‘Will Breaker’ – IU Ready for “Business Trip’ to Iowa
Pete DiPrimio | IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - It’s the next test, the biggest test, this Iowa team that brings tough-minded intensity and physicality. The Indiana Hoosiers, says linebacker Aiden Fisher, are well aware of what they’ll face on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium and what it will take to remain unbeaten.
“We know the challenge they represent,” Fisher says. “They’re a well-coached team. They’re always physical. They’re always in the right place. They’re very disciplined.
“We’re the same way. It will be who can break the other team’s will first. We have to make sure we’re playing the football we know.”
Will breaking is always a key for No. 11/12 Hoosiers (4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Big Ten), especially on the Big Ten road.
On his Thursday night radio show with Voice of the Hoosiers Don Fischer, head coach Curt Cignetti referred to breaking a team’s will as changing the way people think during a game, causing them to lose intensity and even hope. It’s a concept he got while an assistant coach at Alabama under Nick Saban.
IU did it to Illinois. The goal is to do the same thing to Iowa (3-1, 1-0).
Cignetti emphasized the importance of staying “humble and hungry” while maintaining a big-ready-at-all-times mindset. He told Don Fischer the Hawkeyes will not beat themselves.
“They won’t give you anything. You have to earn it.
“We have to beat man coverage in this game. They are tremendous at pressuring the quarterback with their twists and coverage.”
In a conference known for its intimidating stadiums, 70,000-seat Kinnick Stadium, which opened in 1929, is one of the most intimidating. IU hasn’t won there since 2007.
“It’s a historic stadium,” Aiden Fisher says. “It’s a good venue. At the end of the day, it’s a business trip. We’re going there to win. We can’t be consumed by the history and tradition.”
Iowa has added an invigorated offense (its 33.0-point average) and dynamic special teams (Kaden Wetjen has a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a 95-yard punt return for a TD and leads the nation with 448 combined kick yards; field goal kicker Drew Stevens is 7-for-9 this season with 61 career field goals) to its typically rugged defense (it ranks in the top-25 nationally in scoring defense, total defense and rushing defense).
The Hawkeyes’ offensive line starters range from 6-foot-3 to 6-foot-5 and from 290 pounds to 315 pounds. Their three returning All-Big Ten offensive linemen -- center Logan Jones, guard Beau Stephens and tackle Gennings Dunker -- have a combined 93 career starts.
“They're big; they're physical; they move well,” Fisher says. “When you go against a physical O-line like that, you really have got to mind your Ps and Qs; you have to strike well at the point of attack.
“Scheme wise, you’ve got to be able to manipulate some fits. We have to be able to do what we do best -- be aggressive, play fast, and strike to get off blocks.”
Iowa averages 200.5 rushing yards per game with 10 rushing touchdowns. It has outscored opponents 54-10 in the second half.
To counter that, Fisher says, the Hoosiers must “stay aggressive with gap integrity. Make sure we're not two people in the gap. Make sure we're not doing too much and that you're not playing out of character. Stay focused on us and do the little things we do well and execute that at a high level.”
Hawkeye quarterback Mark Gronowski is 52-7 as a starter at South Dakota State and now Iowa. It’s the most games a college quarterback has ever won. At 6-foot-2 and 235 pounds, Gronowski has thrown for 492 yards and three touchdowns. He’s rushed for 143 yards and six TDs.
“He’s a very talented player,” Fisher says. “He can throw it well. He’s a very effective runner. He’s a good leader. He does a great job of play actions and boots. He presents a good challenge for us.
“We have a good plan for him. When he has the ball in his hands, make him pay for it and get him on the ground.”
As for Wetjen, Fisher adds, “We have to key on him. Make sure we have someone accounting for him at all times. It all goes back to pre-snap. Make sure we know where everyone is.”
Cignetti told Fischer that Wetjen is “fast and fearless.”
“He hits those kickoff returns and he goes. He doesn’t mess around. He’s a weapon.”
IU counters all of this with a powerhouse defense. Playing to defensive coordinator Bryant Haines’ attacking style, it holds opponents to just 8.3 points. Only Ohio State (5.3) and Penn State (5.7) are better in the Big Ten, and both have only played three games.
The Hoosiers lead the Big Ten in tackles for loss, with 43. USC is second with 38. Their 15 sacks are one off the conference lead shared by USC and Maryland.
Iowa has 10 sacks and 22 tackles for loss.
Indiana also leads the conference in total yards allowed, at 205.8.
“Bryant always mixes things up pretty well,” Cignetti says about Haines. “He finds ways to get to the quarterback, create tackles for loss.”
The Hoosiers will need all of that, and more, on Saturday.
“This will be a real challenge for us,” Cignetti says.