Special Teams
I mentioned in my pre-game Q&A with Badger of Honor that I thought the kicking game would be an important factor in this game considering how close these contests typically are. What I did not realize, however, was that it would be the punt game that would become the biggest difference maker in this Big Ten West showdown.
The Iowa football team made two uncharacteristic mistakes on special teams and both times, it involved senior wide receiver Kyle Groeneweg who has been a bright spot on special teams thus far. Mistakes happen, but these were, for the most part, unforced, and it really hurt the Hawkeyes.
The first major mistake 5:15 to play in the second quarter. Kyle Groeneweg made a nice move to the outside before turning up field. It looked like he was about to put Iowa in very good field position to make one last drive before the half ended. What actually happened was Groeneweg had the ball knocked out by Wisconsin defender D’Cota Dixon in what appeared to be just a freak accident.
Groeneweg had a lot of green. Wasn't even hit. Review? There's nothing to review.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) September 23, 2018
Dixon barely tapped the ball, but I firmly believe Groeneweg just wasn’t expecting anyone to make contact with him as it looked like he was about to head out of bounds. Fortunately, the Hawkeye defense made quite a stand and stopped Wisconsin from scoring on that mistake.
Special teams has cost Iowa significantly tonight. Groeneweg's fumble cost potential points, now this. Groeneweg also FC at the 3.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) September 23, 2018
The Hawks wouldn’t be as fortunate on the second mistake. With Iowa up 10-7, the Badgers were forced to punt ball after their drive stalled at the Iowa 47. Punter Anthony Lotti lofted a ball in the air and Kyle Groeneweg made the decision to not catch the ball. While the Badgers were waiting for the ball to settle before picking it up, reserve linebacker Shaun Beyer accidentally hit the ball while blocking a Wisconsin Badger. Wisconsin pounced on it and would score three players later to take a 14-10 lead.
2nd huge blunder on PR tonight for Iowa. No idea what 42 is doing going anywhere near that football on the ground. Got a break when the punt didn't roll inside the 10 and still managed to mess that one up. Tough to overcome mistakes like that
— Hawkeye Gamefilm (@hawkeyegamefilm) September 23, 2018
When asked about the play at the post-game press conference Kirk had this to say about how that punt return is supposed to be handled:
"Get away. There’s a communication involved there, but it seemed like most everybody was getting the message there, so for whatever reason it didn’t quite get communicated. And when you’re in that area it’s dangerous."
The next drive the Iowa football team would score a touchdown to take a 17-14 lead, but who knows what may have happened had Iowa not handed Wisconsin incredible field position just minutes before that. Wisconsin’s offense was unable to do anything against Iowa outside of their second drive of the game. It wasn’t until they were given that field position, did we even see some momentum begin to swing to the Badger’s side.
Either way, it was unfortunate, and I truly feel bad for the Iowa football players that were involved in both of those game-changing plays. As we will talk about in future posts this week, this game does not end hope for the Hawkeyes, but it does make it an uphill battle. If Iowa can clean up a few of the things above, they still have a chance to make a run.