Alaric Jackson
I would be interested to see how Pro Football Focus graded Alaric Jackson on Saturday because he was open for business to Minnesota’s pass rush. He struggled to provide a clean pocket to Stanley throughout the day including in the middle of the third quarter when Minnesota’s Carter Coughlin beat him clean off the line, devoured Stanley and forced the fumble which the Gophers would recover.
With the Hawks up 31-17, it was time for the Iowa football team to lead a drive that would effectively seal the game early in the second half. Instead, because of Jackson’s inability to stop Coughlin from an easy strip-sack, the Gophers got the ball on Iowa’s three yard line. They would 36 seconds later to make the game a one-score game.
This wasn’t the only time Jackson struggled to protect his team. Earlier in the game on a screen pass, Jackson failed to stop a linebacker from making the tackle despite being in the right position.
It’s fair to say, the twitter world noticed.
I feel like Alaric Jackson has had a weakness pointed out. Struggling on the speed rush. Something to improve on going forward. #Hawkeyes
— Tom Ksobiech (@TomKsobiech) October 6, 2018
Alaric Jackson has not played well today.
— Quinn Douglas (@Quinn_Douglas_) October 6, 2018
UM put a linebacker over Alaric Jackson. Coughlin with the strip sack. Gophers first down at Iowa's 3. Jackson got beat bad.
— Marc Morehouse (@marcmorehouse) October 6, 2018
I have no doubt in my mind Jackson was just having an off day. The redshirt sophomore is likely going to develop into another Iowa left tackle that will be starting on Sundays, but on Saturday, he looked anything but that. I fully expect him to pick up his play Saturday against Indiana.