Shutting them down
UW defense looks to continue recent success against Iowa’s run game
MADISON – Do the Big Ten rushing statistics reveal the key to Wisconsin’s game Saturday at Iowa?
The Hawkeyes (5-2) have rushed for 17 touchdowns this season, tied for the league lead with Minnesota.
UW (2-2) remains the only team in the league that hasn’t allowed a rushing touchdown.
Iowa is fifth in the league in rushing at 177.3 yards per game.
UW is No. 1 in the league against the run, allowing just 72.3 yards per game.
“Both teams are obviously better when they can run the football and it opens a lot of the passing game,” said UW coach Paul Chryst, 4-1 against Iowa. “That will be one of the storylines.”
The more physical team likely will leave Kinnick Stadium with a victory. UW’s players are ready for the challenge.
“They’ve always been known for being a good, tough, hard-nosed running team,” UW sophomore linebacker Leo Chenal said. “They pride themselves on that.
“It’s just really going to come down to: Who is going to be the one to step up and be tougher? Who is going to play harder? Who is going to be the one to step up to the challenge and make the first hit and continue hitting all game? Who is going to fight until the end? Who is going to fight every single snap?”
End Garrett Rand offered the same message in fewer words.
“I always look forward to this game just because of how we both play,” Rand said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Fun? Iowa’s players and coaches probably wouldn’t use that term to describe their recent experiences attempting to move the ball on the ground against UW.
The Hawkeyes haven’t scored a rushing touchdown against UW in the last five meetings, a span of 147 official carries.
Quarterback Jake Rudock was the last Iowa player to rush for a touchdown against UW.
That came in a 26-24 loss in 2014 in Iowa City.
In the last five meetings, the Hawkeyes have rushed a total of 147 times for 97.4 yards per game.
The last Iowa runner to break the 100-yard mark against UW was Jordan Canzeri, who rushed 26 times for 125 yards in a 10-6 Iowa victory in 2015.
UW is 4-0 against its rival since that loss, and the ability to suffocate Iowa’s running game has played a critical role.
“Any game is won up front,” UW safety Scott Nelson said. “If we can control the line of scrimmage – offense and defense – I think we put ourselves in a great position to win.
“But their offensive line – their whole program – is built similar to ours. They want to make it physical. They want to make it a run-first type of game. So do we. It is strength vs. strength colliding. Who is going to flinch first?”
Iowa’s ground game has been contained at times this season.
Northwestern limited the Hawkeyes to 77 yards on 23 carries, an average of 3.3 yards per carry. Nebraska did the best job against the Hawkeyes, limiting them to 2.9 yards per carry and 129 yards on 45 carries.
However, Iowa has gained at least 175 rushing yards in its five other games. One week after struggling against the Cornhuskers, Iowa rushed 38 times for 204 yards in a 35-21 victory over Illinois.
Tyler Goodson rushed 19 times for 92 yards (4.8-yard average) and Mekhi Sargent rushed 10 times for 54 yards (5.4).
Goodson averages 93.7 yards per game, No. 3 in the league, and Sargent is 14th at 54.4. Sargent has seven touchdowns and averages 6.0 yards per carry. Goodson has six touchdowns and averages 5.0.
“They’re a talented group across the board,” UW defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard said of the Iowa offensive line. “Their backs are running really well, and when they get to the second level and third level they’re making guys miss. And they’re running hard when it’s time to just put your head down and gain yards.
“They’re not always trying to trick you. They’re not trying to get cute. They do what they do. They do it well.
“It’s a fun game because there is no magic about this one. You have to execute. You have to choose to be physical.”