Iowa football: Special teams give UI an edge
Trent Mossbrucker strolled into Iowa’s postgame interview room Saturday afternoon in a pair of brown loafers, a yellow button-shirt and a tie that somehow matched well with his gray gym shorts.
The eccentric kicker’s outfit notwithstanding, almost everything associated with the special teams looked sharp for the Hawkeyes Saturday during a 37-7 victory against Eastern Illinois.
Mossbrucker made all five of his extra points, true freshman Michael Meyer drilled four of his six kickoffs into the end zone, Paki O’Meara blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos averaged 29.5 yards on two kickoff returns and Ryan Donahue’s only punt was a towering 43-yard shot that Micah Hyde downed at the EIU 5.
The Hawkeyes had a huge advantage in total offense — Iowa outgained the Panthers 435-157 — but the edge in hidden yards on special teams might have been just as distinct. Iowa started its average drive at its own 35-yard-line. Eastern Illinois’ average starting position was on its 19.
“Field position has a lot to do with who has more opportunities and eventually who wins a game,” O’Meara said. “It’s unfortunate things like that don’t show up in the stats, but it’s definitely something that’s very valuable.”
And it could be an important factor Saturday when the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes (1-0) play Iowa State (1-0) at Kinnick Stadium.
Special teams have helped the Hawkeyes secure at least two wins against the Cyclones in the last seven meetings.
Sean Considine blocked a pair of punts in 2003, including one that Chris Smith covered in the end zone in the opening minute of the second half. The Cyclones had a 390-243 advantage in total yards, but the Hawkeyes won 40-21.
Iowa was clinging to a 10-3 lead midway through the fourth quarter in 2008 when Andy Brodell returned a punt 81 yards for a touchdown in a 17-5 win.
Iowa State’s special teams were wobbly Thursday in a 27-10 victory against Northern Illinois. Daniel Kuehl’s only punt went 18 yards. Kicker Grant Mahoney made field goals from 41 and 23 but missed from 44, and the Huskies returned two kickoffs past their 30.
The Hawkeyes had one gaffe. Eastern Illinois picked up 36 yards on a fake punt early in the second quarter to set up the only touchdown for the Panthers. But that was Iowa’s only breakdown on special teams Saturday.
Meyer’s only job is to handle the kickoffs for the Hawkeyes. He booted his first kick eight yards deep into the end zone for a touchback.
“That was an area we were hoping we could improve coming into the season,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Our coverage unit was really good last year, but we did not always get the hang time we were looking for.”
Meyer kicked three others into the end zone, which helped Iowa pin Eastern Illinois in its own end. The Panthers had six kickoff returns. They started those drives at their own 20, 18, 14, 26, 16 and 23.
“I know it’s tough to score when you have to start inside your own 20,” Mossbrucker said. “I’m sure the defensive guys are extremely happy with Mike.”
O’Meara’s play led the highlight reel for Iowa’s special teams. The senior split two blockers, reached up with one hand, blocked a punt, scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown to put the Hawkeyes ahead by three touchdowns late in the first quarter.
“It was not a called block, but his job was to force the punt, and he did a great job on that and then picked it up and made a big play out of it,” Ferentz said.
The Hawkeyes still have some lingering questions with their kicking game. Do they have a kicker who can consistently come through from 45 yards? Neither Mossbrucker nor senior Daniel Murray got the opportunity Saturday.
Murray, who is 11-for-19 during his career from 40 yards and beyond, sat out Saturday with an injury. Ferentz said he expects Murray will be available this week.
Mossbrucker and Murray shared the kicking duties in 2008. Mossbrucker redshirted last season, but he said he’s ready for a high-pressure kick.
“Yeah, it has been a long time,” Mossbrucker said. “(But) this is the most comfortable I have felt. I feel like I’m pretty zoned it, which is nice, it’s a good feeling to have. I feel like I’m ready for whatever comes my way.”
Reach Andy Hamilton at 339-7368 or ahamilton@press-citizen.com.
Category: Iowa Hawkeyes Football
