Iowa can only be partly happy with its run game right now.

The Hawkeyes are averaging 3.9 yards per carry, which ranks 10th in the Big Ten — one spot ahead of Rutgers.

But some of that can be attributed to the sacks Nate Stanley has suffered. Including sacks, Stanley has carried the ball 48 times for -18 yards.

Each of Iowa’s three main running backs — Mekhi Sargent, Tyler Goodson, and Toren Young — average at least 4.5 yards per carry.

But it’s been Goodson, the true freshman from Suwanee, Georgia, who has stuck out the most as the biggest surprise.

“The kid’s hungry, and I mean that because he’s willing to learn,” Iowa running backs’ coach Derrick Foster said. “I think Tyler responds to coaching… I think he accepts that accountability and takes ownership in that.”

Goodson has racked up 316 yards and a touchdown on 64 carries. He also leads running backs with 19 receptions.

Against Northwestern on Oct. 26, Goodson recorded one carry for two yards in the first half, as the Hawkeyes carried a mostly dormant ground attack into the break.

Then, on Iowa’s first drive of the third quarter, Goodson broke loose for 48 yards on eight carries to open the door for six points.

It’s been a long time coming for Goodson to receive more reps on Saturdays, but it seems as if that time may be coming.

“It takes time for a young player to become comfortable, and as a coach, it’s about that trust factor,” Foster said. “Once you’re able to break through that trust factor with the coaches —with coach [Kirk] Ferentz, with Brian [Ferentz], or the position coach — I think at any point in time, you’re not afraid to put any player in any situation.

“I think he’s earned that trust. He’s earned the right to be on the football field, and I think everybody feels the same way.”

Martin watch

In Oliver Martin’s first game donning the Black and Gold in Kinnick Stadium, he caught a touchdown on his first reception.

Since that first game against Miami (Ohio) — he finished with two receptions for 14 yards — he’s hauled in three passes for 14 yards.

Martin hasn’t caught a pass since Iowa beat Middle Tennessee 48-3 on Sept. 28.

Wide receivers’ coach Kelton Copeland acknowledged the opportunity for Martin to earn more playing time in the absence of Brandon Smith but noted the difficulty of learning what’s expected after transferring from a different school.

“Everybody wants Oliver to play right now, and it’s kind of unfair,” Copeland said. “It takes a lot for any young man, whether it’s coming out of high school or coming from another four-year institution. It takes a lot to learn what’s being asked from them on a day-to-day basis. We hold these guys accountable to a very high standard.”

Evans making impact on D-line

Iowa defensive line coach Kelvin Bell knew it would happen.

He said he told redshirt freshman defensive end Joe Evans — who joined the Hawkeye program as a linebacker in 2018 — that he would record a sack against Northwestern.

He was right.

Evans finished the game with two tackles and 1.5 sacks, as the Hawkeye defense shut out its second Big Ten opponent of the season.

After moving to the defensive line room in the spring, Evans has found a way to make an impact for Iowa’s defense.

“We just kept getting him reps, letting him keep getting his feet wet,” Bell said. “You’re looking for a spark and a change in production. I felt comfortable just putting him in the game in that role. ‘Hey, you go in, and you rush the quarterback.’”