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 Marc MorehouseHi, I'm Marc Morehouse. I've covered sports for more than 15 years, mostly in Eastern Iowa. I've had Hayden Fry [...] |
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Clayborn puts it on the D
Iowa DE Adrian Clayborn gets to UW QB Scott Tolzien. (SMG News)
IOWA CITY — Adrian Clayborn was the first one into Iowa’s interview room. This was barely 10 minutes after the game ended. He still felt the pain defeat.
His voice quaked after a couple questions. He eventually broke down and left the room.
He returned with tears in his eyes. It was that kind of day for the Hawkeyes, who fell 31-30 to Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium.
“Our defense didn’t play its best the whole game,” said Clayborn, who had a sack, a forced fumble, a QB hurry and five tackles. “Their offense deserved it.”
Strange day for the Hawkeyes’ defense, which has carried the Hawkeyes for the last however long. The Hawkeyes’ defense hadn’t buckled like this since Ohio State landed 200-plus rushing yards on it last season.
Clayborn and his defensive mates found themselves in the position of explaining it away Saturday.
“It feels so weird,” Clayborn said. “The defense didn’t step up when we needed it, but that’s kind of the way it’s been going this year.
“We’re missing something. We’ve got to find it.”
Linebackers, Adrian. You’re missing LBers.
I’m checking the tape now, but I think the linebackers on the last drive were Morris and DiBona.
If you would’ve told me that last February, I would’ve said Iowa’s defense is in trouble. That’s up for debate, but the last two weeks haven’t been its best.
Nope, it was Morris, Nielsen and Tillison.
Still, you have Tarpinian and Hunter on the bench.
Take that back.
DiBona came in after the ball was inside the 15 or so. He was sent to his back twice, including the fullback in his chest on Ball’s game-winner.
Iowa is out of LBs.
Blitzes, Adrian, you’re missing the disruption in timing and QB comfort that a few well-timed blitzes would bring. If we can’t cover with our LBs, then that’s one more good reason to BLITZ with ‘em…especially when it’s 4th down late in the game and victory can be clinched with just ONE stop. But there was no blitz, there was no stop, and there was no Iowa victory…
I don’t know about blitzes, but is it hardheaded to rush four when it’s not getting pressure on?
Second guessing. I’m not sure though, Mike, if there’s a magic blitz that would help.
Iowa’s personnel is seriously kinked at this point. And this goes to the root of special teams. Lots of young guys, too many. There’s a hole in the roster if Iowa can’t afford to leave starters out on the field and is forced to go from starters to true freshmen.
That inexperience showed up.
You are also missing your defensive coordinator, AC. The effort was there. You just don’t have a coaching staff to help you.
I wouldn’t throw coaches on the bus.
On the chat, everyone wanted to fire the special teams coach. Like 20 times over.
Iowa has three special teams co-coaches, two of whom are pulling more duty with Norm’s illness.
Firing is rarely the answer, IMO. Sure, continuity isn’t good if the coaches aren’t quality, but I think the track record says they are. Although, it didn’t turn out that way Saturday.
I gotta second the LBs. They can’t cover, and that’s what Iowa asks them to do. Having Tarp would have helped, though if I remember correctly, the MLB isn’t asked to pass cover nearly as much.
CB’s are also suspect. Though it didn’t come up against Wiscy, MSU has some good receivers so they’d better be on their best.
Marc, did we ever run a true nickel (an actual extra D-Back) the entire game? Is Bernstine not healthy, I think he is on the 2-Deep. 4th and 5 in the 4Q and we have not covered RBs out in passes all day and we still have LBs on RBs and TEs. Our bend philoshophy is great, but there are times you need to be aware of where the 1st down marker is and make a play. Also, on a different point, I thought the ruling was that on a pass you could not bump/shove the WR when the ball is in the air. From the TV isos I saw it appeared Brinkley did it on every play, how do you not call that but call offsides on a Kickoff which happens about every kickoff.
There was some nickel and dime.
Greg Castillo was the nickel and Tanner Miller was the dime.
Berstine is not healthy. Knee issues.
Iowa never covered Ball out of the backfield. Hunter struggled before and after the injury. Iowa LB is an empty bucket right now. James Morris is in before he’s ready. Johnson and Tarp are still hurt. DiBona was in there at the end. He’s still developing.
As far as pass interference, you have a case for Valai on DJK on the last drive. The refs really let them play. I liked they did that, but Valai had hands on DJK’s back. Usually, that’s an auto flag.