Like clockwork, the Iowa Hawkeyes are playing extremely stout defense to start the season and are consistently the best unit on the field each time they take the field.
Through three games, the unit led by defense coordinator Phil Parker has stifled opponents as they have yet to give up 250 total yards in any contest. They also prevent opponents from reaching the end zone. The unit has allowed 30 total points, an average of 10 points per game.
While it has been great, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz believes that there is room for the unit to become even better.
“Yeah, the good news is the guys are hustling overall, and so if somebody did miss a tackle, somebody else was there to close in on it and what have you. Those little things — win, lose or draw, there’s always something to be corrected and some areas that we can get better at.
“I can go through the offensive line play in probably even more detail. But just aiming points and little things that if we can get those down better — because the competition is going to keep getting tougher here starting this week.
“We’re going to play in a lot of close games moving forward just like we did two weeks ago, and those little things really tend to make a difference. It’s like a PAT; you just never know which play is going to be the one. But the old axiom is true; usually there’s five, six, seven plays you’d go back and look at. If you could change those, it would really impact the game. But as a player and a coach, you never know when that’s going to be; that’s why you’ve got to be at your best, and we’ve got to make sure we’re working on getting better,” Ferentz said about Iowa as a whole fixing the little things.
Currently, Iowa is third in the country in overall defense, allowing just 178 yards per game, 3.49 yards per play, and three total touchdowns.
The Hawkeyes’ defense is even more stout against the run game, giving up a measly 2.22 yards per carry and 57.7 rushing yards per game.
Iowa’s passing unit, technically worse than the run game if you want to get nitpicky, is giving up just 120.3 yards per game. They are playing lockdown coverage.
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This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Iowa football playing sound defense while looking to fine tune the little things
Reporting by Riley Donald, Hawkeyes Wire / Hawkeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
