The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

[Hellisan]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Haha, Helli I always love the diverse ways you find to spice up the dynasty, like with the suspensions! Huge to see that the team can find a way to win even when Eddie has a rare off game. I think having your top two backs in the lineup again is gigantic, as it gives you a bit more flexibility offensively to mix things up when your initial attack isn't working! Hopefully Eddie can get back to his usual ways, though, it would be great to see him leave with a Heisman!

Thanks for checking in man! Yeah, sometimes just want to add a storyline here or there to correspond with the depth chart testing of the injuries and suspensions. Just had another really fun game. I think Allen has a chance at the Heisman this year, primarily due to the fact that the competition isn't that great. Two running backs on the same team that have like 1,000 yards apiece... For the Heisman? Can't imagine them winning it. The South Carolina QB currently is his best competition and I would put it between those two, and 1-2 players still to show up on the list. Lloyd had to sit out week 12, can't wait to have a full attack from that position against Notre Dame. Notre Dame having a horrible year (5-5 now) hurt our schedule, but if we don't lose, that won't matter.

[Hellisan]

2021 - Game 10 - Michigan State at #1 Iowa

[Deuce2223]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

With all that snow, I bet alot more guy's wished they would've bought some winter clothing.. Looks like Eddie Allen should've borrowed some long sleeves from BJ.

[Hellisan]

Hawk Blog Recruiting Update



Vessel gives verbal commitment

Sources close to the program call athlete the second bookend in the class

Two days after attending an Iowa football game on a visit, Texas high school running back/wide receiver Nikolai Vessel has given a verbal commitment to attend Iowa to play football. Describing himself as a small town boy who goes primarily by "Nick" and loves Whataburger, Vessel said he was impressed with the Big Ten atmosphere and made his decision in the second half as Iowa exploded for the win.

"I was comfortable with Coach Clark, I was comfortable with the campus. The guys I spoke with made me feel at home and real good about the decision," said Vessel.

Vessel is the #1 athlete in the nation according to a consortium of recruiting services, and is considered the #2 player in the nation. With the signing of Vessel and Jordan Kijenmij, Iowa has secured the services of two of the top 20 players and 11 players overall. The preliminary rank is of the #2 recruiting class in the nation.

There's no confusion about which side of the football Vessel will play on. He is solely an offensive player. The question is whether he's a running back or a wide receiver. For his part, Vessel said he hopes to play both roles but is o.k. with whatever the team decides. Vessel is an extremely well rounded player whose combination of athleticism, route running ability, running prowess, and game knowledge make him difficult to stop. In high school, where he has elite speed, he has proven impossible to stop. Will he be an elite player at the next level? Only time will tell.



Iowa sign three of the Top 10 players in Texas

Iowa have made major headway in Texas. Long considered a staple of the entire Big Ten territory for recruiting, the Hawkeyes have taken advantage of their success to really become a player in the state. They have retained verbal commitments from three of the top ten commits in the state, including athlete Nick Vessel, wide receiver Andre Kpaka, and athlete Drew Farmer.

The other seven top ten recruits have or will be signed by the usual suspects: Texas A&M, LSU, OU, Texas, Texas Tech.

Coach Clark was able to speak to the overall success in the state without discussing individual players.

"We recruit as hard in Texas as we do in Iowa. The players here understand they are priorities, but they also know we have to win in Texas in order to win on the field. That's something everyone intrinsically understands."

Iowa have reportedly targeted several additional Texas high school recruits in addition to the players already signed. The Hawkeyes have 11 Texans on the roster, and will likely h ave anywhere from 10 to 15 in uniform next season.

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

The Hawkeyes keep chugging along. Hope Allen can get his Heisman this year.

[Tearz49ers]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Texas can't catch a break lol, have Iowa going into the state and pinching its best players now too.

Another win, and another Heisman like performance from Allen, it is all mounting up to be a special season down in Iowa City.

[RoundingThird]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

I love how every Big Ten game in November is snowy. I never minded playing in the snow myself, and I', sure your Iowa guys, and the kids in the hospital, love to see it as well

[Nunyerbiz]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

The record of Former Detroit Lions Great Chuck Long was broken! I don't know if that's good thing for Allen or the mere association with former Lions QBs will now haunt his remaining days... I'm certainly hoping it's a good thing, but as a long suffering Lions fan, I have my doubts.

[Hellisan]

2021 - Around Week 13

Correction: Notre Dame Won last week. Skip that Headline. LOL

With all that snow, I bet alot more guy's wished they would've bought some winter clothing.. Looks like Eddie Allen should've borrowed some long sleeves from BJ.

Haha. Wasn't there one year where you could outfit your dudes for regular or cold weather? I seem to remember that, but it also seems outlandish now.

The Hawkeyes keep chugging along. Hope Allen can get his Heisman this year.

Me too man! The dude from South Carolina is putting up one helluva season. The rating on the Florida State kid is just ridiculous - though he is having a great season - and doesn't really fit with his stats, I'm not sure what it's comprised of, but by any metric I can see (yards per completion for example, or TD/INT ratio, he isn't THAT far ahead of the other guys. If Allen wins the Heisman, it will be more of a team thing as we won't go away from being a well rounded offense.

Texas can't catch a break lol, have Iowa going into the state and pinching its best players now too.

Another win, and another Heisman like performance from Allen, it is all mounting up to be a special season down in Iowa City.

On the other hand, they are winning. The only reason they are ranked #7 is a pretty bad schedule and the fact that their one loss was to a now 2-7 Texas Tech squad, and that game wasn't that close. They look like legitimate contenders. If they can win out against ISU, KU, and KSU (combined record 8-19), I wouldn't be surprised to see them in the BCS Championship game, even though their only signature win is against Oklahoma, 35-31. I'd love to win our second straight Natty. I haven't done that since online dynasties.

I love how every Big Ten game in November is snowy. I never minded playing in the snow myself, and I', sure your Iowa guys, and the kids in the hospital, love to see it as well

The weather is a pretty sweet aspect of it, for sure. I definitely enjoy it.

The record of Former Detroit Lions Great Chuck Long was broken! I don't know if that's good thing for Allen or the mere association with former Lions QBs will now haunt his remaining days... I'm certainly hoping it's a good thing, but as a long suffering Lions fan, I have my doubts.

HAHAHAHA. Man oh man did he wear out his welcome here in San Diego.


Correction: Notre Dame Won last week. Skip that Headline. LOL

[Hellisan]

2021 - Week 13 Preview - #1 Iowa at #22 Notre Dame




Notre Dame was looking pretty good in the early going before suffering a devastating and embarrassing loss to lowly Rutgers. That one of the basement dwellers of the Big Ten could whup up on the Golden Domers like that really took the Fighting Irish down a notch. Then they failed to bounce back the next week against Virginia, which has worked their way into the Top 25. They ended up losing five straight before finally bouncing back last week against Nebraska (ignore that faulty headline on the prior post).

Noticing that Bryan Greenwood, ND's speedy running back, was out for the season, I felt I would find that he was injured sometime around when their losing streak began. Not so. They have just straight up sucked. Quarterback Chris Dodds is probably most at fault on the offensive side. The two year starter was solid last season, throwing 30 touchdown passes against 6 INT, albeit with a low completion percentage belying his live arm. This year, he has played like a backup.

On defense, Notre Dame is a lot less talented than they are on offense. The front 7 is populated with players that bite on play action and have struggled to get to the quarterback. That's not to say they aren't without talent, but their players - like Michigan State to some extent - seem to lack cohesion and are generally playing much worse than the sum of their parts.

Will Notre Dame be able to knock off Iowa and put themselves into consideration for a good bowl game despite their middling record?


Clark puts Harris in starting lineup at outside backer

Senior linebacker Kevin Harris has had an up and down career, winning an award and riding the pine depending upon the season. After waiting for Reginald Clancy to ramp up his production, Clark has decided to insert Harris into the fray. In Clancy's defense, the Hawkeyes have managed to stay in their base 3-4 on fewer than 35% of their snaps this year - nevertheless, with the senior's career winding down, Clark has decided to put Harris in there and see what he can do. Harris is known for bringing good energy. Whether that energy is overrunning a play or coming up with a huge hit at the right moment remains the question. He's proven he can do both.


Lloyd back - Hopefully for Good

Freshman running back Larry Lloyd leads the Hawkeyes in rushing despite missing time here and there to injuries this season. With Kenard Goodman coming off a great week 11, Lloyd was out last week when Goodman came back to earth somewhat, failing to break big runs against Michigan State. With Lloyd in the game, expect Clark to aggressively work the mix to get the hot player the ball.

[OldHossRadbourn]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Let's go Lloyd!!

[Miles Perry]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Notre Dame being ranked at 5-5 makes me irrationally angry.

[Hellisan]

2021 - Week 13 - #1 Iowa at #22 Notre Dame

[Careless Whisper]

Re: The Career of J.D. Clark (NCAA 14)

Always good when you can get off to a quick start, especially when you know that run by the opponent is coming later on.

The big question now isn't about Allen and the Heisman, or Iowa and back-to-back titles, but rather - will Notre Dame remain in the Top 25 at 5-6?

[moose141]

Re: 2021 - Week 13 - #1 Iowa at #22 Notre Dame

Larry Legend picking up right where he left off! That combination with Eddie is lethal. Interesting to see the route you go next year, with all the running back depth that you have shown maybe you'll just turn into a power run game and pass it 10 times a game, haha.