USC Loss

[hawkdrummer1]

This is really the point. It's pick your poison.

The problem was less our D (we held USC 14 points under their average) than the fact that our offense came up empty in the second half. USC hasn't shut out anybody else in the second half this year.

 

[Fryowa]

They went after Mendoza, and it worked until it didn’t. Sharat beat Lee on that dig route, Montgomery couldn’t quite get home, and that was the ball game. Lemon or Lane break one off, without safety help over-the-top, and we would be criticizing that as well.

You mean Maiava?

 

[Fryowa]

If nothing else, blitzes are going to make them mix up their approach, and it's going to make them hurry. As has been said already, we were getting torched regardless, make them torch you with linebackers in their face. There's nothing bad that could happen from repeated blitzes that wasn't already happening.

Listened to part of a USC podcast yesterday and heard multiple times how everyone was saying they couldn't believe Iowa never pass rushed once. They basically couldn't understand why Iowa stayed in the coverage they did the whole 2nd half and just let Maiava stand there and work.

Yeah it's the d-line's responsibility to get to the QB, but they weren't. Instead of mixing things up Iowa just kept beating their heads against the wall thinking it was gonna work.

Oh and you know what? That time way back when when Iowa beat OSU? Iowa inexplicably blitzed the hell out of Urbs. It can work.

 

[trj]

You mean Maiava?

No I meant Mendoza. They blitzed him quite a bit. They beat him up, but he made a money throw to Sharat with Montegomery in his face off a blitz.

 

[SwirlinLingerie]

If nothing else, blitzes are going to make them mix up their approach, and it's going to make them hurry. As has been said already, we were getting torched regardless, make them torch you with linebackers in their face. There's nothing bad that could happen from repeated blitzes that wasn't already happening.

Listened to part of a USC podcast yesterday and heard multiple times how everyone was saying they couldn't believe Iowa never pass rushed once. They basically couldn't understand why Iowa stayed in the coverage they did the whole 2nd half and just let Maiava stand there and work.

Yeah it's the d-line's responsibility to get to the QB, but they weren't. Instead of mixing things up Iowa just kept beating their heads against the wall thinking it was gonna work.

Oh and you know what? That time way back when when Iowa beat OSU? Iowa inexplicably blitzed the hell out of Urbs. It can work.

It's like my college track coach said. You don't want to die healthy, you want to die sick. He was an old school world class runner in his day, and also a smoker. So a lot to unpack there. If you die sick, it means you got to experience some different things before you kicked the bucket. Had a little fun along the way.

If you are getting killed in football, may as well try some things before you are fully dead. Die sick.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Speaking of the offense, since the announcers were busy glazing Lincoln Riley and USC the whole time I guess I didn't realize Dunker, Stephens and Pieper were all out. Any update how significant their injuries are? That is somewhat telling of our ineffectiveness in the 2nd half.

 

[HuckFinn]

Speaking of the offense, since the announcers were busy glazing Lincoln Riley and USC the whole time I guess I didn't realize Dunker, Stephens and Pieper were all out. Any update how significant their injuries are? That is somewhat telling of our ineffectiveness in the 2nd half.

Maybe today, Tuesday? Nothing yet.

 

[kicker22]

I think Phil would say that USC has two NFL caliber WR and no one in the Iowa secondary was capable of covering them 1-1. And, he would be right.

That said, I agree with you that that kid was carving us up. He looked incredibly comfortable back there. Our DEs have been disappointing this year. I still find it hard to believe that lose could not help on passing downs.

Didn't matter. Even with 2-3 guys (ie. the TD pass) it didn't matter they were still hauling it in. IMO your best bet is send the house and try to disrupt his rhythm. Worst case scenario you have one less guy in the vicinity to tackle them after they make the catch, because let's be honest they were catching everything when the game was close.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Phil's philosophy (and Norm's before him) is to force offenses to move the ball in small increments, relying on offenses to eventually make mistakes. That approach has been very effective over the years against average teams, but, it backfires against top-tier teams.

What I would like to see him do is practice a "plan B" to have ready against the better offenses. For it to be effective, you would have to devote regular practice time so that the players can change things up quickly without having to overthink, and that may be the problem. Phil believes in hammering the details of his scheme every week. Not doing so is risky in his mind, but the reality is the better offenses are not going to beat themselves.

I don't think he necessarily has to blitz a lot more, but have calls where players jump to the line just before the snap with the option of bailing out at the last second. At the very least, making the opposing players and coaches confused and uncomfortable during the flow of the game can't hurt.

 

[thedukeofearl]

I thought it was a bad call at the time, also. Had I known that three starting O linemen were out I would have thrown something at the TV.

During such painful times, one must have a basket full of foam bricks to hurl at the TV

 

[thedukeofearl]

Didn't matter. Even with 2-3 guys (ie. the TD pass) it didn't matter they were still hauling it in. IMO your best bet is send the house and try to disrupt his rhythm. Worst case scenario you have one less guy in the vicinity to tackle them after they make the catch, because let's be honest they were catching everything when the game was close.

Looked like all the USC receivers had to do was hold their hands out, and Maiava would just throw it into their hands

It became painful to watch

Unfortunately some joker placed a real brick into my basket full of foam bricks

My Bad

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Phil's philosophy (and Norm's before him) is to force offenses to move the ball in small increments, relying on offenses to eventually make mistakes. That approach has been very effective over the years against average teams, but, it backfires against top-tier teams.

What I would like to see him do is practice a "plan B" to have ready against the better offenses. For it to be effective, you would have to devote regular practice time so that the players can change things up quickly without having to overthink, and that may be the problem. Phil believes in hammering the details of his scheme every week. Not doing so is risky in his mind, but the reality is the better offenses are not going to beat themselves.

I don't think he necessarily has to blitz a lot more, but have calls where players jump to the line just before the snap with the option of bailing out at the last second. At the very least, making the opposing players and coaches confused and uncomfortable during the flow of the game can't hurt.

What's been odd is Phil usually does well with in game and 2nd half adjustments. It's a bit odd that it hasn't seemed like he did as much the last two games.

I assume it has a bit to do with the talent deficit and fear of the speed of the offense. In the Oregon game I noticed they slanted a lot to the edge and protected/contained against allowing the offense to get the edge. However, it left the middle open and allowed the interior line to get to the second level.

I don't fault Phil as his resume has spoken for itself. I chalk it up to doing what the best game plan was to limit chunk plays and damage and hope for that mistake or an individual to make a play.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Looked like all the USC receivers had to do was hold their hands out, and Maiava would just throw it into their hands

It became painful to watch

Unfortunately some joker placed a real brick into my basket full of foam bricks

My Bad

Maiava threw some dimes. And also threw the ball to places where his athletic receivers could high point catches. Maybe pressure alters this but him being able to stand in the pocket and eat a sandwich didn't make it easy on our secondary.

 

[hawkdrummer1]

Maiava threw some dimes. And also threw the ball to places where his athletic receivers could high point catches. Maybe pressure alters this but him being able to stand in the pocket and eat a sandwich didn't make it easy on our secondary.

You're not going to see many better pitch and catches this year than USC had. Talented QB and high level WRs.

That's why I think a little more pressure might have been good. As @haydensly said, pick your poison. At least with a blitz you're trying to throw him off his spot. With time and no pressure he'll find those WRs and they'll make the play.

 

[haydensly]

You're not going to see many better pitch and catches this year than USC had. Talented QB and high level WRs.

That's why I think a little more pressure might have been good. As @haydensly said, pick your poison. At least with a blitz you're trying to throw him off his spot. With time and no pressure he'll find those WRs and they'll make the play.

This was the best we've gone against this year and will see for the rest of the year.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

What's been odd is Phil usually does well with in game and 2nd half adjustments. It's a bit odd that it hasn't seemed like he did as much the last two games.

I assume it has a bit to do with the talent deficit and fear of the speed of the offense. In the Oregon game I noticed they slanted a lot to the edge and protected/contained against allowing the offense to get the edge. However, it left the middle open and allowed the interior line to get to the second level.

I don't fault Phil as his resume has spoken for itself. I chalk it up to doing what the best game plan was to limit chunk plays and damage and hope for that mistake or an individual to make a play.

Yeah. At the end of the day, any scheme ultimately relies upon talent and execution. Phil has been an absolute master at maximizing communication and preparation to cover up deficiencies, but, against very talented teams, there's only so much you can do.

Oregon's offensive line completely outmatched our defensive line. Iowa's tackles couldn't two-gap, which freed up Oregon's linemen to consistently get to the second level. Our ILBs simply aren't talented enough to either work around the blocks or stack-and-shed athletic linemen.

One of the biggest defensive surprises this season has been the absence of our ends in big moments. I was expecting Llewellyn to break out this season and Hurkett and Allen to take a leap, but, for the most part they've been MIA in those moments.

 

[HawkPowerlifter]

Yeah. At the end of the day, any scheme ultimately relies upon talent and execution. Phil has been an absolute master at maximizing communication and preparation to cover up deficiencies, but, against very talented teams, there's only so much you can do.

Oregon's offensive line completely outmatched our defensive line. Iowa's tackles couldn't two-gap, which freed up Oregon's linemen to consistently get to the second level. Our ILBs simply aren't talented enough to either work around the blocks or stack-and-shed athletic linemen.

One of the biggest defensive surprises this season has been the absence of our ends in big moments. I was expecting Llewellyn to break out this season and Hurkett and Allen to take a leap, but, for the most part they've been MIA in those moments.

Great points. I think the talent gap with the linebackers is the most glaring. I think Fry mentioned this is the least talented group for years. Maybe before the Outlaw Josey Jewell? Traditionally we have always had playmakers at that position and it's a "next man in" approach. Not this year.

As for the D-line, my hope is Epenesa comes in and makes an impact. Hawthorne has two more years and I think Pace does too? I think Allen Jr. is back for one more year. But yes, very little push and pressures.

I think the secondary will mature more. I honestly think Nwampa's overall career was a bit of a disappointment. I often wonder if he should have chosen the offensive side of the ball. I notice he tends to just throw his body and shoulder in instead of wrapping. But tackling this year has been atrocious overall

I love watching Luttmer. Kid is a baller! Entinger too.

 

[SCHawkeye2]

Great points. I think the talent gap with the linebackers is the most glaring. I think Fry mentioned this is the least talented group for years. Maybe before the Outlaw Josey Jewell? Traditionally we have always had playmakers at that position and it's a "next man in" approach. Not this year.

As for the D-line, my hope is Epenesa comes in and makes an impact. Hawthorne has two more years and I think Pace does too? I think Allen Jr. is back for one more year. But yes, very little push and pressures.

I think the secondary will mature more. I honestly think Nwampa's overall career was a bit of a disappointment. I often wonder if he should have chosen the offensive side of the ball. I notice he tends to just throw his body and shoulder in instead of wrapping. But tackling this year has been atrocious overall

I love watching Luttmer. Kid is a baller! Entinger too.

On the radio broadcast, Pat Angerer has been critical of our LB play all season (and he knows something about the position and role in the Iowa defensive scheme). Says they are out of position and taking bad angles. It doesn’t help that our DL is losing the LoS badly as well.

 

[#1DieHardHawk]

Great points. I think the talent gap with the linebackers is the most glaring. I think Fry mentioned this is the least talented group for years. Maybe before the Outlaw Josey Jewell? Traditionally we have always had playmakers at that position and it's a "next man in" approach. Not this year.

As for the D-line, my hope is Epenesa comes in and makes an impact. Hawthorne has two more years and I think Pace does too? I think Allen Jr. is back for one more year. But yes, very little push and pressures.

I think the secondary will mature more. I honestly think Nwampa's overall career was a bit of a disappointment. I often wonder if he should have chosen the offensive side of the ball. I notice he tends to just throw his body and shoulder in instead of wrapping. But tackling this year has been atrocious overall

I love watching Luttmer. Kid is a baller! Entinger too.

They haven't been bad by any stretch, but, again, against top-tier offenses, our weaknesses will get exposed.

I think our DBs have been solid. In the majority of the big plays, the coverage was very good. Ball placement was just unreal.