Iowa football: Three biggest disappointments against Northwestern

Penalties

The Iowa football team has been the most penalized team of the decade for Kirk Ferentz, and in the last three games they have been even worse than that.

Since 2010, no Iowa football has averaged more than 5.2 penalties per game, and half of the seasons the Hawkeyes have had 4.9 penalties per game or less. This year they are averaging 5.3 penalties, and in the last three games that number has jumped up to 5.7 penalties per game, but the issue is not just in the amount of penalties but the timing of these penalties.

Furthermore, the last two games the penalties themselves have been quite questionable, particularly on pass interference where there were multiple no-calls when Northwestern defenders were draped around a Hawkeye receiver.

The big concern that Iowa can control (to an extent), is the holding penalties on the offensive line.  The first holding penalty was on Alaric Jackson, with the Hawkeyes working their way down the field, Jackson was called for holding on first down, putting the Iowa football team in an unfavorable position. They wouldn’t pick up another first down that drive despite making to the Iowa 45 and were forced to punt.

Just a drive later with the Iowa football team at the Iowa 45 again, guard Ross Reynolds was flagged for holding on 3rd and 8, making it a difficult 3rd and 18, which Iowa would not convert.

These are essentially drive killing penalties stalling out an offense that has already struggled enough to gain momentum the last few weeks. I understand penalties are a part of the game, but it has become all to common to have an untimely penalty in an important situation for the Hawkeyes.