With the starting quarterback situation still up in the air, Hank Brown took a big step toward ending it with his performance in the Cy-Hawk game.
A stingy Iowa State defense shut down Iowa's offense early, but Brown and the entire unit stuck with the process and eventually broke through. Tony Diaz had another solid game (8 receptions, 95 yards), and the passing attack propped up the offense for most of the game. Iowa didn't score on its first four possessions, prompting some calls for Jeremy Hecklinski to enter the game, but Ferentz stuck with Brown, and he rewarded him by putting up another solid performance.
Brown receives an A grade for his performance in the win over Iowa State
In a rare bad performance by the Iowa rushing attack, Iowa State showed a potential blueprint for keeping Iowa's running game in check. They consistently mixed up coverages and put a lot of guys in the box to pressure the offensive line and the running game, and it worked. Iowa finished with a total of 93 rushing yards, led by Kamari Moulton's 57 yards, but struggled to break the big one. Iowa State's defensive line got the better of a talented Iowa offensive line, forcing Brown and the offense to put the ball in the air more than we are accustomed to.
Brown let it fly 30 times in the game, completing 21 of the 30 attempts, and he hit some massive plays to Diaz downfield. Moutlon was also effective catching the ball out of the backfield, tallying 31 receiving yards, which nearly match his rushing total. Brown was efficient all game, and most importantly, didn't turn the ball over. He took advantage of Ferentz's faith in him, finishing with 191 passing yards, 22 rushing yards, and a rushing touchdown. His rushing touchdown was Iowa's only touchdown of the game.
The offense was under fire all game and was caught off guard by some of Iowa State's coverages and schemes. It is traditionally hard to prepare for a team with 83 new players and only one game on film, and Iowa State definitely seized momentum early. After failing to score points on their first four drives, it was looking bleak on the fifth drive, until Brown hit Diaz down the middle for a 56-yard gain and finished it off with a rushing touchdown. Brown has been known to struggle under pressure in big games in the past, but it seems those days are long behind him, and he has taken the next step in his development. After another solid performance, especially in a win over Iowa State to bring the Cy-Hawk Trophy back where it belongs, Brown receives top marks.
Final grade: A
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