:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/40298804/20140927_ajw_lb1_108.JPG.0.jpg)
WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTS.
SO, THE OFFENSE STILL HAS PROBLEMS. The Hawkeyes looked like a team that came off an emotional comeback win last week, took a long bus instead of plane, and knew they had a lousy opponent in a lousy atmosphere in the first quarter. Sophomore C.J. Beathard got his first career start and looked uncomfortable in the pocket at times early and didn't get a lot of help from receivers dropping passes. There were no run lanes and Iowa was down 7-0 after Beathard threw a pick-six. The defense came to play though. Iowa's D put the team on their backs and after allowing 60ish yards in the first quarter held Purdue to under 100 for the final three quarters. Iowa found enough offense to win 24-10.
ABOUT BEATHARD. We could debate his stat line but that never tells the whole story. Sure the drops hurt his bottom line but he did benefit from a fluke tip/reception by Jonathan Parker. He overcame an early big mistake that led to Purdue's first and only touchdown. He looked shaky in the pocket but that;s likely due to inexperience. He has a cannon for an arm and throws lasers to crossing routes and those short passes in the flat. Lasers give wide receivers time to do something with the ball after a catch. When the ball is slow to get out, defenders have more time to recover. And there's his legs. Beathard can run.
Kirk Ferentz and staff have a decision to make. Luckily, there's a bye this week so there's time. Still, if it's Beathard, you'll get an extra week to get him first team reps and get those wide receivers adjusted to his ball. Of course, Ferentz wouldn't tip his cap post-game:
"We have two quarterbacks we feel good about,'' Ferentz said. "That's where we're at.''
OTHER LINKS:
- What we learned in the Big Ten: Week 5
- Iowa-Purdue notes: Rudock available, but gets needed rest
- Mark Weisman tops 2,000, was next man in at fullback
- Rick Brown: Purdue win was all about the firemen
- Week 5 Big Ten honors, grades, numbers & much more
- Post-game video interviews Part I, Part II and Part III
- Iowa-Purdue: Key play, stat and more
- Hawkeye freshman rewards Ferentz's confidence at Purdue
- The Daily Iowan Saturday Exams (Update)
- Why John Lowdermilk chose not to score a touchdown
- Post-game Purdue celebration
- Play of the Game: Foot down, touchdown