Hard-nosed Iowa defense faces a different challenge in shutting down Michigan's Denard Robinson
Iowa's Christian Ballard (46) and Adrian Clayborn, shown here celebrating a sack against Penn State, are two key contributors to the nation's stingiest defense.
AP Photo
The Iowa football team's defense is characterized as stingy and ferocious, driven by a hard-nosed front four.
The Hawkeyes lead the nation in scoring defense, surrendering 10 points per game. They have all but eliminated opponents' running games, allowing just more than 63 yards a game (second-best in the FBS). In its first five games of the year, Iowa hasn't yielded a rushing touchdown.
But senior defensive end Adrian Clayborn waves off talk about any of the statistical accolades.
"I don't pay attention to that stuff," Clayborn said this week. "Whenever you've got a streak like that, you always try to keep it. We're just looking to get the victory."
Defense has played a key role for the 15th-ranked Hawkeyes, who have allowed a total of 17 points in their four victories heading into Saturday's game with Michigan (3:36 p.m., ABC) at Michigan Stadium.
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said this week that the Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) haven't faced a challenge like the one Michigan (5-1, 1-1) quarterback Denard Robinson poses.
Ferentz compared Robinson to former Indiana dual-threat Antwaan Randle El, warning that his defense must be prepared to try and contain Robinson's running and passing abilities.
"What he has done is amazing and remarkable," Ferentz said. "And the first thought I had was of my early years trying to prepare for Randle El. It brought back some good scar tissue."
Robinson is coming off his worst individual performance -- an 86-rushing yard, three-interception showing in the Wolverines' 34-17 loss to Michigan State. Although the Spartans found a way to shut down Robinson more than any previous defense had, Ferentz realizes repeating the feat won't be easy.
"He puts pressure on you because you may think he's going to run it and then he pulls up and throws it down the field," Ferentz said. "He's got that ability. If guys get aggressive, the guys are responsible for passes first. If they get too aggressive, we're going to get burned on that.
"If you wait for him to get across the line, he's not easy to catch."
That's where Iowa's front line of defense comes in. Anchored by Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Mike Daniels, the Hawkeyes defensive line has emerged as possibly the nation's best. Throw in linebacker Jeff Tarpinian and an opportunistic secondary, and it's easy to see how Iowa has shut down teams.
Iowa's only glitch came in the Hawkeyes' loss to Arizona when the Wildcats scored 34 points - albeit mostly on special teams and an interception that was returned to for a touchdown. Since then, Iowa has shut out Ball State and rolled in its Big Ten opener two weeks ago when it allowed just three points to Penn State.
"They've had two weeks to get ready for us and we're going to get a great defense with great players that play very sound and that are going to do what they do," Michigan coach Rich Rodriguez said. "We'll see if we can do enough to try and move the ball on them."
And Robinson is the one who moves the ball for Michigan. He has 991 yards rushing with nine touchdowns and is 84-of-125 passing for 1,223 yards and eight touchdowns.
"No one guy is going to defend him," Ferentz said. "It's like any good offensive team, whether you're playing a really proficient passing team or an option team or whatever, if you're playing a team that's good offensively, you'd better rely on the whole team."
Ferentz has stressed assignment football to his players all week. He warns them not to try to do too much. Although the Hawkeyes saw Robinson in limited action during last year's 30-28 win over Michigan, Clayborn understands the quarterback is playing with more confidence and at a higher level than he was as a freshman.
"He runs hard on every play, even if he's following out a fake," Clayborn said. "He just goes hard and he runs that offense very well."
"It's just a different type of offense they've got where the quarterback is a big runner, but if you look at the film, their running backs hit the hole hard and they have big runs. But Denard does a good job of making plays, too and so when the running backs get their chance, they make plays, too. It's not like they're not out there. They're going to make plays when they're called upon."
Jeff Arnold covers sports for AnnArbor.com and can be reached at (734) 623-2554 or by e-mail at jeffarnold@annarbor.com. Follow him on Twitter @jeffreyparnold.
Comments
Papabear151
Sat, Oct 16, 2010 : 9:55 a.m.
Iowa's D >>>> MSU's D Get it?
lawrencelaundry
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 11:15 p.m.
Timeatwork go find some where else to give negative comments. You must b 4 years old is why. Michigan needs to run Hopkins and cox in this game to be effective. With is just to small and just gets nowhere half the time Shaw just dances too much.
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 9:35 p.m.
Ferentz is a top coach and the stars have aligned and given him no less than nine defenders who could be all-league. That defensive line is absolutely stacked, led by Clayborn, one of the early favorites for defensive player of the year nationally. Clayborn is a near-certain top-ten pick next spring. The secondary is good enough to single-cover while the rest of the defense focuses on Robinson. I would expect the same kind of contain blitz that MSU ran so effectively. Robinson won't get outside easily. If the Wolverines can score 30 on this defense, I will admit I was wrong when I called Rodriguez a gimmick coach. This is the first of the two elite defenses we're facing this season. More likely they will regress toward the mean Rodriguez has set the last two seasons, though.
Lorain Steelmen
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 3:54 p.m.
OK. Here's the deal. I have always liked Iowa, and particularly since Ferenz took over. The guy is a class act. But having said that, I'll be pulling for the Blue, to have a breakout game, against a legitimate big ten power. Iowa will NOT beat themselves. And if they Do win, they won't act like a bunch of jerks, like MSU or OSU. They'll shake hands, keep their mouths shut, get on the bus, and get out of town. Michigan CAN beat Iowa, because they have a speed advantage, not just with DRob, but with several offensive guys. If Rogers can stay healthy and in the game, playing focused CB, UM can slow the Iowa offense down, JUST ENOUGH, to get a W. MSU did not beat UM last week...UM beat UM. We were a little too young, for the situation. We pressed a little too much on Offense. I think this team is growing up, FAST. And I think they are on a mission to prove some people wrong. They want to SHUT UP the nay-sayers....and I for one, think they will do exactly that! So from the Big House..UM 28 - Iowa 17. Go Blue!
truebluefan
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 12:46 p.m.
az -- It seems like MSU is a team of destiny this season. They have some flaws but overall they are a solid team. I felt even before we played them that this is probably their best football team in a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if they went 10-2, 11-1 or even 12-0. I hate losing to MSU but give them credit. There is no shame in losing to them this season. On to Iowa. Beat Iowa and Michigan would silence many critics that believe RR can't beat a tough, hard-nosed B10 defense.
umgoblue47
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 11:34 a.m.
to much timeatwork can make you very dizzy and light-headed... GO BLUE...
azwolverine
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 11:25 a.m.
theo, Why not give MSU their due? They beat us soundly. Again. I'm sure ND fans would argue that Chryst was out for a half, etc, etc. Lee Corso still complains about the play before AC's last play touchdown over his Indiana team. Sour grapes. Maybe if we do beat Iowa, they can pull out a bag of loser lament excuses, too. When Michigan wins you and tater are the first to point out that Michigan played well and to stop making excuses for the opposition, yet you guys are the first to make your own excuses when we lose. It's called being hypocritical. Enough already. All of the whining and excuse making makes you sound like Sparty did for the 41 years of the "Bo Era."
timeatwork
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 10:14 a.m.
just like last year. Here comes Iowa to give you loss #2... many more to come! its too bad that nd had the injury bug the day they played you, as that was the only reason you won. With the one win left of the schedule (purdue), you'll probably make it to a bowl. It would have been great to see another 5-7 season.
CamaroDan
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:58 a.m.
Sean T. Why don't you just add: 1. don't turn the ball over 2. limit penalities 3. have effective special teams 4. the defence must play better for our team to have a chance to win.
Sean T.
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:57 a.m.
But those RB's are gone this year.
Blue Marker
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:38 a.m.
Michigan ran the ball very well vs. this Iowa team last year.
Sean T.
Fri, Oct 15, 2010 : 8:29 a.m.
I've never thought too much of Iowa's offense but their defense has always been impressive. And that's against any team they played over the last 7 years! If we can't pass effectively or a RB doesn't emerge this Saturday, we don't have a shot a winning this game.