A Tale of Two Halves

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9/16/2002 by Jon Miller of Hawkeye Nation

Of course, we all know how this game was a tale of two halves and the statistics are amazing.

Iowa had 15 first downs to ISU’s 8 in the first half and had 99 more total yards than the Cyclones. Iowa had 193 yards rushing at the half, making it three games in a row where the Hawkeyes have had at least 174 yards rushing in the opening half of play.

On the flip side, Iowa had given up 171 yards passing, marking the first game of the season where the Hawkeyes had given up less than 200 yards passing in the first half.

Fred Russell rushed for 133 yards on 15 carries in the first half and he has rushed for at least 85 yards in the first half of each game this season.

Iowa held ISU to just 21 yards rushing in the opening half.

But then, Uncle Mo changed uniforms.

ISU had 14 2nd half first downs to Iowa’s seven. ISU out-gained Iowa 254 to 109 in second half yards. Iowa had 64 yards rushing compared to Iowa’s 29 yards on the ground.

Seneca Wallace finished the game completing 23 of 37 passes for one TD and one INT. It marked the first time that Wallace attempted more than 28 passes and passed for more than 300 yards and Iowa State still one the game.

Sure, Iowa was hurt by two Brad Banks fumbles deep in his own territory in the 3rd quarter and two more mental breakdowns in the kickoff return game.

But most importantly, Fred Russell had just one second half carry before leaving the game for good with what was initially called a bruised shoulder.

Iowa’s biggest play maker was gone and the game slipped away.

IOWA’s LACK OF ADJUSTMENTS?

Some fans have been saying on the message boards that Iowa did not make any adjustments in the second half and that cost them.

The aforementioned loss of Russell with more than 10 minutes to go in the third certainly hurt. It was Iowa’s second play from scrimmage in the second half.

But consider this: On Iowa’s first drive of the second half, the Hawkeyes gained six yards on a Russell carry, 14 yards on a pass play to CJ Jones and three yards on a Jermelle Lewis carry. Three plays, 23 yards. Then, Banks fumbles on Iowa’s 33 yard line.

On the next drive, Iowa gained 7 yards on a Greving rush, but were penalized 9 yards for holding. Greving then gained three yards and 10 yards on the next two plays. First down Iowa. He gained three more yards on 1st down, then Banks was sacked at the Iowa 20 and fumbled.

23 yards on four plays, then the fumble.

I guess that hardly constitutes as grounds to throw the offensive game plan out of the window.

THE NUMBERS

Iowa’s pass defense ranks dead last in the NCAA at 117th , but they rate at #7 in rush defense. I think you can look at that two ways: Iowa certainly shut down the ISU running attack, but when teams can beat you through the air, your rushing defense is likely to look that much better. I think will turn out to be a pretty good team against the rush.

Iowa’s next opponent, Utah State, is allowing 243.1 yards per game on the ground, ranking them 109th . Utah State is averaging 250.7 yards per game passing, ranking them 33rd in the nation. Iowa ranks 9th in the nation in rushing offense, averaging 262 yards per game. Utah State is 101st in total defense.

Aggie passer Jose Fuentes is over 6,000 yards passing for his career in just over two full seasons.

Fuentes ranks 80th in passing efficiency this year, completing just over 51% of his passes. He has four passing TD’s, but 5 INT’s.

Brad Banks ranks 5th in the nation in passing efficiency. Iowa is one of 13 teams that have yet to throw an INT.

Iowa had not allowed a sack before playing against ISU, where Banks was sacked three times.

Fred Russell ranks 4th in the nation with 153 yards rushing per game.

Nate Kaeding ranks 10th in field goals, averaging more than 2 per game. He is a perfect six for six as well as 13 of 13 on his PAT’s. He is 15th in the nation in scoring, averaging 10.33 points per game.

David Bradley has 7 punts on the year and is averaging 46.1 yards per punt, which is truly outstanding. He is a few punts per game shy of qualifying for the national rankings, but he would be 4th in the nation if he had the minimum number of kicks. As a team, Iowa is #2 in the nation in net punting.

Hawkeye Nation was founded by Jon Miller, and later acquired by Rivals and Sports Illustrated. You can visit them at HawkeyeNation.com

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