Sep 3, 2016; Iowa City, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback C.J. Beathard (16) hands the ball off to running back LeShun Daniels Jr. (29) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes won 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
What can be said about Iowa State’s sloppy loss to UNI during college football’s opening weekend has already been spoken.
Up next is the 10th-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes.
You likely know about Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard along with cornerback Desmond King. These two are among the nation’s elite at their positions.
But what about the other playmakers for the Hawkeyes? Who are they and how will they impact Saturday’s game?
LeShun Daniels/Akrum Wadley-Running backs
Iowa State’s run defense was subpar – at best – against UNI. The Cyclones allowed the Panthers to rush for 232 yards on them.
Iowa operates a run-oriented offense. Last week against Miami (OH), Wadley recorded 121 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries and Daniels tallied 83 yards and two scores on 10 attempts. That gives both backs an average of 8.3 or higher yards per carry.
Akrum Wadley just made the entire Miami team miss… WITH ONE SHOE ON! You gotta see this, @HawkeyeFootball fans! https://t.co/WUikxUCZDK
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) September 3, 2016
With how Iowa State’s run defense looked during Week One, the Cyclones may see a lot of Daniels and Wadley come this Saturday
Josey Jewell- Linebacker
While King gets most of the love when people talk about Iowa’s defense, it is Jewell who is the defensive quarterback for Iowa.
Jewell, a captain, tallied 126 tackles last year for Iowa. During Iowa’s opener, the linebacker only played seven plays due to him getting ejected for a targeting call.
When Jewell was out, the Iowa defense looked somewhat confused. However, since his ejection happened in the first half, Jewell will be eligible for the entire Iowa State game.
So look for Jewell to be making plays this Saturday for the Hawkeye defense.
Greg Mabin- Cornerback
King was the Jim Thorpe award winner last year. However his teammate on the other side at corner – Greg Mabin – is no slouch. He’s is a three-year starter who tallied 54 tackles, two interceptions and eight pass breakups last season.
During Iowa’s weekly press conference, King came out and told reporters that he will be covering Iowa State’s go-to receiver, Allen Lazard.
King says he will be covering Lazard on Saturday, a departure from the norm for Iowa
— MarkEmmert (@MarkEmmert) September 6, 2016
In the UNI game, ISU quarterback Joel Lanning showed he is willing to spread the ball around as he completed passes to nine different pass catchers. If the Cyclones do shy away from throwing in King’s direction, Mabin could see a lot of passes be thrown his way this Saturday.
HAWKEYE FILM: After a shaky opening week vs Miami (OH), the Hawkeyes need Greg Mabin to step it up on Saturday pic.twitter.com/aYhUfCPSgl
— Black & Gold Blood (@CJBForHeisman) September 6, 2016
In year’s past, Mabin has performed well. But last Saturday against Miami (OH), he had a rough day vs. the Redhawk receivers. Since Iowa State’s group of wide receivers is deep, it could translate to success for the Cyclones’ passing game.
