Iowa Hawkeyes 2022 schedule breakdown: Minnesota
Sheesh, what a murderer’s road of competitors! Fresh off tough divisional battles against Purdue and Wisconsin, the schedule doesn’t let up. Minnesota had one of the quietest 9-4 seasons you’ll find last year, defeating both Purdue and Wisconsin.
P.J. Fleck really has that squad humming, the staunch defense making up a lot of times for a lackluster passing attack. With their style of play, Minnesota can take any team to the wire. They nearly beat Iowa last year.
Unfortunately, their style opens them up to upsets. For example, they lost to Bowling Green last year. Which version of Minnesota will the Hawkeyes get this season? Here are the players to keep an eye on wearing Maroon and Gold.
Tanner Morgan, quarterback
Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
What a weird career Tanner Morgan has had thus far. As a sophomore in 2019, Morgan looked like a future NFL quarterback. He threw 30 touchdowns to only seven interceptions, and had an impressive 10.2 yards per attempt. Minnesota was a team to watch out for with this young, on-fire quarterback!
We just have not seen nearly the same quarterback over the past two seasons. Morgan has thrown only a combined 17 touchdowns over the past two years. The Golden Gophers’ passing attack has completely stagnated, and has most likely held Minnesota back from being a bigger contender in the Big Ten. Will we see more of the same disappointing Morgan in 2022, or will he rebound after being reunited with offensive coordinator Kirk Ciarrocca?
Ky Thomas and Mohamed Ibrahim, running back
Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
While the passing attack has been nearly nonexistent, the rushing attack has chugged along over the past few seasons. Ibrahim was one of the more established running backs in the Big Ten and appeared to be in line for his biggest season yet in 2021. In the opening contest against Ohio State, Ibrahim had already racked up 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Sadly, though, an injury would knock him out for the rest of the year.
Ibrahim is back for one last go-around, and is joined by Ky Thomas. In relief of Ibrahim last year, Thomas racked up 864 rushing yards on five yards per carry while reaching the end zone six times. If Ibrahim looks the same as he was before the injury, Minnesota will be very hard to stop on the ground.
Chris Autman-Bell, wide receiver
Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK
Autman-Bell has a good amount of talent, he’s just struggled to show it in recent years. Besides quarterback troubles, Autman-Bell struggled with injuries last year, missing a few games. When on the field, he is a dynamic down-the-field threat who can be one of the top receivers in Big Ten football. Autman-Bell still hauled in 36 grabs for 506 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 2021.
John Michael Schmitz, center
Photo by David Berding/Getty Images
In an offseason, the Golden Gophers go from one of the most experienced lines to an extremely inexperienced front. Nearly everyone is gone, including fourth-round 2022 NFL draft pick Daniel Faalele. The key returning starter is center John Michael Schmitz. Schmitz is a big and powerful center who is gaining some draft buzz ahead of the season.
Thomas Rush, EDGE rusher
Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images
As a whole, the Minnesota defense is fantastic and one of the best in the nation. That being said, it very much is a complete 11-man effort. It is hard to single out one player in particular to feature when the defense as a whole plays so well together. Thomas Rush is probably the most notable member of the defense, looking for a breakout year with the departure of second-round 2022 NFL draft pick Boye Mafe. Last year, Rush accumulated 5.5 sacks.
Iowa 2022 schedule breakdown series
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