Here's an article by an Iowa reporter on the trend that Iowa experienced last season in defending the run. Please ignore the boasting in the article and focus on the numbers, because they are telling. We did not exploit the run in our game with Iowa; Stanford did. So did MSU: Spartans won because they ground out a 22-play, 82-yard, 9:05 TD drive in the fourth quarter with 17 runs and 5 passes and no passes at all in the last 12 plays and last 34 yards. MSU came from behind to win the conference title by showing patience and by wearing down the Iowa defense.
Given the graduations that occurred on Iowa's defense and the departures that did not occur (e.g., King), it is essential this season that we follow Stanford's and MSU's lead. The game in Kinnick on 11-25 is must-win if we want to go to Indy. Which means that we must run the ball and be patient about it.
To remind: We ran the ball 38 times last season against Iowa for a net 137; an average of 3.6. JMO: We started the game out with an emphasis on running the ball, and we gave up on it. Runs per quarter: 13, 6, 13, 6. Passes per quarter: 3, 14, 10, 18. I get that we had to pass in the fourth quarter; but look at the second quarter.
https://www.landof10.com/iowa/iowas...-definitely-have-a-huge-chip-on-our-shoulders
Given the graduations that occurred on Iowa's defense and the departures that did not occur (e.g., King), it is essential this season that we follow Stanford's and MSU's lead. The game in Kinnick on 11-25 is must-win if we want to go to Indy. Which means that we must run the ball and be patient about it.
To remind: We ran the ball 38 times last season against Iowa for a net 137; an average of 3.6. JMO: We started the game out with an emphasis on running the ball, and we gave up on it. Runs per quarter: 13, 6, 13, 6. Passes per quarter: 3, 14, 10, 18. I get that we had to pass in the fourth quarter; but look at the second quarter.
https://www.landof10.com/iowa/iowas...-definitely-have-a-huge-chip-on-our-shoulders
