Hawk Central: The reasons for Iowa football's regression on defense, and basketball is back

It's a bye week for the Hawkeyes football team, so a good chance to take a big-picture look into why this disappointing season has sunk to 6-4. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman start with a defense that is 25% worse than a year ago in terms of yards per play. We also talk Tim Lester …

A disastrous first Big Ten West Coast trip for Iowa football in 20-17 loss at UCLA

Jay Higgins got hurt. Brendan Sullivan got hurt. Jackson Stratton took meaningful snaps. Iowa's defense offered little resistance against a pedestrian UCLA squad. All of it equaled another Rose Bowl disaster as Iowa suffered a 20-17 loss to the Bruins. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachma…

PODCAST: Has Iowa offensive line coach George Barnett been validated?

Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman of the Des Moines Register kick off this week's Iowa-UCLA matchup breakdown with a conversation about the Hawkeyes' offensive line. Our "Five Big Questions" segment looks into Iowa's mission to slow UCLA quarterback Ethan Garbers and whether playing in the Rose Bowl…

Dissecting every element of Iowa football's tricky trip to UCLA

With quarterback drama seemingly behind them, the Hawkeyes head west for their first West Coast Big Ten trip. Friday's game at UCLA will see Iowa enter the Rose Bowl on a short week, looking for its second road win this year. The Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman dive into everything ahea…

Iowa football's offensive attack stays strong in 42-10 drubbing of Wisconsin

With Brendan Sullivan under center, everyone inside Kinnick Stadium seemed rejuvenated for domination under the lights. The Hawkeyes obliged with a 42-10 drubbing of Wisconsin, which marked the most points Iowa has scored in the rivalry since a 45-28 victory in 1975. Live from Kinnick Stadium, the …

Hawk Central: Previewing Iowa vs. Wisconsin football with '5 Big Questions'

Naturally, Brendan Sullivan's introduction as the Hawkeyes' starting quarterback kicks off the conversation, but Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman also take time to evaluate the defense. Has it settled into a November lineup? This week's game preview is a biggie, Iowa vs. Wisconsin. Where do the Bad…

Clarity on Iowa football's QB situation, as Hawkeyes move forward with Brendan Sullivan as starter

Clarity on the Hawkeyes' quarterback situation arrived Tuesday. Kirk Ferentz publicly confirmed Brendan Sullivan will remain Iowa's starter under center, while also detailing the concussion Cade McNamara suffered before exiting vs. Northwestern. Ahead of Saturday's big home game against Wisconsin, …

Iowa football changes QBs, then drubs Northwestern. Can Hawkeyes carry momentum down the stretch?

Brendan Sullivan finally got his Iowa chance Saturday, taking over for Cade McNamara in the first half after a pick-six. From there, the Hawkeyes rolled to a 40-14 win over Northwestern under the afternoon sun. Kaleb Johnson delivered another highlight-reel day, and the Iowa defense got back on tra…

Hawk Central: Factors in the Iowa defense's regression, previewing Northwestern

Going podcast-only this week, the Register's Chad Leistikow and Tyler Tachman dig into the Wednesday comments of assistant defensive coordinator Seth Wallace. What is causing the Hawkeyes' struggles on defense, and can the bleeding be stopped against a pretty bad Northwestern offense? We preview Sa…

Can Iowa football get more consistent quarterback play in the season's final month?

Seven games in, it's hard to argue Iowa's quarterback play isn't holding the offense back. Cade McNamara has shown sporadic flashes but has struggled with consistency through a seesawing start. Brendan Sullivan keeps getting his red-zone cameos but nothing more. The Register's Tyler Tachman and Cha…