LeShun Daniels runs for 123 yards, and Jordan Canzeri was Iowa’s yardage receiving leader

By Jordan Hansen
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Since Iowa’s open practice at in West Des Moines in April, it was obvious that both running backs Jordan Canzeri and LeShun Daniels would have places in the offense.

Even when Daniels was listed as the No. 1 back, the question never was if both would get significant snaps, it was how.

And on Sept. 5 against Illinois State, that question was answered.

Daniels, a junior, rushed 26 times for 123 yards, and Canzeri, a senior, caught 4 passes for 90 yards. Canzeri also added five rushes for 28 yards and a touchdown.

“I really think with us rotating like that, that it’s going to help our offense,” Daniels said. “He [Canzeri] can really come in and provide the big plays.”

This was the case against an overmatched Redbirds team. Canzeri had catches of 7, 21, 51, and 11 yards and provided different options for quarterback C.J. Beathard throughout the game.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game that it was part of the game plan to get Canzeri into open space, and it worked.

The Hawkeyes like to have a back who can catch out of the backfield (see: Bullock, Damon) but Canzeri’s prowess as a runner makes the defense respect that part of his game, too.

Canzeri’s speed also makes him perfect for the role. He’s not exactly a Darren Sproles-esque “scat back,” but he doesn’t have to be. For Iowa’s offense to work, it needs someone to give Daniels a rest, but it can’t be a one-dimensional third-down pass-catcher such as Bullock.

That said, Canzeri also excelled in the role of not being the feature back, something the senior seemingly accepted without issue.

“LeShun and I have a good relationship, and we showed it on the field,” Canzeri said. “One person getting some work down and then seeing the other person do the same exact job, is obviously a positive for our offense.”

Yes it’s a positive, but it’s also necessary. Canzeri has been oft injured through his seasons at Iowa and simply doesn’t have the frame (he’s just 5-9, 192 pounds) to take a season-long beating as the No. 1 back.

This is also what makes Daniels such a valued commodity. At 6-0, 225 pounds and built like a Mack Truck, he can take on a long Big Ten slate.

“We know what they have and what they can do,” Beathard said. “They went out there and proved it today.”

Beathard said Daniels could do the same things Canzeri could do out of the backfield. Obviously, it’s impossible to see into the future and on to the rest of the season, but Daniels catching passes out of the backfield would only open up the offense further.

Even if he does start catching the ball out of the backfield, it’s hard to imagine it would cut into Canzeri’s playing time all that much.

The Hawkeyes now have a blueprint they’ll be able to use the rest of the season on how to use both running backs talents to their maximum potential.

“We’ve got one game of evidence right now,” Ferentz said. “It’s going to be a team effort.”

Follow @JordyHansen for news, updates, and analysis about the Iowa football team.