Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis met with the media Wednesday.

By Ian Murphy
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Iowa offensive coordinator Greg Davis met with the media on Wednesday for what is the only media availability of the season for assistant coaches. We break down his thoughts by position.

Offensive line

The offensive line has been banged up for much of the season. But those watching the Hawkeyes for the first time when they played Northwestern wouldn’t have known that.

Operating with three linemen in new spots, the Hawkeyes battered the Wildcats for more than 280 yards on the ground, with the line leading the way for backup running back sophomore Akrum Wadley, to gain more than 200 yards.

It marked the first time in school history the Hawkeyes posted two different running backs with 200-yard games in back-to-back weeks.

Even though the running backs have had lots of success, the real credit should go to the versatility of the offensive line.

“Throughout camp, we mix and match lineups, realizing that during the season, different guys are going to have to play different places,” Davis said.

With starting tackles Boone Meyers and Ike Boettger sidelined, Sean Welsh and Cole Croston played the tackles, with true freshman James Daniels playing guard against the Wildcats.

“You try to prepare for those situations,” Davis said. “[Offensive line coach Brian Ferentz] did a great job in game week realizing what we were going to have and the best way to fit all the pieces together.”

Running back

The resurgence of the Iowa running game, and with it, the Iowa offense, has been one of the bigger surprises of the season, especially because LeShun Daniels Jr. went down early in the season.

Daniels was supposed to split time with Jordan Canzeri, who then became an every-down running back.

Canzeri then sprained an ankle against Northwestern, but what Wadley and Derrick Mitchell did following Canzeri’s injury has been well-documented.

Part of the credit for the resurgence, of course goes to the offensive line, but an equal part goes to the likes of a running back playing running back, rather than a converted fullback such as Mark Weisman.

It isn’t a coincidence the running game turned things around with a true running back, but Davis credited his stable of backs for the success.

“I said in August, I thought we had four backs, and I also said in August that we would need all four of them before it was all said and done,” Davis said. “I didn’t realize it would be by the seventh game.”

Quarterback

C.J. Beathard is the unquestioned starter, and Tyler Wiegers is the second string, but the two true freshman quarterbacks, Ryan Boyle and Drew Cook, remain question marks.

Davis said Boyle took the second-team reps last week, with Wiegers working with the starters while Beathard nursed injuries. Davis also noted that neither one of young guns has moved ahead of the other. 

Both are still projected as quarterbacks for next season, and the coaching staff plans to redshirt both for the time being.

“Boyle will work with the second group. He did work with the second group,” he said. “And if we would have gotten to that situation, he would have played.

“But I wouldn’t read a lot into that, quite honestly.”

As for Beathard’s continued success, Davis said the running game and big-play potential have been the key factors.

“When you can run the ball, a lot of things set up for you,” he said. “I think C.J. is seeing opportunities to take the ball down the field and taking them. He will take those shots.”