The ANF guys in first 10 minutes really describe Heck's bad play and benching

uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
3,357
4,890
113
they mention and I forgot or we all never mentioned he almost threw a pick on the first series 3rd down before the blocked punt. The pass was right thru both hands of a lineback.

then 4 more plays, the INT inside Minny's 10 yard line where the RPO blocking had a big hole and they say the QB reads handoff 9 of 10 times on 2nd and 4 from the 8 yd line. So 3 or 7 points lost there

Then the first miss to over the top Diaz wide open by a step and a half where the ANF guys say Heck puts his whole arm into a 35 yard throw and it is short by 2-3 yards. 3 but probably 7 points lost there

Then the skinny post where diaz was a yard past and 3 yards separation from the DBack and the ball was not close, no nice trajectory at all. 7 points lost

Then the INT that was dropped on Heck's last drive that probably keeps the hawks from getting the FGoal.

The ANF guys say even after the skinny post miss Kirk is saying we are not getting our big downfield shots against this loaded box.

We could of or should of been ahead 13-3 at the least but more like 17 or 20-3 at the half. Game probably over, crowd out of it and leaving stadium to drink and eat and party.

We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.

 

DrVenkman

Junior
Dec 31, 2023
226
336
63
they mention and I forgot or we all never mentioned he almost threw a pick on the first series 3rd down before the blocked punt. The pass was right thru both hands of a lineback.

then 4 more plays, the INT inside Minny's 10 yard line where the RPO blocking had a big hole and they say the QB reads handoff 9 of 10 times on 2nd and 4 from the 8 yd line. So 3 or 7 points lost there

Then the first miss to over the top Diaz wide open by a step and a half where the ANF guys say Heck puts his whole arm into a 35 yard throw and it is short by 2-3 yards. 3 but probably 7 points lost there

Then the skinny post where diaz was a yard past and 3 yards separation from the DBack and the ball was not close, no nice trajectory at all. 7 points lost

Then the INT that was dropped on Heck's last drive that probably keeps the hawks from getting the FGoal.

The ANF guys say even after the skinny post miss Kirk is saying we are not getting our big downfield shots against this loaded box.

We could of or should of been ahead 13-3 at the least but more like 17 or 20-3 at the half. Game probably over, crowd out of it and leaving stadium to drink and eat and party.

We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.


Heck has lots of enthusiasm and very little arm talent.
 

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
2,210
4,258
113
they mention and I forgot or we all never mentioned he almost threw a pick on the first series 3rd down before the blocked punt. The pass was right thru both hands of a lineback.

then 4 more plays, the INT inside Minny's 10 yard line where the RPO blocking had a big hole and they say the QB reads handoff 9 of 10 times on 2nd and 4 from the 8 yd line. So 3 or 7 points lost there

Then the first miss to over the top Diaz wide open by a step and a half where the ANF guys say Heck puts his whole arm into a 35 yard throw and it is short by 2-3 yards. 3 but probably 7 points lost there

Then the skinny post where diaz was a yard past and 3 yards separation from the DBack and the ball was not close, no nice trajectory at all. 7 points lost

Then the INT that was dropped on Heck's last drive that probably keeps the hawks from getting the FGoal.

The ANF guys say even after the skinny post miss Kirk is saying we are not getting our big downfield shots against this loaded box.

We could of or should of been ahead 13-3 at the least but more like 17 or 20-3 at the half. Game probably over, crowd out of it and leaving stadium to drink and eat and party.

We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.


All true. Everyone saying the coaches didn't have them prepared, etc. is just plain incorrect. Until the 3rd down pass of 37 yards that set up the game winning field goal ( which we missed the sack) the Gophers had 100 yards total passing and 72 yards rushing. If Heck makes any of those easy plays we've got a minimum of 10 pts, as you said probably 14-17 is what we should have had in the 1st half alone. Such a frustrating game when you've got a guy who you think is going to be the man moving forward and then showed up to the party with no pants on.
 
Feb 25, 2008
32,896
32,165
113
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

As long as they can get Iowa's only viable mobile option at QB (Heck) out of the game, then they got Iowa right where they want them.

And since Heck isn't gonna figure things out in terms of settling down and being willing to properly read his progressions and because of his limits throwing downfall, we can't trust him as a full game player.

We're back to 2024 where we started McNamara and brought in Sullivan for red zone plays and short yardage situations where it would help to have mobility (not just straight line f***ing speed) from your QB.............


Sarcastic Season 9 GIF by The Office
 

The Big Z

All-Conference
Jan 5, 2023
2,210
4,258
113
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

As long as they can get Iowa's only viable mobile option at QB (Heck) out of the game, then they got Iowa right where they want them.

And since Heck isn't gonna figure things out in terms of settling down and being willing to properly read his progressions and because of his limits throwing downfall, we can't trust him as a full game player.

We're back to 2024 where we started McNamara and brought in Sullivan for red zone plays and short yardage situations where it would help to have mobility (not just straight line f***ing speed) from your QB.............


Sarcastic Season 9 GIF by The Office
Hank is clearly better than McNamara.
 

Grayhair1981

All-Conference
Sep 3, 2006
1,205
2,274
113
they mention and I forgot or we all never mentioned he almost threw a pick on the first series 3rd down before the blocked punt. The pass was right thru both hands of a lineback.

then 4 more plays, the INT inside Minny's 10 yard line where the RPO blocking had a big hole and they say the QB reads handoff 9 of 10 times on 2nd and 4 from the 8 yd line. So 3 or 7 points lost there

Then the first miss to over the top Diaz wide open by a step and a half where the ANF guys say Heck puts his whole arm into a 35 yard throw and it is short by 2-3 yards. 3 but probably 7 points lost there

Then the skinny post where diaz was a yard past and 3 yards separation from the DBack and the ball was not close, no nice trajectory at all. 7 points lost

Then the INT that was dropped on Heck's last drive that probably keeps the hawks from getting the FGoal.

The ANF guys say even after the skinny post miss Kirk is saying we are not getting our big downfield shots against this loaded box.

We could of or should of been ahead 13-3 at the least but more like 17 or 20-3 at the half. Game probably over, crowd out of it and leaving stadium to drink and eat and party.

We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.


Yes. Hank outscored Heck 7-3. Huge improvement
 

Stoopsbrother

Senior
Dec 15, 2022
416
747
93
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

As long as they can get Iowa's only viable mobile option at QB (Heck) out of the game, then they got Iowa right where they want them.

And since Heck isn't gonna figure things out in terms of settling down and being willing to properly read his progressions and because of his limits throwing downfall, we can't trust him as a full game player.

We're back to 2024 where we started McNamara and brought in Sullivan for red zone plays and short yardage situations where it would help to have mobility (not just straight line f***ing speed) from your QB.............


Sarcastic Season 9 GIF by The Office
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

X's10000000000000000000
 

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
7,082
14,680
113
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

X's10000000000000000000
Heck is worse so what are you going to do? Also, Heck's legs scare no one. That's an Iowa urban legend.
 

DuddyB

All-Conference
Jul 14, 2022
2,189
3,904
113
Other than the perceived “moxy” of heck I don’t know how there’s any argument for him at this point.

I thought maybe he was a better processor and made better decisions, but that proved to be false last week. In fact, he made several bad decisions that I don’t think Hank even attempts.

Here’s how I see it

Decision making = slight edge Hank

Pocket awareness = edge Heck

Arm Strength = big edge Hank

Running Ability = slight edge Hank

Size = big edge Hank

Accuracy = both stink

I don’t think either have been great, but I would prefer to ride with Hank at this point
 
Last edited:

Max Rebo

All-Conference
Dec 31, 2022
863
2,373
93
Other than the perceived “moxy” of heck I don’t know how there’s any argument for him at this point.

I thought maybe he was a better processor and made better decisions, but that proved to be false last week. In fact, he made several bad decisions that I don’t think Hank even attempts.

Here’s how I see it

Decision making = slight edge Hank

Pocket awareness = edge Heck

Arm Strength = big edge Hank

Running Ability = slight edge Hank

Size = big edge Hank

Accuracy = both stink

I don’t think either I’ve been great, but I would prefer to ride with Hank at this point
I think they both have the ability to be accurate when they get in a rhythm, but otherwise, I think this post is spot-on.
 

HawksRule73

All-Conference
Jun 26, 2025
900
2,242
93
I thought Heck played pretty good right up to the interception. Then you could tell, based on his body language and just the look on his face, that he couldn't flush it. There's a reason he was like 7 of his first 8 then was like 1 for 8 after that. He just hasn't developed the requisite maturity needed to play QB at the major college level. I like his enthusiasm and when he's on, he's pretty good. But when he's off, boy, the wheels just fall off completely. I'm guessing that's what the coaches have been seeing in practice as well.
 

83Hawk

All-Conference
Jan 1, 2023
1,853
4,118
113
Both QB’s are (to put it kindly), not good, and would start for very few P4 teams. Once again, the full potential of the Hawks are being held back by the most important position in football.

I just don’t understand how our coaching staff has consistently failed at this ever since Stanley graduated.
 

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
7,082
14,680
113
I think they both have the ability to be accurate when they get in a rhythm, but otherwise, I think this post is spot-on.
A big problem with Heck is that he lacks arm talent. This is supposed to be the year with Diaz that the vertical passing game comes alive and Heck can't make those throws. You saw that early against Minnesota where the pass to Diaz on the post was probably 5 yards short of where it needed to be without really any air under it.
 

Ozzie89

All-Conference
Dec 14, 2006
102,925
4,348
113
Both QB’s are (to put it kindly), not good, and would start for very few P4 teams. Once again, the full potential of the Hawks are being held back by the most important position in football.

I just don’t understand how our coaching staff has consistently failed at this ever since Stanley graduated.

You look around to lower levels of football and see QBs that would put both Iowa QBs to shame and yet here we are. It's truly amazing, to be in the Big Ten at a program like Iowa, and this is what the QB position is here.
 

Stoopsbrother

Senior
Dec 15, 2022
416
747
93
Other than the perceived “moxy” of heck I don’t know how there’s any argument for him at this point.

I thought maybe he was a better processor and made better decisions, but that proved to be false last week. In fact, he made several bad decisions that I don’t think Hank even attempts.

Here’s how I see it

Decision making = slight edge Hank

Pocket awareness = edge Heck

Arm Strength = big edge Hank

Running Ability = slight edge Hank

Size = big edge Hank

Accuracy = both stink

I don’t think either have been great, but I would prefer to ride with Hank at this point
Absolutely comical that a "big time" football program continues to have the same issues year after year! There's a common denominator
 

uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
3,357
4,890
113
The biggest concern with Hank is he is too much Kirk Cousins/Spencer Petras teeth clenched when mistakes are made and staring down receivers with no foot movement or backside pressure awareness and gets smoked from behind and stripped of the ball.

Hank scares NOBODY in the play action or read option game. And that's what opposing defenses are banking on.

X's10000000000000000000
So you didnt see Hank keep the ball at the RPO mesh handoff point and run for 11-13 yards against Minny?? That was his only true running attempt and he was fast enough. Am I watching a different game?
 
  • Like
Reactions: LetsGoHawks83

83Hawk

All-Conference
Jan 1, 2023
1,853
4,118
113
So you didnt see Hank keep the ball at the RPO mesh handoff point and run for 11-13 yards against Minny?? That was his only true running attempt and he was fast enough. Am I watching a different game?
He has taken off a couple of times this season, and picked up some decent yardage. Not a speed demon, but fast enough, as you said.

He might need to do that a couple of times Saturday.
 
Aug 14, 2025
381
540
93
they mention and I forgot or we all never mentioned he almost threw a pick on the first series 3rd down before the blocked punt. The pass was right thru both hands of a lineback.

then 4 more plays, the INT inside Minny's 10 yard line where the RPO blocking had a big hole and they say the QB reads handoff 9 of 10 times on 2nd and 4 from the 8 yd line. So 3 or 7 points lost there

Then the first miss to over the top Diaz wide open by a step and a half where the ANF guys say Heck puts his whole arm into a 35 yard throw and it is short by 2-3 yards. 3 but probably 7 points lost there

Then the skinny post where diaz was a yard past and 3 yards separation from the DBack and the ball was not close, no nice trajectory at all. 7 points lost

Then the INT that was dropped on Heck's last drive that probably keeps the hawks from getting the FGoal.

The ANF guys say even after the skinny post miss Kirk is saying we are not getting our big downfield shots against this loaded box.

We could of or should of been ahead 13-3 at the least but more like 17 or 20-3 at the half. Game probably over, crowd out of it and leaving stadium to drink and eat and party.

We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.


Here is the problem: we have two slightly-above-average QBs who can, on occasion, make big plays. Neither is the killer-instinct-I-see-the-exact-spot-on-the-throat-to-trample type of guy.
 
  • Like
Reactions: uihawk82

DukeSlater

All-American
Jul 2, 2023
2,364
5,329
113
Both QB’s are (to put it kindly), not good, and would start for very few P4 teams. Once again, the full potential of the Hawks are being held back by the most important position in football.

I just don’t understand how our coaching staff has consistently failed at this ever since Stanley graduated.
Have you seen Michigan's QBs, just to mention one team. Hank or Heck could start for the Maize and Blue.
 

IowaCityLit

All-Conference
Aug 30, 2025
1,693
2,709
113
Crazy to have 2 bad QBs and because one is “worse” than the other than the other somehow becomes a better option. Neither can play. Neither will elevate Iowa.

Iowa will need to establish a dominant running game. Which seems unlikely.
 
  • Sad
Reactions: Iron Doc

uihawk82

All-Conference
Nov 17, 2021
3,357
4,890
113
And yet it was Brown who had a "pass" intercepted by a lineman . . . or someone standing about a yard in front of him.
I have seen that happen to many a QB when the pocket collapses and they get hit. I think the hawks were on the edge of FG range at that point with the wind behind them so maybe a running play for a few yards would have been smart or a more simple short pass for 5 yards would have been in order.
 

Franisdaman

Heisman
Nov 3, 2012
18,214
28,069
113
We have been calling for over the top plays against loaded boxes for 5 years and Heck could have had 2 in the first half. Actually, Hank had the big 50 yarder against ISU, the big throws against Mich, and the perfectly throws pass to RVZ on time and in stride against Minny.

I hope Hank can repeat it tomorrow against wisky because wisky will be loading the box.



Wait, I thought the experts on here said Kirk should have put Heck back in to start the 2nd half. Were the experts on here wrong? Couldn't be. These ANF guys are idiots! The Iowa coaches are idiots!!

Who's with me???
 

Kceasthawk@77

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
4,654
8,014
113
play ******* Diaz at QB in wildcat at this point he'd be better than any of the dogshit we've seen in a long long time
Right. We actually have been able to connect on some throws down field this season. So we should pull the QB, and bring the Entire defense up into the box, and run on every play. Good plan......
 

Kceasthawk@77

All-American
Feb 2, 2005
4,654
8,014
113
And yet it was Brown who had a "pass" intercepted by a lineman . . . or someone standing about a yard in front of him.
And yet it was Brown who had a "pass" intercepted by a lineman . . . or someone standing about a yard in front of him.
Again purely STUPID comment, tainted with agenda. (shocking coming from you). Hank stepped up attempting to throw and was hit from behind as his arm was going forward. It was basically a fumble as he was being sacked but his arm was going forward. Try actually watching what happened and turn down the rhetoric. For the record his other "interception" was right in RVZ's hand and he bobbled the ball and the defender caught it.
 

Jonesy5960

Heisman
Feb 1, 2023
7,082
14,680
113
I guess it depends on what counts as long. He threw a nice 31-yard pass to RVZ at Washington (IIRC no YAC). Otherwise, though, it's been short and medium.
That was a nice back shoulder throw although I'm not even sure if that was intentional or simply a ball thrown behind RVZ who made an excellent adjustment to come back on the ball. It wasn't a particularly long throw over the top of the defense, which I don't think is part of Heck's repertoire.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HMB Trumpet
Hawkeye Report

Latest

  1. 01 Hawkeye Report Football Iowa Football News and Notes
  2. 02 Hawkeye Report Football Kirk Ferentz on the victory over the Badgers
  3. 03 Hawkeye Report Football Hank Brown delivers in win over Wisconsin
  4. 04 Hawkeye Report Football Iowa defense pitches third shutout of season
  5. 05 Hawkeye Report Football PFF Grades - Iowa defense vs #25 Wisconsin