After a disappointing loss to Ohio State, Iowa took out its frustration on Washington with a big response.
The Hawkeyes got nothing right in a week five home loss to the Buckeyes, and they needed a big response against a struggling Washington squad. With Hank Brown sidelined with a shoulder injury and the defense reeling after a poor performance, Washington entered the game as a slight favorite, but Iowa quickly proved otherwise. The offense came out hot, and the defense was smothering in the first half, leading to a big win. Iowa dominated the enitre game, and we have three things stood out from the 41-24 win.
Iowa's offense is so much better when the running game is going well
Aside from two games against much weaker opponents, Iowa's run game has been stagnant for most of the season. Michigan and Ohio State stacked the box and completely shut down the running game, allowing a combined 97 yards in two games, and Kamari Moutlon had enough of that. Moulton torched the Washington defense for 208 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, proving that Iowa can run the ball. Iowa's offensive line has been beaten up over the past three games, but it showed up big tonight, creating massive holes for Moulton to run through.
Even after Moulton got hit, he broke away from the initial tackle for a big gain, and the running game finally showed up to help the offense. It was also great to have L.J. Phillips Jr. back, despite leaving late after a questionable no-call by the refs when he was slammed to the ground after the whistle. Iowa had it working in the run game, tallying 263 total rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, and the squad must keep that up to succeed.
Jeremy Hecklinski reignited the starting quarterback controvery with his performance
Kirk Ferentz has also been adamant that an injury will never immediately cost a starter their job, but Jeremy Hecklinski is going to test that after his performance. Hecklinski started his first game with Hank Brown sidelined with an injury, and he made the most of his opportunity. After a slow start, hampered by several dropped passes, Hecklinski took full control of the offense and gave Hawkeye fans something they have been waiting for.
Hecklinski started 2/7 passing and had no touchdowns before settling in, finishing with 202 passing yards and two passing touchdowns on 14/19 passing, and the offense didn't need his legs with how well Moulton was running. The offense was humming, and although Washington has been struggling, Iowa hung 41 points on them after their defense had been playing well the past two weeks. The Huskies' defense had no answers for the offense, and Hecklinski took full advantage.
Brown's poor performance against Ohio State and his shoulder injury opened the door for Hecklinski, and we could easily have another quarterback controversy. Both quarterbacks were in the mix coming out of camp, and although Brown ultimately won the job, his performance last week prompted many people to question the decision. Robert Griffin III perfectly described why Hecklinski should be the guy moving forward. It's not because Brown isn't good, but because Hecklinski opens up the playbook and gives the offense more options.
The defense still has some work to do in stopping the pass
It could easily have been a case of the defense not being prepared for backup quarterback Elijah Brown, but the Huskies' offense found success through the air when starter Demond Williams Jr. Brown was dynamic on the last drive before halftime, leading the Huskies down the field and scoring a touchdown. He didn't stop there, gashing the Iowa defense throughout the second half, and finished with 251 passing yards and three passing touchdowns with a 28/39 completion percentage.
Brown got the ball out quickly and took advantage of the Iowa defensive line's lack of pressure. Iowa succeeded when they sent pressure, but Brown still looked comfortable running the offense. It was the second straight week Iowa has been lackluster in pass defense, and even though the unit racked up multiple sacks and QB pressures, the stats don't paint a full picture.
Opposing quarterbacks have had too much time to throw this season because the front four hasn't applied enough pressure. Phil Parker has gotten creative with blitzes, but he doesn't like to do it as often as he's had to this season. For Iowa's defense to maximize its potential, the front four have to get pressure, and they aren't. It is still early, but pass coverage needs to improve, starting with more pressure up front.
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