Iowa football: Robinson seizes Hawkeye spotlight in 37-7 win
Iowa running back Adam Robinson salutes cheering fans while exiting after Iowa's 37-7 victory over Eastern Illinois on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium. Robinson ran for 109 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries in the Hawkeyes' season opener. Christopher Gannon/The Register
Saturday was Adam Robinson’s time to shed tacklers and shine in the season-opening spotlight.
Now, it’s back to sharing.
“It’s definitely exciting to go out there and get the feet wet,” Robinson said after helping Iowa’s ninth-ranked football team complete a 37-7 rout of Eastern Illinois. “Our main goal was to just come out and get rid of them early.
“I think we did a good job of that.”
Robinson set the Hawkeye pace, rushing for 109 yards and scoring three touchdowns in what amounted to a dress rehearsal for next weekend’s showdown against Iowa State.
The sophomore tailback, who had five touchdowns all of last season, also caught three passes for 43 yards.
“I wish we had a guy like that,” Eastern Illinois coach Bob Spoo said. “He’s a tough back to handle. You’ve got to gang tackle that guy.”
Robinson was Iowa’s go-to back because Jewel Hampton was serving a one-game suspension, but they’ll both be available when another sellout crowd of 70,585 gathers at Kinnick Stadium to greet the Cyclones.
“I’m a team guy, so it’s not all about one person,” Robinson said. “And when Jewel comes back, he’s definitely going to help out the team.”
Robinson, a lightly-recruited player out of Des Moines Lincoln, has rushed for 943 yards in 12 career games for Iowa, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Robinson brushes off Eastern Illinois safety Carlos Reyna on a long gain.
His tenacity provided a boost for the Hawkeyes’ offensive line, which featured three new starters.
“You want to open up holes for him, because he’s such a capable runner,” said Nolan MacMillan, a late substitute at right guard. “It just makes your job more meaningful, more worthwhile.”
Robinson ran three times on Iowa’s initial six-play, 65-yard drive, capping it with a 2-yard TD.
He touched the ball five times on the Hawkeyes’ next series, extending the lead to 14-0 on a 4-yard scoring run.
“He as much as anybody gave us a great spark today,” coach Kirk Ferentz said. “You have to really work to bring him down.”
Paki O’Meara put Iowa ahead 21-0 with a blocked punt and return for a touchdown.
Robinson’s third touchdown came on a 6-yard run with 8:39 left in the second quarter.
“It’s unbelievable the amount of workload he does,” wide receiver Colin Sandeman said. “Whenever he’s running well it definitely opens up the passing game.”
Senior quarterback Ricky Stanzi complemented Robinson’s performance with 18-of-23 passing for 229 yards.
Hawkeye fans got a scare in the second quarter when Stanzi fell to the turf awkwardly on a rollout and then limped off the field. Backup James Vandenberg completed the drive, but Stanzi returned to the field after having his knee checked out by the Iowa training staff.
Defensively, the Hawkeyes held Eastern Illinois to six first downs on 10 possessions. The Panthers averaged only 2.7 yards rushing and 4.6 per pass attempt.
“I thought we did a lot of good things out there,” Ferentz said. “We’ll have a lot to correct tomorrow, but I think it’s important the players enjoy this for a little bit.”
Robinson’s focus quickly shifted to the future.
He split carries last fall with Brandon Wegher, while Hampton recovered from knee surgery.
“I’m excited to get (Hampton) back in the lineup,” Robinson said. “It’s been a long, hard year for him to rehab and stuff like that, so I know he’s really amped up and ready.”
Saturday might have been Robinson’s last chance to run solo.
“I wasn’t really thinking about that,” he said. “I was more just wanting to help my team win, and I think I did a good job of that.”
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
Nice win Hawks! See you next weekend! ISU Alum
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I dont care if Sandeman had 59 yards receiving, he fumbled an easy catch(just like last year) and he’s terrible at punt returns!! Why dont they try someone else???
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It’s evident you know little about football and likely never played. Everybody on that team has made mistakes, and by the way, Eastern Ill. had excellent punt coverage and a punter with a cannon let.
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Cannon leg.
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You know he was 2nd in the conference in punt return average last year, right?
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He did a find job after being put into the position after injuries. And let’s not forget his great receptions in the Orange Bowl win.
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They looked sloppy in the second half, but this was the kind of opener that we were looking for. Eastern Illinois played hard and hit hard.
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Who is telecasting the game next week? I’m in Kansas City and we don’t always get the Big 10.
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Hey, I think I found Judge Crater. He’s shacked up with Amelia Earhart.
I think it’s an ABC national game.
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The game next week is on ABC, at least here.
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[...] 17 #6 TCU 30, #24 Oregon State 21 #7 Oklahoma 31, Utah State 24 #8 Nebraska 49, Western Kentucky 10 #9 Iowa 37, Eastern Illinois 7 #11 Oregon 72, New Mexico 0 #12 Wisconsin 41, UNLV 21 #16 Georgia Tech 41, South Carolina State 10 [...]
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Yeah, you got that one right AzHawk70….does djo8420 sleep in a cave?….Wow ..only someone that is ignorant could possibly make a statement such as that about Sandeman. Why don’t they try someone else?….funny stuff….some people just should not post without Mommie’s permission…lol
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I want to say that after viewing the video by Adam Robinson and listening to and reading his comments last year, he is truly a class guy. There is no ego getting in his way, and he gives it his all on every carry. Having him and Jewell alternating in the backfield could make for a really exciting running game this year. I hope they both stay healthy all year.
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To Travie and AZHAWK, not going to bash because you are hawk fans, but, I have watched Iowa play since 63, played college ball and I know one thing. If a punt returning doesnt call for a fair catch and catch it you run the risk of having the punt go further down field. This happened 5 times, go back and watch the video if you think I dont know what I’m talking about. The EI punter averaged 15 yards a kick more because Sandeman let it bounce in front of him. WOW where you guys watching the same game I was. He is now an upper class man and returning letterman who should know catching in middle of field you take care of ball. His 59 yards included the catch he fumbled on so I dont count those yards!!! Yes I know football, no not bashing, but didnt Chaney do returns before he got hurt and didnt he do a fantastic job, in fact he was leading the B10. I just would like to see Sandeman catch a few punts thats all. Go Hawks!!
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Oh what the heck, I’ll bash. Anyone named “Travie” needs mommie more than me!!!!!
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It’s always nice to get a win. The majority of the team looked on track for a first game, but we will need better play out of center and RG next week. I know Gettis was out, but Ferentz got man-handled at times (especially in the running game), and the opponents are only going to get tougher, a lot tougher. Sorry, coach, but your son is just not there yet. Koeppel has to be a better option, and besides, he survived a battle against a truck. Let’s see what he can do against state. . .
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