Iowa Football: Four things we want to see in Evanston

Let’s get a red zone option, please

Iowa, last year, was an opportunistic offense that was not known for picking up large amounts of yardage in any given game.

This year veers from that strategy. In fact, the 2019 offense’s 405 yards per game is the most since 2005.

The problem this year is that Iowa football isn’t punching the ball into the endzone when they have the chance. In the first half of last week’s game, Iowa football settled for field goals three times.

Iowa has not found a red zone threat to replace the 13 touchdowns that Fant and Hockenson contributed last year. This problem is evident, as for the first time in Nate Stanley’s career, he is on pace to throw fewer than 20 touchdown passes.

Whether it’s a tight end like Dallas Clark in 2002 or a wide receiver like Marvin McNutt in 2009, Iowa football depends on a reliable target near the endzone to sustain a special season.

This season is not short of options. A dynamic running back that can the ball out of the backfield, like Tyler Goodson, serves as a possibility. However, I expect a guy like Nico Ragaini or Oliver Martin to fill the role that our tight ends have fulfilled in the past.