Iowa Football: A homecoming win against Purdue in Week 8

Iowa football played and won their homecoming game 26-20 against Purdue in Week 8. Let’s recap the action and provide some commentary.

The Iowa football teams drives in the first half were essentially a microcosm of the Brian Ferentz offense in the first half of the season. Iowa gets into enemy territory, then stalls and settles for three.

It was frustrating to see since Purdue is not anywhere near as talented as Michigan or Penn State on defense. The playcalling on offense was mind-boggling and that showed up multiple times on third down.

Iowa defense had similar problems, albeit nothing as glaring as the offensive side.

Twice, the Hawkeyes forced Purdue into third and long and followed it up with a long third down conversion. The defense was not on the field for much more than 11 minutes in the first half, so these breakdowns were a concern.

Iowa’s offense still wasn’t able to put together a touchdown drive in the first half. On their final drive of the second quarter, a slip screen was called on third and short, which brought back nightmares of the Greg Davis offense that didn’t work for five years.

Purdue, on the other hand, was able to score a touchdown in the final minute of the first half.

Iowa football needs to use the passing game to set up the run, and the Hawkeyes need to commit to that strategy. They did not commit to that in the first half and that yielded a 9-7 lead to a team that probably won’t earn bowl eligibility.

Honestly, after that first half, this looked like the annual game Iowa football drops to Purdue following a close loss to a good team in the week prior.

The second half started in a frustrating manner. Purdue was driving the ball down the field, was forced into a third down, after converting one in the drive, and threw a perfect pass to Riley Moss.

The Iowa offense did exactly what I hoped they would do. They used the pass to set up the run. The result was Tyler Goodson’s first touchdown on a third down and goal.

Iowa football is not nearly as bleak as it has seemed on multiple occasions this season. The talent is there, but it requires coaching that complements their strengths.

Iowa’s first drive of the second half should be the blueprint for the remainder of the season.

Here’s the thing, Brian. No one is telling you to abandon the running game. Drives like this should set up the running game in the fourth quarter.

Iowa went to the well one too many times when Stanley threw a pass behind Goodson, which bounced off his hands and into the hands of a Purdue defender.

Iowa’s defense played prototypical Iowa football and held the following drive, which started at the Iowa 9, to a field goal.

On one of the many ineffective Greg Davis-era horizontal pass plays called in the next drive, Brandon Smith injured his ankle, taking away Iowa’s best offensive weapon, possibly for multiple weeks. It appeared that Stanley drew Purdue offsides on the following play, but the refs called false start instead.

Purdue took the ball downfield and picked up three. The onside kick failed and Purdue hit the recovering player, Nico Ragaini, late.

Sargent then made them pay with two rushes for all 35 yards and the touchdown.

Iowa scored more than 25 points for the first time this year against a Power 5 opponent. No, Rutgers does not count.

Purdue made this one close with a late touchdown and truly made Hawkeye fans nervous, even with only 24 seconds left.

This was not the game anyone hoped it would be. Iowa lost one of their star receivers, let a freshman quarterback and freshman receiver pick Iowa football apart, and won as unconvincingly as you can on homecoming.

However, Brian Ferentz now has seen an offensive formula that works and division wins are important. If you don’t believe me, ask a Wisconsin fan today.

Let’s hope a 26-20 win against a decimated Purdue team isn’t the best we have to offer this season.