Instead of trying to get more and more wide receivers on the field, the Iowa coaches staff is trying to get more offensive linemen on the field. Yes, offensive linemen. During Saturday's game Iowa debuted a package with offensive guard Andy Kuempel playing as the second tight end. Kuempel is not at all a threat in the passing game and was in there for blocking purposes only, and I guarantee Penn State knew that as well. And what did Iowa do...run it straight at them.
Most team's only bring in extra linemen during goal-line and short yardage situation. Not Iowa. This package was used through out...1 and 10, no problem. In the 4th quarter KOK called 16 straight runs and not a single pass. The Hawkeyes ran for 61 in the quarter and scored 10 points on offense (also 6 off of Clayborn's blocked punt return). They also owned the time of possession limiting Penn State's chances. In the 4th quarter, Iowa controlled the ball for 9:02.
And, did I mention that Iowa's only offensive touchdown of the game, Adam Robinson's fantastic 13 yard run, was out of the 6 offensive linemen package. This package actually had 6 o-lineman, a TE, and a fullback...it doesn't get much more obvious than that. Penn State knows it's a run and has 9 guys (!!) in the box. Despite that, Robinson takes off and runs right through a huge hole created by Richardson, Calloway, and Kuempel (who completely takes the defensive end out of the play) on the right side and rides his blockers to the endzone. (See around the 2:15 mark in this highlight video.)
Kuempel lined up at "tight end" but not fooling anyone.I am really curious to see if KOK and Ferentz decide to keep a package like this in the game plan the upcoming weeks. With Bulaga officially back and the way Reiff has been playing, maybe we'll see him play this OL/TE hybrid position, especially if Moeaki isn't playing. I have to think once Moeaki is completely healthy though, we use him and Reisner in the 2-TE sets as Moeaki is an excellent run blocker and a real threat catching the ball as well.