Cade McNamara: What Did We Just Witness as Hawkeye Football Fans?

Cade McNamara's Impact on Hawkeye Football

Last week, I wrote about Iowa’s offense under Tim Lester. The Hawkeyes have been very successful under Hall of Fame coach Kirk Ferentz, who will have a statue in Iowa City someday. Kirk has built his program on defense and special teams while the offenses under previous coordinators have been underwhelming. After the first half against Illinois State, Hawk Nation was slightly nervous. Even though Kirk was watching at home, he is still the head chef overseeing every ingredient. After a shaky start, Cade McNamara got hit a few times, moved around, and settled down. It's common for athletes returning from injury to need live action. The Hawks and Cade had their share of challenges mixed with years of Kirk being ultra-conservative offensively.

Second Half Surge with Cade McNamara

• Kaleb Johnson impressed in the second half.
• Cade McNamara made amazing throws, notably to 7’9” Reece Vander Zee.
• This style of play was a breath of fresh air for Hawks fans.

In one half, the college football world took notice of the Hawkeyes. Will they replicate this performance week after week? The second half saw the offense enjoying their game, something fans hope continues. Keep an eye on how the Hawks perform against Iowa State, who, under Matt Campbell, is not the team it once was. The focus is no longer just on needing defensive plays to win, making it exciting for Hawkeye supporters.

Looking Ahead

Check back next week for an update on Iowa’s offensive numbers as they look to build on this success. Winning last week was more crucial than total yardage. It feels refreshing not to rely solely on defense or special teams for victories. Go Hawks!