Hawkeyes Struggle in Important Game Against Spartans
By Devin Keller
In perhaps the most important game coming after a heartbreaking defeat against Penn State, the Hawkeyes came up short.
After a stunning performance against the Big Ten’s best team, Penn State, we all knew what would happen. Yes, this game was definitely a “hangover” type game. Many mistakes cost this Hawkeye team a victory in East Lansing. And sadly, just two things, combined in this game and Penn State, would have made this team 5-0 and well within the top15.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes gave up far too many passes to open receivers. Over 200 yards passing Iowa had allowed on 7.6 average. And check this stat, the highest rusher of the entire game was MSU QB Brian Lewerke, with 42. So after that had been said, you can probably assume how the running game was for both teams. Iowa gave MSU WR Felton Davis III 114 yards on the day, with 12.7 average yards per catch. That’s averaging a first down per catch, which, yikes. Davis III accounted for the two touchdowns the Spartans had on the day.
Rushing, Iowa gave up, again, 42 yards to QB Lewerke and 28 to LJ Scott. Scott had 14 carries on the day averaging two yards per carry. Scott hasn’t been as effective as he was meant to be ever since his incredible 2015 season. MSU Combined as a team rushed for 88 yards on 40 total carries, zero rushing touchdowns.
The Hawkeyes offensive looked incredibly sluggish, especially after their magnificent performance on September 16th against the Nittany Lions.
Nate Stanley threw for 192 yards with a 16/31 completion rate, averaging 6.2 yards per completed pass. Stanley threw/accounted for zero touchdowns on the day, though threw for an interception, which was technically counted as a fumble, at the five yard line which would’ve gave us a 17-17 tie. That was one of the things that would have possibly gave us the chance at a green W.
Ferentz switched on his “new Kirk” mode and did a fake punt pass to AJ Epenesa. Wait, Epenesa receiving a pass? Yep, you read that right.
This was definitely not expected, especially since Iowa has been the most Iowa we’ve seen every single season. But hey, if Ferentz wants to flip the switch to a “not boring” game style, please sign me up, myself and behalf of Iowa fans. Iowa rushing on the day was not quite there. Only one, yes, one, running back ran for positive yardage, and that’s Wadley. Wadley ran for 30 yards on 1.8 average per carry. With James Butler injured, it’s definitely challenging in this running game for the Hawkeyes, considering they have only one option, and he was locked down 99% of this game. 17 carries Wadley had this game, although he accounted for the only touchdown on the day.
Iowa receiving, T.J. Hockenson accounted for 46 yards on only three receptions (long 22 yards). Nick Easley caught two receptions on 33 yards, his longest was 32 yards, the longest play on the day for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Ihmir Smith-Marsette caught one pass for 31 yards. Matt Vandeberg caught three passes for 31 yards, and Noah Fant caught two for 21 yards. Wadley also caught three passes for 17 yards. And yes, I guess we can count AJ Epenesa in there for one reception for 15 yards. Still makes me grin.
Overall, it is quite hard to tell what exactly went wrong in this game, as there is lots of malfunctions.
This game can be blamed for basically every category of football. I’m not one to say “we need a quarterback change” or anything like that. Stanley is doing far better than what I’ve expected, and I just cannot stand how people think Stanley needs replaced. This was one of those games where Iowa just was not into it. And to make that worse, the play calling was just brutal. There were to many plays that didn’t make sense or didn’t work at all. Although, Michigan State played a great game and deserved this win, fair and square. This game will hopefully be forgotten and not in the heads of these Hawkeyes heading back to Iowa City for the Fighting Illini on October 7th.
Although it’s quite frustrating, you can’t get mad at this incredibly young team. And yes, there is some really dumb stuff that happens offensively, specifically, but this team has lots to learn. Remember, Stanley is a sophomore playing in his first season, and he’s had an incredible start. Yes, the play calling was really bad, but I am very excited for the future of this team, and cannot wait for what’s ahead this 2017 season.