Thoughts on Northwestern Game

As a good friend once told me, they are the Hawks and they always break your heart. Do not get me wrong, this season has been one for the ages and I am not down on any of the players at all. It is just unfortunate that one injury totally changed the direction of this season from a path to glory to a path to uncertainty. Here are my thoughts on the game.

One Play. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if Ricky Stanzi had not been injured, Iowa would have won the football game by more than two touchdowns. Iowa was moving the ball at will against Northwestern early and would have been able to do so for the remainder of the game. Arguably the biggest play in the game was Stanzi’s first interception that completely shifted the field position match and resulted in Iowa having the ball at their own six yard line, which led to the play Iowa fans would like to forget. Some people have questioned and criticized Ken O’Keefe’s play call on that play. While I have gone back and forth on it, I am convinced that it was not a bad call. Marvin McNutt scored on a 92 yard pass play the week before on that same play, unfortunately Corey Wootten read the play correctly and made a great play. It is ironic to think that just a week ago people were talking about what play from this season would be the most memorable: the blocked field goals against UNI, Adrian Clayborn’s blocked punt against Penn State, McNutt’s catch against Michigan State? At this point in time, it appears as though the most memorable, yet forgettable play might be Stanzi’s fumble that led to his injury.

Defense. The defense this year has been absolutely incredible in their ability to be placed in difficult situations and keep the team in the game. The defense only gave up ten points on Saturday. An offense that is incapable of scoring more than ten points does not deserve to win many games. Likewise, Iowa lost one match against Northwestern that it has been winning most of the season, the turnover margin game. Although I am sure there is statistical analysis on this next point, the probability of a team that turns the ball over four times winning a game is very low. Iowa has been playing with fire all year with their inability to put teams away, and although they were able to overcome six turnovers against Indiana, it finally caught up with them on Saturday. The defense can only respond against adversity so many times, and although they did everything possible to create turnovers, it was not enough.

Special Teams. Other than Daniel Murray’s miss from 46 yards, the special teams play was vastly improved from Indiana. Ryan Donahue’s 73 yard punt was what we have expected from him the entire year. Likewise, I was very impressed with the return game. Derrell Johnson-Koulianos was impressive on kickoff returns and Tyler Sash was more than serviceable when he was forced into punt return duty.

Penalties. I am going to comment on penalties with two caveats. First, Iowa has been the recipient of several favorable calls and non-calls this season. Second, officiating is part of the game and if the official throws a flag, then that is the call on the field. With that said, why in the world was there a holding penalty called against Rafael Eubanks on Brandon Wegher’s touchdown run? Explain to me the logic in the defender getting flat out beat and out-muscled and then penalizing the lineman? There were also several missed defensive holding calls on Northwestern, but again, a team should be able to overcome those calls.

Well, we are essentially down to a two game season going from talk about a Rose Bowl trip to the potential of falling all the way to the Outback Bowl. Granted, if you would have told me at the beginning of the year that we would be 9-1 at this point in the season, I would have accepted it in an instance. The way in which Iowa lost to Northwestern was more upsetting and is why Hawkeye fans have been in a state of shock and, in some cases, a state of anger. It is now the James Vandenberg show from here on out. Can you imagine a more high-pressure situation for the first start of a redshirt freshmen quarterback than at Ohio Stadium with a Rose Bowl berth and Big Ten championship at stake? While I think that the chances are low, there is a reason teams play the game. With a week of practice, Vandenberg will look more comfortable under center on Saturday. If the defense can limit Ohio State to ten points and if Iowa commits no turnovers, Iowa has a chance.