.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
.vresize.36.36.medium.0.png){kind=small}
Iowa Football: Keys to Defeating the Northwestern Wildcats
Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s how the Iowa Hawkeyes can take down the Northwestern Wildcats
Iowa football will be back in action this weekend against the Northwestern Wildcats. After barely escaping Rutgers with a 14-7 victory, the Iowa Hawkeyes desperately need to get their season back on track. Despite their unexpected close win over Rutgers, the Hawkeyes proved that they’re able to find ways to win.
This week is homecoming for the University of Iowa, making the stakes higher. No team wants to lose on homecoming weekend when numerous of former players return to Kinnick Stadium. On the other hand, Northwestern is looking for revenge after two consecutive blowout losses to the Hawkeyes.
The Wildcats come in with an unexpected 1-3 record. They stumbled out of the gates with losses to Western Michigan and FCS-school Illinois State. Although, Northwestern did get back on track with an impressive win over Duke, however top-25 Nebraska proved to be too much to handle for the Wildcats a week ago.
Northwestern won 10 games in 2015 but are battling to become bowl eligible this season. This makes this game against a struggling Iowa team that much more important. Both teams know this is a make or break game going forward.
That being said, here’s a look at how the Iowa Hawkeyes can improve to 4-1 on the year with a win over Northwestern.
Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports
Win in the Trenches
Both teams enter this game knowing that they need to run the ball to be effective on offense. With the loss of Matt VandeBerg, the Hawkeyes pass game has taken a serious blow, making their ground game even more important. For Northwestern, they would much rather rely on star running back Justin Jackson than inconsistent gun-slinger Clayton Thorson.
The problem Iowa has faced this year, though, is the inability to win in the trenches. Their defensive line hasn’t been able to get consistent penetration or push on opposing teams’ offensive line, and North Dakota State shut down their running game just two weeks ago. Although, Northwestern owns one of the worst offensive lines in the Big Ten, meaning struggles for the Hawkeyes defensive line this week could signify bigger picture problems.
Despite the struggles on the offensive line, Justin Jackson has continued to be a work horse back and is once again leading the Big Ten in carries. Although, Jackson is averaging a career-low 4.1 yards per carry and Northwestern as a team is only gaining an atrocious 3.1 yards per rush.
More from Dear Old Gold
It’s evident that their offensive line has hindered a solid running game. That makes this week a huge opportunity for the Hawkeyes defensive front to gain confidence and finally dominate a game. The Wildcats are coming off a season-best 4.3 yards per carry against Nebraska, although this is the same team that only gained a measly 2.8 yards per carry against a mediocre FCS Illinois State earlier in the year.
For the Hawkeyes, Akrum Wadley is facing the team that was a part of his breakout game in 2015. With Jordan Canzeri and LeShun Daniels Jr banged up, the Hawkeyes turned to then-third string running back Wadley. He rushed for 204 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Hawkeyes trounce Northwestern.
The same is not expected from Wadley this year, but the same mentality from a year ago is what Iowa needs going into the game. Pounding the rock will be very important this week after having gone away from it the past couple of weeks. That being said, this is a perfect week for the Hawkeyes to focus on pounding the ball.
Despite Northwestern only allowing 17.0 points per game, teams average 4.5 yards per carry against them, and all three FBS teams in 2016 have rushed for at least 100 yards. Plus, Nebraska torched them for 310 yards on 6.6 yards per carry on the ground a week ago.
Both teams want to run and are expected to as long as another blowout doesn’t occur. If Jackson gets going for the Wildcats then the Hawkeyes’ defense will be in for another long day. On the other hand, Iowa’s dynamic running back duo has a chance to get back on track and show why there was so much hype surrounding them after the first couple of weeks.
Winning in the trenches has been a hard thing for Iowa this year, but it’s a must if they want to win this week.
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Force Long Third Downs
It’s a simple concept, however it’s also a simple way to deflate the Northwestern offense. The Wildcats have converted a mere 36.1 percent of third downs this season. Even though they’re 5-of-9 on fourth down, their inability to extend drives on third down has led to them averaging a measly 16.2 points per game. In fact, only Florida International, South Carolina and Bowling Green average fewer points than Northwestern.
Unluckily for Northwestern, one bright spot of the Hawkeyes defense this season has been on third down. They’re holding teams to a 40 percent conversion rate on the season. The problem arises on fourth down and getting teams to third down. Teams convert 66.7 percent of fourth down attempts, however the Hawkeyes don’t always force a lot of third downs.
Teams do fairly well against Iowa on first and second down. Whether it’s the defensive line, secondary or a mixture of both, opposing teams are usually in a solid position on second down. That being said, it creates a lot of problems for Iowa on defense as they’re forced to stop a team four straight times.
One of the biggest keys for Iowa moving forward this year is refining their game. They’ve held teams to just 13.5 points per game, however teams move the ball with ease against Iowa at times. The Hawkeyes have only gained more yards than their opponent once this year, and as a result it tires the defense out faster.
The Hawkeyes don’t want to give Northwestern the option to go for it on fourth down because they’ve proven to be successful and Pat Fitzgerald is not afraid to roll the dice. Not to mention a fourth down or third and short puts the ball in Justin Jackson’s hands.
Iowa would much rather force Clayton Thorson to throw in a pressure situation when needing a big gain. Thorson has completed just 53.2 percent, and also has two games where he completed fewer than half of his passes.
When it comes down to it, the Wildcats gain confidence and get better when they’re able to establish a run game and move the ball down the field. With Jackson’s endurance, the Hawkeyes don’t want to sacrifice energy early in the game because they can’t get off the field.
Forcing teams into third downs and then a punt has been a problem for the Hawkeyes, although third and longs are nightmares for a mediocre passing team like Northwestern. The less opportunities for Jackson the better, and effective defense on the first two downs is how Iowa will limit his touches.
Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a Kicking Game
Last week against Rutgers, Iowa had a chance to kick a short field and take the lead earlier in the first half. Instead, they opted towards running a fade route with Jerminic Smith, resulting in a poorly thrown ball by C.J. Beathard and no points. Lack of field goals has been a theme for Iowa this season.
Kicker Keith Duncan has made all 17 extra points, however has just one field goal attempt. The freshman kicker connected on his lone 22-yard field goal in the season opener but has not been used since.
It makes sense that Kirk Ferentz might not be completely confident in a freshman kicker, and the offense simply hasn’t given him many great chances, either. Although, at some point, the Hawkeyes need to set him loose and let him kick a couple of field goals in games. The last thing Iowa wants is to have their freshman kicker trying to hit a 45-yard field goal with the game on the line, but only having one field goal attempt to his name.
For Northwestern, their kicking situation is a disaster. Jack Mitchell missed a 27-yard field goal and extra point against Nebraska a week ago. It’s safe to say that he doesn’t have a great deal of confidence following a 1-of-4 start to the season on field goals. Not to mention he’s only connected on 67.3 percent of field goals in his career and also owns six missed extra points.
Simply put, Northwestern won’t be attempting any field goal outside of the 30. That puts more strain on their offense, but helps Iowa. Northwestern does have a solid punter in Hunter Niswander, however pinning a team back while punting from the 40 is tough for any punter. It forces Northwestern into a lot of fourth down situations, potentially giving the Hawkeyes better starting field position.
It allows Iowa to be more aggressive on defense since they know no field goal is an absolute make for Northwestern.
Kicking can make or break games, and that has been the case for Northwestern this season. A longer field for the Northwestern offense is something Iowa needs to take advantage of. But they also need to take the points and give their freshman kicker a chance.
This article originally appeared on 
