Saquon

[HawkeyeDenis]

Look, you can't have it both ways. You can't plan on the defense playing bend but don't break defense and also complaining about the defense being on the field for an inordinate amount of plays.

If you want to give the defense a break, tell them to force a few quick fourth downs every once in a while.

You do realize Iowa lost? That moral victories should mean nothing? That Iowa coming close was a fluke? That nine times out of ten Iowa would've been blown out of the game if only PSU had an affective short yardage on a short field offense?

Really? You want to slam the defense? 99 plays and 2 TDs to what is the best offense in the B1G. The big difference was Barkley. 21 points. That's what the defense gave up in 99 plays. But you want to slam them......Ok.

 

[kicker22]

As most know I'm not one to blame a loss on any given aspect of the team whether it be offense, defense, or special teams.

The defense gave up the drive at the end of the game after the offense put the team within arms reach of a win.
The offense failed to do anything in the first half. Gave up a safety, missed two 2 pt. conversions, and with the exception of 3 big plays did relatively very little.

Special teams struggled.

Great effort. Good strategy (IMO) as it kept the game winnable and put us in position late. Team loss. We can point fingers at the defense, but offensively we spotted them a safety. and make either of the conversions or simply kick the PAT and its a difference maker.

We can point fingers at aspect of the team we lost, but I think its safe to say that PSU could have had that game won at halftime. Valiant effort. Unfortunately we let one slip away.

 

[HawkGold]

No, the read option combined with a Rick James style super freak, is what you saw. Not a good rb against a poor scheme. Hurdling defenders, stopping and accelerating like Le'Veon Bell, changing direction on a dime...this had to do with a super effort by Barkley. We gave up 21 pts....if thats gimmick Defense, mmm, that sounds good ill have that.

You just nailed it inadvertently. Think about the big gains on Iowa over the past few years. The play of the game was the hurdle of the Iowa tackle. Does ANYONE teach proper tackling to the Iowa defense? He went in way too low and didn't attempt to get his arms around him. Think back to the Big Championship and the last drive. Other games as well. No wrapping up. The stopping and quick change of direction? Can ONLY happen repeatedly when the defense stops for contain and is not closing down. The guy isn't superman. Really good, but not superman. He had 88 yards rushing against Pitt which was a 2 possession game with 6 minutes left. He had 46 yards receiving.

Iowa gained little or no respect with this loss. It is a notable near win and teams will take note, but the commentators are further going to be entrenched in thinking Iowa is not really relevant because of this. It was not normal football.

 

[cockyhawkfan]

I've never seen a performance like that in person. The dude is so strong he damn near broke his own ankles a few times. You can't pin this loss on the D. Yes, they gave up a ton of yards, but to solely base your opinion is on that is shortsighted. They had to earn every damn point they scored. And we were about 2 inches away from winning that game. Everyone would be praising the D, had the outcome been different.

 

[HawkGold]

They had 100 plays on offense which means the offense did nothing all night...which means the D will tire....which means any back will look better than normal....get it D was out there 100 plays.

Yes, that many plays without no huddle speaks loudly. The D did a lot. Jewell was incredible. The offensive scheme was crazy bad. You can't execute going into their strength very much especially if they know what is coming. I still think they were setting up for the 4th quarter. Kept the game close? Maybe...Kept Iowa from winning...Maybe. Terrible way of doing it? Yes.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

You just nailed it inadvertently. Think about the big gains on Iowa over the past few years. The play of the game was the hurdle of the Iowa tackle. Does ANYONE teach proper tackling to the Iowa defense? He went in way too low and didn't attempt to get his arms around him. Think back to the Big Championship and the last drive. Other games as well. No wrapping up. The stopping and quick change of direction? Can ONLY happen repeatedly when the defense stops for contain and is not closing down. The guy isn't superman. Really good, but not superman. He had 88 yards rushing against Pitt which was a 2 possession game with 6 minutes left. He had 46 yards receiving.

Iowa gained little or no respect with this loss. It is a notable near win and teams will take note, but the commentators are further going to be entrenched in thinking Iowa is not really relevant because of this. It was not normal football.

Do honestly think you take down Saquon Barkley in one on one in open space without tackling low?

 

[HawkGold]

Do honestly think you take down Saquon Barkley in one on one in open space without tackling low?

No, of course not. The tackler was about knee level. You hit the waste or the thighs and wrap. Iowa does do a lot of shoulder pad tackling without wrapping them up. They really do. That was the game breaking play. Grab his jersey even for a moment and he doesn't get that first down. The guy is a beast no doubt. He was a 130 yard beast against Pitt. 300 something including 200 plus on the ground against Iowa.

I do know that if you don't go in all out and hesitate, you are toast.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

The tackler was about knee level. You hit the waste or the thighs and wrap.

It appears to me that he gets down low to get better leverage (Which a 185 pound DB needs against this guy), and then when his legs press up into the tackle he moves up to just below the hip-level, but the beast that is SB is already four feet in the air.

Grab his jersey even for a moment and he doesn't get that first down.

I think the entire Iowa defense would disagree with you on that one...

Unfortunately good fundamentals alone just don't take that guy down much of the time.

 

[HawkeyeHypnosis]

You just nailed it inadvertently. Think about the big gains on Iowa over the past few years. The play of the game was the hurdle of the Iowa tackle. Does ANYONE teach proper tackling to the Iowa defense? He went in way too low and didn't attempt to get his arms around him. Think back to the Big Championship and the last drive. Other games as well. No wrapping up. The stopping and quick change of direction? Can ONLY happen repeatedly when the defense stops for contain and is not closing down. The guy isn't superman. Really good, but not superman. He had 88 yards rushing against Pitt which was a 2 possession game with 6 minutes left. He had 46 yards receiving.

Iowa gained little or no respect with this loss. It is a notable near win and teams will take note, but the commentators are further going to be entrenched in thinking Iowa is not really relevant because of this. It was not normal football.

Completely disagree.

 

[HawkGold]

It appears to me that he gets down low to get better leverage (Which you need to have a chance against that dude), and then when his legs press up into the tackle he moves up to just below the hip-level, but the beast that is SB is already four feet in the air.


I think the entire Iowa defense would disagree with you on that one...

Unfortunately good fundamentals alone just don't take that guy down much of the time.

Not just looking at the initial attempt. The 2nd guy had a clear shot and no attempt at wrapping him up.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

Not just looking at the initial attempt. The 2nd guy had a clear shot and no attempt at wrapping him up.

I agree with you there. At first I thought he got blocked harder than he did, but you're right, he has the opportunity and he doesn't wrap up.

 

[SpiderRico]

No, of course not. The tackler was about knee level. You hit the waste or the thighs and wrap. Iowa does do a lot of shoulder pad tackling without wrapping them up. They really do. That was the game breaking play. Grab his jersey even for a moment and he doesn't get that first down. The guy is a beast no doubt. He was a 130 yard beast against Pitt. 300 something including 200 plus on the ground against Iowa.

I do know that if you don't go in all out and hesitate, you are toast.

PSU was saving Barkley for B1G grind by limiting his touches in the non-con. Against Pitt, he had 18 touches for 133 yds, which comes to 7.4 yds/touch. Against us, he had 40 touches for 305 yds, or 7.6 yds/touch. Not a lot of difference....

 

[ArvadaHawk]

If you are going to get caught up in the 573 yds Iowa gave up then there is nothing I can say. The Iowa D kept that game close.

Because they made plays at the right time to hold PSU to 19 points, then I agree. But how often can you rely on a team to give up almost 600 yards and only 19 points? We were very fortunate they did make the plays they made, when they made them.

 

[JoeyLabasForPresident]

Because they made plays at the right time to hold PSU to 19 points, then I agree. But how often can you rely on a team to give up almost 600 yards and only 19 points? We were very fortunate they did make the plays they made, when they made them.

But again, that's with 99 snaps. We need to keep that in mind. 6 yards per attempt certainly isn't amazing, but considering that that was easily the best offense we'll see all year except possibly in January, that's really not awful, and especially so if SB wins the Heisman.

 

[SpiderRico]

If you were building a human being from scratch, you couldn't build them as well as Barkley....

6'0" 233lbs
495lb bench
650lb squat
405lb clean
4.33 40
38" vertical
10'10" broad

The guy is an absolute freak of nature.

 

[SpiderRico]

Because they made plays at the right time to hold PSU to 19 points, then I agree. But how often can you rely on a team to give up almost 600 yards and only 19 points? We were very fortunate they did make the plays they made, when they made them.

We averaged more yds per play than PSU did....we just didn't get enough plays. But that's how you beat a team with an overall advantage in talent....you turn it into a slugfest, you eliminate the big plays, you win the turnover battle, and come up with big plays of your own. We had a 70yd pass for TD, a 35yd run for TD and a 21 yd pass for TD following a turnover. With the exception of the very last play, the plan damn near worked....

 

[ArvadaHawk]

But again, that's with 99 snaps. We need to keep that in mind. 6 yards per attempt certainly isn't amazing, but considering that that was easily the best offense we'll see all year except possibly in January, that's really not awful, and especially so if SB wins the Heisman.

And again, that IS 99 snaps. The offense didn't do it's job and part of that was conservative play calling. The defense played a wonderful bend but don't break game. But I wouldn't hang my hat on that when I saw my offense struggling. But, I guess if the staff is wearing glasses that don't show conservatism costing the defense to be on the field way too much, then they won't see it. And I thought the conservative strategy on offense was to keep the defense off the field and control the clock?

 

[EstronHawkKing]

Best RB (not including Iowa RB's) that I have seen at Kinnick since Keith Byers from Ohio St.

 

[HawkGold]

Best RB (not including Iowa RB's) that I have seen at Kinnick since Keith Byers from Ohio St.

Iowa gave him 80 of those yards by the "system" management. That said, he's darn good.

 

[Hawkfnntn]

What's there to take away from the guy? Dude is as good as it gets. Besides all the obvious I'm impressed as all get out with his endurance and ability to take a pounding. He didn't shy away from contact much. To carry the ball that many times and be as fast and effective as he was all game long is impressive. He was 85% or more of their offense. He'll be the first RB picked next yr and if you want a true 3 down bell cow that you can use in pretty much any offensive system he's your guy. He's amazing.
That said I'm equally impressed with Jewel. That was a hell of an effort from him too. He should be 1st team All American. What else can you say about him too...