Hank Brown left his first start at Iowa with plenty to build on, and on Tuesday he didn’t try to dress it up.
After going back through the film, Brown said there were good moments in the win over Northern Illinois, but also enough missed chances to keep him honest heading into Iowa State week. He pointed to a pair of throws he wants back, including one to Tony in the deep post and another to DJ on the opposite side of the end zone.
“I think we started fast as a team, but also I think there were some things that I would love to have back, some plays I would love to have back. But ultimately, I think it was a good start for the team. But yeah, there were definitely some things we could have done some more damage, for sure.”
He added, “I think one that comes to my mind is maybe Tony on that deep post in the corner of the end zone, or DJ on the other side in the corner of the other end zone, just making it easier for my guys. Tony -- I missed him, and gotta make it easier for DJ for sure.”
Brown also said some of what he ran was part of Iowa’s early script, while other snaps came off it depending on the situation.
“ I think we always script those first few plays. And sometimes, we get off the script based on what situation we're in, whether third down or red zone.
But some of them were, and obviously some of them weren't. But it was nice being comfortable with those plays.
Everything we put in, obviously, coach does a good job of trying to put stuff in that we're comfortable with.”
For Brown, the offense’s balance is a big piece of the puzzle.
“Balance is super important. And with our run game, it definitely helps the pass game, obviously, and so on. But being able to do both is what we're trying to do offensively, for sure.”
Asked what Saturday will look like for him and Hecklinski, Brown kept it simple and said that part is in the hands of the coaches.
“That's up to coach. And I'm just trying to take it day by day right now, and just focus on where my feet are, and continuing to move forward with Iowa State. And game plan for them, learn what our plan is for them, and just do what's best for the team right now.”
He wouldn’t hand out himself a grade for the NIU performance, but he did say he liked the way he played with confidence and energy.
“I don't know necessarily a letter grade, I would give it. But just looking back at the film, I felt like I was having fun out there, which ultimately, I think, is the goal, being able to have fun and execute at the same time, those two things.
We always talk about how focus and fun can coexist. And so just being able to do that, be dialed in, and be able to have fun with it.
I think I was able to do that. But still, definitely, just the consistency of finishing strong.”
Brown also addressed the play where Tony Diaz knocked away what could have been an interception. He made sure Diaz knew he appreciated the help.
“I came up to him after and was like, 'Dude, I owe you one. I really appreciate that."
Like I said, he's a smart player. And obviously, I don't wanna put him in that situation, but if it comes, I really appreciated him doing that.”
When it comes to the throws he missed, Brown said each play has its own timing and demands.
“I think each play has a life of its own, so they're all different. And sometimes, just the way the timing is, you don't know that he's gonna be wide open when you release it.
And so, expecting maybe someone to come off and try and put a perfect ball on him, or just maybe taking an extra hitch to know he's gonna be open and putting more loft on it to make it easier for him. Whatever it is, at the end of the day, we gotta give him a chance.
And so, that's how I see it.”
Brown said red-zone efficiency remains a weekly point of emphasis, and Tuesday’s work would lean even more heavily in that direction.
“It's something we focus on every week. And there might be a little bit more of an emphasis on it this week, but we still keep our schedule the same as far as starting with normal down distance and then getting into third down and red zone. So, tomorrow will be a heavier emphasis on that, but just continuing to grow in that area for sure.”
He also said Iowa’s line should continue to create movement up front, while the staff may adjust details if needed.
“I don't know if it was necessarily something was missing. We have an offensive line that is very good at moving people.
And so, they're gonna continue to do that. We might have to fix a few things or change up a scheme or whatever it might be.
But ultimately, we believe that they're gonna be able to get that done and we're gonna be able to excel in that area.”
As for Iowa State, Brown said the defense brings different looks and plenty of energy.
“There are a few different things that they do, and I'm not gonna get into too many specifics. But they fly around, they play hard, and so I'm excited to face that and see how our guys can adapt to that.”
And while the first start gave him a chance to settle in, Brown said it doesn’t change who he is or what Iowa needs from him.
“I think I'm still the same player, and like you said, I agree that it definitely does help getting my feet wet and knowing that we have week one under our belt. But it's the same approach as far as coach is gonna put us in good situations and we need to execute those plays. So yeah, it gives me more confidence knowing that it's not my first start now here, but it's still the same goal and objective to win and ultimately move the ball down the field.”
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