After Akrum Wadley’s departure, we weren’t sure which guy would step up to the task of replacing him with the Iowa football team. Turns out, three did.
Through four games in this college football season, the Iowa football team has had three different leading rushers in terms of rushing attempts. While part of that has to do with opening game starter Ivory Kelly-Martin being out with an injury in weeks two and three, much of it has to do with the fact that Iowa currently possess three backs with varying skill sets who can all make an impact on Saturdays. It’s something that Kirk has noticed, and is quite obviously excited about too.
Heading into the 2018 season, most expected power back Toren Young to be the presumed starter, but Kelly-Martin beat him out during camp. Adding to the mix was a guy who was on nobody’s radar, sophomore transfer Mekhi Sargent. Sargent is coming off an All-American season at Iowa Western and has made himself known in the first four games of the season.
What makes these three guys work is that each offers a different skill set that Brian Ferentz has employed beautifully thus far through four games.
Ivory Kelly-Martin is a speedster, and he is a guy who can really help in a lot of areas of the game. Kirk had this to say about him in his Tuesday media conference.
"He’s probably the most experienced, game experience plus versatile, of the three guys."
Toren Young is the power back, the guy who is going to bulldoze over people when and wear down the defense. He is more of the traditional back that we’ve been accustomed to in the Iowa football program. The beauty of his play is that he can bring life to a quiet crowd in an instant with the way he runs so hard downfield.
"Toren is what he is and we like what he is. I want to make sure I’m clear on that……He runs that ball up in there hard and tough and that gives us — it gives us an energy that’s positive."
What Young doesn’t do though, is provide that versatility that Ferentz was able to take advantage of last year with Wadley.
"Of the three, he’s the least apt to be a guy you would flank out wide, that type of thing, and throw a ball too probably."
Meanwhile, there is Mekhi Sargent. Sargent was lightly recruited out of Iowa Western after an outstanding season, but fortunately for the young back from Florida, he has found a home with the Iowa football team. Kirk has made quite a few mentions about how pleased he is with Sargent. The praise didn’t stop on Tuesday.
"Mekhi is learning every day and looking better every day. And he’s kind of somewhere in there between [Kelly-Martin and Young in terms of speed and power]."
Even with the return of Kelly-Martin to the lineup, we expect all three backs to play prominent roles going forward. Against Wisconsin, the carries were split up 14 (Kelly-Martin), 6 (Young), and 6 (Sargent).
Currently for the season Toren Young has 49 carries for 268 yards and two touchdowns. Sargent has 44 carries for 151 yards and three touchdowns, and Kelly-Martin has 30 carries for 134 yards and one touchdown.
Some may not like the committee approach to the running game, but Kirk is happy and the results have been positive thus far.
"And that’s one thing I — after being around those three guys, Mekhi has only been here a couple months, but all three of those guys seem to be I think what will work for us. They all have a good role, a positive role. I’m really happy about it. They all get along great with each other, tremendous young guys."
Against Minnesota Saturday, we can expect to see all three of these guys share the load in the running game as the Hawks look to extend their Floyd of Rosedale rivalry game win streak to four.