tweeterhawk
Well-Known Member
The Big Ten Network has an outstanding feature on Nile Kinnick in its Big Ten icon series. If you haven't seen it, it's well worth catching.
Several facts stick out:
- Kinnick was a not very imposing 5-8, 170 pounds.
- He was not particularly quick but worked hard, was smart, made the best of what he had.
- He was a halfback, a position at that time that managed much of the offense. He was the team's main passer in Iowa's 6-1-1 1939 season, throwing for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as rushing for 374 yards on 106 carries (3.5-yard average).
- He also made 11-of-17 dropkick conversion attempts and scored 41 points.
- By passing, running or kicking, Kinnick was directly involved in 107 of Iowa's 130 points that season.
As was typical of the day, he played on both sides of the ball and played 402 of 420 consecutive minutes. On defense, he made eight interceptions. He also was the team's punter; several kicks were credited with pinning opponents well back in their own ends of the field.
He finished his career with 1,674 yards rushing, 18 interceptions and an average of 39.9 yards per punt.
As focused, size and strength-driven as division 1 NCAA football has become, with offensive players, defensive players, skill positions, specialists, etc., would Kinnick have a shot at being a Hawkeye today? At what position?
Several facts stick out:
- Kinnick was a not very imposing 5-8, 170 pounds.
- He was not particularly quick but worked hard, was smart, made the best of what he had.
- He was a halfback, a position at that time that managed much of the offense. He was the team's main passer in Iowa's 6-1-1 1939 season, throwing for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as rushing for 374 yards on 106 carries (3.5-yard average).
- He also made 11-of-17 dropkick conversion attempts and scored 41 points.
- By passing, running or kicking, Kinnick was directly involved in 107 of Iowa's 130 points that season.
As was typical of the day, he played on both sides of the ball and played 402 of 420 consecutive minutes. On defense, he made eight interceptions. He also was the team's punter; several kicks were credited with pinning opponents well back in their own ends of the field.
He finished his career with 1,674 yards rushing, 18 interceptions and an average of 39.9 yards per punt.
As focused, size and strength-driven as division 1 NCAA football has become, with offensive players, defensive players, skill positions, specialists, etc., would Kinnick have a shot at being a Hawkeye today? At what position?
