Collins: Keeping eyes on Iowa QB Mark Gronowski ‘priority one’
Minnesota defensive coordinator Danny Collins met with the media on Wednesday ahead of the Gophers’ Week 9 matchup against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Saturday afternoon and discussed the challenges the Hawkeyes present offensively.
“They run the ball, they’re physical. The O-line is extremely athletic and has been playing together for a long time,” Collins said. “They fire off the football.”
Iowa’s rushing attack has been one of the best in the country this season, averaging 192.7 rushing yards per game this season.
“Their backs run really hard, and it sounds like some of their other backs are coming back for this game, too. That’ll be a challenge,” he continued about the Hawkeyes’ offense. “Their wide receivers are very solid in the pass game. It’ll be a challenge for us.”
Last week, the Hawkeyes’ most dangerous threat on the ground wasn’t their talented stable of running backs but instead quarterback Mark Gronowski.
The former South Dakota State standout completed 10-of-16 passes for 68 yards but also ran nine times for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
“The quarterback is very dangerous in terms of his legs and his arm. I mean, he’s built like a running back or a tight end playing quarterback, which obviously creates challenges,” Collins said about Gronowski. “He’s a proven winner.”
“Priority one is keeping eyes on him at all times,” he said when it comes to stopping Gronowski on the ground. “You saw it against Penn State — he can take it 65, 70 yards in an instant. Even on basic counter plays, he can keep it and hurt you.”
“So we have to know where he is on every down,” he continued. “Especially third-and-short or passing downs where he can scramble. It’s a huge challenge.”
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