Hawkeye playback: Ohio State 20, Iowa 17

[ 1 ] November 20, 2010 | jkramer

Player of the game
Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt was Ricky Stanzi’s favorite target, catching seven passes for 92 yards (13.1-yard average) and a touchdown. His19-yard scoring grab put Iowa ahead 7-0 in the first quarter. It was the 15th touchdown of McNutt’s career, tying him for fifth on the Hawkeyes’ all-time list.

What went right?
For the first time since the Michigan State game, the Hawkeyes started in sync. They reached midfield on their first series, and scored a touchdown on their second. Iowa also responded in the third quarter when Ohio State took a 10-7 lead, driving 65 yards to set up a Mike Meyer field goal that tied the score 10-10. The Hawkeye defense held an Ohio State rushing attack that was averaging 222 yards to 158, and intercepted two passes.

What went wrong?
Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor was as elusive as Northwestern’s Dan Persa. Even when Pryor wasn’t running, it seemed like he had all the time he wanted to find an open receiver. … Kickoff coverage continues to be a problem. After Iowa scoring drives, the Buckeyes’ ensuing possessions began at the 41-, 40-and 39-yard lines. … The Hawkeye running game was slowed after the first quarter. … A missed 40-yard field goal by Mike Meyer in the second quarter proved costly.

NEWS AND NOTES

Rough day for A-Rob

Adam Robinson, the Hawkeyes’ leading rusher, did not start Saturday’s game, and needed to be helped off the field after taking a jarring hit in the fourth quarter.

Robinson did not enter until the second quarter, because of what coach Kirk Ferentz called “academic indigestion.”

“He didn’t do anything wrong, illegal or what have you,” Ferentz added. “But just not dotting the I’s and crossing the T’s.”

Robinson ran for 27 yards against the Buckeyes, but was hurt while trying to catch a screen pass on Iowa’s last drive.

“He got dinged,” Ferentz said. “If that’s the case, he’ll be out next week (for the Minnesota game).”

Coker starts

Robinson’s absence meant true freshman Marcus Coker got the start at tailback. Coker ran for 70 yards and scored a touchdown.

Coach Kirk Ferentz was pleased with how Marcus Coker played Saturday.

“To me, today was his most impressive outing,” Ferentz said. “Thought he made a good showing of himself.”

Stanzi numbers

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi has at least one touchdown in his last 20 games. Iowa is 25-8 with him as a starter.

NEXT GAME

Saturday at Minnesota (2-9)

KICKOFF: TBA at TCF Bank Stadium, in Minneapolis

ABOUT THE GOPHERS: Have a habit of playing close for a while, before opponents pull away. The result is six losses by 12 points or less. Snapped a nine-game losing streak last week with a 38-34 victory at Illinois. Gophers rank last in rushing defense, allowing 200.5 yards per game.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Troy Stoudermire earned Big Ten special teams player of the week honors after returning two kickoffs for 112 yards against Illinois. His 90-yard runback in the fourth quarter led to a touchdown. The junior from Dallas, Texas, holds the conference record with2,920 career kick return yards.