Iowa’s offense struggles in Cy-Hawk loss, but defense, special teams can’t make up for it this time

IOWA CITY — Kirk Ferentz used the word “exciting” to describe his quarterback situation in the spring, citing having two guys the Hawkeyes have “won with” at the position.

This week, offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz said he has “unwavering” faith in both his No. 1 and No. 2 options at quarterback — Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla.

Fast-forward to Saturday — Iowa’s first game against an FBS opponent in the young 2022 season — and none of those terms were fitting in a 10-7 loss to rival Iowa State.

The quarterback play wasn’t exciting. Iowa only showed faith in one quarterback. And the Hawkeyes couldn’t win with him.

Quarterback Spencer Petras was 12-for-26 for 92 yards. He threw an interception and and could not find the end zone.

Petras also lost a fumble in the first half that ended Iowa’s longest drive of the day. An offsides penalty offset what would’ve been a second fumble lost.

The rushing attack showed some improvement from last week, but not much. Instead of averaging 1.6 yards per carry, the Hawkeyes averaged 2.3.

Running back Gavin Williams (two carries, 10 yards) was back after missing Week 1 with an injury, but Leshon Williams shouldered a much heavier load (14 carries, 34 yards, including a 9-yard TD run).

It’s not a new problem. Since last year’s loss to Purdue, Petras has thrown one touchdown and nine interceptions.

Petras’ first-half resume was far from what one would expect from a fifth-year senior in his third year as a Big Ten starting quarterback — 5-of-11 for 33 yards and an interception.

Yet Iowa continued to stick with the San Rafael, Calif., native in the second half.

Unsurprisingly, the lackluster results continued. Iowa had just three drives in the second half with a first down.

Ferentz said Petras wasn’t “perfect,” but also pointed to the need for improvement at other positions as well.

“He’s still not getting enough help to really do a fair assessment,” Ferentz said. “We've got a lot of moving parts right now on offense.”

The continued absences of Nico Ragaini, Keagan Johnson and Diante Vines limited Petras’ options.

Fourteen of Petras’ first 15 passes were to only three different receivers — wide receiver Arland Bruce IV and tight ends Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey.

Bruce didn’t make his first catch until the third quarter.

Iowa’s defense was far from perfect, giving up 313 total yards. But the unit bailed out the offense at critical points in the game. Iowa’s defense forced three turnovers, including two in the red zone.

Key special teams plays — namely two blocked punts by Lukas Van Ness — often put the Hawkeyes in lucrative opportunities. The first one set up a two-play, 16-yard touchdown drive.

Those contributions gave the offense a chance to tie the game or take the lead in the final minutes, but Petras led the Hawkeyes to a five-play, 11-yard drive that ended with a turnover on downs. A 14-yard pass to Alec Wick and 9-yard completion to LaPorta, plus two ISU penalties, set up a last-chance field goal, but Aaron Blom missed from 48 yards as time expired.

The loss sets Iowa back to 1-1. It’s Iowa’s first loss to its in-state rival since 2014.

The Hawkeyes will have an easier stretch of their schedule coming up. Their nonconference finale will be next week against Nevada, and they’ll head to Rutgers for their Big Ten opener on Sept. 24.

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