The Iowa defense is on its way to a 10th straight year of holding teams to under 20 points per game, but they are forcing fewer turnovers.
“We’re just trying to go out there, and we got to create more turnovers,” said Xaiver Nwankpa, an Iowa defensive back. “That’s been a focal point for us moving forward.”
“(It’s) still doing your job, but maybe doing your job a little bit better, making a tackle, being more aggressive on the tackle,” said Jaden Harrell, an Iowa linebacker. “In the past, breaking on the ball, and maybe getting a little tip from film on a route concept that you might see on the field.”
A year ago, Iowa forced 24 turnovers. So far this season, they’ve only forced one.
“A big part of it is just flying to the ball and being around the ball,” said Ethan Hurkett, an Iowa defensive lineman. “We work on it everyday. We work on punching the ball out and doing things to create those turnovers, so I think it’s just a matter of time hopefully before that can kind of carry over. I think just continuing to focus on that in practice is the main thing because whatever you do in practice is going to carry over to the game field ultimately.”
In 2024, Iowa had the second-best turnover margin in the Big Ten.
“It’s really just trusting each other, so making sure we’re all on the same page. Let’s all just fly around, and then as long as we are on the same page, the opportunities will come eventually, so we just gotta go capitalize on them when they are out there,” Nwankpa said.
“Anytime you want to get off the field as fast as you can and give the offense another possession if possible, but I think overall we’re on a good track right now, and it’s like our whole team,” said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football’s head coach. “Our whole thing is to, uh, ya know, show improvement, growth and improvement. That is where our focus is in all three areas.”
Iowa takes on UMass on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.