First off, it looks like the special teams units are strong. Back-to-back blocked field goals to close out a game? Unbelievable.
Secondly, Tony Moeaki is healthy and he looks solid. The senior snagged 10 catches for 83 yards, including a nasty touhdown grab from Ricky Stanzi in the final period to give Iowa it's first lead since the first quarter, 17-13.
Running back Paki O'Meara struggled in his first collegiate start. The junior was held to 16 yards on just nine carries by an aggressive UNI defense.
Redshirt freshman Adam Robinson filled in nicely following Paki's early struggles, leading Iowa with 63 yards on 15 carries. Despite it taking until nearly six minutes into the third quarter, the Hawks scored their first touchdown of the 2009 season on a slick 11-yard touchdown run by Robinson – the first of his career.
One thing that concerns me though is Derrell Johnson-Koulianous not seeing the field until the third quarter.
Are you kidding me?
Clearly the coaches could see Stanzi was struggling with his rhythm early on and they keep his favorite target on the sideline? That just doesn't make a lot of sense.
In college football there isn't a preseason schedule where games don't count toward the season record and teams can work the bugs out of their systems like there is in the NFL. At this early point in the season it is important for players to be finding their strides. You can't find your stride if you're on the sideline.
The Hawks also were only 3-12 on third down conversions, an area they struggled in last year and need improvement if they want to continue winning close games.
But in the end, the Hawks won a close game – something that has been anything but automatic for Iowa teams of the recent past.
Try not to be nervous for next week.
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