Actually I think DD realized in the red zone we held them for FG every time so we took a chance there

I am not saying we were outcoached by Iowa in any way shape or form, but Iowa just made one hell of a play call on that game winning TD. A lot of credit needs to go to their coaching staff for that W.

After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

I watched some of the game on the DVR. The one thing that struck me was that Kirk Ferentz never got panicky in his game. He held steady to course and it eventually paid off. Even judging by his sideline mannerisms he kept his calm in the midst of Iowa being behind. Give the man credit I guess.

Somebody still needs to explain to me what's so special about Vandenburg. Maybe he had a bad game or maybe it was the NIU defense, but still.

I thought the cornerbacks did a very good job on both sides. That made it difficult and risky for both QBs.

(09-02-2012 12:31 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

The Defense was gassed at the end. They were on the field for 38 minutes of the game. That said, the Iowa TD happened because of a lack of contain on the right side of our Defense. Maybe it was just a mental mistake or maybe fatigue was a factor.

(09-02-2012 12:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(09-02-2012 12:31 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

The Defense was gassed at the end. They were on the field for 38 minutes of the game. That said, the Iowa TD happened because of a lack of contain on the right side of our Defense. Maybe it was just a mental mistake or maybe fatigue was a factor.

By gassed you mean giving up 2 yards on the first 2 offensive plays?
Sure it was the 4th quarter and I bet they were tired but they we're playing with confidence. Just like in the MACC Doreen trusted his D...this time it didn't work out.

Doeren trusting the defense was the smart, and only, choice. The only thing working for NIU offensively was Lynch running the football. Iowa had zero respect for NIU's passing game, or the running backs. They learned as this game progressed, so credit Ferentz and credit his defense. Remember, that was a real Big 10 defense too.

(09-02-2012 12:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(09-02-2012 12:31 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

The Defense was gassed at the end. They were on the field for 38 minutes of the game. That said, the Iowa TD happened because of a lack of contain on the right side of our Defense. Maybe it was just a mental mistake or maybe fatigue was a factor.

There was definitely an adjustment made by the Iowa coaching staff made which prompted that call on the Iowa TD. Great piece of coaching and adjustment by Iowa.

(09-02-2012 01:35 PM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  

(09-02-2012 12:54 PM)huskiebob Wrote:  

(09-02-2012 12:31 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

The Defense was gassed at the end. They were on the field for 38 minutes of the game. That said, the Iowa TD happened because of a lack of contain on the right side of our Defense. Maybe it was just a mental mistake or maybe fatigue was a factor.

There was definitely an adjustment made by the Iowa coaching staff made which prompted that call on the Iowa TD. Great piece of coaching and adjustment by Iowa.

Yep. Ferentz earned his paycheck yesterday. As I said previously, he really kept his cool in this game and didn't go into panic mode.

If you're Iowa then you're thankful for a very hard fought win. More importantly, a game like THAT will really help their preparation for Big 10 play. Iowa played a very tough opponent and will grow from a game like that. In the same way we will.

(09-02-2012 01:34 PM)WhiskeyDick Wrote:  Doeren trusting the defense was the smart, and only, choice. The only thing working for NIU offensively was Lynch running the football. Iowa had zero respect for NIU's passing game, or the running backs. They learned as this game progressed, so credit Ferentz and credit his defense. Remember, that was a real Big 10 defense too.

I wouldn't have had an issue with either choice. By giving the safety, Iowa could've tied the game with a field goal going towards an end where they had already hit a 50 year field goal. Additionally, the wind REALLY picked up in the 2nd half, so Iowa would've had good field position after the free kick. Not 25 yard line good, but still very good & probably 25 yards or less away from field goal range. It was a difficult choice.

(09-02-2012 12:31 PM)numbersdontlie Wrote:  After re-watching the game DD had no reason to think that our D couldn't stop them again. The D made a mistake and it cost us.

If anything I think while the o-line played well we need to work on snapping the ball to Lynch.
1. the snap with a 30 yard lost
2. the fumble of the snap on the last series
3. general inconsistency in speed and location of the shotgun snaps.

Well played! Why would a coach want to give up 2 points and put the opponent, who was clearly gaining momentum, within a field goal of tying the game. DD is an outstanding game planner and game day coach. We have a team and a coaching staff that is equal to or better than most Big 10 teams. The biggest disparity between NIU and Big 10 teams is in the fan base.

Because allowing iowa to tie the game is better than losing the game..
also if they didnt throw an incomplete pass on 3rdthe down they could have eaten another 25-30 seconds off the clock. Leaving iowa with less time and forcing them to pass more.. which our defense did a great job of shutting down the pass.. the run not so much

(09-02-2012 05:20 PM)Djud Wrote:  We have a team and a coaching staff that is equal to or better than most Big 10 teams.

Ummm.........no.

Here's Doeren take on taking a safety. I can see both sides of this. Tough call to make consider how good our D was playing.

Doeron on taking a safety

(09-02-2012 09:02 PM)cartershaw Wrote:  Because allowing iowa to tie the game is better than losing the game..
also if they didnt throw an incomplete pass on 3rdthe down they could have eaten another 25-30 seconds off the clock. Leaving iowa with less time and forcing them to pass more.. which our defense did a great job of shutting down the pass.. the run not so much

It wasn't a sure thing Iowa would score that touchdown though. They were in a 3rd and long situation, and beat us with a sneak attack play call. It happens.

My heart sunk when Iowa made the 50 yard FG, that felt like the game right there.

(09-03-2012 12:00 AM)MaddDawgz02 Wrote:  My heart sunk when Iowa made the 50 yard FG, that felt like the game right there.

That hurt, but I think we still hold on if that punt bounces into the end zone. We had others things we could've done to win, but the punt was the key play in the entire game IMO. It changed everything and put us into a very difficult spot.

That punt set them up at the 25