NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
As the Iowa Hawkeyes (4-3, 2-2 Big Ten) prepare for their Week 9 clash with the Northwestern Wildcats (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten), CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli shared a fascinating statistic regarding the Hawkeyes’ conference play so far this season.
Per Fornelli, Iowa’s offensive explosive play rate during conference play is greater than that of the Lincoln Riley-led USC Trojans.
Iowa has an overall explosive play rate of 12.9%, an explosive rushing play on 12.1% of snaps and an explosive passing play on 14.1% of snaps during Big Ten play. All of those marks are better than USC.
Considering that the Trojans have been able to consistently develop top-tier offensive talent over the past few years under Riley compared with where Iowa has been offensively, that makes this statistic astounding.
OVERALL Iowa: 12.9% USC: 11.4% RUSHING Iowa: 12.1% USC: 10.4% PASSING Iowa: 14.1% USC: 11.4% — Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) October 21, 2024
While this statistic is certainly exciting from the Hawkeyes’ standpoint, it is also a prime example of the struggles USC has endured during its inaugural season in the Big Ten.
The vaunted Trojan offense has not been able to convert offensively like it used to when it was a member of the Pac-12. Facing much more physical and rugged defenses that characterize the Big Ten is part of the problem, but the inability to execute explosive plays is what has burnt USC so far this season.
It’s another feather in the cap of first-year Iowa offensive coordinator Tim Lester, though.
Iowa will look to showcase some more explosive plays this weekend from Kinnick Stadium against the Wildcats. Kickoffs is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network.
Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes and opinions.
Follow Scout on…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/cbs-sports-unveils-surprising-iowa-010500009.html
Author : Hawkeyes Wire
Publish date : 2024-10-25 01:05:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
