Lost in everything the last 3 games

[iloveyoularrystation]

One of the much maligned Hawkeyes this season and last season, has had a great last 3 games very quietly. Some of the criticisms have been fair, some not, but Bo Bower has had an awesome last three games if you go back and watch it. Seems to be playing faster, reading quicker, and making choices sooner. Kid is always around the dang ball forcing fumbles and breakups too. Happy for that kid as he has gotten a lot of heat, really stepped up last few weeks.

 

[PCHawk]

The play where he blasted the dude on the sideline so hard I thought they might throw a flag for no reason was awesome.

 

[edr247]

The Penn State game was a huge wake up call to the entire squad. If we win that game, or if we lose by a few points, I don't think we come out swinging against Michigan.

 

[theboat]

Bower is much better against "traditional" big ten offenses. Whe they play teams that spread you out, he struggles because the coaches don't put him in position to be successful. But he has played well of late. All 3 LBs have stepped up in the 3 game stretch.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

One of the much maligned Hawkeyes this season and last season, has had a great last 3 games very quietly. Some of the criticisms have been fair, some not, but Bo Bower has had an awesome last three games if you go back and watch it. Seems to be playing faster, reading quicker, and making choices sooner. Kid is always around the dang ball forcing fumbles and breakups too. Happy for that kid as he has gotten a lot of heat, really stepped up last few weeks.

I must have missed all of these forced fumbles and pass break ups by Bower? He's around the ball at times but it is usually Josey Jewell who is making the tackle in his gap. Not sold on his sudden improvement. What's really improved us on the back end is the play of Anthony Gair from the safety position. He's coming in and the ball carrier is on the ground.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Bower and Niemann have both played well last 3 games. Josey has been Josey.

 

[deanvogs]

Bower and Niemann have both played well last 3 games. Josey has been Josey.

Niemann looks healthy finally. It is the only thing that explains why half the year I would watch the games and be constantly thinking WTF Niemann, how are you so far out of position??

Oh, and I notice as well that Snyder isn't nearly the whipping boy he used to be. He has played very well lately too.

 

[earlkoppelman]

One of the much maligned Hawkeyes this season and last season, has had a great last 3 games very quietly. Some of the criticisms have been fair, some not, but Bo Bower has had an awesome last three games if you go back and watch it. Seems to be playing faster, reading quicker, and making choices sooner. Kid is always around the dang ball forcing fumbles and breakups too. Happy for that kid as he has gotten a lot of heat, really stepped up last few weeks.

AGREE AND 37 TOO. PLAYERS IMPROVING EACH WEEK .BEST GAME YET TO COME.LET THE WORLD KNOW HAWKS ARE MIGHTY TOUGH.

 

[DBAHawkFan]

Luckily the last 3 teams all missed on their deep throws because our safeties continue to get beat over the top

BUT, they were playing much better. Odd how a few subs come in, Faith, Manny, Gair, and even Jackson and our defense looks better.

The offense is still a mess and we better hope to play a "traditional " style team in the bowl game

 

[IAHAWK1982]

I think it is a case that the defense is playing more confidently. They are reading the play when the ball is snapped, trusting what they see and attacking the play aggressively. The backers and safeties are attacking the line of scrimmage on running plays and taking away the space for backs to run in. Much easier to make tackles when the backs don't have much room to cut.

 

[SpecialKHawk]

Luckily the last 3 teams all missed on their deep throws because our safeties continue to get beat over the top

BUT, they were playing much better. Odd how a few subs come in, Faith, Manny, Gair, and even Jackson and our defense looks better.

The offense is still a mess and we better hope to play a "traditional " style team in the bowl game

It's interesting how an opponent missing opportunities is translated to 'playing better'. There were multiple deep balls to be had by Nebraska but they are lower percentage throws and missed.

Snyder is finally wrapping when tackling more often instead of trying to make the big hit and then missing some key tackles in the process. But, he's still very slow to react in pass coverage, the opponent has missed taking advantage. Things like this are how we think someone is 'playing better' until we run into a bowl opponent that can make these plays and suddenly we are blown out.

Totally agree that the infusion of Manny, Gair, Faith, etc has raised the level of play on defense and has made it more difficult for opponents to exploit our positional weaknesses. Gair is really playing excellent in run support where Taylor/Snyder were not earlier this year. He's consistently there and bringing the ball carrier down thus making Bower look like 'he is playing better' also.

 

[HawkGold]

The Penn State game was a huge wake up call to the entire squad. If we win that game, or if we lose by a few points, I don't think we come out swinging against Michigan.

The PSU game was a wake up call for the coaching staff.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

Defense has been very good these last 3 games. When the opposing QB is a drop back passer (or limited mobility), we tend to do extremely well. I would like that to be the MO of the team we face in the bowl game.

There are "styles" of opponents, that for the most part, KF has been very good against, and then there are "styles"...meaning mobile QB's that can throw a little....well....let's get former please.