ReLook at Petras and Iowa

[HawkGold]

I was at last night's game. I came away with a different perspective on Petras. Here me out.

The D was all over him. He isn't that slow. On the fastest sack ever, it was in part on the RB as he took the wrong angle. That is inexperience.

Tarique Barnes registers lightning-quick sack of Spencer Petras in clutch situation for Illinois

Tarique Barnes was lightning quick.

saturdaytradition.com

They were on Petras so fast and hard that from into the 2nd Qtr to well into the 3rd Qtr, Petras was having to totally pay attention to the rushers and not receivers. He was locked onto them.

I'm convinced the "worst pass ever" was a direct result of the hit that he had taken to the head. You cannot evaluate a concussion during an onfield review. My guess is we may here not much about it before OSU but in the interview after the game, Petras had obvious symptoms of a concussion including getting emotional.

The offense is a joke. Spencer gained my respect in this game. It's a near-hopeless situation. Spencer had several absolutely amazing throws. And of course a couple amazing throws the other way.

The D line is NOT spectacular. The edges of the D help make up for some of the weaknesses on the D line. I'm not saying they are weak, but they are not spectacular. The back and edges of the D is spectacular.

The O line is simply overmatched in strength, skill, fundamentals, speed and size.

The wind at the stadium was swirling like crazy and an Aussie punter in my opinion puts the ball against the wind a lot. Caused him issues. Plus you could see him get a little insecure with the rush. Caused both sides return issues.

Iowa's D had Illinois boxed in a lot in the middle but then the jukes worked.

If my memory correct, Iowa had a 75 yard drive netting a -10 yards on the amazing punt and fumble. Weirdest FG scoring drive ever.

 

[dagdaj]

I'm with you. It might have been his best game this season against a defense that is almost as good as ours. Probably better in controlling the line and getting pressure

Yes. He missed a few. And one that shoulda been a TD. Name a qb that doesn't. Our offense in toto is not good enough to overcome that. So it is not all at his feet.

He isn't good. But we also don't know if he's "bad". No receivers. An overmatched line. No running game. And an offensive strategy that is both questionable and doesnt suit him. All he's got is a slightly above average slot and a way good TE.

He's taking a lot of heat that should be leveled at other people.

Frankly, I just wanna give him a hug.

 

[HawkPrdatr40]

Brian Ferentz is in WAY OVER HIS HEAD!! That’s the FACT!!! KF knows it too!!!

 

[SCHawkeye2]

I have been critical of Petras, but as the season progresses, it is apparent the offensive issues go way beyond Spencer Petras.
OL can’t pass block.
OL can’t run block.
Wide receivers are too small, cant get separation, and drop way too many balls.
Brian is incompetent as an OC.
Offensive philosophy is too conservative and play calling too predictable.
The program has failed in recent recruiting and development.
While these issues have been increasingly inherent in the Ferentz / Iowa program, neither Kirk or Brian take ownership of the problem or take any actions to address these issues.
Spencer Petras has demonstrated more responsibility and character than either of them and should be applauded for it.

 

[dahlhawk]

I thought Petras looked good in the first quarter because he got some time to throw. The Oline pass blocked well that quarter. The running game only worked when Johnson was given the series. Petras made many good passes under duress but as the line broke down so did he. Illinois was getting away with timing the snap when they should have been called off-sides on several occasions but they didn't. Petras threw several passes on the money late in the game that Nico and Laporta dropped which would have led to field goal attempts. Petras also ran a few plays for first downs. Again he slid once for seven when we needed 10 but he had some very solid QB sneaks. Petras got behind the chains often on some unusual calls which seldom get called. Our receiver speed is awful, our return game is non-existent. There is a lot of pressure on Petras to make up for these shortcomings. Hard for anyone.