Hawkeye defense determined to break interception, fumble drought ahead of Big Ten play

IOWA CITY — One tip going against Iowa football’s favor has been the difference in turnovers.

At least, so far this season.

The Hawkeyes defense hasn’t produced a single turnover through two games. Typically, Iowa has roughly 24 turnovers a year since 2017 between fumbles and interceptions. That’s two per game.

Aaron Graves’ tipped ball against Iowa State was the closest Iowa has had to a turnover.

“We’ve got to create some of these going forward,” safety Xavier Nwankpa said. “We’re working on punching the ball out, trying to bring some picks out and just get to the quarterback a little better.”

In some cases, things like three-and-outs and turnover on downs are considered turnovers in their own right to Iowa. Those situations allow for the defense to help set up the offense with better field position.

Those are soul-sucking moments the Hawkeyes are missing.

“In the takeaway department, we're at a zero right now,” assistant defensive line coach Jay Niemann said. “So we got to come up with some loose balls, we’ve got to create some takeaways and establish some field position opportunities for our offense.”

Iowa’s defense has gone four straight games without a pick — the longest drought in more than a decade. The last Hawkeye to snag a turnover in the air was now-Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jay Higgins, who grabbed one against Maryland in November.

So what goes into capitalizing on potential turnovers? When is it time to go for an interception or to let the pass fly overhead?

It’s a case-by-case basis. Sometimes, it’s a gut check. Other times it’s a defensive scheme that works perfectly.

“I think it's just all mental focus, honing in on your keys,” cornerback TJ Hall said. “If you're in the right position, we're gonna get those turnovers, make those interceptions, probably force some fumbles. But we’ve got to be in the right position first to make that play.”

Creating turnovers sometimes happens in bunches, too. It only takes one for others to start falling in line, whether that be interceptions or fumble recoveries.

Iowa’s defense has historically done well creating those opportunities. Putting pressure on the quarterback early, maybe getting a few sacks leading up to a fumble or interception.

The defensive line is trying to get the quarterback flustered. Iowa State’s Rocco Becht wasn’t very flustered at all during the Cy-Hawk game.

“We were trying to impact the game, and those throws are pretty quick,” Ethan Hurkett said. “They do a good job of getting the ball out, but we were trying to mash the hand and do what we could.”

The players go back to the drawing board every week. Turnovers go to one player in the stat book, but it’s often a situation created by every player on the field.

It starts at the line of scrimmage, a place the Hawkeyes have dominated for years — and so far this season. They’ve allowed just 23 points, despite the currently negative turnover margin.

It can happen at some point, particularly against a battered and bruised team like UMass. The Minutemen are without some key offensive figures at the line of scrimmage and as potential weapons.

“I think the biggest thing is practicing it, putting yourself in a position where you know you've got a chance to make a play,” Niemann said, “and then being super aggressive about finishing on your technique. And hopefully we'll start to see some of those balls bounce our direction, starting Saturday.“

The secondary’s nickname isn’t “Ball-Hawks” for no reason. Someone’s bound to try and break the four-game interception drought, should the opportunity be there.

If the Hawkeyes have snapped the drought before, the defense can find a way to get at least one again.

“A big part of it is just kind of flying to the ball and being around the ball,” Hurkett said. “So I think it’s just a matter of time, hopefully, before that can carry over.

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