Hawkeyes Gamefilm: Vandenberg vs Michigan
Statistically speaking this was easily James Vandenberg’s best game of the year. He completed over 73% of his passes and for the first time in 2012 threw two touchdown passes in the same game. He also churned out some yardage on the ground with his legs when the play broke down. Looking at the numbers you’d never think Iowa only scored 17 points, 7 of which came on a meaningless drive trailing by 32 points with 2:12 remaining. Iowa definitely got blown out but you can’t really blame all of it Vandenberg and the offense. They are simply not equipped to compete against a team who scored TDs on it’s first six drives. Despite the improved passing numbers it still left Iowa’s offense well short of even competing in this game.
Iowa had a fascinating target profile in this game. They didn’t complete a pass to a WR until a 4th and 6 play with arond eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Every previous catch was by a TE or RB, including three catches for previously unused 5th string TE Henry Krieger-Coble. Keenan Davis did not see a single target int his game and was standing on the sideline an awful lot in this game. He was replaced by Tevaun Smith who’s a talented young WR but at this point is very raw. CJF saw a career high ten targets in this game and had eight catches on them. A game like this will leave fans scratching their heads wondering why it took til game eleven before CJF was the focus of the passing game.
Iowa’s trend of avoiding the deep passing game continued this week. Iowa targeted only one pass over 20 yards and it was to Tevaun Smith who was mugged on the play, but didn’t draw a flag. Iowa has been pretty consistent in their passing scheme and haven’t wavered even in the face some embarrassing performances against average and even poor defenses. To Iowa’s credit, their short passing game has found some legs in the last three games going 51/70(73%) for 430 yards(6.1YPA) with 2TDS and 0INTs. It may not have translated into wins or even points but it’s the first sign of life Iowa’s passing attack has had all year. In Iowa’s final contest against Nebraska, the Greg Davis system needs to take the next step and figure out how to produce some points.
Vandenberg Analysis
-0 WR got held up on the double move deep ball attempt here. Really should have been a flag and JVB put the ball where it needed to be. D2 Play 8
+1 Well executed PA fake and a decisive set and throw away from the safety help. Well placed ball to Krieger-Coble for the easy score. D2 Play 14
+1 Another well thrown ball on the seam route to CJF off of play action. Dropped this ball in over the LBs who had bit up. Same play Iowa used against Minnesota multiple times earlier this year. D3 Play 1
-1 missed wide open CJF on stick route. Threw this ball off balance after opening his hips too far. Can’t miss a wide open receiver on a 4 yard route. D3 Play 3
-0 Originally I thought he left this ball low trying to get the ball to Weisman over the middle, but the defender just got WAY up and make a great play. D3 Play 3
-1 Throws the out to CJF who was tightly covered by the safety in man coverage. Needed to look at another option here, squeezing this ball in just wasn’t going to happen. D7 Play 3
+1 Hit CJF in stride matched up with the freshman LB. Pumped the ball on the out fake, and hit CJF as he got free over the middle. D8 Play 3
+1 Play breaks down and JVB improvises to find Garmon for a big gainer along the sideline. Plays like this have been far too rare for Iowa’s offense. D8 Play 6
+1 Cover 0 blitz that left Weisman totally uncovered in the flat. JVB let the DE close and got the ball out just before he gets hit and it goes for an easy TD. D9 Play 7
-1 Ball way off target to an open Tevaun Smith. Smith ran a good route and had separation and nearly made a circus catch on the ball that was thrown way behind him. D10 Play 1
+1 Stands in the pocket and shuffled to avoid rush and when nothing opened up he took off. Picks up a big gain on 3rd and long. D10 Play 6
Overall: +3
Numbers:
| _ | Left | Middle | Right | Sub-total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short | 3/5 12y | 6/7 68y | 7/9 46y 1TD | 17/28 126y 1TD |
| Medium | 0/0 0y | 2/3 35y 1TD | 1/1 20y | 2/7 55y 1TD |
| Deep | 0/0 0y | 0/0 0y | 0/1 0y | 0/1 0y |
| Sub-total | 3/5 12y | 3/5 103y 1TD | 8/11 66y 1TD |
Overall: 19/26(73.1%) 181y(6.96YPA) 2TD 0INT
QB Rating: 156.9
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