2-Minute Drill: North Texas Mean Green

[Harry]

IOWA RUSH OFFENSE VS. NORTH TEXAS RUSH DEFENSE

The Mean Green hasn’t stopped the run this season. OK, it kind of stopped it last week against Rice, but the Owls just needed a cursory rushing game while they dissected UNT with 373 yards through the air.

The Green has allowed 231.0 rushing yards in its first two games leaving it No. 115 in the nation. Seeing 52.0 rushes in its first two games, UNT is No. 126 in rush attempts against. Basically, SMU and Rice thought it was worth it to run the ball against UNT’s 4-3 defense. UNT is 75th in the nation with 15 rush attempts of 10-plus yards against it.

The defensive line is right-sized for Conference USA, but at 264, 308, 252 and 264, it might have a hard time against the Hawkeyes. Free safety Kishawn McClain (12.5 tackles per game) and middle linebacker Blake Bean (11.0) are the top tacklers in CUSA.

After going for more than 200 yards in its first two games, Iowa knew the running game would be challenged last week against Pitt. Still, it was somewhat effective, with 29 carries for 105 yards. You kind of figured quarterback C.J. Beathard would run the ball, but like this? He’s Iowa’s No. 3 rusher and, through three weeks, leads Big Ten QBs in rushing with 142 yards. His 5.46 yards a rush is Iowa’s best among runners with 20-plus carries. Don’t expect this to keep up, but don’t dismiss it. It’s a positive element for Iowa.

Coming off an ankle injury at Iowa State, junior LeShun Daniels was limited to 15 yards on nine carries vs. Pitt. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said this week whoever is healthy will be the main runner, so you’re probably looking at 15-plus carries for senior Jordan Canzeri. Maybe this is the week you get a glimpse at sophomore Derrick Mitchell, who, still, has no career carries.

Advantage: Iowa

 

IOWA PASS OFFENSE VS. NORTH TEXAS PASS DEFENSE

Rice took what it wanted from UNT’s pass defense in a 38-24 victory at Denton, Texas, last weekend (it was 38-10 going into the fourth quarter, by the way). The Green allowed 373 passing yards, three TD passes and seven pass plays of 20-plus yards. Opposing QBs have posted a collective 171.74 efficiency against UNT (No. 121 nationally), a 73.0 completion percentage (No. 124) and an 8.6 yards per attempt (No. 111).

The one thing UNT is doing against the pass is pressuring the passer. The Green leads CUSA and is 15th nationally with 3.0 sacks a game. Defensive end Jarrian Roberts (6-2, 252) has 2.5 sacks and had a career-high 4.0 tackles for loss vs. Rice. UNT has a speed factor off the edge. After Beathard took a big number of hits vs. Pitt last week, the Hawkeyes should be hyper aware of protection.

Kind of lost in the hullabaloo last week was a career performance by Beathard. His completions (27), attempts (40) and yards (258) were career highs. He also joined Nathan Chandler (2003) as the only Iowa QBs under Ferentz to win their first four career starts. The last Iowa QB to win his first five career starts was Matt Sherman, who won seven consecutive from 1994-95.

Maybe this is something, maybe this is nothing. Through three games, Iowa has three wide receivers doing pretty much all of the work. Junior Matt VandeBerg leads the Big Ten with 22 receptions (he entered the season with 22 career receptions). VandeBerg has more catches through three games than any other receiver in the Ferentz era (Kevin Kasper had 21 in 2000 and Kevonte Martin-Manley had 19 in 2013 and 2014). Beyond VandeBerg, only three other WRs have receptions and junior Riley McCarron has one.

This might become a problem. As you’ve noticed, Iowa has slowed down its offense this season. With basically three wide receivers in the rotation, a warp-speed or even quickened pace might be off the table.

Advantage: Iowa

Read more:  http://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/2-minute-drill-north-texas-mean-green-20150924