After watching the Tulsa game a few times, two areas for concern are:
To me, the biggest area of concern of these is special teams KO and punt coverage. Iowa historically is very sound on special teams and those almost TD's by Tulsa will be TD's by Iowa if the same mistakes are made.
- Special Teams play - Both returning and defending.
- Most if not all returns were fair catches = zero return yards.
- Defending returns had two or three runs that were almost touchdown returns for Tulsa.
- Messingham was Special Teams coach last year. Whoever it is this year has a long ways to go.
- Offensive Line Play
- Left Tackle on pass plays was lit up by Tulsa's DE all night long. Many sacks, QB hurries from this side alone. On the long bomb TD to Lenz, Brun was pushed right into Jantz' grill as he released the ball and not sure if the LT also got blown up.
- On the safety, the left side Tackle/Guard let the defensive player right through without a block and RG Lichtenberg didn't have a chance of getting there before Woody was sacked in the end zone.
To me, the biggest area of concern of these is special teams KO and punt coverage. Iowa historically is very sound on special teams and those almost TD's by Tulsa will be TD's by Iowa if the same mistakes are made.