This was the PERFECT opener for Iowa

M

Maroons19

Well-Known Member
Played well enough to win handily, but made enough mistakes to keep their heads screwed on right leading up to ISU. The starters got 3 1/2 quarters of work in as opposed to only a half. EUI's offense will be somewhat similar to ISU's (whereas Northern Illinois' O is nothing like Iowa's) - so the Hawks may have some advantage in terms of prep this week. No major injuries. There will be zero overconfidence and pure focus going into the ISU game. Historically, when Iowa plays outstanding and ISU struggles before the matchup, ISU kicks the crap out of us (e.g. 2005 - Ball St., 2007 - Syracuse). The Hawks didn't play outstanding today, but they did put in their typical workman like effort that will only help them better prepare/execute next week. Can't wait!
 






ArizonaHawkeye88 said:
They have too keep the end goal in mind and play each game to the max.
One at a time.
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Excellent post. I agree...they are not so good that they can mail it in each week.

KF has always been amazing at staying "on point" by saying they need to improve each week. It's true.
 


I'm hoping we play well next week, and keep our focus on ISU first, and not look ahead to Arizona.

But yeah, we had plenty of things to work on. Should hopefully keep the guys hungry next week.
 


racerhawk said:
Excellent post. I agree...they are not so good that they can mail it in each week.

KF has always been amazing at staying "on point" by saying they need to improve each week. It's true.
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Did you happen to catch the post-game interview with KF as he exited the field? He was precisely "on point" about what needs to improve with all three phases of the game for our boys. He said Stanzi pressed after a relaxed start (a point which Stanzi later confirmed in his own interview), and the D and/or special teams got suckered on the fake punt.
KF did not smile during the interview.
I expect this to be a hard week of practice, with intense coach-ups. :cool:
 




edr247 said:
I'm hoping we play well next week, and keep our focus on ISU first, and not look ahead to Arizona.

But yeah, we had plenty of things to work on. Should hopefully keep the guys hungry next week.
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Nobody will be looking ahead to Arizona.
 


VintageHawkeye said:
Did you happen to catch the post-game interview with KF as he exited the field? He was precisely "on point" about what needs to improve with all three phases of the game for our boys. He said Stanzi pressed after a relaxed start (a point which Stanzi later confirmed in his own interview), and the D and/or special teams got suckered on the fake punt.
KF did not smile during the interview.
I expect this to be a hard week of practice, with intense coach-ups. :cool:
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Yes, I did see the post game interview. Classic Kirk. Should be a tough week of practice. Still "lots of things to correct." Or, "clean up" as he likes to say.

Ain't nobody looking beyond ISU this week, I hope.

I could be wrong, but I think ISU's offense is going to be in for a rude awakening. I guess we'll see.
 


PS--I also like the player-leaders on this team. They seem to really keep the week to week thing in perspective, and sound like Mini-Kirks when they talk. I like it.
 


I agree. After the punt and those torchings on that scoring drive...my response....

"This will give the coaches something to scream about".

Solid game. Especially for a usually slow-starting Hawk squad.
 


I know that Hawk fans, like myself, were expecting even more of a blow-out. However, I really was satisfied with how Eastern Illinois represented themselves. They really did play hard ... and they most definitely didn't quit. Most importantly, there also clearly played like a well-coached squad.

Anyhow, the good news is that the Hawks played hard and seemed to play with a good attitude. Furthermore, the starters saw A LOT more reps than I thought that they would. All in all, that's actually quite a good thing too.

Most of all, I actually was pleasantly surprised with the quality of our running game. I know that we didn't have an outstanding YPC ... however, a lot of that is due to the fact that our OL is getting the pieces put together.

As a side note, I absolutely LOVED how we used our TEs in the game. Kudos to the coaches for getting the TEs so involved in the game. We clearly need to get the guys up to speed ASAP. They'll help us force opposing Ds to simplify ... and that is critical!
 


edr247 said:
I'm hoping we play well next week, and keep our focus on ISU first, and not look ahead to Arizona.

But yeah, we had plenty of things to work on. Should hopefully keep the guys hungry next week.
Click to expand...

I don't think that's going to be a problem.
 


homerHAWKeye777 said:
I know that Hawk fans, like myself, were expecting even more of a blow-out. However, I really was satisfied with how Eastern Illinois represented themselves. They really did play hard ... and they most definitely didn't quit. Most importantly, there also clearly played like a well-coached squad.

Anyhow, the good news is that the Hawks played hard and seemed to play with a good attitude. Furthermore, the starters saw A LOT more reps than I thought that they would. All in all, that's actually quite a good thing too.

Most of all, I actually was pleasantly surprised with the quality of our running game. I know that we didn't have an outstanding YPC ... however, a lot of that is due to the fact that our OL is getting the pieces put together.

As a side note, I absolutely LOVED how we used our TEs in the game. Kudos to the coaches for getting the TEs so involved in the game. We clearly need to get the guys up to speed ASAP. They'll help us force opposing Ds to simplify ... and that is critical!
Click to expand...

It was pretty close. Iowa had botched exchange on the 2, and ended the game on the EIU 6. Very easily could have been 50 points.
 








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