What will change? Did Kirk learn anything?

[HawkeyeMHA]

Only needed 40-50.

Terrible decision to sit on it and give the ball back to a team you haven't been able to stop all day.

Just plain pathetic.

Yeah, you're right we just needed a field goal. I would have tried a throw on first and second and seen what happened. Throw to McNutt or use him as a decoy for someone else. How many times last year did we see teams go the distance on us in a minute....

 

[Rick1988]

I would have even thought about going hurry up and trying to get a 2pt conversion in the second OT. Coker was getting about 4 yds a pop at that time or looked for McNutt on a fade (he was about 6 inches taller than any of their DB's especially with his long arms), or even called the slant that won the MSU game two years ago. I don't think anybody in the country would have been looking for us to go for two at that time. It's risky, but what the heck they lost anyway.

 

[DesMoinesHawki]

The 4 and 1 in overtime still sticks with me ... And, of course, the decision to sit on the ball at the end of regulation ... I could and would agree with Kirk's decision in both instances ... IF ... we showed our defense could stop them. There was no way we were going to stop ISU ... As the game wore on, ISU had its way with a tired defense. In this game, I honestly would have preferred to get stuffed on 4 and 1 and let ISU kick the game-winning field goal. At least we would have taken a shot ... Would much rather lose by taking a chance then by placing the ball back in the opponent's hand -- especially an opponent who moved the ball at will against us.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

The 4 and 1 in overtime still sticks with me ... And, of course, the decision to sit on the ball at the end of regulation ... I could and would agree with Kirk's decision in both instances ... IF ... we showed our defense could stop them. There was no way we were going to stop ISU ... As the game wore on, ISU had its way with a tired defense. In this game, I honestly would have preferred to get stuffed on 4 and 1 and let ISU kick the game-winning field goal. At least we would have taken a shot ... Would much rather lose by taking a chance then by placing the ball back in the opponent's hand -- especially an opponent who moved the ball at will against us.

And don't forget the 4th and Goal from the 2 yard line in the 3rd quarter and KF takes the FG. No way was he going to go for the TD. Yeah, you may lose out on 3 points, but pretty sure we already had the lead at that point, and could have gone up 10. And if you fail, well ISU starts in the shadow of it's own goalposts. Maybe you get a safety, or maybe you actually stop them and get the ball back in ISU territory after a punt. Or maybe you block a punt and get a TD.

But KF took the safe way out and kicked a 19 yard FG. Woo hoo, we were still up by less than just 1 possession. Would have to go back and look at the play by play, but I thought the ensuing kickoff was the one where ISU returned it to mid-field.

For the most part, KF's philosophy works. But unfortunately, he tries to make it a one-size-fits-all philosophy for all occasions. There's nothing wrong with a conservative approach, but there are times where you have to man up and go for it when the chips are down.

 

[3truefans]

How about another question, if Ferentz was open to change would you want him to? I mean I'd say his conservative approach, while probably infuriating at times, has worked out pretty well for you guys overall.

 

[David79]

Let's not forget that it is the players who couldn't stop Iowa State on 3 and 15 on their final drive in regulation or when it was fourth down on the final drive. If just one of our Dlineman can make a play the game is over.

 

[1977Hawkeye]

How about another question, if Ferentz was open to change would you want him to? I mean I'd say his conservative approach, while probably infuriating at times, has worked out pretty well for you guys overall.

I don't think that people are asking Ferentz to make wholesale changes and coach with wreckless abandon. It seems like most people would just like to see just a few tweaks, and to man up on occasion when he's got an opportunity to win the game instead of always sitting on the ball.

 

[edr247]

Most seem to agree that Kirk's decision to sit on the ball at 1:17 with two TOs was a fatal mistake. This hardly needs any further discussion.

The more important questions going forward:
1) Did Kirk learn anything?
2) Do you think Kirk will actually change anything and become more aggressive?
2b)...if not, is this a defendable decision?

1) NO

2) NO!

2b) NO!!

 

[hawkfan340]

I don't think that people are asking Ferentz to make wholesale changes and coach with wreckless abandon. It seems like most people would just like to see just a few tweaks, and to man up on occasion when he's got an opportunity to win the game instead of always sitting on the ball.

Bingo.

 

[kicker22]

The thing is, it's not "a mistake" it's playing it safe and taking the opportunity to give your offense a chance to win it in regulation.
It's a mindset and decision making process that ended up in two loses (we could have won or lost either game, so not going to say it cost us two wins). The coaching staff has made these decisions before, and whether it's the right decision or not, the fans have every right to be upset because they've given up on regulation time and decided to take the tie and go to OT.

 

[blkngldFRO]

Simply put KF is a vanilla guy. You want exciting play wait for basketball season.

KF has learned nothing because there is nothing to learn. This is the way he wants to play football. It is unfortunate because they need to make changes to the "Iowa" way if they want to win 8 games this year.

Ether way....where KFs sack use to be is now a bag of money that holds 1mil, and he is protecting it like it's his family jewels.