The biggest difference between the first and second half offensively...

[guffus]

One thing I have noticed lately when Iowa needs 1 yard for a first down or TD, that weisman will "jump" if the hole is not there to get that 1 yard. This has kept drives going or got TD's instead of FG's. I did not notice the "jump" last year.

 

[HawkeyeMHA]

We could run the ball much better in the second half.

The line looked sharper and most importantly the backs looked better.

It could be argued that the threat of CJ throwing long opened up the run, but I would like to postulate something totally different:

Mark Weisman.

Is it possible we just have not had enough Weisman in the previous three games?

imo yes. I think if we would have kept giving it to Weisman in the fourth qtr of the clown game we would have won. Have never ever ever understood the love affair with 5'3 143 lb canzeri.

 

[LG210]

We could run the ball much better in the second half.

The line looked sharper and most importantly the backs looked better.

It could be argued that the threat of CJ throwing long opened up the run, but I would like to postulate something totally different:

Mark Weisman.

Is it possible we just have not had enough Weisman in the previous three games?

Good thought Gester, you should post here more often.

 

[GesterHawk]

In this game it's true. You can argue that the change at qb created the better execution, but they didn't change the playcalling from what I saw. Wrs caught deep passes in the second half (in this game, both qbs looked pretty accurate), which allowed the oline to be able to execute their blocks better, which created space for the rbs to execute better.
I like cj at qb over ruddock, and would agree that the team executes better with him in the game.

While I am not saying that CJ coming into the game isn't the reason why the O played with more energy, it is hard to prove as he came in after halftime. It is quite possible the BF broke his foot off in Donnal's *** and lit a fire under the entire offense. Or Kennedy promised orange slices after the win.

What is known is that the team came out firing after halftime, both on offense and defense.

 

[thetrza]

So, I guess Weis Men Can't Jump, eh?

 

[GesterHawk]

I think it was a combination. Although I think if we'd gotten more of Weisman or Canzeri (more of a focus on one back, doesn't matter which one), it would have been an improvement. It lets that guy get into a rhythm and get a better feel for the game.

But taking more shots downfield definitely had a big role in opening up the run game, even with Rudock under center. Pitt's defense couldn't just stack the box all the time and stop both our ground and passing games in the process.

Hopefully this week allows for one or two of the younger RBs to take the load of Canzeri so he can heal up and be ready for the next stretch of games.