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Veteran OL Jack Dotzler isn't letting himself off the hook after a heartbreaking loss

Dotzler acknowledged his role in the Minnesota loss and what the OL must do
ByJordan Underwood
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Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Jack Dotzler (71), center, stands with teammates as the national anthem plays ahead of the Cy-Hawk football game Sept. 12, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa.
Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Jack Dotzler (71), center, stands with teammates as the national anthem plays ahead of the Cy-Hawk football game Sept. 12, 2026 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

If it's been said once, it's been said hundreds of times since the Minnesota loss: Iowa didn't play well.

The defense was the lone bright spot in the 13-10 loss, holding Minnesota to 209 total yards and forcing an interception. Iowa had a punt blocked, and the offense was a nightmare, even though it ultimately outgained Minnesota by 79 yards. The offensive line played especially poorly, and veteran OL Jack Dotzler is accepting his part of the blame.

Jack Dotzler said Iowa's poor perforamance against Minnesota 'starts with me'

The offensive line has been inconsistent this season, especially against Power Four opponents. The rushing attack has failed to produce in four of five games against Power Four competition, with the Washington game as the outlier. In the four games where the running game struggled, Iowa averaged just 70.0 yards per game, including a season-low 39 against Ohio State. Iowa's offense relies heavily on a solid rushing attack, and it hasn't been where it needs to be this season. That all starts with the guys up front, and Dotzler knows it.

After a rough day for the offensive line against Minnesota, Dotzler said, "It starts with me. Dotzler is accepting his share of the blame, but he also said he believes the program does a good job of turning the page on Sunday, and they've built a routine doing that. Iowa played one of the sloppiest overall games in the Kirk Ferentz era, racking up four turnovers and uncharacteristic penalties. The offensive line couldn't open any holes against Minnesota's defense, which is poor against the run and missing one of its best run stoppers.

Dotzler isn't the only reason the offensive line played poorly, but the unit has to flush it, move on, and learn from it. Iowa can't afford to have another poor rushing game against Wisconsin, or the Badgers will leave Kinnick Stadium with the Heartland Trophy. The Badgers' defense is currently ranked No. 16 overall against the run, and although Iowa has had tremendous success running on them in the past, this is a brand new season.

Iowa has posted massive rushing numbers against Wisconsin over the past four games, including 210 yards and four touchdowns last year. To beat the Badgers again this season, Iowa has to win the rushing battle, and it won't be easy. Especially with Kamari Moulton out for the season, the offense has to produce on the ground, and it starts with the offensive line. Iowa is on the verge of missing the College Football Playoff again, with very little room for error.

Echoing Reece Vander Zee's statement after the loss: the program has to get up and fight, not sit back and whine about everything that isn't going their way. Dotzler knows they have to get the running game going and figure out why it hasn't gone well. Ferentz and George Barnett decide who plays, but in the end, the players must execute the game plan. Iowa will attempt to establish the run early, and we'll get a quick idea of how it's going.

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