Average rush by running quarterbacks against Iowa in 2014: 5.6 yards
At times in 2014, dual-threat quarterbacks crippled Iowa in both close and not-so-close
games.
Four times last season, the Hawks allowed an opposing quarterback to rush for more than 60 yards, one of them being Wisconsin backup Tanner McEvoy — a player defenses know is going to run the ball when he’s on the field.
Mitch Leidner also torched the Hawks for 77 yards on 11 carries in the blowout 51-14 loss to Minnesota. And of course, no performance was more daunting than Tennessee’s Joshua Dobbs in the TaxSlayer Bowl, in which he ran for 76 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 carries.
Iowa actually lost to every running quarterback it came into contact with last season, except for Riley O’Toole of Illinois — a backup who rushed 5 times for 29 yards.
Tre Roberson’s yard per carry in 2014: 6.0
Illinois State’s man behind center fully embodies a dual-threat player, enjoying breakout success 2014.
The former Hoosier threw for more than 3,200 yards with 30 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions — and his legs are what make him dangerous.
He topped 1,000 yards last year on 171 carries, running by design and when plays broke down. If Iowa doesn’t keep him in the pocket in passing situations, it could be a long day for the Hawkeyes.
Yards Marshaun Coprich outrushed Iowa by last season: 154
Roberson isn’t the only Redbird who could give Iowa’s defense trouble Saturday. Coprich, a senior running back, earned All-American honors last season after rushing for 2,274 and 27 touchdowns.
That production came against a lower level of competition, but Coprich keeps defenses honest for Roberson in the passing game — which goes a long way.
And consider this: Iowa’s two-back attack of Mark Weisman and Jordan Canzeri rushed for a combined 1,306 yards in 2014; Coprich ran for nearly 1,000 more on his own.
Redbird receptions lost to graduation: 158
One of the things that made this Illinois State team so good a season ago was its experience at wide receiver, but Roberson’s top three targets from 2014 have since moved on to life after college.
Around 73 percent of the team’s receptions on the year came from players in their final year of eligibility — and they were good.
Cameron Meredith hauled in 66 passes for 1,061 yards with 9 touchdowns. Lechein Neblett also went more than 1,000 yards receiving with an average yards per catch of 18.9. Ja O’Shaughnessy averaged 18.8 yards on his 29 receptions, going for 544 yards and 9 touchdowns.