3 keys for Iowa football against Iowa State

IOWA CITY — Iowa and Iowa State have some unknowns heading into the annual Cy-Hawk football clash.

After scoring one field goal and two safeties against an FCS team, Iowa’s offense faces plenty of questions.

Iowa State eased past its Week 1 FCS opponent, but this will be its first real test without Brock Purdy, Breece Hall, Mike Rose and other standouts.

Here are three keys for Iowa to earn its seventh consecutive win in the series.

How much does Spencer Petras improve his fundamentals?

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras needs to improve his fundamentals from Week 1 to Week 2, and he’ll be the first one to tell you that.

“I messed up some fundamentals,” Petras said Tuesday. “Unfortunately it happens sometimes.”

South Dakota State practically dared Petras to try to beat it last week, and the strategy was largely successful. He was 11-for-25 for 109 yards with one interception, and about half of that yardage came from receivers after the catch.

If Petras cannot find his rhythm, the Cyclones can comfortably put eight players in the box to pressure him and stifle the run.

Does the offensive line give Iowa’s rushing attack adequate room to run?

Iowa has been no stranger to running the ball historically, but the production on the ground has not been a strength in 2021 or 2022.

The Hawkeyes averaged 1.6 yards per carry against the Jackrabbits to kick off 2022 after averaging 3.4 yards per carry in 2021.

A young offensive line did not have much success against SDSU last week, giving little room for running back Leshon Williams to go. Four of the five starters on the line last week were making their first starts at their respective positions.

The possible return of Gavin Williams — Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz was “optimistic” about his status on Tuesday — will be a welcomed addition to the rushing attack.

But regardless of which Williams is the No. 1 running back for Saturday, an improvement up front is necessary for Iowa’s run-heavy style to be effective.

Hunter Dekkers vs. Iowa’s defense

The Hunter Dekkers era of Iowa State football is underway.

Dekkers came to Ames as a four-star recruit and one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the 2020 recruiting class.

The Hawarden native appeared in four games last year for the Cyclones as Purdy’s backup, including for the second half of last year’s Cy-Hawk game. He was 11-for-16 for 114 yards and a touchdown against the Hawkeyes last year.

Now, he’s leading the Iowa State offense.

Dekkers had an impressive game last week — 25-for-31 for 293 yards with four touchdowns and one interception — but that was against Southeast Missouri State.

Iowa’s defense, which grabbed an FBS-best 25 interceptions in 2021, obviously will be more of a challenge.

How much Iowa can limit Dekkers and force the Cyclones to run against Iowa’s formidable defensive front could have a major impact on Saturday’s result.

What’s at stake

As is the case with every Cy-Hawk game, plenty of bragging rights and a trophy are on the line.

With Nevada and Rutgers next on the schedule, a win Saturday would put Iowa in a good position to start 4-0.

If Iowa comes up short against its in-state rival, it would be the first nonconference loss outside of a bowl game since the 23-21 loss to North Dakota State in 2016.

Prediction

The Iowa offense (or lack thereof) is too much of a red flag to confidently pick the Black and Gold. But if the unit shows significant progress from last week, it is undoubtedly a winnable game.

Iowa State 13, Iowa 10

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