Iowa overcomes shaky defense to defeat Miami (Ohio) 45-21
IOWA CITY, Iowa – The 15th-ranked Iowa football team did as expected by defeating Miami of Ohio 45-21 in the season opener on Saturday, but it was far from being an overpowering performance.
At least on defense.
Iowa never trailed in the game and rushed for 212 yards while improving to 15-3 in season openers under head coach Kirk Ferentz.
But the Iowa defense, which played almost the entire game without all-Big Ten linebacker Josey Jewell, allowed 424 yards, including 266 passing yards, and 25 first downs.
Jewell was disqualified from the game early in the first quarter after being called for targeting on a long punt return by Iowa defensive back Desmond King.
"That’s one of those things that is really tough to coach and tough to officiate," Ferentz said. "I fully understand why the rule is in there. As a coach, I get concerned we over-officiate. And I’m not suggesting that happened today.
"The bottom line is that’s part of football. We have to do a better job of coaching it."
Iowa running backs Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels rushed for 121 and 83 yards, respectively, while all-Big Ten quarterback C.J. Beathard completed 13-of-20 passes for 192 yards and one touchdown.
"I think both guys have really practiced well, the whole running back group has really practice well this season," Ferentz said. "They seem to complement each other well today. If we can continue that and keep some balance there, I think that would be good for both guys."
Iowa scored at least one touchdown in all four quarters and added three more points on a 22-yard field goal by true freshman Keith Duncan with 6 minutes, 4 seconds left to play. Duncan was among 10 true freshmen who made their debuts for Iowa on Saturday.
Iowa defensive back Desmond King returned the opening kick of the third quarter to near midfield. The Hawkeyes then scored their fifth touchdown of the game on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Beathard to sophomore receiver Jerminic Smith with 11:37 left in the third quarter.
The RedHawks trimmed the lead to 35-21 on back-to-back touchdown passes from quarterback Billy Bahl to receiver James Gardner in the third and fourth quarters.
“I didn’t know they had that much,” Iowa senior cornerback Greg Mabin said when told that Miami of Ohio had over 400 yards. “We got the win, but it was a sloppy win.
“We didn’t do as good as we needed to do. I didn’t do as good as I needed to do. So we’re just going to look at the film and correct our mistakes.”
Ferentz was less than pleased with his run defense, which surrendered 158 yards on 41 attempts. Miami’s three scoring drives covered 75, 75 and 74 yards.
“Certainly, our run defense was not what it needs to be today,” Ferentz said. “I want to give Miami credit, too. I think that they’re, not that I’m an expert, but I think they’re an improved football team based on the film that we saw and what we saw today.”
After forcing the RedHawks to punt on their first possession, Iowa defensive back Desmond King returned the punt deep into Miami territory.
However, the return was erased because of a targeting penalty called against Jewell with 12:03 left in the first quarter.
Iowa took possession at its own 20-yard line and then marched 80 yards for a touchdown on six plays. Danieis scored Iowa’s first touchdown of the season on a 1-yard run with 9:07 left in the first quarter.
Iowa scored its second touchdown barely two minutes later on an 11-yard run by Wadley. Duncan made his second consecutive point-after kick, expanding Iowa’s lead to 14-0 with 7:14 left in the first quarter.
The lead swelled to three touchdowns on a 43-yards touchdown run by Daniels with 5:41 left in the first quarter.
Miami answered with a 3-yard touchdown run by Alonzo Smith early in the second quarter, but Iowa countered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Wadley with 7:15 left before halftime.
Neither team scored again in the second quarter, giving Iowa a 28-7 lead at halftime.
Wadley and Daniels rushed for 60 and 52 yards, respectively, in the first half, while Beathard completed 10-of-11 passes in the first half for 151 yards.
Iowa will face Iowa State next Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.