Iowa
How predictable is the Iowa offense? Studying the Hawkeyes’ tendencies
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When an offense has issues, there’s a natural tendency to evaluate every aspect of play calling and, in most cases, overanalyze what is going wrong.
For Iowa (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten), which has struggled in most offensive facets the past two-plus seasons, every aspect is fair game, from personnel groupings to situational runs and passes. That’s especially true for a team ranked 130th in total offense, 113th in rushing and 128th in passing.
With the Hawkeyes approaching the midpoint this week against Purdue, let’s examine a few of their offensive tendencies, groupings and crutches as they move to new quarterback Deacon Hill.
Groupings: WRs vs. TEs
As “Tight End U,” Iowa’s offensive staff has leaned into that stereotype in how it stacks its formations. Through five games, the Hawkeyes have lined up with two-plus tight ends on 72.7 percent of their snaps. That number has dipped since Luke Lachey’s season-ending injury in Week 3, but only from 76 percent.
It’s not unusual for the Hawkeyes to use multiple tight ends as their primary grouping, but the numbers are extreme this year. Even with a depleted receiving corps in 2022, Iowa used two or more tight ends on just 61.7 percent of its offensive snaps. That includes current Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta lining up as an X-receiver or Monte Pottebaum playing a hybrid fullback tight end.
What’s striking is in 2018, when the Hawkeyes had first-rounders T.J. Hockenson and Noah Fant, they used two tight ends on 61.8 percent of their snaps.
Erick All and the tight ends continue to be a big part of the offense. (Matthew Holst / Getty Images)
“In my mind, 12 can play a lot of ways,” offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said about a one-back, two-tight-end set. “The question you have to ask with however you line up is why? Why are we doing this and are we getting our best players on the field? And, more importantly, are we targeting our best players with the football?”
This year, Iowa quarterbacks have targeted tight ends and wide receivers 53 times each. Running backs (15) and throwaways (four) comprise the rest. Last week against Michigan State was only the second game this season that receivers had at least double-digit targets. But those targets came with only 16 snaps of a three-receiver set.
“If it were me — me being a receivers guy — I’m gonna say, ‘Hey, we can be in 10 personnel,’” receivers coach Kelton Copeland said about a four-receiver package. “But we know that’s not how we operate here at Iowa. So it doesn’t matter what I think; it’s a matter of what’s going to help us be the most successful.”
In 2019, Iowa used 11 personnel (three receivers, one tight end, one back) on 51.3 percent of its offensive snaps, the only year that grouping was a sizable majority. But 11 personnel also had the most snaps in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.
“If your best grouping — which for us in ’19 was 11 — then you’re playing 11,” Brian Ferentz said. “The difference between 11 and 12 is you can’t line up in 12 formations out of 11. If you have a receiver that can line up in a three-point stance and block guys, then you’re in 12. He’s a tight end. He’s Noah (Fant). It doesn’t swing both ways.”
Iowa does incorporate empty backfield formations, of which most teams use three or four receivers, but the Hawkeyes employ two receivers, two tight ends and a running back — lately true freshman Terrell Washington — out wide. So the formation has elements of 11 or 10 personnel but actually is 12.
“I have input on personnel,” Copeland said. “I think Nico (Ragaini, a receiver) can do this, or Erick (All, a tight end) may be able to do this better. So that in itself may dictate, OK, we need to be in 11 personnel versus 12 personnel or a variation of either one.”
Shotgun passing vs. running
Iowa has a balanced offense when it comes to plays under center (52 percent) against those in shotgun (48 percent), but it’s not at all balanced when it comes to running and passing out of those looks.
By percentage, it’s fascinating. Iowa is under center for 76 percent of its run plays and in shotgun for 76 percent of its pass plays. Based on personnel grouping, only one grouping lacks hardcore tendencies, however.
Iowa is under center every time it lines up in 22 personnel (two backs, two tight ends), 21 personnel (two backs, one tight end) or any formation with three or more tight ends. Every snap Iowa has taken with three receivers on the field has come in shotgun (73).
The only grouping that has used shotgun and under center is 12 personnel, with 53 percent of plays coming in shotgun.
Perhaps the most significant tell comes with 11 personnel. All 71 plays thus far have taken place in shotgun. They include 45 passes and 26 running attempts. However, 11 of those runs were quarterback runs, scrambles or sacks. That means that 79 percent of 11 personnel snaps are called pass plays. That’s not quite as predictable as in 2016, when 74 of Iowa’s final 75 third-down plays in 11 personnel were called passes under former offensive coordinator Greg Davis. But it’s not far off, either.
“A part of that is what you do best,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “There’s certain things that you’re going to have tendencies of doing, like we tend to play a pretty similar front down in and down out. But you have to have some adjustments off of the tweaks, that type of thing.
“You don’t want to just be entirely predictable, so you need to have a counterpunch to whatever it is you’re doing and whatever you hang your hat on, if you will.”
First down to second down
A team’s most obvious offensive tendencies often come after unsuccessful plays on first down. In two specific areas, Iowa is too predictable.
The first is calling a running play on second down after a first-down incompletion. The ratio was in favor of run to pass, seven to five. On the surface, that’s a solid number. However, two of those passes took place in two-minute drills. So in traditional situations, around 70 percent of its second-down plays are runs after a first-down incompletion.
The other area — and worse statistically — is a called passing play on a first-down run of 3 yards or less. Of the 40 plays that fit that category, 29 were passes, 10 were runs and the other was in victory formation. However, four rushes were in late-game situations in which Iowa was attempting to run out the clock. So when removing those plays and the victory formation kneeldown, 83 percent of its offensive snaps following a short first-down run are passing plays.
“That’s always part of your consideration,” Kirk Ferentz said about tendencies. “But the other part is games can skew. Like, you take the Penn State game (a 31-0 loss). You’re playing situationally in the second half; it’s pretty predictable what you need to do if you’re going to get back in the game. So certain things you pull out, certain things you include. It’s not just pure numbers.”
Down and quarter
Finally, there’s execution based on down and quarter. When the Hawkeyes work off a script sheet in the first quarter or on first down, they produce quality results.
In the opening frame, Iowa quarterbacks have completed 17 of 28 passes (60.7 percent) for 183 yards and two touchdowns, with only one interception coming on a diving, one-handed effort. Likewise, the Hawkeyes have run for 208 yards on 33 attempts (6.3 yards per carry). From there, however, the offense falls apart.
In the second quarter, the Hawkeyes have completed just 11 of 30 passes (36.7 percent) for 91 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The passing numbers on second down mirror the second-quarter numbers at 13-of-29 (44.8 percent) for 129 yards and one score.
As with most teams, the stats get worse on third down at 13-of-33 passing (35.4 percent) for 196 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The third-quarter passing features an uptick from the second quarter in competition percentage (63.2), but the attempts (19) and yards (105) are on the low side.
Along with non-script passing, Iowa’s largest concerns come in the running game after halftime. In the third and fourth quarters, the Hawkeyes have totaled 164 yards on 67 carries (2.4 yards per carry). Iowa did rush for 36 yards in the fourth quarter against Michigan State, though, which was a positive development.
So what’s the issue?
“It’s a complex equation,” Kirk Ferentz said. “The offense is more complex other than just saying this, this, and this. The fourth quarter the other day, at least we looked like we were back kind of going the way we need to go.”
(Top photo of Brian Ferentz: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)
Iowa
Iowa football isn’t always pretty, but because of Kirk Ferentz, it has punched above its weight class
IOWA CITY, Iowa — In unseasonably warm air and beneath a blueish haze over Kinnick Stadium, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz took a moment to himself with two minutes left and his team wrapping up a 40-16 win against Washington.
Ferentz stood apart from his team on the sideline with his headset on as his offense huddled during the media timeout. On the video board, his picture appeared. Public address announcer Mark Abbott relayed that Ferentz was about to win his 200th game as Iowa’s head coach, passing Amos Alonzo Stagg for second in Big Ten history. The crowd stood and applauded, and Ferentz acknowledged them with a wave.
GO DEEPER
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz earns 200th career win as Big Ten coach
Tight end Luke Lachey gave him a hug, as did running back Kaleb Johnson. Backup quarterback Marco Lainez III shook his hand. With 33 seconds left, Ferentz walked to the TigerHawk at midfield, shook hands with Washington counterpart Jedd Fisch and completed an interview with Fox Sports. More subdued than emotional, Ferentz jogged off the playing surface, up the tunnel and into Iowa’s locker room where his players welcomed him with a water bottle shower.
Sunshine and 70-degree days — literally or figuratively — rarely have followed Ferentz into October in his coaching career, so the picturesque autumn setting was abnormal for college football’s longest-tenured coach. However, how Ferentz and the Hawkeyes responded to a 35-7 loss to Ohio State last week went entirely by script.
There are two defining characteristics through the highs and lows of Ferentz’s 26 years at Iowa: One, his players trust him and believe in him. The other truth is, no football coach — thus, no program — responds better to adversity than Ferentz and his Hawkeyes.
Ferentz’s entire career has revolved around continual improvement. And Iowa has gone very far following Ferentz’s ethos.
“He’s the same person every day,” said left tackle Mason Richman, who is in his fifth season. “He brings the same exact energies. You know exactly what to expect from him, no matter what the scoreboard says.”
Iowa rarely recruits five-star players and mostly signs three-star prospects. Only once in his career did Iowa finish in the top 15 in national recruiting, and that was in 2005. The Hawkeyes are a low-offer program because they heavily research character in recruiting. They want high achievers with good grades who were team captains in multiple sports. To Ferentz and his staff, those players invest themselves and improve others.
“I feel like we recruit the type of the right type of guys,” Iowa linebacker Jay Higgins said. “We just don’t have selfish guys in the locker room. So when you have good guys who understand what a team should look like, and then you also have a good leader, it’s easy to stand together. I just think this team, this program, anytime there’s adversity, we only get closer.”
Those types of players are built to handle challenges, and Iowa continues to have the right coach to navigate them through it. The examples in Ferentz’s era abound.
• In 2016, the Hawkeyes gave up 599 yards in a 41-14 massacre at eventual Big Ten champion Penn State. As a three-touchdown home underdog to No. 2 Michigan the following week, Iowa bounced back with a stunning 14-13 upset.
• Sitting at the midpoint of the 2008 season, Iowa was 15-16 over 2 1/2 seasons. Ferentz never wavered, and neither did his team. The Hawkeyes won their final four games to end that season, and then their first nine in 2009. They finished with their highest final ranking (No. 7) since 1960.
• In 2014, Iowa continued a slope of mediocrity by losing all four rivalry trophy games and finishing 7-6. The next year, dubbed “New Kirk,” Ferentz switched practices from afternoon to morning and became much more open in the public. The players responded in 2015 with a spirit of togetherness, leading to a school-record 12 wins. From that year onward, Iowa ranks tied for 10th among power-conference teams in victories.
• Two years ago, Iowa’s offense was among the nation’s worst in every category. After a 7-3 season-opening win against South Dakota State in which the Hawkeyes scored on two safeties and a field goal, linebacker Jack Campbell shot down any question that dealt with division. Campbell’s attitude set the tone for that season and it carried over to 2023, in which Iowa’s offense posted the Big Ten’s worst statistical numbers in nearly 40 years. Yet there was no sniping, let alone dissension. The team eventually claimed the Big Ten West Division crown.
• In 2004, Iowa started 2-2, including a 44-7 loss at Arizona State. Despite losing four scholarship running backs to injury, the Hawkeyes held it together with defense mixed with an occasional highlight-reel play. The Hawkeyes won their final eight games, claimed a share of the Big Ten title and won the Capital One Bowl with a 56-yard touchdown pass on the game’s final play.
That 2004 team was honored Saturday before the second quarter to rousing applause. One of its stars, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, was Iowa’s honorary captain on Saturday. It was a team molded by adversity, and it charted an unconventional path of success. It even took a safety midway through the fourth quarter against Penn State in a 6-4 win. Ferentz gave the eulogy at his father’s funeral in Pittsburgh the day before that game.
Most teams would have crumbled in any of those situations, but Iowa never did.
Why? Ferentz.
“It’s definitely his leadership,” Higgins said. “He truly only cares about the guys in the locker room. When you’ve got a guy like that thinking you’re able to respond, it’s nice. He’s not gonna freak out. Doesn’t matter what the headline is. He’s not gonna come to the meeting room and read off the headlines. He keeps his voice, and we all respond off him. If he’s calm and he knows that we need to respond after a bad game or a tough situation, we’re all going to follow that.”
None of those anecdotes mean Ferentz is perfect. Far from it. Critiques are plentiful about his son, Brian, running his offense for seven years, especially when the final three were so rough. Brian remained in place until university president Barbara Wilson and athletic director Beth Goetz stepped in and dismissed him following the 2023 season. Other complaints about Ferentz’s game-day decision making are fair.
And in 2020, dozens of former players accused the program of racial insensitivity and bias, which was confirmed through an independent investigation. Instead of resisting necessary changes or stepping down, Ferentz opted for a new course. He accepted responsibility and sought counsel from former players, relieved longtime strength coach Chris Doyle and extended a leadership council to include more voices. Many arbitrary rules such as not using X or wearing hoodies in the football complex were vacated. Although some feel the changes didn’t go far enough — while others believed they went too far — there’s no doubt the program has become more welcoming to all players. Its attrition rate is among the lowest in the Big Ten, and it has won the third most games in the Big Ten since that season.
With Ferentz’s guidance, Iowa has punched well above its weight class.
Its recruiting rankings are closer to those of Illinois and Purdue than Michigan and Penn State, yet the Hawkeyes’ results are closer to the latter. Iowa finds ways to win where its peers fall short. It’s not always pretty and perhaps it won’t ever win the ultimate prize. But that Iowa remains anywhere near the College Football Playoff rankings most years is a credit to Ferentz.
“I appreciate him how much this program means to him,” Richman said. “When you get an appreciation like that, you’re less stressed out. With him at the helm, this place has a really special place in my heart and the hearts of many across the entire state.”
(Top photo of Kirk Ferentz: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)
Iowa
What channel is Iowa State vs. West Virginia game tonight (10/12/24)? FREE LIVE STREAM, Time, TV, Channel for college football, Week 7
The No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones, led by quarterback Rocco Becht, face the West Virginia Mountaineers, led by quarterback Garrett Greene on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024 (10/12/24) at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W. Va.
How to watch: Fans can watch the game for free via a trial of DirecTV Stream or fuboTV. You can also watch via a subscription to Sling TV.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: NCAA Football, Week 7
Who: Iowa State vs. West Virginia
When: Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024
Where: Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FOX
Live stream: fuboTV (free trial), DirecTV Stream (free trial)
***
Here are the best streaming options for college football this season:
Fubo TV (free trial): fuboTV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC, NBC and CBS.
DirecTV Stream (free trial): DirecTV Stream carries ESPN, FOX, NBC and CBS.
Sling TV ($25 off the first month)– Sling TV carries ESPN, FOX, ABC and NBC.
ESPN+($9.99 a month): ESPN+ carries college football games each weekend for only $9.99 a month. These games are exclusive to the platform.
Peacock TV ($5.99 a month): Peacock will simulstream all of NBC Sports’ college football games airing on the NBC broadcast network this season, including Big Ten Saturday Night. Peacock will also stream Notre Dame home games. Certain games will be streamed exclusively on Peacock this year as well.
Paramount+ (free trial): Paramount Plus will live stream college football games airing on CBS this year.
***
Here’s a preview capsule via the Associated Press:
No. 11 Iowa State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) at West Virginia (3-2, 2-0), Saturday, 8 p.m. ET (Fox)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Iowa State by 3.
Series record: West Virginia leads 6-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Iowa State is off to its best start since 1980, and a win would make them 6-0 for the first time since 1938. The Cyclones are looking to extend their road winning streak to seven games. West Virginia is going after its third straight win after a 1-2 start. Iowa State and West Virginia are 2-0 in conference play. One of them will forge a first-place tie with idle Texas Tech.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa State’s defense vs. West Virginia QB Garrett Greene. Of the dual-threat quarterbacks the Cyclones have faced so far, Greene could be the best. He had runs of 39, 15 and 10 yards against Oklahoma State last week and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 59 yards per game. Run defense hasn’t been a strength for the Cyclones, who hope to force Greene to try to beat them through the air. Iowa State has the Big 12’s top defense, allowing just 10 points and 272 yards per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Iowa State: LB Kooper Ebel has led or co-led the team in tackles in three straight games. He made just three tackles in eight games as a freshman last year. He added 15 pounds to get up to 240 on his 6-foot-4 frame and has made at least six stops in all five games. Last week he had eight tackles and a quarterback hurry against Baylor.
West Virginia: RB Jahiem White. The sophomore ran for a season-high 158 yards in the lopsided win at Oklahoma State and the Mountaineers compiled 389 on the ground. White hopes to be back on track after being limited to 94 yards combined against No. 4 Penn State, No. 22 Pittsburgh and Kansas.
FACTS & FIGURES
Anthony Becht, a tight end for the Mountaineers from 1996 to 1999, will be honored during the game for his induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. His son, Rocco, is Iowa State’s quarterback. … The Cyclones have won 12 straight when scoring at least 30 points. They’ve scored at least 30 in the last five meetings with WVU. … ISU had nine plays of 20 or more yards against Baylor last week, tied for the most by a Power Four team against a conference opponent this season. … The Cyclones’ defense gets better as the game progresses. They’re allowing an average of 4.0 points and 112 yards in the second halves. … West Virginia will wear all-black uniforms in honor of the state’s coal mining industry.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription.
The Rosemount High School Marching Band is celebrating a big victory from a competition earlier this fall. In late September they took home the Class AAA Championship trophy at the Bands of America regional competition in Waukee, Iowa. Members of the band joined the FOX 9 Morning News to talk about the win and share how they are getting ready for another big competition this weekend at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Country star Brantley Gilbert stops Mississippi concert to help wife deliver baby on tour bus: ‘Craziest night of my life’
Missouri vs. Auburn Football Game Tickets, Venue, Start Time – Oct. 19 – Bleacher Nation
Last-known images of Montana missing mom caught on tape
Nebraska Volleyball vs Rutgers Photos | 10-12-2024 | Hurrdat Sports
Oregon State Beavers Fall In Reno To Nevada Wolf Pack – Game Highlights | Daily Tidings
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Gretchen Whitmer apologizes for video of her feeding Doritos to kneeling podcaster following backlash
Recruiters raid Kyiv venues for men not registered for conscription
US election briefing: Trump visits Coachella while Harris packs diapers in North Carolina
Vance points out the 'biggest difference' between leadership of Trump, Harris during campaign stop
At least 11 killed in fighting between tribes in northwest Pakistan
-
World1 week agoUkrainian stronghold Vuhledar falls to Russian offensive after two years of bombardment
-
World1 week agoWikiLeaks’ Julian Assange says he pleaded ‘guilty to journalism’ in order to be freed
-
Technology1 week agoBeware of fraudsters posing as government officials trying to steal your cash
-
Health1 week agoHealth, happiness and helping others are vital parts of free and responsible society, Founding Fathers taught
-
Sports1 week agoFreddie Freeman says his ankle sprain is worst injury he's ever tried to play through
-
News1 week agoLebanon says 50 medics killed in past three days as Israel extends its bombardment
-
Entertainment3 days agoHold my beer can: Museum says a worker thought unique art installation was trash
-
Entertainment4 days ago'The Office' star Jenna Fischer reveals private breast cancer battle: 'I am cancer free'