Sept. 4, 2006
- Order the “Video Season Ticket”
- Kinnick: The play at Hancher
- The Schedule: 2006 and beyond
- Cruise with Kirk
How best to describe Iowa football’s opening act of the 2006 season? Maybe something like this:
The defense was consistently good while the offense was – uh – consistently inconsistent.
First the good part. Maybe Iowa has had a younger defense in the last 50 years, but I can’t recall one. Only three seniors – linebacker Edmond Miles and safeties Marcus Paschal and Miguel Merrick – are in the starting lineup. Only two others are in the two-deep.
The front four two-deep is mainly sophomores and freshmen. Linebackers Abdul Hodge and Chad Greenway, who anchored last year’s defense, are now in the NFL. Both cornerbacks are new.
Despite its youth and loss of key players, Iowa’s defense is expected to be very good this season, and off Saturday’s performance against Montana, there is every reason to believe that will be true.
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Despite its youth and loss of key players, Iowa’s defense is expected to be very good this season, and off Saturday’s performance against Montana, there is every reason to believe that will be true.
Montana is annually one of the top Division 1-AA teams in the nation. It has won at least eight games in each of the last 13 years and is expected to contend for the 1-AA national championship again this season. Saturday it unveiled a new quarterback who threw 15 touchdown passes while playing for Washington State. |
Montana is annually one of the top Division 1-AA teams in the nation. It has won at least eight games in each of the last 13 years and is expected to contend for the 1-AA national championship again this season. Saturday it unveiled a new quarterback who threw 15 touchdown passes while playing for Washington State.
The biggest difference in 1-AA teams like Montana and 1-A teams like Iowa is 20 scholarship players (65 to 85). Despite that handicap, Montana’s record against 1-A teams is 7-16 and it has played competitively in many of those defeats. (Did you notice that Montana State, also a 1-AA team, beat Colorado Saturday?)
Iowa’s defense was impressive in holding the Grizzlies to a meager 2.6 yards per play. The visitors gained only 10 yards rushing and 144 total yards. Their only touchdown came after Iowa’s offense turned the ball over in its own territory.
Iowa’s new linebackers, Mike Klinkenborg and Mike Humpal, had a hand in 17 tackles and Humpal had an interception that is highlight reel material. The front four of Bryan Mattison, Mitch King, Alex Kanellis and Ryan Bain not only were strong against the run but kept good pressure on the quarterback. And next week junior Kenny Iwebema, considered Iowa’s best defensive lineman, is scheduled to return.
If you are giving out grades for the opener, mark down an A for Iowa’s defense. Coordinator’s Norm Parker’s group was very good from start to finish.
As for the offense, it’s hard to find fault with a unit that scored five touchdowns and two field goals on its way to 41 points, but let’s try anyway. This mostly veteran group had lots of malfunctions the first 2 ½ quarters.
Some possessions were downright ugly due to penalties and lack of execution. Dropped passes were a serious problem.
But when Montana narrowed the score to 17-7 with 6:44 left in the third period, Iowa’s offense suddenly found itself. It drove 81 yards to score a TD that essentially sealed the verdict, then scored on its next three possessions, even with reserves playing prominent roles.
The offense stumbled at the start and finished with a flourish, leaving room for both criticism and praise. Tailback Albert Young predicted the players would “get chewed out” by the coaching staff this week. Maybe, but they’ll also get a pat or two on the back.
The absence of veteran wide receivers was noticeable in the first half. Then true freshmen Dominique Douglas and Anthony Bowman emerged after intermission to dazzle the Hawkeye faithful.
Maybe the biggest and most pleasant surprise of the day was redshirt freshman Austin Signor, who filled in for the injured Kyle Schlicher. Signor (pronounced SEEG-nor) booted two long field goals, five extra points and boomed kickoffs through the end zone.
By the time the game was over five tailbacks had carried the football, and three quarterbacks had completed passes to nine different receivers. Andy Fenstermaker averaged nearly 40 yards on three punts and the special teams performed well.
The participation chart shows 64 Hawkeyes saw action, which means a lot of reserves got playing time. That’s what opening football games are for.
Now it’s on to Syracuse where a Division 1-A opponent awaits for Iowa’s first road test of the season.
Editor’s Note George Wine was sports information director for the UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics for 25 years. His weekly thoughts on the nationally ranked UI football program reflects his knowledge of the game, knowledge of the history of UI intercollegiate athletics, and passion for the Hawkeyes and the University of Iowa.