Tight opportunities for Iowa tight ends

The clamps have come down on Iowa tight ends.

Tony Moeaki and Allen Reisner have caught three passes total in the last three games. Both were shut out against Northwestern. Moeaki, tied for third in receiving for the Hawkeyes with 23 catches for 274 yards, caught one against Michigan State, two against Indiana and was targeted three times against Northwestern.

Reisner, 13 catches for 134 yards this season, hasn't caught a pass since Wisconsin.

In the two games before the cold streak, Moeaki was a major target in Iowa's offense, catching nine passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns in victories over Michigan and Wisconsin.

“Yeah, if you're playing us, that's what you do. You start right there,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “Me and my big mouth saying he's a pretty good football player. But I think everybody's figured that out.

“Tony is an excellent player. So, he's going to draw attention. We just have to find ways to do a better job of maybe getting him open and also maybe go to other spots on the field if they're giving him some attention.”

This might also be a product of max protection, when one or both tight ends block instead of going into route. Iowa went to that a lot when freshman quarterback James Vandenberg replaced injured Ricky Stanzi in the second quarter against Northwestern.

“It's a little frustrating,” Moeaki said. “But if it helps the team, that's fine.”

Moeaki game-by-game

Northern Iowa 10 catches, 83 yards, 8.30 avg. 1TD

@ Iowa St. 1 catch 4 yards 4.00 avg. 0 TD

Arizona Did not play

Penn St. Did not play

Arkansas St. Did not play

Michigan 6 catches 105 yards 17.50 avg. 2 TDs

@ Wisconsin 3 catches 55 yards 18.33 avg. 1 TD

@ Michigan St. 1 catch 4 yards 4.00 avg. 0 TD

Indiana 2 catches 23 yards 11.50 avg. 0 TD

Northwestern 0 catches 0 yards 0 TD