Dec. 29, 2014
TaxSlayer Bowl Practice: Dec. 29 
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By DARREN MILLER
hawkeyesports.com
FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — Greg Davis fielded the TaxSlayer Bowl question and the answer is…both.
Davis, offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Iowa, said junior Jake Rudock and sophomore C.J. Beathard will share time at least in the first and second quarters of Friday’s TaxSlayer Bowl against Tennessee. A starter has not been announced publicly, and Davis said that decision will be made by head coach Kirk Ferentz.
Rudock has a 14-10 record as a starter and has started seven consecutive games. In Beathard’s lone start on Sept. 27, the Hawkeyes won at Purdue, 24-10.
“We have had great competition since we started back at the bowl prep,” Davis said Monday after practice at Fernandina Beach High School. “They both have done a good job. They are both going to play in the bowl game. In terms of who is going to start, Kirk can make that call. They know the way we’re going to do it.”
This season Rudock has completed 62.6 percent of his passes for an average of 218.5 yards per game. He has thrown 16 touchdowns against five interceptions. Against Purdue, Beathard was 17-of-37 for 245 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. In eight games this season he has completed 56.6 percent of his passes for an average of 62.5 yards per game. He has thrown three touchdowns and one interception.
“We’re pleased with the way both of them have responded and we expect both of them to play and play well,” Davis said.
Iowa (7-5 overall) has out-gained five of its last six opponents and the Hawkeyes have gained more than 400 yards eight times this season. Davis said the team’s offensive continuity will not be affected, regardless of what quarterback is in the game.
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“You can make a case for both guys, there is no doubt about it. We’re not interested in making a case, we’re interested in winning another ball game and we felt like this gave us the best chance. Competition is good and they have both practiced extremely well while we were here and back in Iowa City.”
Greg Davis
UI offensive coordinator |
“They both can do basically the same things,” Davis said. “The way we set it up, we knew both of them were going to play but it didn’t have any effect on what we were trying to do in the ball game.”
Davis said the competition was re-opened after the Hawkeyes lost to Nebraska, 37-34 in overtime Nov. 28, after leading 24-7 with 8:45 left in the third quarter.
“I would be remiss if we didn’t say that we were disappointed that we let the Nebraska game get away,” Davis said. “To me, that is the reason we decided to go ahead an open it back up.
“You can make a case for both guys, there is no doubt about it. We’re not interested in making a case, we’re interested in winning another ball game and we felt like this gave us the best chance. Competition is good and they have both practiced extremely well while we were here and back in Iowa City.”
Measured against other Big Ten Conference teams, Iowa finished fourth in passing offense (242 yards per game) and pass efficiency (134.1), sixth in total offense (398.3 yards per game) and seventh in scoring offense (28.2 points per game). The Hawkeyes scored at least 30 points in half their games.
Tennessee (6-6) allowed an average of 359.9 yards in 12 games — 197.8 through the air and 162.1 on the ground. Freshman defensive end Derek Barnett has 20 ½ tackles for loss and 10 sacks, junior linebacker/defensive lineman Curt Maggitt has 14 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
“They are very athletic. They have the ability to rush the passer with four people and it is always tough, they can create problems,” Davis said. “The secondary is experienced. Schematically they are sound in what they do. They have a third-down package, like everybody, that is a little different. You have to spend time getting ready for how they are going to play you on third down.”
Quarterback isn’t the only offensive position that will utilize multiple Hawkeyes. Davis said all running backs (except senior Damon Bullock) will be available.
“(Junior Jordan) Canzeri has looked better and (freshman) Akrum (Wadley) has had a good time between Iowa City and here,” Davis said. “We’ll play those guys and rotate them in by situation. Hopefully somebody will get a hot hand and he will get more.”
Senior Mark Weisman leads Iowa’s ground attack with 802 yards and 14 touchdowns. In 10 games, Canzeri rushed for 374 yards, and in seven games, Wadley rushed for 185 yards and a touchdown.
The last time out against Nebraska, Weisman ran for 82 yards and Canzeri rushed for 55 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards and a touchdown that put Iowa ahead, 31-28, with 1:49 remaining.
“I have been pleased with the guys,” Davis said. “The kids have been outstanding with the way they have handled (bowl preparation).”
Kickoff for the TaxSlayer Bowl is set for Friday at 2:20 p.m. (CT) from EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Hawkeyes are 6-5 in 11 previous bowl games under Ferentz — the most wins and best winning percentage of any program in the Big Ten since 2001.
