I'm just wrapping up my grades here for the Arizona game. The offense and defense both did very well on Saturday (especially the defense), but the special teams also had a large part in the victory.
The Special Teams
Kicking/Punting: A+
Ryan Donahue is the best punter in the nation. He had 4 punts over 50 yards including a 62-yarder and 2 downed inside the 20. His play over the weekend earned him a co-Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week award (marking the 3rd week in a row that a Hawkeye has earned PotW recognition.
Murray also had a good day accounting for 1/3 of the Hawkeye's total points by kicking 2 field goals (20 and 40 yards) and 3 PATs. He also handled kickoff duties and had particularly nice placement on one that fell between the returner and the blockers that Iowa almost recovered.
Return Game: C
Both sides of the return game, in coverage and actually returning the ball were somewhat mediocre on Saturday. Punt coverage was good as always, thanks mostly to Donahue, but the kickoff coverage was scary. Arizona almost broke one that ended up going for 42 yards and one the day (besides the one "pooch" kick off) the Wildcats averaged 29.2 yards per return.
On punt returns, I think the coaches have found the man for the job. Chaney had a very nice 24 yard return that set up a field goal. I think he'll probably be handling kickoff returns too. He got a shot later in the game after a very bad decision by Speivey to bring the ball out of the endzone. Overall it was a poor showing though, averaging only 15.3 yards per kickoff return.
Special Teams as a Whole: B
Donahue has been excellent this season, and Murray has only missed a 48 yard field goal (which is very excusable). If we get the return game figured out, which I think Chaney can be that guy, then I think special teams can be a real advantage for Iowa this year.