Report card: How did Iowa football look against Wisconsin?
Iowa’s offense and defense weren’t terrible, but special teams miscues sealed the deal.
Iowa’s Nate Stanley lines up on offense during a football game between Iowa and Wisconsin on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018. The Badgers defeated the Hawkeyes, 28-17.
September 23, 2018
Offense: B
Nate Stanley didn’t put up the numbers he did against Ohio State in 2017, but his outing against the Badgers was one of his best games in a Hawkeye uniform.
His passes combined with Iowa’s solid ground game formed a pleasant surprise against a defense giving up roughly 275 yards per game (Iowa gained 404 yards of offense).
Defense: B-
The Hawkeyes didn’t stop the Badgers when they needed to the most. But aside from that go-ahead drive, Iowa held the Wisconsin offense in check.
Jonathan Taylor churned out his lowest rushing total of the season (113 yards), well below his 171.6 average rushing yards per game.
Allowing Alex Hornibrook to methodically drive down and score late was not good, though.
Special Teams: D+
Shaun Beyer touched a ball that he shouldn’t have. Kyle Groeneweg signaled for a fair catch at the Hawkeye 3-yard line and fumbled the ball on another return. What could go wrong went wrong for Iowa on special teams.
Miguel Recinos hit a field goal, however.
