Iowa overcomes shaky first half to defeat Miami of Ohio 38-14 in season opener at Kinnick Stadium
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kirk Ferentz has another win under his belt as the Iowa football coach, but also plenty of teaching moments and things for his team to clean up from Saturday’s season opener against Miami of Ohio.
The 19th-ranked Hawkeyes overcame a shaky first half and some sloppy play and poor decision making to defeat the RedHawks 38-14 before a sellout crowd of 69,250 at Kinnick Stadium.
There were plenty of positives to take from the victory, including an Iowa rushing attack that gained over 200 yards and an Iowa defense that held Miami to just 59 rushing yards.
Iowa junior running back Mekhi Sargent also showed why he has emerged as the starter in a crowded backfield by finishing with over 150 total yards, while senior quarterback Nate Stanley threw three touchdown passes to three different receivers, including one to Michigan transfer and Iowa City native Oliver Martin, who made his much-anticipated Hawkeye debut under the lights on Saturday.
But on the flipside, Iowa’s offense failed to finish drives for much of the first half and the outcome still was very much in doubt with Iowa leading just 10-7 at halftime.
"Obviously, we're pleased with the victory," Ferentz said. "It was an excellent way to start the season. Our first half was a little sporadic at times, and we had some misfires and what have you. But I thought we really came back in the second half and played well."
Iowa was leading 24-7 and driving late in the third quarter when senior fullback Brady Ross lost control of the football and then tried to lateral it back to Stanley.
Miami recovered the loose football and then made Iowa pay for its blunder by driving 60 yards for a touchdown on 10 plays, cutting the deficit to 24-14 with 12 minutes, 53 seconds left to play
"All but a little turnover problem in there, and then we didn't respond very well on defense," Ferentz said. "But outside of that, I thought we really looked a lot better in the second half. And the first game, I think you anticpate those kinds of issues. You have a lot of new players playing."
The excitement and anticipation that swept over the stadium at kickoff had turned to frustration and concern by halftime with Iowa clinging to three-point lead, and with All-Big Ten offensive lineman Alaric Jackson on crutches.
Jackson, who starts at left tackle and made second-team All-Big Ten last season, suffered what appeared to be a right knee injury in the first quarter and didn’t return to the game. Fellow junior Tristan Wirfs shifted from right tackle to left tackle in his absence.
"Nothing right now, but we'll probably no more the next time we get together on Tuesday," Ferentz said of Jackson's status. "But we'll keep our fingers crossed."
Iowa’s offense showed flashes in the first half while gaining 202 yards, but it struggled to finish drives with exception to one drive in the second quarter that ended with Brandon Smith catching a 9-yard touchdown pass from Stanley with 8:22 left before halftime.
The Hawkeyes forced Miami into a three-and-out on the first offensive possession of the third quarter, and then drove 82 yards on seven plays for their second touchdown of the game, which came on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Stanley to Martin on a fade route in the corner of the end zone.
The stadium was energized once again with momentum back on Iowa’s side, and with the Iowa defense starting to assert its superiority, thanks partly to senior defensive end Amani Jones who stopped Miami on its second possession of the third quarter by sacking quarterback Brett Gabbert for a loss of 11 yards on third down.
“It was crazy to watch just how fast he came off the edge,” sophomore linebacker Djimon Colbert said of Jones’ sack.
Iowa started its second possession of the third quarter at its own 44-yard line and then quickly moved down field as Stanley connected with redshirt freshman receiver Nico Ragaini for a 45-yard gain to the RedHawk 4-yard line on the second play of the drive.
Miami was penalized two yards for illegal substation and then Sargent scored on a 2-yard run with 6:25 left in the third quarter.
Keith Duncan converted the point-after kick to expand Iowa’s lead to 24-7, and that’s when it finally felt like Iowa was in control of the game.
Stanley was solid from start to finish as you would hope from a quarterback making his 27th consecutive start. He completed 21-of-30 passes for 252 yards. He also completed passes to 10 different receivers, including four each to Sargent and junior Ihmir Smith-Marsette.
“Just taking what the defense gave us,” Stanley said “I feel very confident with anybody that we put out there."
Iowa now shifts to conference play earlier than usual with Rutgers coming to Kinnick Stadium next Saturday.
And while there are plenty of things to clean up, there is also no substitute for winning.
Sargent was especially impressive as a runner and as a receiver.
“I feel like I’m very versatile,” Sargent said.
Fans also got a glimpse of some of the newcomers, including true freshman running back Tyler Goodson, who was inserted in the game in the second half and finished with 36 rushing yards on nine carries.
“He’s got a future ahead of him,” Sargent said of Goodson.
Saturday's game marked the first time that Iowa has played a season opener under the lights with the game having started at 6:40 p.m.
Former Hawkeye defensive back Bob Stoops was the honorary captain, and his presence on the field before the game helped to energize the sellout crowd.
"The bottom line is where we are is where we want to be right now,: said Ferentz, who won his 153rd game as the Iowa head coach on Saturday. "We're 1-0, plenty of opportunity to improve. There's a lot of things we'll see that have to be cleaned up, but an opportunity to be cleaned up and improve on."
Ferentz also thanked the Iowa fans for packing Kinnick Stadium on Labor Day weekend.
"I want to thank our fans for a great environment," Ferentz said. "Night game in Kinnick, it's always special, but the crowd was tremendous. Great to have a sellout on a holiday. We're really appreciative of that."