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Iowa football: Three ways the Hawks need to improve before they face Wisconsin

By Andrew Wade

IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the first half against defensive back Isaiah Nimmers #26 of the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the first half against defensive back Isaiah Nimmers #26 of the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Runningback Xavior Williams #9 of the Northern Iowa Panthers loses his helmet as he is brought down on a return in the first half by defensive back Matt Hankins #8 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Runningback Xavior Williams #9 of the Northern Iowa Panthers loses his helmet as he is brought down on a return in the first half by defensive back Matt Hankins #8 of the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Penalties

The Hawkeyes got off to a 21-0 start, but it could have been even better than that. Unfortunately penalties cost them that chance. In the first drive, there was a costly false start penalty followed by a sack. This after Iowa picked up two quick first downs and were beginning to get in a groove.

Granted, the Noah Fant injury timeout definitely didn’t help the offensive momentum, but the false start was the downfall.

Just a few moments later, a 30 yard punt return by Kyle Groeneweg was negated by an offensive holding penalty.

Needless to say the game got off to a frustrating start for the Iowa football team and Hawkeye fans all over. Despite the penalties, Iowa still jumped to a big lead and ultimately win. These penalties could hurt the team much more in a closer game.

I would call out the pass interference penalty that led to the Panthers scoring their first touchdown but I personally think that call was garbage so we won’t include it on here.

Iowa would finish the game with ten penalties for 88 yards. This has been a theme for the Iowa football program so far. Against Northern Illinois Iowa had eight penalties for 66 yards and against the Cyclones Iowa had six penalties for 55 yards.

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