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

[Careless Whisper]

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

Definitely feel like the ceiling is higher with Harkless at the helm, though Malone has been solid, albeit not spectacular this season. I definitely can see this week being the one where the change is made, especially with it getting deeper and deeper into the season and there's less margin for error.

Very good game for the backs against Purdue, though Harkless's presence probably opened some lanes for them with his mobility. That could be another point in his favor with Larry Lloyd still on the mend.

[Hellisan]

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

I'm not going anywhere. I am in full-on addiction mode to NCAA Football right now. I will probably end the Air Force dynasty once Paul Gibbons graduates (he's a junior right now) and start a new one. Winning has become too easy, but I have a chance to shatter some of my all-time records with this guy.

That's so good to hear. You're pumping out games and Ima have the reading glasses on soon enough to catch up.

Two very close wins on the bounce there my friend. That's also back-to-back games in which Malone has struggled, I feel like his leash may have gotten a little smaller after those two performances, even if Coach Clark wants to bat those questions away.

There's a little bit of, it's been proven to me how well a QB with great running ability can do in this game and if it's close I want to go with the other guy - going on here. But then again, Harkless is no Eddie Allen as a passer. I probably won't know who will go in until we boot up the game but it has been on my mind.

Definitely feel like the ceiling is higher with Harkless at the helm, though Malone has been solid, albeit not spectacular this season. I definitely can see this week being the one where the change is made, especially with it getting deeper and deeper into the season and there's less margin for error.

Very good game for the backs against Purdue, though Harkless's presence probably opened some lanes for them with his mobility. That could be another point in his favor with Larry Lloyd still on the mend.

Everything you said is spot on. There's a feeling of, if I start Harkless he'll be unable to complete any passes and then Malone will be able to when he comes in. That's the feeling I get. But Harkless can definitely influence the run game just like you said. He's 225 going on 245 and just a menace if you need a couple of yards. He's Tim Tebow without quite the arm (funny to even say that) but what a load.

[Hellisan]

2022 - Around the NCAA - Week 12

[Hellisan]

2022 - Week 12 Preview

Sparty will be a Tough Out at Home
but are missing Starting QB

There's no doubt that Michigan State, led by first-year head coach Dan Enos, are a legitimate threat to win the Big Ten and the National Championship this season. Other than a drubbing at the hands of Heisman candidate Dane Clark and Top 25 Boise State, Michigan State have not lost a game. That includes Ohio State, which fell to Michigan State 28-21.

Iowa catch a huge break however, as Quarterback Aaron Lewis, one of the most talented signal callers in the country, will miss the game. The 6'6" Lewis was injured against Michigan in Week 10. Fortunately for Iowa, the Spartans do not have a backup anywhere near his quality. doesn't mean the game will be easy, but gives Iowa, who are struggling to pass the ball, a little more breathing room than they might have had otherwise against a very talented squad. If the Spartans are smart, they will look to dominate the trenches with their impressive line, and run the ball against a tough Iowa front before taking too many chances in the air.

On defense, the Spartans have few holes and may be able to dominate the game from start to finish. Iowa must have a better offensive effort than they have had in recent weeks or they will get shut down. Win, and they may vault to the top of the rankings.

Coach Clark has decided to start Antwione Harkless at quarterback after giving Nathan Malone plenty of chances up to this point, with little in the way of production, and with Malone giving the ball away on too many occasions.

[Tearz49ers]

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

I had a feeling it would be Harkless going into this game. You and I seem to be both having the same doubts over their quarterbacks at the moment.

[Hellisan]

2022 - Week 12 - #3 Iowa at #7 Michigan State

[Hellisan]

2022 - Around the NCAA - Week 13














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I had a feeling it would be Harkless going into this game. You and I seem to be both having the same doubts over their quarterbacks at the moment.

Spot on. I have to admit that he has won me over to an extent. I've never been successful with a lefty QB, but it seems they have ironed out at least some of the awkward movement in this game, and he has been undoubtedly more accurate than Malone over the past couple of chances. So until that isn't the case, there's zero reason to start Malone because his overall running skillset outweighs Malone's stronger arm. Thanks for checking in Tearz!

[Hellisan]

Hawk Blog Update



Lionel Robinson out for the rest of the season

Cornerback Lionel Robinson was seriously injured during warmups before the MSU game. Robinson starts alongside D.J. Halloway and and is a key component of a secondary that has done quite well for how much they get passed against. The 6'0, 197 lb. sophomore had 30 tackles, a sack, 4 INT, and 3 pass deflections this season. Coach Clark was not able to discuss the injury in detail, but said that it was related to a recurring back injury that got worse.

The injury to Robinson changes the secondary from deep to thin with the snap of a finger. Junior Joe Gibson moves into a starting role, whereas Jaivonn Bender moves to the nickle role where he has had quite a bit of success in his career. Neither are anywhere near the caliber of all around defender that Robinson is, so the defense will have to make some adjustments. Competing for the 4th cornerback role which is used much more than Coach Clark would like are Peter Miller (strong safety by trade) and Fort Madison native Brandon Rockhold, a freshman. Miller made an interception playing at the line of scrimmage in a 4-2-5 defense recently.



Recruiting Notes: Iowa are still in the running for beastly TE Hayden Polk

Week 12 came and went. Hayden Polk came to LSU for his visit week. And left. Without apparently making a decision about where to sign. Which makes the Hawkeyes very happy indeed. Polk will visit the Iowa campus this week and watch them play former national power Alabama (6-4). Polk is in contention for numerous awards this year in Texas.

Also visiting Iowa this week is tackle Trevor Salary. Both of the recruits visiting this week are considered 4-star recruits. Iowa currently are considered to have the 4th best class according to MaxPreps. They have eight 4-star players committed so far (most in the nation) and will look to move that to 10 or 11 if possible. Salary visited Auburn (presently his #1 by a narrow margin) in Week 11 and LSU in week 12, but only Auburn remains in contention, alongside Iowa and South Carolina.

The weirdest bit of information on any player the Hawks are recruiting comes from Josh Hart Hart, a 4-star guard out of Humble, TX, was slow played just slightly by Coach Clark at the beginning of the year. That resulted in Hart scheduling his maximum of five visits with other teams. However, Iowa are still in the running for his services. They are within shouting distance of Vanderbilt, who Hart visited in Week 12. UTEP is considered on the fringe of his interest list (week 13 visit) and La Tech further back (week 14 visit). If the Hawkeyes can withstand those visits and take him to the offseason, they may be able to sign a player that hasn't made an official visit.

The last player remaining on the board is QB Aidan Hamm, out of Sun Prairie, WI. Hamm has good size and a solid arm. However, rumor has it that the Hawkeyes are trying to remain active in Wisconsin because they like some of the upcoming junior and lower-class talent in the state. Sneaky.

The last recruiting note is that Seth Bodensteiner, a 6'5", 247 lb. defensive end out of Decorah, has reportedly made a commitment to the team. Rated 3-stars and the #54 DE in the class, Bodensteiner does not stand out the way that some other recruits do, but he does the things the Iowa coaching staff looks at most closely. He gives effort in pursuit, he gets off blocks, and he tackles. He's also got good size with the frame to add more weight. One obvious downside is his lack of speed.

[Hellisan]

2022 - Week 13 Preview

'Bama have missed their starting QB

Alabama run a modern spread offense with an extremely fast starting quarterback. That player was lost for the entire season so far after getting hurt in the first game.

The backup is the plodding Marvin Hardy, who has passed for a good number of yards, but with a low completion rate - and he has been lucky to have only six interceptions so so far. As a result, the Alabama squad has been inconsistent. The defense is as much a part of the problem as anything, but it couldn't have hurt to have the quarterback this offense was designed around.

Kevin Dawson, the true starter, is considered questionable this week with the knee cartilage tear that is nearly healed. Will he be able to start this week and make some hay? That is the big question for Alabama.

Inconsistency aside, what's scary about this team is that they are an experienced, talented team that has played a tough schedule. They've lost to #7 Texas A&M and #5 LSU by a total of 14 points, but they also were beaten badly by Vanderbilt. Which team - and quarterback - will show up?

It's a rare game under the lights in Iowa. Let's find out!

[Careless Whisper]

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

Echoing Tearz's thoughts feeling that Harkless would get the call heading into MSU. His performance against Sparty wasn't spectacular, but felt like he did enough - especially on the final drive with his legs - to keep the job. That's a really good road win, especially with their backup QB playing well enough to steal it from you.

Very intrigued about this Alabama game. The Crimson Tide's talent is obvious, and your defense could have its hands full if Dawson is able to go. Love these late non-conference tests!

[Hellisan]

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

Echoing Tearz's thoughts feeling that Harkless would get the call heading into MSU. His performance against Sparty wasn't spectacular, but felt like he did enough - especially on the final drive with his legs - to keep the job. That's a really good road win, especially with their backup QB playing well enough to steal it from you.

Very intrigued about this Alabama game. The Crimson Tide's talent is obvious, and your defense could have its hands full if Dawson is able to go. Love these late non-conference tests!

Absolutely, the legs are a big difference for sure. We just don't have a guy that can take the top off the defense so we're doing a lot of dinking and dunking, and neither of our current QB's are real good at that so this is a separator between him and Malone. Generally I try to limit the QB read option run game as much as possible as it's just easier, although in certain big games, teams did a great job of stopping Eddie Allen. With Harkless he doesn't have that breakaway speed so that helps, but boy can he lay the lumber on people hahahaha.

Thanks for checking in man!

Chise notes:

I've hit a stumbling block where I've tried to update a few times and it's at the end of the day and I'm out of energy. *I've definitely had a lot less energy since getting Covid in December* - BDawg recently said hey great graphics I need to step up my game. Wrong. Keep doing what you're doing so you can PLAY lol. I'm going to keep the game reports the same but do far fewer images and most importantly, shorten the game previews and the NCAA weekly updates. Hope to get back to writing and reading soon.

[Hellisan]

2022 - Week 13 - Alabama at #3 Iowa

[Hellisan]

2022 - Week 14 - #3 Iowa at Nebraska

[Tearz49ers]

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

Two big wins back to back there to end the season going into the championship game. Funnily enough, also two exactly identical plays on defense also, that's a rarity in this game I must say. It also seems as though against Alabama it sparked the team into life, as I really didn't see them playing you so tough without their starting quarterback, but it goes to show you don't underestimate The Crimson Tide, ever!

[Hellisan]

2022 Around the Nation - Championship Week