Wow – as Iowa fans, we were blessed with two stress-free games? Back-to-back weeks? Can we do that more often, please?
This looked really tricky all week. Even with the late Aidan Chiles news that he would miss the game – they need him back badly; given the current state of THE Ohio State Buckeyes, Chiles could be enough to see next week’s game over the line – this felt like one of those games with Northwestern that we’d biff late. New stadium. Good team overall, with their two losses at Indiana and
at Oregon by close margins. Fun, crazy concepts with the mad scientist, Chip Kelly, leading the offense. A quarterback we have no experience against. We’ve seen Iowa struggle with that before.
And then the game started and Iowa put them in a chokehold right away with two fantastic drives in their first three possessions. The game was essentially over 90 seconds into the second quarter.
It was also a slightly odd game from the Hawks. Iowa put up two quick touchdowns in the opening 16 minutes of the game, amassing 179 yards of offense and another length of the field touchdown that ended with The Boogeyman finding the end zone, another great pass from Hank Brown. Then they had a shade over 100 yards of offense the remainder of the game, two bad turnovers – Brown’s worst throw in a long time, and Diaz getting loose with the handle.
Whatever. Again, there’s the choke out. Northwestern did nothing the entire game. Northwestern’s drive chart was punt, punt, downs, punt, punt, punt, field goal, downs, downs, touchdown after the Diaz fumble. They didn’t threaten Iowa in any way all night and it’s another comfortable win for the Hawkeyes.
I’m remiss for going this far without mentioning the defense and special teams. Ok yeah, Northwestern lacks bite without Chiles. Their backup did admirably – he’s undoubtedly sore this morning – but they lack so much without Chiles. Iowa’s defense had them bottled up all night. And you have players like Bryce Hawthorne out here ragdolling guys.
And again, the special teams unit comes up with a big play, again from Braeden Jackson. I watched this at a game watch with fans here in Denver, and all we could talk about post-kick return is how Jackson got away from everyone. How did he get away from everyone??
Iowa has a great defense, great special teams, and the offense has moments where they’re truly dynamic. Even with a mile-long injury list yesterday, Iowa was still productive and contained Northwestern all night (LJ Phillips is owed a touchdown soon; 6 yards per carry will do just fine, Mr. Phillips.) All in all, a comfortable win. A comfortable Saturday night. I like that. Hopefully others – COUGH the playoff committee – notice it, too.
We’re onto Purdue.
Other thoughts:
- I really haven’t given enough love to the defense. Iowa had 6 sacks yesterday, 8 tackles for loss, and they kept the lid on the Northwestern offense all night. What a great group. The secondary gets better every week, the linebackers are fast and hit hard, and the line got after Nicco Marchiol all night. They’ve given up two touchdowns in three games. One a late garbage time score, the other a gift due to a penalty giving the opponent a second fourth-and-goal opportunity from the 1. That’s it.
- The Brown touchdown to Diaz – I don’t know what it is but some of these throws from Brown look like a howitzer coming off his hand. The touchdown to Vander Zee in the loss-that-will-not-be-named, this throw to Diaz. When he lets one rip…wow. Guy was in his bag, even with the interception that looked like miscommunication. AND he’s mobile.
- Again – how did Jackson get away from everyone? Astounding. He’s now at 5 touchdowns this year. He’ll certainly make those freshman All-America teams. Another kick return and he’ll be on your normal All-America teams as the kick returner. What a find. He kept Iowa in the Michigan game and then put this one to bed.
- What was the stat after Iowa’s 97-yard drive? They’ve had three of those this year? Really impressive. The offense didn’t do much after the game got to 14-0, but that’s an amazing stat. They can get drives going. Also the drive had this from Phillips. Angry run.
- We’ll have a story up later today on Iowa’s playoff chances so I’ll leave it to my colleague but in short – they’re very much alive. We didn’t get as much help as we probably would’ve liked elsewhere, but we got some and we’re very much in the race. I’d guess Iowa gets up to the 15 or 16 range. Just keep winning. Purdue at home next week – Purdue lost in West Lafayette to Maryland – before we head to Champaign.
