Know Your Opponent: Indiana faces the Iowa Hawkeyes for Homecoming
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Iowa comes in at 4-1 to their macth up with Indiana Image: Getty Images
Written By Lauralys Shallow
Head Coach: Kirk Ferentz
Overall: 155-118 (143-97) 22nd year
2017 Record: 8-5 (4-5)
Bowl Appearances Since 2000: 15 (7-8)
Mascot: Herky the Hawk
Colors: Gold and Black
Outfitter: Nike
National Titles: 0
Conference Titles:
Last Week’s Result: Won at 48-31 Minnesota
2018 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
STATISTICAL LEADERS:
Passing: Nate Stanley 87-141 (61.7%) 1,153 YDS, 9 TDs, 4 INTs
Rushing: Toren Young 54 att. 286 yards, 5.3 YPC 2 TDs
Receiving: T.J. Hockenson 18 rec. 287 yards 15.94 YPC 1 TD
Tackles: Jack Hockaday 33 Tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Pass Break Up
TALKING POINTS
1. Guarding Noah Fant and Hockenson
Iowa has two athletic tight ends with great hands and versatility. Starter, Noah Fant is an absolute monster of a tight end. The 6’5, 241-pound junior from Omaha, Nebraska led the nation’s tight ends with 16.5 yards per catch and 11 touchdown receptions last year. So far this season Fant has 19 catches for 196 yards, averages 10.2 yards per catch and has five touchdown receptions. The 6’5, 250-pound sophomore leads the team in receiving yards with 287 and averages 15.9 yards per catch with one touchdown. In last week’s win against Minnesota, Hockenson had 49 yards and caught a touchdown pass while Fant had 27 yards and one touchdown as well. If the Indiana defense does not prepare well enough for the tight end matchup, Iowa will have no problem scoring points on Saturday. The tandem of Fant and Hockenson is arguably the best tight end duo in the country and definitely the Big Ten, and Indiana’s secondary will be tested.
2. New Faces at LB
Middle linebacker Amani Jones will be out for the first half against Indiana. Jones was called for targeting in the final minutes of the fourth quarter in Iowa’s 48-31 win over Minnesota. Jones was replacing the Hawkeyes leading tackler Hockaday who suffered a knee injury in the first half. It is unlikely Hockaday will play against Indiana due to last week’s injuring, and with Jones sitting out for the first half, Iowa is missing its starting and second string middle linebacker. Barrington Wade, Kristian Welch and Djimon Colbert are the starting linebackers for Iowa this weekend. Welch has 27 tackles in four games this season while Djimon has 21 tackles and Wade has 1 tackle through five games. The three players combine for 1 TFL coming from Welch. True freshmen Dillon Doyle and Seth Benson traveled with Iowa to Minnesota last weekend, and they could potentially see play time against Indiana. Iowa is going to lack ton of depth in the middle linebacker spot in the first half. Getting Jones back for the second half is huge for Iowa, but Indiana is facing an Iowa defense that is injured and inexperienced especially in the middle of the field.
3. Nate Stanley has a Big Arm
Starting quarterback Nate Stanley has thrown for 1,153 yards and is completing 61.7 percent of his passes (87-41). Stanley has thrown for 9 touchdowns and has a quarterback rating of 145.78 through five games. Last weekend against Minnesota, Stanley had the best game of his season so far, throwing for 314 yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT. In the first quarter of the game against Minnesota, Stanley showed his arm strength when he threw a 60-yard dart to Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The most impressive part of the throw was Stanley’s ability to throw deep and accurately while on the run. Minnesota blitzed on 3rd & 8 and the pocket collapsed, forcing Stanley to step up in the pocket and throw the ball on the move. Yes, Smith-Marsette was wide open, but Stanley could not have made a more accurate pass while being chased by the Minnesota defensive line. Stanley is going to come into this game feeling very confident (as he should) after coming off a solid performance at Minnesota. Stanley led his team to a conference road win, and he has the arm and the weapons around him he needs to lead his team to another road win. It will not be enough for Indiana to pressure Stanley, the defense needs to make sacks and force him outside of the pocket because last week we saw how comfortable Stanley is stepping up in the pocket under pressure, and his arm can gash a defense.