As Cooper DeJean ran towards the top zone for what would have been the go-ahead landing with lower than 90 seconds remaining in Iowa’s sport towards Minnesota on Saturday, it appeared like Kirk Ferentz was going to get away with it once more.
It appeared as if we have been all going to be subjected to that patented, condescending Ferentz smirk. You understand, that grin that Iowa’s coach likes to flash when his staff wins one other gross, unhappy excuse for a soccer sport that, in a twisted manner, solely confirms in his thoughts that offense is a fruitless burden he shouldn’t have to think about.
Then, fortunately, that superb penalty flag got here.
As DeJean was operating to choose up the punted ball, he flailed his left arm, and the referees, finally, dominated it was an invalid honest catch sign. The landing was negated and Iowa’s offense, predictably, failed once more with the sport on the road.
Iowa ending with FBS’ least-productive offense is just about seemingly. At present 0.1 yard per play away from #131. Nonetheless need to play top-60 defenses Illinois and Northwestern and top-20 defenses Nebraska and Rutgers, plus presumably a top-5 protection in a B1G title sport
— Jason Kirk (jasonkirk.fyi on bluesky) (@JasonKirk_fyi) October 22, 2023
Ferentz was bitterly upset within the postgame, saying he knew he was going to be fined for his pointed feedback towards the referees and hoped they’d donate the proceeds to a youngsters’s hospital.
Right here’s what Ferentz forgot to say throughout his postgame rant: Iowa gained 12 — 12!!!!! — yards of offense in the whole second half. After the punt return was known as again, Iowa nonetheless had loads of time to maneuver 30 yards down the sector to aim a game-winning subject aim, however quarterback Deacon Hill threw an interception three performs later that ended the sport.
Minnesota 12, Iowa 10. Ultimate.
Ding, dong the witch is useless.
GO DEEPER
Dochterman: Successful ugly is the enemy of progress for Iowa soccer
Ferentz has put me in an uncomfortable place this 12 months. I’ve been to Iowa Metropolis many instances, and Hawkeyes followers are candy, hard-working individuals who love their soccer staff. They’re good, heat and passionate. They’re good individuals. But Ferentz has put me ready that even a few of the Hawkeyes trustworthy have discovered themselves in — rooting for Iowa to fail.
There may be nothing cute about what Iowa is doing this 12 months. Extra on that in a minute. However first, some background. Ferentz retained his son, Brian, as offensive coordinator after final season regardless of the actual fact the Hawkeyes had one of many worst offenses prior to now few many years. Like, dangerous sufficient to make your eyeballs bleed.
Iowa stored Brian Ferentz within the fold and stipulated in his contract that the staff needed to rating 325 factors in 2023. The repercussions if it fails to take action? He gained’t mechanically be fired, however his contract will expire.
Guess what? Iowa’s offense has gotten worse. By way of eight video games, Iowa has scored 156 factors and averaged 19.5 factors per sport (effectively wanting the 25 it must common over a 13-game schedule). Sixteen of these factors are defensive or particular groups scores.
It’s been pitiful, disgusting and insulting to Iowa followers.
But earlier than Iowa misplaced to Minnesota, the Hawkeyes stored successful these disgusting rugby matches: 15-6 over Wisconsin, 20-14 over Purdue, 26-16 over Michigan State. Iowa climbed into the Prime 25 within the AP ballot and got here into the weekend because the clear-cut favourite to make it to Indianapolis for the convention title sport out of the Huge Ten West.
Folks have been amused by how a program that doesn’t attempt to rating retains successful. We stored arising with faux eventualities for a way Iowa might fail to achieve 25 factors per sport and nonetheless discover a technique to retain Brian Ferentz. It grew to become this enjoyable little sport to see how far Iowa might push the envelope.
It’s been a nationwide punchline. We focus on it on the podcast on a regular basis. We chuckle about how dangerous, but lovely these video games are. Everybody laughs.
However Iowa followers don’t should be a nationwide punchline. And no matter how a lot Ferentz has performed for Iowa soccer prior to now, he has clearly resigned himself to not caring about its offense. He’s seemingly content material to beat Huge Ten West groups 9-6 and infrequently make it in Indianapolis, by no means as soon as stopping to think about that his staff could possibly be higher than 10-2 if it might rating.
Iowa’s defensive coordinator, Phil Parker, continues to show three-star prospects into NFL Draft picks and design a protection that’s routinely among the many greatest within the nation. Then his boss jokes about how his favourite victory at Iowa was a 6-4 win over Penn State in 2004.
All of that is occurring throughout a blatant case of nepotism. Whereas his son stays in over his head as an offensive coordinator and jokes maintain pouring in, he retains lining his pockets.
No extra. I can’t take it anymore.
Thank goodness Minnesota gained, and we have been reminded that with an offense that poor, Iowa is inclined to dropping to anybody. Iowa remains to be technically alive for the Huge Ten Championship Recreation, so I hope it loses to a different dangerous staff as a result of it could actually’t get a primary down. I don’t need Iowa to win one other sport as a result of I can’t stand any extra misguided affirmation in Kirk Ferentz’s head that he’s doing proper by his program, gamers and followers. He’s stealing cash from the individuals booing within the stands.
GO DEEPER
Ubben: Iowa to the Faculty Soccer Playoff? Avert your eyes — but it surely’s doable
If you stink at your job, you get fired. Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman fired offensive coordinator Dan Enos on Sunday after saying he was essentially the most gifted play caller he had ever seen when he employed him. That was a relationship that ended as a result of Enos isn’t Pittman’s son.
I perceive Iowa has been dealt a troublesome hand with some dangerous accidents on offense, most notably dropping beginning quarterback Cade McNamara. Sure, I’m positive the Hawkeyes could also be a bit of higher than useless final in whole offense in school soccer had they’d their full roster to take care of.
However this isn’t a critical program. It gained’t be till it has a critical coach who cares about placing a high quality offensive product on the sector. Iowa followers deserve higher than this.
I’m rooting for Iowa to fail so Iowa followers can get the modifications mandatory for this system to really succeed.
(Photograph: Jeff Hanisch / USA In the present day)
