Press Foot Notes 8/30: True Freshmen, Injury Update, Position Battles

[Stonehawk]

LOL! That's all I can say........As soon as you said 'the defenses knew exactly what do do vs. our offense..., I couldn't take you seriously anymore. Have a couple beers and enjoy the game Sat. and try to refrain from 'commenting' on it...JR couldn't and wouldn't complete the down field pass...lol. Do I have to compile all of it for you? I've told you people numerous times that JR completed more 'long' passes than CJ did and THAT IS A FACT!!! Amazing.........

So you tell me the reason why we couldn't run the ball consistently. It wasn't all the blocking. Since u know everything? Did u actually watch the games that year? It was obvious to everyone

 

[DJL]

So you tell me the reason why we couldn't run the ball consistently. It wasn't all the blocking. Since u know everything? Did u actually watch the games that year? It was obvious to everyone

The Iowa State game in '14 was a perfect example. They basically made us play in a phone booth. We should have been able to run all over those clowns, but when you are facing 9 in the box and you won't throw it deep to loosen things up, it's tough sledding for the run game.

 

[kicker22]

They aren't winning championships because they are terrible on one of the two sides of the ball. Teams that win championships are at least good at both. And you also will never lose of your offense scores more points.

Good point. And see where you're coming from, but if I had to choose between having a team with a great defense and a decent offense or a team with a great offense and a decent defense... I'm choosing the great defense with a decent offense every time.

 

[uihawk82]

Rudock wasn't as bad as people make him out to be. He actually threw a pretty decent long ball. The defense and running game definitely played a big factor when he was the QB. It is true he can't make all the throws Beathard can and he wasn't the leader Beathard is but he wasn't the main reason they weren't that good. Just look at the Wisconsin and Nebraska games for instance in the year before. Those games weren't lost because of Rudock. The defense and running game were bad.

David79, do you remember the 2014 Nebraska game at all. Jake Rudock had a pick and a fumble lost in the first 18 minutes in or at the red zone. And in the second half with a big lead he went gun shy and couldnt make a throw to get a first down, the hawks , we, had about 4 straight 3 and outs to give big MO back the the huskers and tire out our defense.

I am not throwing the loss to nebby in 2014 all on JR. hell the coaching staff deserves some blame for going conservative, for punting to their returner instead of across the field to an empty area or OOBounds.

 

[deanvogs]

I think most of us know that there was a reason that the coaching staff decided to bench a two year starter in favor of a guy who had started 1 game. They did this after they reviewed the season, and they did it because they felt that CJ gave them a better chance to win in '15. The staff was correct, it was a great move, that most fans can see it worked for all parties involved (CJ, Jake, Iowa, Michigan).

 

[deanvogs]

It is an 'informed' opinion supported by facts and stats, not be emotions. You believe that CJ is some superhero that single handedly created an undefeated regular season that no other QB could have done, and I say he is a good QB who was in the right place at the right time. We had 2 really good QB's but have no way of knowing how either season would have turned out in different circumstances, so it is ridiculous to specualted how either season would have went with the 'other' QB playing. That's all I have ever said. I 'used' to think you were a little smarter than most on here, but I'm starting to lose faith in you. Ask any coach if they don't think they would win a lot more games if the improved their TO margin by 17!!!!!! 17!!!!! And once again, the Defense being able to get critical stops, hold up in the 4th quarter and create lots of turnovers was more instrumental in their improvement than the QB play. You don't think their were other QB's in the NCAA last year that could have led this team to the same result or better? Right, lol... How good would've Drew Tate's team been if they had a RUNNING GAME!!! It's you guys that keep saying that Iowa would have been better in 2014 if CJ would have played and that's just preposterous, and it's you guys that think he's the biggest reason the went undefeated and that is simply wrong........If the Defense takes a step back this year, turnover margin decreases dramatically, special teams slip up, etc...do you think your superhero is going to 'sling' his way to victory? He's a 'good' QB but he's no superstar. He can't 'carry' a team with his arm, and he hasn't had to yet, has he....

I don't want to do to you what you are doing to me. That is saying I said something or think something that I don't. So I will just ask you the question. Do you think the coaching staff made a mistake taking out a 2 year starter in Jan and replacing him with a kid who started 1 game at QB? I am making an assumption that you think this was a mistake, especially when you think that Jake was just as good, and could have done with CJ did. Yet that isn't fair, you didn't say that, so I'd like to hear if you think it was a good move or bad move to bench Jake and give the job to CJ.

 

[HawkGold]

I think most of us know that there was a reason that the coaching staff decided to bench a two year starter in favor of a guy who had started 1 game. They did this after they reviewed the season, and they did it because they felt that CJ gave them a better chance to win in '15. The staff was correct, it was a great move, that most fans can see it worked for all parties involved (CJ, Jake, Iowa, Michigan).

Many of us wonder why it took him to the end of the season to make that decision. The situation was pretty obvious to "uniformed minds who know nothing about football".

 

[deanvogs]

You also gotta love a clutch QB, who plays his best in the 4th qtr.

 

[Stonehawk]

The Iowa State game in '14 was a perfect example. They basically made us play in a phone booth. We should have been able to run all over those clowns, but when you are facing 9 in the box and you won't throw it deep to loosen things up, it's tough sledding for the run game.

That is exactly what I was saying.

 

[Ickehawk]

I don't want to do to you what you are doing to me. That is saying I said something or think something that I don't. So I will just ask you the question. Do you think the coaching staff made a mistake taking out a 2 year starter in Jan and replacing him with a kid who started 1 game at QB? I am making an assumption that you think this was a mistake, especially when you think that Jake was just as good, and could have done with CJ did. Yet that isn't fair, you didn't say that, so I'd like to hear if you think it was a good move or bad move to bench Jake and give the job to CJ.

I think the coaches made the decision when they thought CJ was ready and what was best for the team at that time. I didn't say it was a mistake. It was really unfortunate. They had 2 really good QB's and there wasn't 'room' for both of them at that point, especially when there was 'talk' of CJ leaving if he wasn't going to 'get a chance' to start. You folks have such short and selective memories. Let's back up. In the spring of 2014 CJ was the 3rd string QB behind JR and Sokol and the the 2 receivers who looked the 'best' that spring were Cameron Wilson (who left during the summer) and Derrick Willes ( who quit during the season). I actually thought Sokol looked good in the spring game, but CJ had a big day and Sokol decided to transfer. But I saw CJ a couple times in fall practice and he was struggling with pre-snap reads and progressions and was NOT ready to be a starter. I think CJ continued to improve and he did 'well' when needed (Pittsburgh) when JR got hurt. I think he showed he was still not 'there' in his start against a very bad Purdue team, but that start 'showed' him what it took to be 'the man' and he really bore down on earning the coaches 'trust'. And with JR never really 'healthy' the rest of the year and having a 'thin' receiving core with 2 of the better receivers leaving, no one was 'thrilled' with the passing game, opening the door for CJ to make a push for the job with his ability to keep plays alive. With the rumors that were floating around (in the lockerroom and the press) some division was starting in the team, so a decision had to be made, so they made one but laid it out to the team that the 'culture' had to change in order for the 'team' to take 'steps' forward. It was a 'move', and we have no way of knowing if it was good or bad, since you can't speculate on things that 'never' happened. I think it ended up working out well for the 'kids' (JR and CJ) ultimately because they both had very good results. I wish JR would've stayed, because we could have used him with CJ's health problems and he may have been able to outplay an 'unhealthy' CJ in some of the games. Once again I'm going to bring up peoples 'selective' memories. What 'big' game did CJ lead us to victory in? Our 3 biggest games were Wisc., NW, and Nebby. He was absolutely abysmal in the Wisky game (yes, he was 'hurting' and the weather was bad) but we were 'led' by our stout defense, 4 takeaways, and a good game by Canzeri. You think JR would have played 'worse' or that CJ was the 'difference' in that game, lol. Then there was our 2nd big game. NW, who beat a very good Stanford team. CJ was once again not a factor as he was 'hurt', threw no TD's and one pick. Once again we were 'led' by a defense that only gave up 51 yds. rushing and a huge day in the running game!!! What did CJ do to get us the win that JR couldn't? lol....Get a grip people...and lastly against Nebby CJ threw for a whopping 97 yds. and ran for 5!!!! Weehaaa!, lol. Thank god he was our QB, lol. ONCE AGAIN we rode 4 takeaways (including an amazing pick 6 by Hesse) and a 140 yds. and 2 touchdowns from Canzeri to victory!!! (Oh, forgot, we ran it well because they were 'afraid' of CJ throwing the bomb, LOL). SO ONCE AGAIN, MY STATEMENT THAT THE BIG DIFFERENCE THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE IMPROVED SEASON, WAS THE DEFENSE, TURNOVER MARGIN, AND THE RUN GAME AND IF THESE 'FACTS' THAT I JUST SHARED DON'T BARE THAT OUT, THAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU........

 

[Joshbrown]

How well the hawks do doesn't depend on CJ, just like it didn't last year. All he has to do is 'game manage' like he did last year and not turn the ball over and pick up a 1st down every now and then with his feet.....any one who thinks HE was the difference last year is a fool....stats don't lie

Prickehawk we luv your posts. If possible please post 1,000 times a day on Hawkeyenation.

 

[deanvogs]

I think the coaches made the decision when they thought CJ was ready and what was best for the team at that time. I didn't say it was a mistake. It was really unfortunate. They had 2 really good QB's and there wasn't 'room' for both of them at that point, especially when there was 'talk' of CJ leaving if he wasn't going to 'get a chance' to start. You folks have such short and selective memories. Let's back up. In the spring of 2014 CJ was the 3rd string QB behind JR and Sokol and the the 2 receivers who looked the 'best' that spring were Cameron Wilson (who left during the summer) and Derrick Willes ( who quit during the season). I actually thought Sokol looked good in the spring game, but CJ had a big day and Sokol decided to transfer. But I saw CJ a couple times in fall practice and he was struggling with pre-snap reads and progressions and was NOT ready to be a starter. I think CJ continued to improve and he did 'well' when needed (Pittsburgh) when JR got hurt. I think he showed he was still not 'there' in his start against a very bad Purdue team, but that start 'showed' him what it took to be 'the man' and he really bore down on earning the coaches 'trust'. And with JR never really 'healthy' the rest of the year and having a 'thin' receiving core with 2 of the better receivers leaving, no one was 'thrilled' with the passing game, opening the door for CJ to make a push for the job with his ability to keep plays alive. With the rumors that were floating around (in the lockerroom and the press) some division was starting in the team, so a decision had to be made, so they made one but laid it out to the team that the 'culture' had to change in order for the 'team' to take 'steps' forward. It was a 'move', and we have no way of knowing if it was good or bad, since you can't speculate on things that 'never' happened. I think it ended up working out well for the 'kids' (JR and CJ) ultimately because they both had very good results. I wish JR would've stayed, because we could have used him with CJ's health problems and he may have been able to outplay an 'unhealthy' CJ in some of the games. Once again I'm going to bring up peoples 'selective' memories. What 'big' game did CJ lead us to victory in? Our 3 biggest games were Wisc., NW, and Nebby. He was absolutely abysmal in the Wisky game (yes, he was 'hurting' and the weather was bad) but we were 'led' by our stout defense, 4 takeaways, and a good game by Canzeri. You think JR would have played 'worse' or that CJ was the 'difference' in that game, lol. Then there was our 2nd big game. NW, who beat a very good Stanford team. CJ was once again not a factor as he was 'hurt', threw no TD's and one pick. Once again we were 'led' by a defense that only gave up 51 yds. rushing and a huge day in the running game!!! What did CJ do to get us the win that JR couldn't? lol....Get a grip people...and lastly against Nebby CJ threw for a whopping 97 yds. and ran for 5!!!! Weehaaa!, lol. Thank god he was our QB, lol. ONCE AGAIN we rode 4 takeaways (including an amazing pick 6 by Hesse) and a 140 yds. and 2 touchdowns from Canzeri to victory!!! (Oh, forgot, we ran it well because they were 'afraid' of CJ throwing the bomb, LOL). SO ONCE AGAIN, MY STATEMENT THAT THE BIG DIFFERENCE THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE IMPROVED SEASON, WAS THE DEFENSE, TURNOVER MARGIN, AND THE RUN GAME AND IF THESE 'FACTS' THAT I JUST SHARED DON'T BARE THAT OUT, THAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU........

LOL. Once again you make this statement: It was a 'move', and we have no way of knowing if it was good or bad, since you can't speculate on things that 'never' happened. Then in the next breathe you say What did CJ do to get us the win that JR couldn't? once again insinuating that Jake WOULD HAVE done exactly what CJ did.

So you are like every other stupid poster on here that you rip. You make an argument that we can't possibly know what "never" happened, then out the other side of your mouth, you make an argument that YOU SOMEHOW KNOW WHAT "NEVER" HAPPENED. LOL, you do get how stupid that is to tell others to NOT do something that you are THEN DOING YOURSELF.

 

[deanvogs]

You folks have such short and selective memories. Let's back up. In the spring of 2014 CJ was the 3rd string QB behind JR and Sokol and the the 2 receivers who looked the 'best' that spring were Cameron Wilson (who left during the summer) and Derrick Willes ( who quit during the season). I actually thought Sokol looked good in the spring game, but CJ had a big day and Sokol decided to transfer. But I saw CJ a couple times in fall practice and he was struggling with pre-snap reads and progressions and was NOT ready to be a starter. I think CJ continued to improve and he did 'well' when needed (Pittsburgh) when JR got hurt. I think he showed he was still not 'there' in his start against a very bad Purdue team, but that start 'showed' him what it took to be 'the man' and he really bore down on earning the coaches 'trust'. And with JR never really 'healthy' the rest of the year and having a 'thin' receiving core with 2 of the better receivers leaving, no one was 'thrilled' with the passing game, opening the door for CJ to make a push for the job with his ability to keep plays alive. With the rumors that were floating around (in the lockerroom and the press) some division was starting in the team, so a decision had to be made, so they made one but laid it out to the team that the 'culture' had to change in order for the 'team' to take 'steps' forward. It was a 'move', and we have no way of knowing if it was good or bad, since you can't speculate on things that 'never' happened. I think it ended up working out well for the 'kids' (JR and CJ) ultimately because they both had very good results. I wish JR would've stayed, because we could have used him with CJ's health problems and he may have been able to outplay an 'unhealthy' CJ in some of the games. Once again I'm going to bring up peoples 'selective' memories. What 'big' game did CJ lead us to victory in? Our 3 biggest games were Wisc., NW, and Nebby. He was absolutely abysmal in the Wisky game (yes, he was 'hurting' and the weather was bad) but we were 'led' by our stout defense, 4 takeaways, and a good game by Canzeri. You think JR would have played 'worse' or that CJ was the 'difference' in that game, lol. Then there was our 2nd big game. NW, who beat a very good Stanford team. CJ was once again not a factor as he was 'hurt', threw no TD's and one pick. Once again we were 'led' by a defense that only gave up 51 yds. rushing and a huge day in the running game!!! What did CJ do to get us the win that JR couldn't? lol....Get a grip people...and lastly against Nebby CJ threw for a whopping 97 yds. and ran for 5!!!! Weehaaa!, lol. Thank god he was our QB, lol. ONCE AGAIN we rode 4 takeaways (including an amazing pick 6 by Hesse) and a 140 yds. and 2 touchdowns from Canzeri to victory!!! (Oh, forgot, we ran it well because they were 'afraid' of CJ throwing the bomb, LOL). SO ONCE AGAIN, MY STATEMENT THAT THE BIG DIFFERENCE THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE IMPROVED SEASON, WAS THE DEFENSE, TURNOVER MARGIN, AND THE RUN GAME AND IF THESE 'FACTS' THAT I JUST SHARED DON'T BARE THAT OUT, THAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU........

Oh, and talk about selective memory. Saying what game did CJ "win" for us? LOL man, did you watch the games? With this question I'm beginning to wonder if you know anything about football at all?

ISU: Getting out of the endzone on that sack was amazing, then after that he had a HUGE scramble that led to a 99 yard TD drve. Oh yeah he made a thrown on the run across his body to Riley for a TD that Jake could have never made that got us the lead. Just the year before Jake play so freaking poorly against ISU that he COST us the game.

Pitt: CJ basically willed us the 31 yards we needed in 49 seconds to get us into a position to even attempt a game winning FG. He had runs of 12 yds, 7 yds, and 8 yards to get us into that position.

Indiana: With Iowa behind 17 to 14, Iowa went on a 10 play 65 yard TD drive to end the half. To cap off the drive, the guy with a groin tear scrambled for 7 yards with a dive up over the pile to get into the end zone. That put us up 21-17. When Indiana scored to pull to 21-20, once again CJ lead a drive that included a 3rd down play in which he was scrambling out of the pocket and made an amazing throw across his body to MVB to get the first down and keep the drive alive. Iowa finished the drive with a TD. The next drive Iowa scored again and put the game out of reach for Indiana.

That doesn't even begin to examine the countless times that CJ checked us into the correct play. Remember the big run by Canzeri for a TD vs Illinois where he went 60 plus yards untouched? CJ checked into that play....pretty nice recognition by the QB there, and it is exactly what the coaches ask the Iowa QB's to do. This is a prime example of why when CJ is going into his Sr. year the talk is all about how the coaches are going to give CJ more and more freedom at the LOS.......going into Jake's Sr. year he was benched for a QB who had 1 career start. There are reasons for this, that the coaches get, 99% of fans get, but you seem to lack the awareness to understand.

 

[Kennyfromminne]

Prickehawk has got to be one of the best trolls ever

 

[PCHawk]

Oh, and talk about selective memory. Saying what game did CJ "win" for us? LOL man, did you watch the games? With this question I'm beginning to wonder if you know anything about football at all?

ISU: Getting out of the endzone on that sack was amazing, then after that he had a HUGE scramble that led to a 99 yard TD drve. Oh yeah he made a thrown on the run across his body to Riley for a TD that Jake could have never made that got us the lead. Just the year before Jake play so freaking poorly against ISU that he COST us the game.

Pitt: CJ basically willed us the 31 yards we needed in 49 seconds to get us into a position to even attempt a game winning FG. He had runs of 12 yds, 7 yds, and 8 yards to get us into that position.

Indiana: With Iowa behind 17 to 14, Iowa went on a 10 play 65 yard TD drive to end the half. To cap off the drive, the guy with a groin tear scrambled for 7 yards with a dive up over the pile to get into the end zone. That put us up 21-17. When Indiana scored to pull to 21-20, once again CJ lead a drive that included a 3rd down play in which he was scrambling out of the pocket and made an amazing throw across his body to MVB to get the first down and keep the drive alive. Iowa finished the drive with a TD. The next drive Iowa scored again and put the game out of reach for Indiana.

That doesn't even begin to examine the countless times that CJ checked us into the correct play. Remember the big run by Canzeri for a TD vs Illinois where he went 60 plus yards untouched? CJ checked into that play....pretty nice recognition by the QB there, and it is exactly what the coaches ask the Iowa QB's to do. This is a prime example of why when CJ is going into his Sr. year the talk is all about how the coaches are going to give CJ more and more freedom at the LOS.......going into Jake's Sr. year he was benched for a QB who had 1 career start. There are reasons for this, that the coaches get, 99% of fans get, but you seem to lack the awareness to understand.

Well done Dean. Also in the Wisconsin game where he did nothing, he ran 7 times for 7 first downs. Whenever the team needed a play he made it. Remember the great throw by Rudock against Northwestern to CJF in ot? Our QB made a play when we needed it and got us a win. Do you remember a single other time where he did that? I can't think of one.

I think it's Steve Dace who says having a playmaker at QB increases your margin of error. That's what CJ did last year. The errors were still there all year just like they were every other year. Our stout improved defense still gave up countless touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Touchdowns that normally cost us games. This year when those touchdowns came, CJ answered with the stats you posted earlier. He did it while getting killed without 2 NFL tackles. He did it with less talent at wide receiver. He did it injured. CJ is the man.

 

[deanvogs]

Well done Dean. Also in the Wisconsin game where he did nothing, he ran 7 times for 7 first downs. Whenever the team needed a play he made it. Remember the great throw by Rudock against Northwestern to CJF in ot? Our QB made a play when we needed it and got us a win. Do you remember a single other time where he did that? I can't think of one.

I think it's Steve Dace who says having a playmaker at QB increases your margin of error. That's what CJ did last year. The errors were still there all year just like they were every other year. Our stout improved defense still gave up countless touchdowns in the 4th quarter. Touchdowns that normally cost us games. This year when those touchdowns came, CJ answered with the stats you posted earlier. He did it while getting killed without 2 NFL tackles. He did it with less talent at wide receiver. He did it injured. CJ is the man.

Totally agree. How you could watch last year and not come away saying that CJ didn't lead us to wins in any of those games? I mean he was elected 2nd team All B1G QB, and he didn't get that honor because he put up eye popping numbers. What he did do is have the best QB rating in the 4th Qtr in college football. What he did do is make every single play that we needed him to make. What he did do was get the team in the proper run plays that resulted in many of those long runs. What he did do is become the undeniable leader of the offense.

 

[DP5555]

I think the coaches made the decision when they thought CJ was ready and what was best for the team at that time. I didn't say it was a mistake. It was really unfortunate. They had 2 really good QB's and there wasn't 'room' for both of them at that point, especially when there was 'talk' of CJ leaving if he wasn't going to 'get a chance' to start. You folks have such short and selective memories. Let's back up. In the spring of 2014 CJ was the 3rd string QB behind JR and Sokol and the the 2 receivers who looked the 'best' that spring were Cameron Wilson (who left during the summer) and Derrick Willes ( who quit during the season). I actually thought Sokol looked good in the spring game, but CJ had a big day and Sokol decided to transfer. But I saw CJ a couple times in fall practice and he was struggling with pre-snap reads and progressions and was NOT ready to be a starter. I think CJ continued to improve and he did 'well' when needed (Pittsburgh) when JR got hurt. I think he showed he was still not 'there' in his start against a very bad Purdue team, but that start 'showed' him what it took to be 'the man' and he really bore down on earning the coaches 'trust'. And with JR never really 'healthy' the rest of the year and having a 'thin' receiving core with 2 of the better receivers leaving, no one was 'thrilled' with the passing game, opening the door for CJ to make a push for the job with his ability to keep plays alive. With the rumors that were floating around (in the lockerroom and the press) some division was starting in the team, so a decision had to be made, so they made one but laid it out to the team that the 'culture' had to change in order for the 'team' to take 'steps' forward. It was a 'move', and we have no way of knowing if it was good or bad, since you can't speculate on things that 'never' happened. I think it ended up working out well for the 'kids' (JR and CJ) ultimately because they both had very good results. I wish JR would've stayed, because we could have used him with CJ's health problems and he may have been able to outplay an 'unhealthy' CJ in some of the games. Once again I'm going to bring up peoples 'selective' memories. What 'big' game did CJ lead us to victory in? Our 3 biggest games were Wisc., NW, and Nebby. He was absolutely abysmal in the Wisky game (yes, he was 'hurting' and the weather was bad) but we were 'led' by our stout defense, 4 takeaways, and a good game by Canzeri. You think JR would have played 'worse' or that CJ was the 'difference' in that game, lol. Then there was our 2nd big game. NW, who beat a very good Stanford team. CJ was once again not a factor as he was 'hurt', threw no TD's and one pick. Once again we were 'led' by a defense that only gave up 51 yds. rushing and a huge day in the running game!!! What did CJ do to get us the win that JR couldn't? lol....Get a grip people...and lastly against Nebby CJ threw for a whopping 97 yds. and ran for 5!!!! Weehaaa!, lol. Thank god he was our QB, lol. ONCE AGAIN we rode 4 takeaways (including an amazing pick 6 by Hesse) and a 140 yds. and 2 touchdowns from Canzeri to victory!!! (Oh, forgot, we ran it well because they were 'afraid' of CJ throwing the bomb, LOL). SO ONCE AGAIN, MY STATEMENT THAT THE BIG DIFFERENCE THAT ACCOUNTED FOR THE IMPROVED SEASON, WAS THE DEFENSE, TURNOVER MARGIN, AND THE RUN GAME AND IF THESE 'FACTS' THAT I JUST SHARED DON'T BARE THAT OUT, THAN I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU........

Did you ever learn how to create paragraphs in high school? This is brutal. Unreadable.

 

[PCHawk]

Totally agree. How you could watch last year and not come away saying that CJ didn't lead us to wins in any of those games? I mean he was elected 2nd team All B1G QB, and he didn't get that honor because he put up eye popping numbers. What he did do is have the best QB rating in the 4th Qtr in college football. What he did do is make every single play that we needed him to make. What he did do was get the team in the proper run plays that resulted in many of those long runs. What he did do is become the undeniable leader of the offense.

Even in the MSU game he made huge plays. Besides the td to Smith, he threw into a tight window to Kittle for an almost td turned interception. He hit Hilyard for a huge 3rd down conversion late but Hilyard dropped it. Is there any doubt the pass where Vandy got held would have been on the money? I still wish MSU would have made that field goal that went off the upright. If they did, they would have kicked a field goal on 4th down with 2 minutes left in the game. I like our odds in that situation.

 

[David79]

Powell made more huge gain catches than the entire team did combined last year probably.

No.