Petras, get in there, you know what you need to do, don't screw up, give our punter a good position.
The last 5 minutes or so of the first half
- Thread starter uihawk82
- Start date
Isn't it awesome we can bitch about how we feed up last 2 minutes of a first half and still win by 20?
The coaches didnt know at that time they would win 20-0 but that they were ahead 10-0 in a game where anything could happen. They were in position twice to score at the end of the half.
And they would be able to try to make plays in difficult situations which they will need to do in upcoming games.
Interesting thoughts in this thread and it is a 50-50 type of thing.
And this surprises you?
I think they were pretty 50/50. The first one, if we pun them back and get them to go 3 and out, we are in the same spot we would have been earlier by getting the 1st. As bad as their offense was, it probably made sense. But another factor is Nate's sneaking ability. I'd say there was at least a 95% chance we get the 1st both times. Hard to go against those percentages. If he wasnt great at sneaking, punting made a little more sense. As good as he is at it tho, probably should have leaned towards going for it.
The 2nd one was kinda tough to. We more than likely get the 1st down. But even if we do, we haven't shown the ability to do much with it anyway. Maybe going for the 1st down isn't a great idea if you're likely to go 3 and out IF you get it.
I assume what he thought was the last thing the team needed was to give the other team momentum going into the locker room. Our team didn't really need momentum. Theirs needed it desperately. That was maybe his tie breaker on the decision.
Regarding running 3 times. That had more to do with down and distance than it did being conservative.
The 2nd one was kinda tough to. We more than likely get the 1st down. But even if we do, we haven't shown the ability to do much with it anyway. Maybe going for the 1st down isn't a great idea if you're likely to go 3 and out IF you get it.
I assume what he thought was the last thing the team needed was to give the other team momentum going into the locker room. Our team didn't really need momentum. Theirs needed it desperately. That was maybe his tie breaker on the decision.
Regarding running 3 times. That had more to do with down and distance than it did being conservative.
I think in this game, playing conservative was the right call. In this game. That is because Northwestern was so outmatched on offense that they were not going to be able to drive the ball 80 or 90 yards without taking massive risks and really the only thing that was going to get them in the game was to get a turnover or stop us on downs or something where they can get a short field and hit a play, get a penalty, etc. No reason to do that there with them. That kind of brashness, to take unnecessary chances is what got Wisconsin beat last week.
Now in a more evenly matched game against a competent offense, we need to go for it there.
Now in a more evenly matched game against a competent offense, we need to go for it there.
That thinking is why we lost to them the last three years. When you’re better than someone and you know it and they know it, you demoralize them early.
dahlhawk
Well-Known Member
Agree there was almost 0 risk that NW scores from their 40. This was a chance for Iowa to stomp on a team that quite frankly has embarressed Kirk the last three years. Puzzelling decisions.
BigD
Well-Known Member
Couldn’t agree more and it could have cost us against Iowa State. They had the momentum and our defense looked tired. Thanks god for the stupid move of their own player to cause a fumble on that punt. I still laugh about that.
Northside Hawk
Well-Known Member
I was upset that Stanley took the sack on the first drive, which almost certainly led to the missed field goal. Nate is a senior and should know better. You chuck that one into the trombone section or hit a safety valve.
If an NFL quarterback pulled that crap and pushed his kicker back to non gimmee range, his teammates would probably tie him to the goal post in the next practice.
Agree with that Statue of Liberty move by Stanley...it was like a turnover. But, amazingly after that he seemed to find some lateral moves, Iowa used some more plays to offset a rush, he threw it away...all those things we have been telling them to do on this board
blubberhawk
Well-Known Member
Iowa played conservatively LONG before they were up 20..
