Iowa notes: End-of-half magic, Beathard-Rudock, Purdue’s RB

IOWA CITY — Among the most underrated aspects of Iowa's 10-0 season is how the Hawkeyes put up points late in the second quarter.

Iowa has outscored its opponents 44-0 in the final two minutes before halftime this season. Iowa has scored in that time frame in eight of their 10 games. On the final first-half plays in the other two games, Iowa missed a field goal and fell short on an fake field goal attempt.

The Hawkeyes have performed with a short field and a long field. Five of the scoring drives were at least 65 yards. The failed fake field goal, which was stranded at the 5-yard line, was part of a 93-yard drive.

'I think it gives you some momentum going into the half,' quarterback C.J. Beathard said. 'Like Maryland, when you can go up at the half 14-0 or go up 21-0 before half or Minnesota 17-14 or 24-14, that's a big difference in the game. Not only does it give you those extra points, it gives you some momentum.'

In its last three games, Iowa has scored touchdowns within 45 seconds of halftime. Last week, the Hawkeyes capped a 97-yard drive with a LeShun Daniels touchdown run with 44 seconds left. One week earlier, Beathard dove over the goal line for a 7-yard score at Indiana with 17 seconds left. Three games ago, after a defensive stand and a blocked punt, Derrick Mitchell scored from the 2 with nine seconds left.

Off-season drills have helped sharpen the team's focus in two-minute situations this year. It's also a flip from last year, when Iowa was outscored 31-13 in those situations. In Iowa's last four losses, its opponent scored a touchdown in the final two minutes before halftime, a 28-0 margin.

'It's the little things that you have to remember to be successful,' guard Sean Welsh said.

Welsh brings up everything from lining up in a stance quickly to backs and receivers getting out of bounds in a two-minute situation. Before the linemen take the field, offensive line coach Brian Ferentz delivers a straightforward message that resonates.

'It's very specific, and it's specific to the situation,' Welsh said. 'It's really quick. He finishes it, and you go and you execute. There's really no deliberation; it's on the go. You go right away. I think that simplifies things, and we're able to go out and execute and not have to think about other things.'

That applies to the whole offense.

'We know as a whole — it doesn't matter if it's an offensive lineman, a tight end, receiver, me — we know if it's under two minutes left in the half, we want to get points on the board before the half is over,' Beathard said. 'Fortunately we've been able to do that the past couple of weeks right before half and go down and get points.'

SMITH STILL CLOSE TO DAVIS

Iowa wide receiver Tevaun Smith stood in front of reporters wearing a sweatshirt that read 'Trenchwork,' a gift from good friend and former teammate Carl Davis. The two became close from their three years together at Iowa and stay in touch weekly despite their busy schedules. Davis was a third-round draft pick by the Baltimore Ravens and has started three games as a defensive lineman.

'We have a pretty tight bond,' Smith said. 'He's been pushing me all season. He's been giving me that confidence that I need. He understands (during your) senior year, stuff can either go your way or not. He's really been a great leader while he's been here and even when he's been gone.'

Davis had a side bet on last Saturday's game with Ravens tight end Maxx Williams, a former Minnesota Gophers tight end. Williams was forced to wear a Hawkeyes shirt and hat, something that Davis posted on social media accounts.

'I'm sure Maxx is mad about that,' Smith said.

BEATHARD HAPPY FOR RUDOCK

Former Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock threw for 440 yards and a school-record six touchdowns in a double-overtime win against Indiana on Saturday. Rudock earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance.

Before leaving for Michigan this summer, Rudock started at Iowa for two seasons. Beathard and Rudock competed for the quarterback job last year, and Beathard was named the starter in early January.

'He played a good game. I'm happy for him, I'm glad he's doing well,' Beathard said. 'I haven't talked to him since the season started. I'm pulling for him. We were friends when he was here, when he left I haven't been as close with him since then. But I'm pulling for him.'

Rudock ranks eighth in Iowa passing yards (4,819) and touchdowns (34).

PURDUE BACK IS BACK

Purdue running back Markell Jones has given the Boilermakers a spark this season. He's rushed for 692 yards and eight touchdowns at a 5.4 yard-per-carry clip. Jones left the game last week against Northwestern with a knee injury, but Purdue Coach Darrell Hazell said he'll play Saturday at Iowa.

'The MRI we had from (Monday) is clear, so he felt a lot better (Monday) after that,' Hazell said. 'He'll be ready to go on Saturday.'

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