The key to having a shot at beating Iowa on Saturday is simple, according to UNI football coach Mark Farley. “I don’t think it is a secret that you have to stop the run game,” Farley explains, “they are just so dominant in their offensive line and that is just who they are. They don’t care who they play.” He says you can even tell what play they are going to run and they still are successful.
Farley says that Iowa’s offensive line is what makes their running game so difficult to defend as they are confident, strong and very sound against everyone they play. In addition to their rushing attack, Farley says the Iowa team that UNI faces on Saturday will likely be better in the passing game than the Hawkeyes were when the programs last me two years ago.
“I’ve compared this team to two years ago which I think was a great football team that they had…what I see is balance,”Farley says. He says that makes you have to defend the whole field.
Farley also says he’s been impressed by Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock’s ability to make plays when things break down around him. He says Rudock is a good runner who gets himself out of trouble and get them out of a 3rd down situation.
The Panthers and the Hawkeyes kick off their seasons Saturday morning at Kinnick Stadium.
(Reporting by Jesse Gavin KCNZ Cedar Falls)