The new monsters of the Midway? ummm no. A win is a win is a win? Yes. The Hawkeyes faced a game Northern Illinois Huskies squad and were able to leave with n 18-17 decision.
Damon Bullock's 23 yard scamper on 3rd and 8 with 2:15 remaining provided the winning points for Iowa (1-0). NIU (0-1) had played a Norm Parkeresque bend but no break defense only allowing 4 Mike Meyer field goals before the Bullock run.
Time to look at the positives and negatives of this game.
Areas needing improvement
There were some differences in the O and D under new coordinators Greg Davis and Phil Parker. There will also be some growing pains. To play devil's advocate, though, the rub against old coordinators Norm and Ken was predictability. Maybe Greg Davis wants to save a couple wrinkles for ISU, but this offense had patterns of their own until the 2:15 mark. Running the ball was solid. Then Iowa decided to go with a steady diet of failed play action on 1st down, incomplete pass on 2nd down, followed by sack for loss on 3rd down. Not having the benefit to see the game live or a wider view of the pass patterns, it seemed as not a lot was vertical. It seemed to be a lot of West Coast. Maybe that is a product of the WR not getting open. Maybe its design. third down efficiency lacked because of it. Things to work on in practice.
The defense played with an edge. I am not going to nitpick on their efforts.
Special Teams saved the day as well. I would like, however, Mike Meyer to look a little more confident when kicking field goals. He looks like a deer in headlights as he is lining it up.
Areas needing Praise
Greg Davis answered my plea to run off tackle on the final TD drive on first down. It went for no gain. 2nd down wasn't much better leaving 3rd and 8. Davis was aware of NIU and their blitzing on 3rd down as he went totally off script and back to off tackle for the game winner. That was a breath of fresh air and it paid off.
Against mainly MAC opponents, NIU did average 476 yards a game last year. No matter who, that is a lot. They gained a grand total of 201 Saturday. 73 of course came on one scamper. And although Jordan Lynch outran everyone and that is a little disconcerting, the defense played well. KUDOS. Phil Parker is playing a little tougher up front and going away from the ol bend don't break. I like it. Mike Meyer, he of the fear instilling institute, did do a good job connecting on 4-5 fg attempts. Micah Hyde and greg garmon were solid in returning kicks. Connor kornbrath was great in his debut and Wienke added a 43 yard punt. Greg Castillo of course had the save of the game, pinning NIU at the 1. Special teams gets a gold star.
Damon Bullock made the most of his opportunity. Keep him healthy!
So, Iowa wins 18-17. Vandenberg gets a road win to start off the season. Iowa State awaits at Kinnick, 2:30 next Saturday. If Iowa is going to go to 2-0. . . they need to keep the defense rolling, fine tune the offense and score more touchdowns than field goals. We will talk more about this during the week in our Vlog.
Week one, much like week one in 2009, took a fantastic finish, but came out a W. Here is to 2012. 1-0
Next weeks ISU-Iowa recap will come on Sunday next week.
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