He finds that one cut and hits it, he's off to the races. It's definitely a luxury to have his skill set returning punts and kicks.

But I do like that they are incorporating him into the offense and not just when they call his number. He definitely draws attention of defenses.
Click to expand...

There were some really bad angles taken by Gophers on that PR TD.

If you watch the video, #80, #9, and #35 could have all had a chance, but every one of them misjudged just how quickly he would get up to full speed.

youtu.be

Kaden Wetjen HOUSES the PUNT RETURN vs. Minnesota | Iowa Football | 10/25/25

#b1gfootball#ncaafootball#bigtenfootball #iowahawkeyes Watch live games and explore the Big Ten video archive with B1G+ - http://www.bigtenplus.comSUBSCRIBE ...
youtu.be youtu.be
 




HawkPowerlifter said:
His acceleration is just ridiculous. On TV it's pretty wild but live and from a field vantage point, it's wild. But his vision is also very good. Even on jet sweeps, if he has space, his straight line speed is like a video game. He finds that one cut and hits it, he's off to the races. It's definitely a luxury to have his skill set returning punts and kicks.

But I do like that they are incorporating him into the offense and not just when they call his number. He definitely draws attention of defenses.
Click to expand...

I saw a few people bitching about jet sweeps in the game thread, but I for one am all for a handful of jet sweep attempts per game. All it takes is a stumble, or sloppy eye discipline, by a defender, and Wetjen could house it. But even more so, a huge part of the running game success over the last 2 years is that we are actually offering the defenders some eye candy, as opposed to telegraphing exactly where the ball is going to go. Even with a subpar passing game, we don't have 7 guys crashing the tackle box anymore...we have created horizontal threats with the screen and sweep game. If we can get MG to start pulling the trigger on some of the deep shots we are being afforded by the PA game, Iowa will be putting defenses in more conflict than they have experienced since the Brad Banks era.

To the specific point of Iowa using Wetjen in specific ways...watch the highlights of the first drive:

www.youtube.com

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes | Full Game Highlights | CBS Sports College Football

Full game highlights of the game between Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa HawkeyesSUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCFBWATCHCBS Spor...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

Iowa motions Wetjen on the first play, puts him on a wheel, resulting in plenty of underneath room for MG to scramble.

On the next play, they fake an outside bubble screen to Wetjen, and then turn that into a jailbreak. Not sure I have ever seen that before, I love the creativity.

4th play on the highlights they use jet sweep action to Wetjen, give to Moulton...Minny did a good job reading the blocking on that action and not being fooled by the eye candy all day. If we needed, we probably could have used some influence-blocking to cross them up, but we didn't need to pull that trick out of our bag in this game.

Next play he is on a hot cross, but Minny dropped 8 in coverage...MG did a great job making something happen on this one.

The next play, Wetjen is again faking a bubble screen on the trips side...2 DBs and a LB are completely taken out of the play by that action, and the backside DE was also held by MG's run threat. Two years ago, those 4 defenders would all be screaming toward the ball carrier.

And then on the TD, they again get creative, get everyone's eyes on Wetjen as a potential pitch man, and MG walks in untouched.

Wetjen influenced just about every play on that drive, and I love that the coaches are working hard to find new and creative ways to make him a threat.
 


CP87 said:
I saw a few people bitching about jet sweeps in the game thread, but I for one am all for a handful of jet sweep attempts per game. All it takes is a stumble, or sloppy eye discipline, by a defender, and Wetjen could house it. But even more so, a huge part of the running game success over the last 2 years is that we are actually offering the defenders some eye candy, as opposed to telegraphing exactly where the ball is going to go. Even with a subpar passing game, we don't have 7 guys crashing the tackle box anymore...we have created horizontal threats with the screen and sweep game. If we can get MG to start pulling the trigger on some of the deep shots we are being afforded by the PA game, Iowa will be putting defenses in more conflict than they have experienced since the Brad Banks era.

To the specific point of Iowa using Wetjen in specific ways...watch the highlights of the first drive:

www.youtube.com

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes | Full Game Highlights | CBS Sports College Football

Full game highlights of the game between Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa HawkeyesSUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCFBWATCHCBS Spor...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

Iowa motions Wetjen on the first play, puts him on a wheel, resulting in plenty of underneath room for MG to scramble.

On the next play, they fake an outside bubble screen to Wetjen, and then turn that into a jailbreak. Not sure I have ever seen that before, I love the creativity.

4th play on the highlights they use jet sweep action to Wetjen, give to Moulton...Minny did a good job reading the blocking on that action and not being fooled by the eye candy all day. If we needed, we probably could have used some influence-blocking to cross them up, but we didn't need to pull that trick out of our bag in this game.

Next play he is on a hot cross, but Minny dropped 8 in coverage...MG did a great job making something happen on this one.

The next play, Wetjen is again faking a bubble screen on the trips side...2 DBs and a LB are completely taken out of the play by that action, and the backside DE was also held by MG's run threat. Two years ago, those 4 defenders would all be screaming toward the ball carrier.

And then on the TD, they again get creative, get everyone's eyes on Wetjen as a potential pitch man, and MG walks in untouched.

Wetjen influenced just about every play on that drive, and I love that the coaches are working hard to find new and creative ways to make him a threat.
Click to expand...
Nailed it! Great analysis. Either he is a weapon or at minimum a decoy. And a bad pursuit angle or a slip and he has the ability to get us a chunk play or house it.
 


I think the jet sweep is just setup. At least I hope so.
I guarantee Wetjen is on the radar of every opponent's special teams coaching.
AND I guarantee that the last few opposing defensive coordinators prepared their teams for him. And absolutely will be preparing for him after Saturday.

How delicious if it's effective sandbagging.

Seems like not a bad idea getting Oregon well trained on protecting the jet sweep when they see Wetjen lined up in the slot.....they could miss the full send of Vander Zee streaking down the sideline.


Edit: Ignore the above. HawkPowerLifter said it better.
 


Bottom line...
You've got Moulton and an offensive line that's fully grown into their cleats.
A very good Vander Zee back in the mix.
The other receivers are competent.
Wetjen is a legit threat on offense.
Gronowski showing the ability to throw some pretty fair balls, but also has the ability to pick up a first down with his feet at the drop of a hat. Faith we can actually have "a drive". And one that has a much better chance of being 6, not 3.

Some fun football finally.

Oddly, and I know there's been some injury, but the weakest performing element on offense right now is....tight ends? Weak is maybe the wrong word because their contributions always go far beyond catching balls. Maybe just not the highlight reel they've always been. But any opponent would be hard pressed to 'ignore' them.

It's the makings of a good offense. Certainly a less frustrating offense by miles. That TD to Vander Zee.....oh man. That felt sooooo good to see. That tension as it hangs in the air. Is it going to be on target? Can he catch it? Will it get intercepted? And then how the tension is immediately replaced by a twofold measure of joy? I don't know a lot about crack. But I bet crack has NOTHING on that feeling.
 


CP87 said:
I saw a few people bitching about jet sweeps in the game thread, but I for one am all for a handful of jet sweep attempts per game. All it takes is a stumble, or sloppy eye discipline, by a defender, and Wetjen could house it. But even more so, a huge part of the running game success over the last 2 years is that we are actually offering the defenders some eye candy, as opposed to telegraphing exactly where the ball is going to go. Even with a subpar passing game, we don't have 7 guys crashing the tackle box anymore...we have created horizontal threats with the screen and sweep game. If we can get MG to start pulling the trigger on some of the deep shots we are being afforded by the PA game, Iowa will be putting defenses in more conflict than they have experienced since the Brad Banks era.

To the specific point of Iowa using Wetjen in specific ways...watch the highlights of the first drive:

www.youtube.com

Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa Hawkeyes | Full Game Highlights | CBS Sports College Football

Full game highlights of the game between Minnesota Golden Gophers vs Iowa HawkeyesSUBSCRIBE TO OUR CHANNEL:https://www.youtube.com/@CBSSportsCFBWATCHCBS Spor...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com

Iowa motions Wetjen on the first play, puts him on a wheel, resulting in plenty of underneath room for MG to scramble.

On the next play, they fake an outside bubble screen to Wetjen, and then turn that into a jailbreak. Not sure I have ever seen that before, I love the creativity.

4th play on the highlights they use jet sweep action to Wetjen, give to Moulton...Minny did a good job reading the blocking on that action and not being fooled by the eye candy all day. If we needed, we probably could have used some influence-blocking to cross them up, but we didn't need to pull that trick out of our bag in this game.

Next play he is on a hot cross, but Minny dropped 8 in coverage...MG did a great job making something happen on this one.

The next play, Wetjen is again faking a bubble screen on the trips side...2 DBs and a LB are completely taken out of the play by that action, and the backside DE was also held by MG's run threat. Two years ago, those 4 defenders would all be screaming toward the ball carrier.

And then on the TD, they again get creative, get everyone's eyes on Wetjen as a potential pitch man, and MG walks in untouched.

Wetjen influenced just about every play on that drive, and I love that the coaches are working hard to find new and creative ways to make him a threat.
Click to expand...
Exactly having that threat makes defenses pause and have to trust their eyes as to what they see. It opens up other stuff you can run off that action. Just another spin on what play action does for when you have a solid running game. When you can have the same personnel line up in the same formations and run vastly different plays it makes an offense tough to defend. So I'm good with showing that look and giving Wetjen the ball on that once or twice a game. Even if they stop him for a short loss here and there it's setting up other stuff
 




HawkeyeHypnosis said:
dearoldgold.com

Kaden Wetjen tied former Iowa great Tim Dwight with his return TD against Minnesota

To be mentioned in the same breath as former Iowa legend Tim Dwight is a rare feat. Dwight was a rare combination of speed and power, and had some of the best h
dearoldgold.com dearoldgold.com

It’s really a toss up but Wetjens vision and speed is uncanny. From article:

After notching return touchdown No. 5 for his career, Wetjen tied Iowa great Tim Dwight for the most in Iowa program history.
Click to expand...
Timmy Dwight and Wetjen are different styles IMO. Dwight was a Tomahawk missile that would burn you to death with raw speed.

Wetjen has a vision of the field and moves to go with it that are just unreal. He can burn you with speed and he can also run backwards and then juke 7 guys out on his way to the house.
 




dagdaj said:
I think the jet sweep is just setup. At least I hope so.
I guarantee Wetjen is on the radar of every opponent's special teams coaching.
AND I guarantee that the last few opposing defensive coordinators prepared their teams for him. And absolutely will be preparing for him after Saturday.

How delicious if it's effective sandbagging.

Seems like not a bad idea getting Oregon well trained on protecting the jet sweep when they see Wetjen lined up in the slot.....they could miss the full send of Vander Zee streaking down the sideline.


Edit: Ignore the above. HawkPowerLifter said it better.
Click to expand...
LOL. All good. Great minds think alike!
 


Fryowa said:
I'll take that label any day of the week.
Click to expand...

Pre-Levar Woods (Chris White was the ST coach), Iowa had Special Teams Efficiency Indexes (via BCF Toys) of...

2013: 73rd in the nation
2014: 82nd
2015: 92nd

(mind you, that was with Desmond King on the team)

Iowa's Special Teams Efficiency Index since Levar Woods took over as ST coordinator:

2016: 5th
2017: 13th
2018: 23rd (Colten Rastetter)
2019: 3rd
2020: 5th
2021: 6th
2022: 9th
2023: 25th (our specialists were awesome...maybe the stink of Deacon Hill rubbed off on the ST? Also, there was an "invalid fair catch" overrule that probably cost us a few places)
2024: 6th
2025: 1st (current)
 




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