Hlas: Hawkeyes came a long way not to be themselves

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Why didn't Iowa's football team just bring Maryland a nice welcome-to-the-Big Ten gift before the game and be done with it?

An espresso machine, maybe. Cheese boards or champagne glasses or candle holders.

But the Hawkeyes went overboard and helped the Terrapins to a 38-31 football victory. Maryland's players leapt into the Byrd Stadium's student section, then sang a spirited fight song after their first home win in their new conference.

It's not like the Terps didn't earn this victory. They obviously did, with a defense that went from timid to dominant in the course of almost four hours, and with leadership and running skill from quarterback C.J. Brown that was a sight to behold.

Hey, Maryland was favored to win. But this was still Iowa being Iowa, which means playing to the level of the opponent no matter how so-so or strong that foe may be. And, no matter how superior the 5-2 Hawkeyes may look in the early going.

Iowa took a 14-0 lead and looked like it would make the Terps feel like they should have joined Conference USA instead of the Big Ten. But then the Hawkeyes stopped being themselves in all sorts of ways.

'It felt good after the first two series,” Iowa offensive lineman Austin Blythe said. 'After that, it fell apart for some reason.”

The Hawkeyes pride themselves on using toughness as their calling card. We are shown videos of their summertime feats of strength. We are told they are preparing to be the best.

They aren't built on playmakers like Maryland receiver Stefon Diggs, a true entertainment package. They're all about stamina, technique, power. But where was it Saturday?

Where was the pass-protection? Where was the tackling? Where was the capacity to avoid major penalties? Where was Mark Weisman in the fourth quarter?

Weisman is a poster boy for this program, a self-made running back and training freak designed to punish foes in the fourth quarter. He had no carries in the final period here as the Hawkeyes shelved the run altogether for possession after possession of passing follies until they fell behind 38-21.

Weisman rushed 10 times for 78 yards, and pulled the Hawkeyes within 24-21 late in the third quarter when he ripped off a season-best 38-yard run and immediately followed it with a 2-yard run for his 10th touchdown of the season.

He had two more carries on Iowa's next drive, and then he was done. The Hawkeyes have a bye week coming up and Weisman is a senior. They're saving him for what, Iowa's wrestling team?

As Weisman idled, Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock made the mistake of the game when Will Likely picked off his pass into the wind and sailed free for a touchdown. The pass was high-risk, no-reward.

'I've got to do a better job getting the ball out earlier,” Rudock said. This was Game 7.

In Rudock's defense, he had Terrapins mauling him much of the day. If Brandon Scherff really is a possible All-America candidate - and he is - what is this saying about the offensive line as a whole?

Then there's the defense. Iowa surrendered 212 rushing yards Saturday after allowing 207 to Indiana the week before. Here's what has happened to the Hawkeyes' defense: It finally started facing offenses that are above-average.

Two months ago, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit said 'I think you gotta look out for Iowa. That's about as off the radar as you can get.” He was talking about the College Football Playoff and picked the Hawkeyes as dark horses.

That warmed some hearts in Iowa. But an espresso machine would have provided more true warmth.

Twitter: @Hlas

Comments: (319) 368-8840; mike.hlas@thegazette.com