Iowa sticks with QB status quo, tinkers with offensive line

Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) appears to be like to go throughout a recreation between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Northwestern Wildcats at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa Metropolis, Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. The Hawkeyes defeated the Wildcats 33-13. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)

IOWA CITY — After Iowa soccer’s constitution flight from Columbus arrived at The Japanese Iowa Airport and whereas the staff was on the bus right down to Iowa Metropolis, Connor Colby discovered he was on the transfer.

“I simply obtained a textual content saying I used to be gonna be working at guard this week,” the Iowa offensive lineman and Cedar Rapids native mentioned.

Every week later, Colby performed for the primary time on the faculty stage at left guard as a part of a shake-up on the offensive line.

Colby changed Nick DeJong and Tyler Elsbury at left guard.

Jack Plumb then began at proper sort out. Plumb began 9 video games earlier than 2022, however performed sparingly this season behind Colby and left sort out Mason Richman.

Beau Stephens remained the starter at proper guard though DeJong additionally took snaps on the place.

Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned he sees Saturday’s 5 starters — Richman, Colby, heart Logan Jones, Stephens and Plumb — together with DeJong and Elsbury as “nonetheless most likely the highest seven guys proper now.”

“If we are able to stabilize that a part of issues somewhat bit, I believe it’s going to assist us total,” Ferentz mentioned.

The loss to Ohio State rapidly uncovered the challenges with Iowa’s earlier offensive line configuration of these seven gamers.

On Iowa’s first third-down play, Ohio State’s Zach Harrison sped previous Colby and clobbered quarterback Spencer Petras as he let go of an incompletion to tight finish Sam LaPorta.

“Simply type of like hit me within the head that perhaps it’s time to think about,” Ferentz mentioned, trying again at that play.

Colby was the beginning proper guard for many of his freshman season and earned first-team freshman All-America honors from the Soccer Writers Affiliation of America.

“I type of really feel extra at residence at guard,” Colby mentioned.

Whereas he has loads of familiarity with guard, being on the left aspect was a brand new phenomenon.

“I performed on the proper aspect like my complete life,” Colby mentioned. “The primary day (in follow) at left guard was somewhat little bit of an adjustment, however I really feel like I’m getting extra comfy.”

The offensive line as a complete gave quarterback Spencer Petras significantly extra time to throw and Iowa’s speeding assault way more area to run though it additionally got here towards a Northwestern staff on a six-game shedding streak quite than No. 2 Ohio State or then-No. 4 Michigan.

“Wanting to see the movie, however it appeared like we had been somewhat bit extra cohesive at the moment,” Ferentz mentioned. “And hopefully we are able to construct on that. That can actually assist us.”

Iowa averaged 4.8 yards per carry towards the Wildcats after averaging 2.6 yards per carry in its first seven video games.

Petras, in the meantime, appeared extra comfy than he did in every other recreation en path to going 21-for-30 with 220 yards and one landing.

“The offensive line stored me clear virtually the entire day,” Petras mentioned.

Talking of quarterback, the established order continued at a place the place many followers would have preferred to see a change.

Petras, who entered play Saturday having accomplished 53.1 p.c of his passes whereas throwing two touchdowns and 5 interceptions, remained the starter.

The choice was Alex Padilla, who noticed recreation motion for the primary time in 2022 towards No. 2 Ohio State after Petras had three turnovers within the first half. Padilla was 5-for-10 with an interception within the second half.

The promoting level for Petras was “most likely his consistency,” Ferentz mentioned.

“The issues that we take a look at at follow on daily basis,” Ferentz mentioned. “Nothing actually dramatic.”

Ferentz mentioned Tuesday he would “perhaps take it to Friday” earlier than naming a beginning quarterback after rotating Petras and Padilla within the first two days of follow.

Petras, nonetheless, had a “fairly good concept” he could be QB1 by Wednesday.

“However we didn’t speak about it till Friday, I assume,” Petras mentioned. “We didn’t have like an in-depth dialogue.”

Feedback: john.steppe@thegazette.com