If you actually watch KF's presser after the game, for perhaps the first time in his 20 years two reporters DID actually ask pointed questions about why Fant only played 9 snaps in the 2nd half. When Ferentz gave the standard line, they actually followed up. When Ferentz tried to imply they didn't know the difference between '11' and '12' personnel, they let it be known they knew exactly what it meant, and that even in '11' personnel groupings Fant had been put in the slot in previous games. It was beyond refreshing to hear reporters asking questions beyond "What does Player X bring to your team?"
Now, onto the game. I was at the game, close to the field. In a game in which Iowa HAD to be prepared to throw the ball early and often, NW came out and put 10 -- literally 10 guys -- within 5 yds of the LOS, and had 1-on-1, press coverage along the sideline on Iowa's lone WR. It was perhaps the biggest gift a defense could give an offense. A simple audible and long sideline throw would give you a 66% chance of a long completion or interference penalty. Iowa ran off-tackle. NW continued this defensive alignment for two consecutive possessions and Iowa didn't take advantage. Just mind-boggling. Of 41 passes, I can remember 4 that were thrown over 15 yds...against a defensive backfield that is very short and depleted. Of those 4, one was a TD, another drew an interference penalty, one was caught just out of bounds, and the other incomplete.
Iowa's O-line seems to be taking a step backward -- NW rarely rushed more than 4 guys the entire game (vs. Iowa's 5 O-linemen) and got good pressure on nearly every throw. NW never rushed more than 3 guys both of Iowa's last 2 possessions and they were STILL getting pressure on Stanley.
Defensive adjustments were no better. NW has been running on 1st down probably 80%+ of the time their previous 2 games. Iowa looked as tho they'd never watched tape and noticed that trend...I'm a casual fan watching from my freakin' COUCH and I saw that trend. So what did Iowa defensive coaches do in the 2nd half to stop the runs on 1st down? Nothing. Same 4-3 base D for almost every single possession. Unbelievable.
This game had all the earmarks of an arrogant coaching staff, feeling they could just run their basic stuff because of superior talent. If you hold a team to 14 pts in 2018 you ought to win the game. This loss is on the offensive coaches and the O-line.