Music Metropolis Bowl Recap: Iowa Hawkeyes Shut out Kentucky Wildcats

I shall be on the identical stage as you. In the event you’re right here for an in-depth evaluation of X and O from yesterday’s recreation, you’ve got come to the incorrect place. This season, I am writing The Morning After late Saturday night time after I’ve calmed down the intestine reactions and feelings of the Iowa recreation. I do not at all times keep in mind what Lavasse ran for 4 on 3 and 5) or what number of Tory Taylor punts went down inside 10 yards. .

Add in a wholesome dose of New 12 months’s Eve events, foods and drinks, and New 12 months’s Six bowl video games, and it is a marvel it is nonetheless taking place.

However amidst confetti, gin and tonics and the TCU Cinderella run, remember that your Iowa Hawkeyes beat the Kentucky Wildcats 21-0 within the TransPerfect Music Metropolis Bowl to complete the yr 8-5. . Anyway, there weren’t many offensive fireworks. The story going into the sport was what this recreation would appear to be between two groups that missed the laundry checklist of beginning quarterbacks and different gamers.

In a manner…it was stunning. So long as you are an Iowa fan who loves particular groups and protection. Director Ferenc, thanks for studying this text.

Third-string quarterback Joe LaVath acquired the beginning and, all issues thought-about, performed fairly strong. No, he wasn’t placing up flashy numbers, however what did you actually anticipate on this offense, he scored his first faculty landing his cross. This was Luke’s 5-yard cross to Lachey, which went robust in direction of the top his zone, exhibiting wonderful recognition and decision-making, particularly early within the recreation. Lavas completed the day at 14/24 the place he gained 139 yards and one landing. Nothing like setting the world on fireplace, nevertheless it wasn’t wanted in a recreation like this. He put the ball in the perfect playmaker and did not flip the ball over. If the protection was good, it will have been sufficient to win.

And oh, that protection. Actually, what else is there that hasn’t been mentioned about this group but? It was like watching Mozart compose a symphony. Issues regarded fairly good as Lachey dove into the top zone and the Hawks touched down. The sport already felt locked as quickly as Xavier Nwankpa acquired his first faculty choose 6 and the Hawks took a 14-0 lead on him. Cooper Dejean intercepted for a landing and his return was the cherry on high.

Lavas and the offense made headlines for lacking a key piece, however the protection had massive sneakers to fill. Kaevon Merriweather opted out of the sport to give attention to his NFL Draft, and Terry Roberts transferred into his portal, making the stress secondary. They stepped up massive. Sebastian Castro defended passes everywhere in the area and made massive open his area his tackles and Nuwankupa carried out excellently in his first profession his begin. Phil Parker shall be relieved to see what the longer term holds.

Christopher Hawinkel-USA TODAY Sports activities

That’s not to say that any loss is innocent. You may’t lose somebody like Riley Moss or Jack Campbell with out lacking a step, no less than not at first. It has been a pleasure to observe Moss develop from being a Purdue receiver early in his profession to one of many Massive Ten’s finest defensive backs, and Campbell has had one of the tough seasons in latest historical past. In a yr when outdoors noise was deafening, gamers like Moss, Campbell, and plenty of others stored the workforce targeted and one other They’ve come very near attaining an distinctive season for the . They go away a legacy of excellence that younger gamers can proceed to attempt for.

That is maybe the perfect metaphor for getting into a model new yr filled with promise and optimism. Your 2022 might have been like this Iowa season. However his strong piece for 2023 is correct in entrance of him. Iowa’s manufacturing is all there, with some massive new additions coming in that needs to be very useful. It might not have had nationwide relevance, nevertheless it’s 1,000 instances higher to finish the season with a win than a loss. I’ll take pleasure in it regardless of how I win.

Glad New 12 months to all Hawkeye followers. Be good to one another and revel in all the nice issues life and this sport we love have to supply.