The scoreboard shows that the Hawkeyes handily beat the RedHawks, but this game was a lot closer than the scoreboard indicates. Not by score, of course, but instead by level of play.
On a day where neither defense really seemed to want to stop the other team, the Hawkeyes blew out the RedHawks of Miami as a result of some very opportunistic turnovers in the first quarter. A couple of fumble recoveries at the beginning of the game led to Hawkeye touchdowns and the Hawkeyes never looked back, opening up a 21-0 lead in the first ten minutes of gameplay.
C.J. Beathard dominated in the passing game, rarely being off target with his throws, and the running backs ripped apart Miami’s defense to the tune of five touchdowns, two apiece for Wadley and Daniels, and one for Derrick Mitchell. With the exception of a couple drops, the offense was really good for the entire game! Even the backups!
Things weren’t all good, though. Despite the turnovers, the defense did not play very inspired football and the RedHawks pretty much moved the ball at will against the Hawkeyes. While Josey Jewell was ejected for targeting and some players were banged up throughout the game, there are going to be plenty of questions going into Week 2 against Iowa State. The RedHawks moved the ball to the tune of over 400 yards and dominated time of possession until the end of the game.
All-in-all, what’s important is that the Hawkeyes were able to win the game and the result was never truly in doubt. There are definitely some questions, but they are in fact 1-0 going into their matchup with Iowa State next weekend.