Take-aways

[#1DieHardHawk]

1. The game was much closer than the score indicates. The program has nothing to be embarrassed about.

2. During the bye week, I hope the coaches take a hard look at center and left guard. Winters and Jones were flat-out abused all game long.

3. It sounds strange to say it, but we actually did a good job on Smith. The one long TD was right after Lutmer went down, and they isolated him on Hawkins. On the other long catch and run, the coverage was great. Wallace was in great position and his finger tips were literally 1-2 inches from the ball. Smith benefited from being behind Wallace and the safety when all three went for the ball.

4. Ries needs to start over Montgomery. Montgomery's athletic limitations hurt us against the better teams. He gets overwhelmed in the run game, and doesn't have enough speed to cover.

5. Brown made a few nice throws, but also was way off several times to open receivers, and, obviously, the fumble on the first drive shouldn't have happened. Just not a smart play. Heck isn't perfect, but I still feel he has the higher ceiling.

6. The illegal formation call on the last drive before halftime was an absolute killer, and changed the complete complexion of the game. It was the difference between going into halftime either up 13-10 or down 10-9, versus down 17-6. HUGE call.

7. Hopefully, the injuries aren't serious, with Lutmer's being the most concerning. If Lee can't go, I hope they give Darion Jones a shot. He's got big-time upside.

 

[Fryowa]

1. The game was much closer than the score indicates. The program has nothing to be embarrassed about.

2. During the bye week, I hope the coaches take a hard look at center and left guard. Winters and Jones were flat-out abused all game long.

3. It sounds strange to say it, but we actually did a good job on Smith. The one long TD was right after Lutmer went down, and they isolated him on Hawkins. On the other long catch and run, the coverage was great. Wallace was in great position and his finger tips were literally 1-2 inches from the ball. Smith benefited from being behind Wallace and the safety when all three went for the ball.

4. Ries needs to start over Montgomery. Montgomery's athletic limitations hurt us against the better teams. He gets overwhelmed in the run game, and doesn't have enough speed to cover.

5. Brown made a few nice throws, but also was way off several times to open receivers, and, obviously, the fumble on the first drive shouldn't have happened. Just not a smart play. Heck isn't perfect, but I still feel he has the higher ceiling.

6. The illegal formation call on the last drive before halftime was an absolute killer, and changed the complete complexion of the game. It was the difference between going into halftime either up 13-10 or down 10-9, versus down 17-6. HUGE call.

7. Hopefully, the injuries aren't serious, with Lutmer's being the most concerning. If Lee can't go, I hope they give Darion Jones a shot. He's got big-time upside.

I watched Kay Eff’s presser and it sounded like Hank was a light sprain and the other two were cramps. He didn’t name anyone but said one of them got an IV which would explain Lutmer being in the tent for a half hour

 

[Wundershozen]

I watched Kay Eff’s presser and it sounded like Hank was a light sprain and the other two were cramps. He didn’t name anyone but said one of them got an IV which would explain Lutmer being in the tent for a half hour

If that's true I'm totally relieved. Losing Lutmer would be absolutely devastating to our defense.

 

[Captain Insane-O]

We had a very narrow window to win and the breaks had to go our way. They sacked our QB, he fumbled, and they got the ball at the 15. We sacked their QB, made him fumble, and we didn't get it. OP is right, the killer was the penalty with 2 min to go in the half. Was it Lauck or Dotzler, does anyone know? If it was Dotzler, he had the 2 worst penalties in this game that directly contributed to 14 points for OSU and a possible 17 or 21 point swing.

At the end of the day though OSU is a terrible mismatch for us. We have average corners, average pass rushers, a non-mobile QB and we had a safety out (Brown). How you beat OSU is to be able to man up their receivers long enough to get to Sayin with your pass rush, and on the other side is to be able to have the QB extend some plays with his legs and spread them out enough to lighten the box.

One thing I really liked was the one drive with Heck at QB. I am not saying there should be a controversy or anything, Hank has done well and earned the job. But Heck was sharp, decisive and got the ball out. And don't think that OSU was letting us have that, they had their starters in and were wanting to finish. What Heck did is what I am sure TL wants his offense to look like. Hank looked indecisive, inaccurate and everything looked slow and sloppy. I think for this game in particular, Heck was a better fit than Hank because of what OSU was going to do to stack the box.

 

[hawkinstl]

1. The game was much closer than the score indicates. The program has nothing to be embarrassed about.

2. During the bye week, I hope the coaches take a hard look at center and left guard. Winters and Jones were flat-out abused all game long.

3. It sounds strange to say it, but we actually did a good job on Smith. The one long TD was right after Lutmer went down, and they isolated him on Hawkins. On the other long catch and run, the coverage was great. Wallace was in great position and his finger tips were literally 1-2 inches from the ball. Smith benefited from being behind Wallace and the safety when all three went for the ball.

4. Ries needs to start over Montgomery. Montgomery's athletic limitations hurt us against the better teams. He gets overwhelmed in the run game, and doesn't have enough speed to cover.

5. Brown made a few nice throws, but also was way off several times to open receivers, and, obviously, the fumble on the first drive shouldn't have happened. Just not a smart play. Heck isn't perfect, but I still feel he has the higher ceiling.

6. The illegal formation call on the last drive before halftime was an absolute killer, and changed the complete complexion of the game. It was the difference between going into halftime either up 13-10 or down 10-9, versus down 17-6. HUGE call.

7. Hopefully, the injuries aren't serious, with Lutmer's being the most concerning. If Lee can't go, I hope they give Darion Jones a shot. He's got big-time upside.

On point number 1, we can agree to disagree. OSU had twice at many total yards as Iowa. OSU's time of possession was close to double what it was for Iowa. The Hawks were fortunate to only lose by 17.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

If it was just a poor rushing performance against OSU I would not be so pessimistic. But we have had similar rushing ineptitude against UM and ISU-both of which appear to be mediocre teams at best. ISU allowing 291 rushing from WVU, while WMU and MN both doubled our rushing yds against UM.
After 5 games it may be too early to panic, but there is enough evidence thus far to be concerned. And make some changes?

 

[longtimer]

If it was just a poor rushing performance against OSU I would not be so pessimistic. But we have had similar rushing ineptitude against UM and ISU-both of which appear to be mediocre teams at best. ISU allowing 291 rushing from WVU, while WMU and MN both doubled our rushing yds against UM.
After 5 games it may be too early to panic, but there is enough evidence thus far to be concerned. And make some changes?

Clearly we can not run the ball unless we are playing UNI. Probably scheme and just not that good if oL. I think winter is really struggling at center. Not sure how many personnel options we have

The other issue is the defensive line which is just not very good. Ohio State had huge holes and all day to throw. I guess I was kind of surprised we didn’t blitz a lot more. I think down the line Parker will have to make adjustments to get some pressure

 

[dagdaj]

Meh.
I think if Iowa played Minnesota last week and didn't have ESPN Gane (sic) Day and surrounding hooplah...the score winds up a bit closer, but result is the same.

Only chance of winning that game was playing mistake free and forcing mistakes on OSU.

Again, hooplah didn't help.

If Iowa can't find a way to run against FBS teams, there will be at least 3 more losses. Maybe more.

Brown looks like a Stanzi one minute and a Petras the next. Super smart player. Just sometimes seems to go dead and lifeless. I stick with Hank, but it should be clear that we're back to a game or half from it becoming a competition again.

I didn't get all angry yesterday and my weekend wasn't ruined. Maybe I'm evolving?

 

[STILLBUSTER]

Not sure what to take away so far except that Iowa is still in that next tier below the top 8-12 in the country. On one hand, believe they're good enough to win out against what looks to be "peer" teams. On the other, seeing some of the W's those other teams are getting, plus how Hawks just seem to have so many untimely penalties or near misses ...

IF can stay healthy and clean it up I think 5-2 reasonable. A win at Washington is key to resetting the season. Win both Wash and the Goofs going into bye ... Could be very special season and a playoff spot.

 

[Captain Insane-O]

Not sure what to take away so far except that Iowa is still in that next tier below the top 8-12 in the country. On one hand, believe they're good enough to win out against what looks to be "peer" teams. On the other, seeing some of the W's those other teams are getting, plus how Hawks just seem to have so many untimely penalties or near misses ...

IF can stay healthy and clean it up I think 5-2 reasonable. A win at Washington is key to resetting the season. Win both Wash and the Goofs going into bye ... Could be very special season and a playoff spot.

The Goofs are after the bye. And by the way, they have a bye as well.

 

[shonblatt]

I'm not in full panic mode, but we got exposed a bit.

We hung with them until just before halftime, and then the talent gap became pretty glaring.

We're 1 injury away from mediocrity at a few core positions.

Penalities killed a few drives. We never really settled in on offense.

That Heck drive was nice, but we were being aggressive playing catch up and by that point in the game OSU was playing softer D.

Watching Jeremiah Smith play reminded me of when we played against Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley - generational talents that we had no answer for and could not stop.

Northwestern appears to be legit. Minnesota is improved. But I refuse to worry about Nebraska lol.

 

[STILLBUSTER]

The Goofs are after the bye. And by the way, they have a bye as well.

Oops. Well, that might actually be a positive. Still think Washington game is crucial turning point. Win out west, get some rest, play some traditional smash-mouth with Goofs and Vadgers. Don't trip on ur dick at NwU. Take care business with Purdue and Illannoy. Cap it off by ruining the Fuskers season, just when they think their "back".

It's a tall order. With exception of Purdue, every game looks to be a 3-10 point battle, which means the D stepping up and the O cleaning up at those key moments.

 

[ryno]

1. The game was much closer than the score indicates. The program has nothing to be embarrassed about.

2. During the bye week, I hope the coaches take a hard look at center and left guard. Winters and Jones were flat-out abused all game long.

3. It sounds strange to say it, but we actually did a good job on Smith. The one long TD was right after Lutmer went down, and they isolated him on Hawkins. On the other long catch and run, the coverage was great. Wallace was in great position and his finger tips were literally 1-2 inches from the ball. Smith benefited from being behind Wallace and the safety when all three went for the ball.

4. Ries needs to start over Montgomery. Montgomery's athletic limitations hurt us against the better teams. He gets overwhelmed in the run game, and doesn't have enough speed to cover.

5. Brown made a few nice throws, but also was way off several times to open receivers, and, obviously, the fumble on the first drive shouldn't have happened. Just not a smart play. Heck isn't perfect, but I still feel he has the higher ceiling.

6. The illegal formation call on the last drive before halftime was an absolute killer, and changed the complete complexion of the game. It was the difference between going into halftime either up 13-10 or down 10-9, versus down 17-6. HUGE call.

7. Hopefully, the injuries aren't serious, with Lutmer's being the most concerning. If Lee can't go, I hope they give Darion Jones a shot. He's got big-time upside.

need a QB who is a threat to run. Otherwise 8+ in the box. We all saw last year what difference that makes for Iowa, at least how our offense is

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

On point number 1, we can agree to disagree. OSU had twice at many total yards as Iowa. OSU's time of possession was close to double what it was for Iowa. The Hawks were fortunate to only lose by 17.

On paper, Michigan dominated us too. Realistically, in a game like this, the focus is going to be bend-but-don't break.

There's always a lot of "What ifs," but take away a couple of the dumb self-inflicted wounds and the long TD pass after Lutmer went out, and it's an entirely different game.

Not implying that we would have won, but if we had gone into halftime with a lead or down 1, the energy of the team would have been much different in the second half.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Clearly we can not run the ball unless we are playing UNI. Probably scheme and just not that good if oL. I think winter is really struggling at center. Not sure how many personnel options we have

The other issue is the defensive line which is just not very good. Ohio State had huge holes and all day to throw. I guess I was kind of surprised we didn’t blitz a lot more. I think down the line Parker will have to make adjustments to get some pressure

The huge holes weren't really there until halfway through the 3rd. At that point, the D obviously was getting gassed. A lot of that is the offense's inability to stay on the field.

 

[Seth53]

We knew of this 3 game gauntlet when the schedule came out. Most of us were predicting 1-2 as OK, and 0-3 being a possibility.

We're capable of going 2-1. I say we're ahead of the curve.

 

[M1911A1Hawkeye]

We knew of this 3 game gauntlet when the schedule came out. Most of us were predicting 1-2 as OK, and 0-3 being a possibility.

We're capable of going 2-1. I say we're ahead of the curve.

100%. Before the season I had predicted that the Hawks would be 0-2 after these two games going into Fridays game. Hawks will bounce back.

 

[Fryowa]

I didn't get all angry yesterday and my weekend wasn't ruined. Maybe I'm evolving?

This is the way.

 

[Fryowa]

We knew of this 3 game gauntlet when the schedule came out. Most of us were predicting 1-2 as OK, and 0-3 being a possibility.

We're capable of going 2-1. I say we're ahead of the curve.

100%. Before the season I had predicted that the Hawks would be 0-2 after these two games going into Fridays game. Hawks will bounce back.

This^^^

Anyone thinking the Hawks were going to win this game was out of his or her gourd.

The Hawks are 1-1 after Michigan and ISU and that’s better than most here thought including me. Yet there’s still people who want to bitch and burn the season down.

The same folks who’d rather do right now what nebraska, Wisconsin, and Penn State did. Fire capable coaches. I wouldn’t trade with any of those “blue bloods.” Not in a million years. Those people don’t understand football or sports in general.

 

[Seth53]

This^^^

Anyone thinking the Hawks were going to win this game was out of his or her gourd.

The Hawks are 1-1 after Michigan and ISU and that’s better than most here thought including me. Yet there’s still people who want to bitch and burn the season down.

The same folks who’d rather do right now what nebraska, Wisconsin, and Penn State did. Fire capable coaches. I wouldn’t trade with any of those “blue bloods.” Not in a million years. Those people don’t understand football or sports in general.

I'll just add...

After beating SCum, we were playing with house money yesterday.
Better team talent wise played better than us. Not a good combo.
Smith should have been in the NFL two years ago.

The real litmus test IMO is on Friday. West coast. Short week. You know the deal.

Go Hawks.