Play of the Game: Rudock’s play-fake score

DOWN AND DISTANCE:

Iowa had the ball, second-and-goal at the Illinois 6

SCORE/TIME AT THE SNAP:

Iowa led 16-7, 13:47 left in the game

FORMATION AND PERSONNEL:

Iowa - Two receivers, two tight ends, one running back; Illinois - Based 3-4 personnel, with four down linemen

WHAT HAPPENED:

Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock faked a handoff to running back Mark Weisman to the right side, and Rudock bootlegged to the left. Rudock had a pass-run option to tight end Ray Hamilton and chose to run, and he wasn't touched until a yard into the end zone.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT:

The touchdown pushed Iowa's lead to 23-7 early in the fourth quarter.

THE QUOTE 1:

'They were just in man coverage there on the outside. There was a guy on Ray's back, so it was wide open. I can say that. It was one of those things where they were man-to-man, I might be able to take it in. I just got right behind Ray and said, ‘OK, let's push it in.' He did a good job of getting me in.” - Iowa quarterback Jake Rudock

THE QUOTE 2:

'There's a guy on my back. I can block him. I love blocking. I saw (Rudock) point, I turned my back and I picked him up and we scored. That's all that matters. I'm not worried about how many touchdowns and stuff like that. Jake scored and ultimately the team got six points out of it.” - Iowa tight end Ray Hamilton

THE ANALYSIS:

Iowa stacked both wide receivers on the right side. Hamilton was the left end, and tight end Jake Duzey was the left H-back. The play-fake to Weisman froze Illinois' three linebackers, and Duzey ran a go route, taking cornerback Eaton Spence deep in the end zone. Hamilton blocked down on outside linebacker DeJazz Woods, then released into the flat, where free safety Taylor Barton was in trail coverage. Hamilton was open, but Rudock had a clear path to the end zone. Hamilton blocked Barton, and Rudock sprinted in for the score.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com