Sept. 20, 2013
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Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — When sophomore fullbacks Adam Cox and Macon Plewa line up in the University of Iowa offensive backfield, the Hawkeyes turn to old-school football.
In a day and age where the fullback position is nearly extinct, the game plan is simple when Cox or Plewa are on the field; line-up and go full speed ahead.
“The offensive linemen love it when they call 21 or 22 and we get in there and knock some people around and bring some physicality to this offense,” said Cox, a 5-foot-11, 215 pounder from Chana, Ill. “It’s a spread offense, but when we get in there, we want to do our part and make it a physical game.”
With Cox and Plewa clearing a path for junior running back Mark Weisman, the Hawkeyes’ ground attack has been thriving. Iowa rushed 58 times for 296 yards in a 28-14 triumph over Missouri State before churning out 218 yards on 60 carries in a 27-21 victory at Iowa State.
“We take pride in being physical,” said Plewa, who moved to the fullback position after playing his freshman season at linebacker. “Whether it’s a spread offense or not, we get in the game, and we try to be as physical as possible.”
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“The offensive linemen love it when they call 21 or 22 and we get in there and knock some people around and bring some physicality to this offense. It’s a spread offense, but when we get in there, we want to do our part and make it a physical game.”
UI sophomore fullback Adam Cox
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Through the first three games of the season, the Hawkeyes have rushed for 718 yards (239.3 yards per game). Cox and Plewa don’t account for a single yard — or a single carry — but that doesn’t faze the duo.
“I am fine with that,” said Cox. “I’m not a very good talker, I don’t like the spotlight. I am fine with doing what we’re doing now — running into people and knocking them down.”
Plewa says the option is there, but if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.
“They have stuff to get us the ball in different ways,” he said. “It hasn’t been working, so we’ve stuck to what is working, and that’s blocking. If they call our numbers, both of us would be ready.”
Weisman, who started his sophomore season as a fullback before being thrust into his current starring running back role, appreciates the work being done by Cox and Plewa — who happen to be his roommates.
“I know playing fullback, it’s tough out there,” said Weisman. “Quick reads; physical play… you’re a heat-seeking missile every play, getting your head on people. It’s unbelievable what they do out there, they’ve done an amazing job.”
UI head coach Kirk Ferentz said he felt good about both players during spring practices and that confidence has grown early in the 2013 season.
“Both guys are quietly doing a good job,” said Ferentz. “Adam impressed me as much as anybody in the spring. Whatever he weighs at that given point, he uses it. Macon went from linebacker to fullback and picked it up amazingly well.
“They’ve earned our confidence. It gives us a nice one-two punch, and we know we can count on them.”
Iowa returns to action Saturday, hosting Western Michigan at 11 a.m. (CT) inside Kinnick Stadium. The game will be televised on BTN with Wayne Larrivee and Jon Jansen calling the action.
Tickets are still available and can be purchased by calling 800-IA-HAWKS or logging on to hawkeyesports.com.