subject: What happened to Iowa versus Wisconsin [print this page] What happened to Iowa versus Wisconsin What happened to Iowa versus Wisconsin
Iowa Football
My Take
Iowa Wisconsin
Where did it go wrong?
After reminiscing over the past few days, and having many discussions with fellow Hawk fans, we can debate all day if Stanzi should have spiked the ball or not. Truthfully, the majority of us would agree he should have, but let's be honest, the game was not lost in the final twelve seconds. Sure, having the "opportunity" to win would have been nice, but realistically, the game was lost in the first 59:48.
The game of football is won or lost in three phases: Offense, Defense, and Special Teams.
Offense
I am one of the first to criticize our offense when Iowa is on the losing end (even on the winning end), i.e. Were we too conservative, why didn't we go for in on 4th and 1, with that offensive line, we should be able to pick up one yard, and etc. However, during the Wisconsin game, the offense was consistent, and played very well. The offensive line provided Stanzi great pass protection; they opened nice holes for Robinson, and limited the penalties.
Defense
If someone would have told me we were going to score thirty points against Wisconsin at home, I would have told them we would win by ten plus points. Unfortunately, our defense had a tough time stopping Wisconsin. Wisconsin didn't have a scoring drive under ten plays, and the defense could not stop them on 2nd down. So many times during the game, Wisconsin would be faced with a 2nd and 7/8, and they would complete a 6-7 yard pass in front of our linebackers or corners leaving them a 3rd and 1 or 2. With a huge offensive line, and a big back like Clay, one to two yards was easy to pick up. Plus, the defense was unable to stop Wisconsin once they started a drive beyond their forty yard-line.
Special Teams
Oh boy.This has been our Achilles heel all season. (see Arizona). Once a strong point of our Iowa team's, and a reason for a lot of our success over the years, this year's special teams is pretty shaky at best. I can think of four special team plays that resulted directly or indirectly into nineteen Wisconsin points. I want to emphasize indirectly because the defense still had to make plays, and yes, you have to give Wisconsin credit because they did take advantage of the miscues.
Play # 1 the blocked extra point. The second of the year, and again played a huge part in the outcome of both games. 1 point.
Play # 2 the high snap on the field goal attempt. If you remember, during that series, we had a 3rd and 1 deep in Wisconsin territory. We had two penalties which turned the 3rd and 1 into a 3rd and 11. 3 points.
Play # 3 the off sides penalty on the kick off. We had great coverage, and limited Gilreath to a mediocre return. Unfortunately, Wisconsin wanted us to re-kick. Gilreath returned the re-kick out to mid-field. Wisconsin scored a touchdown on the ensuing drive. (see defense above ). 7 points.
Play # 4 the play of the game. The fake punt. Let's reset the stage. We had just scored ten unanswered points, and took a six point lead with three time outs remaining. The crowd was at a frantic pitch, probably the loudest I have ever heard the fans at Kinnick. Wisconsin was pinned deep in their territory staring at a 4th and 5 with 5:30+ minutes left in the game with one time-out. We had all of the momentum, and they, like us, had troubles stopping one another on offense. At this point in the game, a punt return doesn't matter. We want the ball. By the way, I believe the Wisconsin punter was punting from around the Wisconsin ten yard line (line of scrimmage around the 20). If he would have kicked a 60 yard punt, the ball would have landed around the Iowa 20. Let's just imagine, for one second, Iowa was thinking they may fake the punt. So, we send out our defense, play them straight up, and maybe put someone back to receive a punt. Maybe, or we just let the ball drop and they down the punt. Worst case scenario, he sends off a punt of 60+ yards. Now, we have the ball with 5:20 left in the game on our own 20/30 yard line with three time outs. If we go three and out, we either force Wisconsin to burn their last time out, or we run 1:30 off the game clock. Of course at this point, you can formulate all kinds of scenarios of what can go wrong, but you get the idea.
So what did we do? We set up for a punt return, and rush two on the outside, leaving the middle wide open. First down Wisconsin.Touchdown Wisconsin..game over.
Next up: Michigan State
Fans traveling out of state, please take a look at the following? Want to get reimbursed to stay in a motel? Want to take advantage of cheap tickets, commissions on reservations, and etc., please take a look. I was skeptical at first too, but now, I am sold!
