By Mario Williams
There are simply few words to describe where the Iowa football team stands after its 17-9 loss against Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes just don’t look good. A shot in the Big Ten West seems out the window, so what now?
“We need to lock in,” defensive back Desmond King said after the loss. “We have to focus on the last four games and the last month. It’s up to us. We have to do what we have to do to win. We take one week at a time. We’re not worried about rankings or anything like that. We just have to do our job and correct our mistakes.”
Nothing seemed to be clicking for Iowa on either end of the field. When the offense finally started moving using a hurry-up approach, it was just a little too late.
The missed opportunities on offense were things Iowa didn’t need. The loss against Wisconsin was a game the Hawkeyes had chances to win.
Wisconsin was able to convert and execute. Iowa wasn’t able to do that at different points in the game. When the players were asked about some of the issues with the team and its identify, some pointed to not fully executing when needed.
Iowa went 2-of-13 on third downs against the Badgers.
“What we did on third downs is never going to get the job done,” wide receiver Riley McCarron said. “It’s important for us 11 guys to be on the same page. Third down is huge, and that’s what keeps drives alive. We didn’t get that done.”
It’s also very clear that the absence of Matt VandeBerg is still causing Iowa major issues on offense; the unit managed only 2 catches for 12 yards. Running back Akrum Wadley caught more passes than Iowa’s receivers, 7 for 72 yards. He was also the leading rusher. Iowa was outgained 423-236.
And when the offense lacked, the defense lacked, too, at times.
The defense did as much as it could do, because the offense couldn’t keep the pace going. The Hawkeyes had possession for just 22:58 compared with Wisconsin’s 37:02.
The defense gave the offense countless opportunities that the Hawkeyes let slip away. Given that the defense allowed Wisconsin to run down its throat and catch passes for majority of the game, the defense still showed up when the offense didn’t.
“It’s really all about playing complementary football,” defensive tackle Jaleel Johnson said. “If our offense isn’t doing what they need to do, it’s really up to our defense to go out there and keep getting stops. If the offense isn’t what they need to do, there is no argument that we as a defense need to pick it up every time.”
Iowa has even tougher opponents to play in the conference, and it’s not going to get any easier from here.
With its bye week approaching, the team should have some time to right the ship.
“We have to develop a knack of becoming a little more opportunistic,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said.