The Iowa defense posted a shutout for the first time since 2010 in its win over Illinois
By Courtney Baumann
CHAMPAIGN, Illinois – It’s been more than six years since the Iowa football team blanked an opponent, but they did it Saturday afternoon in Champaign.
The last time the Hawkeyes held an opponent scoreless was Sept. 25, 2010 when they took on Ball State in Kinnick. They did it once again on the road, when they beat Illinois, 28-0.
While the offense surely did its part in securing the win, the defense played with a type of ferocity throughout the game that cannot be denied.
“Any time you get a shutout, they’re hard to do, they’re hard to come by,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s a compliment to them all, the whole staff did a good job, and certainly the players, they’re the ones out there playing.”
Illinois totaled just 10 first downs throughout the entire game, and got within 30 yards of the goal line once in the 60 minutes of play – which didn’t even happen until Illinois’ last drive of the game.
Other than that, Iowa allowed the opponent into its territory just five times. They had control of the ball 14 times.
The defense allowed 198 yards at Memorial Stadium, the fewest it has given up in 2016, and just the third time over the past three seasons it has allowed less than 200 in a game.
Five Hawkeyes recorded more than five tackles – Josey Jewell, Anthony Gair, Manny Rugamba, Bo Bower, and Brandon Snyder – with Jewell leading the way, per usual.
The junior linebacker tallied 10 takedowns – three solo – with half a tackle for a loss.
“Josey plays a position where they can’t run away from him,” Ferentz said. “He is a really good football player. He’s an igniter, if you will. He’s just one of those guys.”
It was the second week in a row Jewell put up big numbers for the team. Last week against Michigan, he recorded 8 tackles, including four solo and 0.5 for a loss.
With the defense clicking as it has over the past couple of games, Jewell said it has made a difference in the team’s attitude.
“Everybody was doing their job. It started up front with the D-line, they did a good job and everybody else was filling gaps pretty well the whole game,” Jewell said. “It’s awesome, you have a little bit more fun out there, you’re able… to go out there and give it your all, not be hesitant.”
Senior cornerback Desmond King hauled in his second interception of the season – his 13th of his career, which ties him with Tyler Sash as No. 5 on the Hawkeye all-time list.
He had just one tackle on the day, unsurprising since offenses don’t throw his way all too much. Instead, Illinois quarterback Wes Lunt threw toward Rugamba, who is coming off a Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week award. Rugamba made his second start Saturday in place of Greg Mabin, who will most likely miss the rest of the season with a fracture.
The freshman had five solo tackles, seven in all. Iowa totaled 67 tackles in all, with two sacks and seven for a loss.
“It’s exciting when our defense is playing at a high tempo like this,” King said. “It’s a good thing that we’re going out there, doing our job, and playing as a unit.”
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