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Iowa City, Iowa – It’s wise not to overreact to the season opener, win or loss. It’s a long way to go, and the first contest doesn’t always predict where the campaign will go.

In 2009, the Iowa Football needed to block a late field try in Week 1 to break through Northern Iowa. Two years ago, the Hawkeyes started 0-2 in a coronavirus-shortened season and won six in a row.

That probably won’t alleviate the hand numbness brought on by Saturday’s 7-3 win over South Dakota State at the 2022 kickoff here at Kinnick Stadium. You shouldn’t. This team still has a long way to go, especially on offense.

Jackrabbit held Iowa to 166 total yards. He averaged 2.7 yards per play and was only able to convert 4 of his 17 third downs.

To say ugly is too kind. Given last year’s historically bad production on that side of the ball, it’s worrying.

Let’s dive into the rest of Howe’s High 5.

1. Let’s start with the positives. Iowa punter Tory Taylor was the best player on the field in this game. The Australian has dropped seven of his 10 punts inside his 20-yard line at SDSU, averaging 47.9 yards per kick. The Jackrabbit average starting field position over 15 drives was their own 16-yard line.

Taylor averaged 46.1 yards per punt in 2011 and played a big role in helping the Hawkeyes win 10 games. He landed half of his kicks inside his opponent’s 20.

Saturday’s most memorable play came early in the second quarter. He put up a punt long enough for teammate Cooper DeJean to run down the field and catch it at SDSU 2.

2. Like Taylor, Iowa’s defense showed Saturday that it could be even better than it was a year ago. It held the veteran and strong Jackrabbit offense to 120 yards and six first downs. He also scored two safes and outplayed both attacks.

Linebacker Jack Campbell led with 12 tackles. His seven other Hawkeyes scored at least his four tackles.

Through 15 games in the 2021 season, South Dakota State’s offense averaged 6.9 yards per play. Saturday it was him 2.1.

3. Iowa’s defense and special teams have looked incredibly better than they did in 2021, but the offense looked even worse. Come to think of it, a year ago he ended up with 121 of his 130 FBS programs with total attacks, and that seemed impossible.

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It all started with Hawkeye’s lunge attack, or lack of Saturday. Gained 57 yards on 36 attempts.

SDSU was loaded to stop the run with Iowa exhausted at the receiver from injuries and attrition. Did not respect the vertical passing game of the home team, which is a sound strategy.

Quarterback Spencer Petras completed 11 of 25 passes for 109 yards and an interception in his third season as a starter. He connected with just three throws over 10 yards.

In addition to receiver issues, the offensive line was hobbled throughout camp and it showed. Logan Jones and Bo Stevens started their first college game on Saturday. Gennings Dunker also plays his first significant snap.

4. Then what? quarterback bench? Fire offensive coordinator Brian Ferenc? Punt on first down?

Head coach Kirk Ferencz is back at work in hopes of improving his current plan ahead of changes. I hope that

Petras didn’t do well on Saturday but again showed what he’s capable of by making some successful passes. Inconsistency remained a major problem, and he missed too many successful plays.

Running back Leshon Williams also caught five of 10 targets for 68 yards, as did receiver Arland Bruce IV. SDSU successfully pulled off tight ends Sam LaPorta and Luke Lachey, gaining 15 yards on three receptions.

5. There are no easy answers. It wasn’t necessary, but next week’s opponent, rival Iowa State, could use SDSU’s defensive blueprint.

Iowa didn’t defend Petras well enough on Saturday, missing open receivers frequently. Jackrabbits laughed at his action play.

The Hawkeyes have no choice but to ride defense and special teams until their offense develops and they get players back from injuries. And there is no guarantee that it will happen.

Trades cannot be made to fill holes in college football. You dance with whoever brought you.

Iowa needs their offense to dance a little faster. If not, defense teams and special teams will be asked to carry all the cargo again. That’s an unreasonable demand for a much tighter schedule for 2022.

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