Iowa’s consistency on special teams far from Big Ten norm

Superior metrics present Hawkeyes forward of Large Ten friends in particular groups effectivity

Iowa particular groups gamers huddle ultimately zone earlier than taking up the Purdue Boilermakers at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa Metropolis, Iowa, on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)

INDIANAPOLIS — Iowa’s continued particular groups success is hardly information by now.

Soccer Outsiders had Iowa as second within the FBS in 2021, tenth in 2020 and third in 2019. ESPN’s Soccer Energy Index had the unit as sixth in 2021 and fourth in 2020 and 2019.

That degree of play has turn out to be the norm in Iowa Metropolis, however the Hawkeyes’ Large Ten neighbors have proven that constant excellence in particular groups isn’t one thing to be taken with no consideration.

Six of the 14 Large Ten groups ranked worse than one centesimal in particular groups effectivity in ESPN’s FPI in 2021.

Iowa, beneath the tutelage of particular groups coordinator LeVar Woods, is the one Large Ten workforce to be within the high 10 of the statistic in every of the final three seasons.

Rutgers has reached that mark in two of the final three seasons, however no different workforce has completed twenty fifth or higher a number of occasions since 2019.

“It takes work,” Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano mentioned at Large Ten Media Days. “It takes precision. … It’s a really nuanced a part of the sport of soccer.”

Schiano considers particular groups because the “largest alternate of actual property that happens on a constant foundation within the sport of soccer,” and he prioritizes it accordingly.

“Whenever you have a look at kickoff and kickoff returns, these are offensive and defensive performs,” Schiano mentioned. “The one distinction is as an alternative of lining up in a formation and operating the play, you line up unfold out all around the discipline and then you definately run to get to that formation.”

One doesn’t should look far to see the particular groups curiosity in Iowa Metropolis, whether or not that’s from gamers or coaches.

When Large Ten Return Specialist of the 12 months Charlie Jones left through the switch portal, an abundance of gamers expressed curiosity in taking on punt or kick returns.

“Specialists, that’s what they do,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned. “However for the opposite guys, in the event that they’re not enthusiastic about it, (that’s a) fairly good indication we’re not going to place them on the market.”

So simple as making particular groups a precedence might sound, many Large Ten groups have proved in any other case.

Nebraska Coach Scott Frost has loads of expertise enjoying on particular groups — “that’s just about the one manner I stayed within the NFL for six years,” he mentioned at Large Ten Media Days — however the numbers haven’t been fairly in Lincoln, Neb.

Nebraska’s particular groups effectivity was 128th final yr, based on ESPN’s FPI.

“It has been an emphasis for us,” Frost mentioned in Indianapolis. “We’re trying ahead to engaged on that some extra.”

Punting specifically, Frost mentioned, “price us a pair video games” in 2021. Iowa’s 28-21 comeback win would in all probability fall in that class.

“The youngsters know the way essential it’s,“ Frost mentioned.

Feedback: (319) 398-8394; john.steppe@thegazette.com