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Iowa football: PFF Week 13 team has large Hawkeye representation

By Andrew Wade

IOWA CITY, IOWA - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a tackle during the first half on wide receiver Stanley Morgan #8 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive back Jake Gervase #30 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a tackle during the first half on wide receiver Stanley Morgan #8 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers on November 23, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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The Iowa football team won last Friday on the heels of a dominant rushing game. Pro Football Focus noticed as half the offensive team of the week is Hawks.

Against Nebraska, the Iowa football team went back to their roots and put up an impressive performance on the ground in route to a three-point victory. Sophomore running back Mekhi Sargent had his second straight 100-yard rushing game and ended the season with the best game of his Hawkeye career.

Sargent finished the day with 173 yards on 26 carries for a 6.7 yard per carry average and one touchdown. Right behind Sargent was Toren Young who rumbled his way to 83 yards on 18 carries for one touchdown. Junior quarterback Nate Stanley added ten yards on the ground as the Iowa football team totaled 266 yards total on the ground.

Needless to say, it was Iowa’s best ground performance of the season, and Pro Football Focus noticed considering four of the five offensive lineman and starting running back Mekhi Sargent received the highest grades at their position and were named to the PFF Big Ten Week 13 Team of the Week.

In addition to the big guys up front, do-it-all tight end TJ Hockenson also made the list as he added 54 yards on five receptions and per usual, had an excellent day putting Cornhusker defenders into the ground while paving the way for Sargent and Young.

On the defensive side of the ball, it wasn’t the Iowa football team’s best day. The Nebraska Cornhuskers had 400 yards of total offense. That doesn’t mean, however, that there weren’t a few individuals that had great performances.

Defensive end Anthony Nelson had two sacks, eight tackles, and one pass defensed and sophomore corner back Matt Hankins led the team with ten tackles on the day. Both guys were received top ratings within the Big Ten on the defensive side of the ball.

The eight players on the list is the most the Iowa football team has had this season.