What an ugly game! I wasn't expecting a win as I actually predicted a loss today but what transpired on the field was shocking to say the least
We're not a good football team right now. I was really worried after watching us struggle against the Bison last week (yes we did struggle). Everybody got excited about words like "spread offense" or "no huddle offense" but these offenses take time before they start clicking. Timing and knowledge of the offense is crucial to making it work and you can tell we still don't have it. Arnaud either throws to late or to early on a lot of throws.
Arnaud needs to learn to look off defenders. When you get the ball and look at Hamilton streaking down the sidelines the entire time, even an average safety is going to make that play. You know that he is staring the defenders down when the safeties got all of the INT's. A pump fake or something. Just enough to keep them honest.
What I have to keep telling myself about Arnaud, and this is important, is that he is on his 3rd offensive coordinator in 4 years. That is very hard on a QB and that is why I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt (though it's hard)
Tiller needs to start playing more in some way shape or form. He is a better fit for this offense. He will run the option read play and keep the DE very honest. And I think he has a little better release on his ball. I am not calling for him to start (yet) but I think playing time is needed at this point
Our WR's aren't as good as people think they are. They don't get seperation from the DB's and you can tell our speed at that position is still below average. We have to find a way to get Reynolds the ball in space because it appears he does have the speed, toughness, and moves to make plays happen. For some reason they don't really run passes downfield to him very often.
Our offensive line was great today. We ran the ball effictively and should have ran the ball more. Arnaud had time to throw the ball and they gave him pockets. To me that is very encouraging. It gives us more options on things to do on offense. There were a couple of 3rd and shorts today that I would have liked to see us run it rather than pass it but maybe the coaches still are not confident we can do that
Mahoney is a stud. That kick was good from 60. Confidence just oozes from him and that is crucial for a kicker
Defensive line came to play today. Most of Iowa's yards on the ground came in the second half when they were gassed from being on the field all game. They were great against the run in the first half and Lyle played really well (minus the facemask). We need him to be good every game.
Secondary played alright minus Banks. They just picked on him the entire first half and if Stanzi was a decent QB Iowa would have been up by 4 TD's at half. Sims is a player. It has been a while since we have had a safety has solid as him. Pass defense, run defense, he does it all.
I hate to put a game on a single player but Arnaud really lost this for us today. Iowa's 2 TD's in the first half were essentially 20 and 25 yard drives (INT and onside kick w/ penalties...which I loved that call). You can't turn the ball over 6 times and have 9 penalties and beat anybody in college football. Defense can only keep you in the game so long before they run out of gas
We're not a good football team right now. I was really worried after watching us struggle against the Bison last week (yes we did struggle). Everybody got excited about words like "spread offense" or "no huddle offense" but these offenses take time before they start clicking. Timing and knowledge of the offense is crucial to making it work and you can tell we still don't have it. Arnaud either throws to late or to early on a lot of throws.
Arnaud needs to learn to look off defenders. When you get the ball and look at Hamilton streaking down the sidelines the entire time, even an average safety is going to make that play. You know that he is staring the defenders down when the safeties got all of the INT's. A pump fake or something. Just enough to keep them honest.
What I have to keep telling myself about Arnaud, and this is important, is that he is on his 3rd offensive coordinator in 4 years. That is very hard on a QB and that is why I am going to give him the benefit of the doubt (though it's hard)
Tiller needs to start playing more in some way shape or form. He is a better fit for this offense. He will run the option read play and keep the DE very honest. And I think he has a little better release on his ball. I am not calling for him to start (yet) but I think playing time is needed at this point
Our WR's aren't as good as people think they are. They don't get seperation from the DB's and you can tell our speed at that position is still below average. We have to find a way to get Reynolds the ball in space because it appears he does have the speed, toughness, and moves to make plays happen. For some reason they don't really run passes downfield to him very often.
Our offensive line was great today. We ran the ball effictively and should have ran the ball more. Arnaud had time to throw the ball and they gave him pockets. To me that is very encouraging. It gives us more options on things to do on offense. There were a couple of 3rd and shorts today that I would have liked to see us run it rather than pass it but maybe the coaches still are not confident we can do that
Mahoney is a stud. That kick was good from 60. Confidence just oozes from him and that is crucial for a kicker
Defensive line came to play today. Most of Iowa's yards on the ground came in the second half when they were gassed from being on the field all game. They were great against the run in the first half and Lyle played really well (minus the facemask). We need him to be good every game.
Secondary played alright minus Banks. They just picked on him the entire first half and if Stanzi was a decent QB Iowa would have been up by 4 TD's at half. Sims is a player. It has been a while since we have had a safety has solid as him. Pass defense, run defense, he does it all.
I hate to put a game on a single player but Arnaud really lost this for us today. Iowa's 2 TD's in the first half were essentially 20 and 25 yard drives (INT and onside kick w/ penalties...which I loved that call). You can't turn the ball over 6 times and have 9 penalties and beat anybody in college football. Defense can only keep you in the game so long before they run out of gas
