Thoughts on Indiana Game

Once again the Hawkeyes found a way to overcome adversity to win another football game and become 9-0 on the season. We have seen all kinds of once in a lifetime type plays this season, but nothing was more bizarre than the events that unfolded during the Indiana game. Here are my thoughts on the game.

Leadership. I have said it many times this season, but Ricky Stanzi has one of the best intangible attributes of a quarterback that is impossible to coach. His ability to stay in the moment and forget what has happened, whether good or bad, is one of the best intangibles a quarterback can possess. Two of Stanzi’s interceptions can be attributed to the swirling winds in Kinnick Stadium, and another can be attributed to the umpire interfering with Keenan Davis’s route. I would echo the sentiments of Stanzi’s teammates who all have said that they would not want anyone else leading this team at quarterback. As the old golf euphemism goes, it is not how, but how many. In Stanzi’s case, it is 9-0 this season and 16-3 as a starter. I will take that person as my quarterback and leader any day of the week.

Defense. The Iowa defense answered the call yet again on Saturday. They were placed in several precarious positions and were able to hold Indiana from putting the game out of reach. Tyler Sash’s interception was something out of a video game but was certainly needed at that juncture in the game as it seemed to breathe new life into the team and the Kinnick faithful. Sash is now two interceptions away from tying Lou King and Nile Kinnick for the Iowa single season interception record of eight. With three interception prone quarterbacks on deck, it is certainly possible that the pride of Oskaloosa will be able to tie or break the record. Despite being forced to coach from the press box on Saturday due to health reasons, Norm Parker again showed why he and his defensive coaching staff are incredible at making second half adjustments. Indiana was held to only 3 points and only 117 yards of offense in the second half. Granted, I still think that Iowa got away with one with the overturned touchdown call in the third quarter, but I still think that the Iowa offense would have put up 28 points in the fourth quarter even if they would have been down 28-14. Speaking of which, maybe it is because I have been subjecting myself to Joe Buck and Tim McCarver during the World Series and, unfortunately, Terry Bradshaw’s blabbering when the BCS standings were released, but why does everyone in our society point to officiating as reasons why a team loses a game? Indiana got beat on Saturday because Iowa was the better team. The officials may have missed a call or two, but to say that it had a bearing on the outcome is ludicrous. Likewise, it is asinine to imply that the officials were intentionally trying to keep Iowa undefeated to help the Big Ten’s BCS hopes, as CBSSports writer Gregg Doyel wrote. Although it will not happen, I wish that writers who write material like that were reprimanded by not receiving press credentials or were prevented from obtaining interview access.

Special Teams Conundrum. This is not a slight at Colin Sandeman in any way, but I did not think that Iowa would miss him on Saturday as much as they did. Boy was I wrong. Yes, the wind was a factor, but Iowa’s punt return game was an adventure all day long. My prediction on Keenan Davis returning punts came true, but after mishandling his first return, Amari Spievey was given the duty. Spievey’s fumble at the end of the second quarter capped off what was one of worst halves of Iowa football that I have seen in a long time. Here is to hoping that it is a calm day this next Saturday. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos, however, looked very comfortable returning kicks on Saturday and was able to give Iowa very favorable field position on two returns, even though one was called back for a penalty. By the way, the last time Iowa returned a kickoff for a touchdown was CJ Jones’s return in the Orange Bowl, and the last kickoff return for a touchdown during the regular season was in that same 2002 season against Michigan State by Jermelle Lewis. Given some of the parallels between this season and that 2002 season, do you think a kickoff return for a touchdown is in the cards? Daniel Murray has been a very reliable kicker this season, but the yanked 44 yard attempt looked like a kick made by those people who have to make a field goal on national television during a conference championship game as part of a contest in order to win a large cash prize. Likewise, Ryan Donahue’s shanked eight yard punt was essentially a turnover, as it gave Indiana great field position and led to a Hoosier touchdown. Here is to thinking that both kickers had a poor game and will bounce back this week.

Team Mentality. In each game this season, a different person has stepped up to make that special play to vault the Hawkeyes to victory. Tyler Sash was that person against Iowa State, Adrian Clayborn against Penn State, Tony Moeaki against Michigan, and Marvin McNutt against Michigan State. While those memorable plays and performances will be engrained in our memories forever, the ability of this team to pick one another up is one of the things I will remember the most about this season. The outside world, both fans and critics, has no effect on this team. The players view each week as just another opportunity to improve and, on each Saturday this fall, play the game they love. The famous Bo Schembechler quote seems very appropriate for this year’s Iowa team: No one man is more important than the team. No one coach is more important than the team. The team, the team, the team.

Boy is this fun. The Hawkeyes are 9-0 and have an opportunity to improve to 10-0 on Saturday against a deflated Northwestern team. I know it sounds like a broken record, but I really think that the Iowa offense is close to putting together a 60 minute ballgame. With the defense continuing to play great football, I have a great feeling about Saturday’s contest.