Indiana Defense No Shows in Homecoming Loss to Iowa
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The Indiana defense has given up 12 touchdown passes in two weeks. Image: Sammy Jacobs Hoosier Huddle
Written By Nathan Comp
After a high-energy performance against Ohio State last week, many looked to this weeks’ homecoming game against Iowa as a potential “steal” of a win if the Hoosiers could perform similarly. Unfortunately, Indiana was unable to reproduce any of what was seen last week and limped away having been thoroughly outplayed, falling 42-16.
Entering the game, Indiana knew it would have to be able to stop the talented tight ends Noah Fant and TJ Hockenson. Fant is known as one of the best tight ends in college football, and he would be matched up against Indiana linebackers that have struggled in coverage responsibilities this year. The coverage woes continued, especially for Marcelino Ball, as the tight end pair combined for eight receptions, 208 yards, and 3 total touchdowns. Both averaged over 25 yards a catch and had receptions over 50 yards. Hockenson’s 54-yard touchdown reception came on a pass that was only thrown about ten yards, but after one of numerous missed tackles by the Indiana defense, led to Hockenson streaking down the sideline for a score. This was the first time that Iowa had a game in which two receivers had over 100 receiving yards since 2011 against Pittsburgh.
On the other end of those passes was the big-armed Iowa quarterback, Nate Stanley. Stanley came into the game having thrown nine touchdowns and four interceptions. The Indiana defense knew it needed to force Stanley out of the pocket to limit his ability to sling the ball downfield; it was unable to complete this goal as well. Stanley finished the day with six touchdown passes, the second week in a row that the Hoosier secondary has allowed its opponent’s quarterback to throw for six scores. Even when Stanley faced pressure, defender’s wimpy tackles could not bring him down. “He’s a big strong guy. Today he was better than our guys trying to get him to the ground,” Coach Allen said postgame. Nate Stanley’s 14 touchdowns over the last four games ties for the most ever in a four-game stretch in Iowa football history.
When the Iowa offensive line wasn’t pass blocking for Stanley to throw, it was opening up holes for the running game. Iowa running back Toren Young carried the ball 19 times and finished just under the century-mark in rushing yards. Iowa averaged 5 yards a carry, which set them up to always be in comfortable down-and-distance situations. The Indiana front seven rarely hit Iowa rushers before the line of scrimmage and truly got dominated by the bigger Iowa offensive line.
If allowing 479 total yards wasn’t bad enough, the Indiana defense coupled this with double-digit penalties for the first time in nine games, dating back to last season, for a total of 99 yards. Numerous penalties continued stalled Iowa drives, or completely flipped the field position battle in Iowa’s direction.
The road gets no easier for Indiana, as they welcome the top-ten ranked Penn State Nittany Lions to town next weekend at 3:30pm. The defense, and all other aspects of the game, simply must improve looking forward to Indiana’s bowl game wishes.