Arkansas State Film Review

Well that wasn't as bad as I remembered it being.  But it wasn't enjoyable by any stretch of the imagination.  First I would like to give Arkansas State credit for a well played game.  They showed a lot of heart and tenacity and refused to roll over when they had plenty of opportunities to do so.  Corey Leonard is a hell of a football player, and it felt like we were facing Drew Brees out there for awhile.  Sometimes you lose perspective during a game and you think a guy tore you apart and you see the stats and go "huh, he didn't throw for 400 yards?"  Leonard barely completed 50% of his passes and just broke over 200 yards against Iowa's defense and was running for his life most of the time.  I was also very impressed with ASU's offensive line.  They accounted very well for themselves, especially in the second half.  I was also very impressed with the two defensive tackles who made life miserable for Eubanks, Richardson and Vandervelde most of the day.  I wish nothing but success for the Red Wolves and hope they defeat Louisville later on this season and go on to win the Sun Belt this season.  Now on to Negatives, Positives, and Coaching observations.

Negatives:
Interior Run Blocking: As mentioned above it was a long day for the two guards and the center for Iowa's offense.  Khari Mays and Bryan Hall seemed to be in the backfield as often as Brett Morse.  I thought of the three Iowa players that Eubanks had the most solid game, which is encouraging because I have been a little down on him.  Vandervelde missed at least three critical assignments on third downs and Richardson was also beaten at least three times on short yardage situations.  Even when Wegher ran for 19 yards the line looked out of sync, with Bulaga and Calloway blocking towards the right and the interior blocking left.  A nice cut by Wegher and beatiful seal by Stross led to that big gain.  The one positive for this unit was that they kept Stanzi clean and did a wonderful job pass blocking all day.

Robinson and Wegher: I felt that this was collectively the freshmans' worst performance by far.  Although both had some decent runs I think both left some yards on the field and were very impatient running the football.  Robinson seems to have fallen in love with the cutback and never seems to allow the blocks to develop long enough make that a viable option for him anymore.  Wegher seems to be pressing every run outside looking to hit a homerun with every swing.  One of their collective strengths wasn't on display (blitz pick up) as ASU elected to rush four almost exclusively.  I only noticed one blitz in a passing situation.  They both seem to be very good pass receivers but I thought Robinson made a mental error on the third drive when he had Carrington on him and ran his regular route.  Stanzi lead him and if Robinson would have kept runinning that might have been a 21-0 lead.  I don't know for sure, I am just completely guessing there but if you have it DVRed it is right around the end of the first quarter.

Lack of Subs on Defense: Since this is a new site I don't feel like I am beating a dead horse.  Iowa's d-line is outstanding but they could be even better if they had a blow every now and then when they have been on the field for seven or eight plays in a row.  Iowa also has some depth as corner.  If Lowe is getting picked on put Hyde in for a play and roll the safety his way.  Give the guys a chance to catch their breath.  I don't care how great the conditioning program is guys get tired when they are on the field that long.  Tired players make mistakes.  It might make sense to rotate a few other players in.  Iowa has 88 scholarship athletes.  I am pretty sure that more than 11 of them go to the defense.

(Not So) Special Teams: Again other than Ryan Donahue, who was again outstanding, Iowa's special teams was deficient on Saturday.  There are three problem areas to address here.  The first one is the most problematic.  Kickoff coverage- this must improve.  Two things have to happen, Murray must kick it higher or deeper, and the coverage team must do a better job of staying in its lane and tackling.  Murray used to kick it into the end zone fairly frequently and Iowa used to be much more physical on special teams.  I was very excited about guys like David Cato, Bruce Davis, and Jeff Tarpinian making huge hits on the kick coverage and there is still time but it is running out.  Murray also needs to stop missing the bunnies.  I understand that the College hash marks are wider but still a 28 yard Field Goal has to be made.  I am under the impression that Iowa is trying to redshirt Mossbrucker this season.  Murray needs to be more consistent in Big XI play if Iowa is going to contend for a championship.  Finally Iowa may need to end the Paul Chaney Jr. expirament as the returner.  He is definately fast.  But he doesn't seem to be able to read the coverage coming at him in either punt return or kick return and I am not sure I trust him to hold onto the ball.  It might be time to give Wegher the job.  Sandeman is at least sure handed on punt returns.  Field position is vital for a team that plays it so close to the vest.


Positives: Yes there are some
Marvin McNutt and the rest of the receiving corps:  McNutt had the breakout game that the coaches' had been talking about and none of the receivers dropped a pass.  McNutt caught 4 passes for 132 yards and two Tds basically running Go routes or Fades the entire day.  He also drew a huge Pass Interference call on a 4th down on a beautifully run route.  Trey Stross and Keenan Davis also shined, along with DJK who made the most of his eight snaps.  All of the receivers blocked well when the running backs reached the second level, which unfortunately wasn't often.  Reisner also had another solid game at tight end in the passing phase converting three first downs. 

Stanzi's decision making:  This may suprise alot of people but I thought Stanzi played an outstanding game.  It's just when he made a mistake it was a huge one.  Stanzi made 11 noticible audibles.  8 of those went for at least 5 yards.  One of those went for an interception.  He also threw the terrible pick six where no one was open.  If he learns to throw that ball away or tuck it and run it is a much more comfortable win.  Stanzi's only other glaring mistake was on the third and goal where he elected to run.  He missed a wide open Stross in the back of the end zone.  But even that is debatable as he made the safe play and Iowa converted a field goal.  For the first time this season I saw Stanzi manipulating coverages with his eyes.  He looked off safeties multiple times including two of the three touchdowns.  Every one of the long throws whether complete or incomplete was a correct one.  Out of his 26 passes only the two picks could be considered bad descisions.  Out of his 11 noticible audibles 8 of them were succesful.  I like those odds against anybody anywhere.  Thats not game managing, that is commanding.  Whether the fans have confidence in Stanzi or not it is clear that the staff does. 

Iowas's Defense: they were on the field way more than they should have been.  They created a couple of turnovers for the offense and only one of them was cashed in.  They surrendered 14 points but again no rushing TD.  The 11 starters played every snap with the exception of Klug and Ballard who each sat out one for Tarpinian who came in on the two plays where Iowa ran 3-4.  Klug and Ballard alternated at Nose for that set.  These guys are playing at a championship level.  The d-line is dominating.  They can't make every play and they shouldn't have to.  I think people forget that Roth and Babineaux didn't get a sack on every play.  People will think that Mitch King and Matt Kroul never got blocked someday.  In ten years people will talk about this defensive line that way.  There are possibly eight NFL players starting on this unit.  Clayborn, Ballard, Binns, Edds, Sash, Spievey, and Hunter are for sure.  Angerer has a shot.  I think he will do MMA instead.  Klug has a shot.  Prater has a shot but that is a pretty long way to go.  Nielson is on Phil Steeles OLB watch list.  Tarpinian probably has a chance but he will have to have a monster year next season.  I am getting too far ahead of myself but the thing is this is talented group and as talented as any group Ferentz and Co. have put together.  The coolest thing about watching them is the pre-snap watching them communicate.  And then destroy.  I almost feel bad for Forcier.

Coaching:  I want to rip the coaching staff to shreds for this game, except one for thing.  Iowa won.  That is all that really matters.  I wish they would have won by more.  I really wanted to see the backups.  I really wanted to see Iowa run a two minute offense at the end of the first half.  I really wish Iowa would put an opponent away in the first quarter instead of letting an opponent beat itself.  Iowa really only drubs somebody if they turn the ball over a bunch of times and give up.  See Minnesota 2008, I am sure you've heard of it.  Maybe Iowa thinks the opposing team only watches the last game film a team plays.  I don't know why they have to play an opponent like that so vanilla.  Yeah they ran a reverse on the first series and a reverse pass with McNutt later.  That play was stupid, you run a reverse pass for a 15 yard out?  Wow that is some razzle-dazzle there KOK.  So are the QB sneaks on 3rd and shorts.  Almost everytime Iowa runs that 3 TE formation with Keumpal out there and converts, they almost always get a delay penalty on the next play.  Why?  The things that keep me up at night.  This coaching staff clearly has trust issues.  I am sure that Iowa has a psychology department.  Barta needs to get each member of the coaching staff some shrink time to work through these issues to let some more players play.  Especially the defensive staff.  Apparently the only coach who knows he can use all of his players is Campbell, and he is the newest one and hasn't been competely indoctrinated into the ways of Fort Kinnick.  Hopefully they keep winning and shut me up.  Imagine what I am like after a loss.