Aaron Woodard
@aaronwoodard.bsky.social
Mostly post about sports. | Cubs Fan, Hawkeyes Fan, Iowa Native living in DFW | Christ follower | Informally trained IT nerd |
More broadly, it is interesting to see how Iowa's philosophy of punt returning has changed this decade with Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaleb Wetjen. Looking at the numbers, Iowa had five seasons in the 2010s in which they had less than 150 punt return yards for the season as a team.
November 24, 2025 at 6:55 PM
More broadly, it is interesting to see how Iowa's philosophy of punt returning has changed this decade with Charlie Jones, Cooper DeJean, and Kaleb Wetjen. Looking at the numbers, Iowa had five seasons in the 2010s in which they had less than 150 punt return yards for the season as a team.
A stat that absolutely blew me away that encapsulates how insane Wetjen is:
As recently as 2019, Iowa only had 121 punt return yards for the entire team for the entire season. On Saturday, Wetjen had 147 yards by himself in one game, and that was his 2nd highest game this season.
As recently as 2019, Iowa only had 121 punt return yards for the entire team for the entire season. On Saturday, Wetjen had 147 yards by himself in one game, and that was his 2nd highest game this season.
November 24, 2025 at 6:54 PM
A stat that absolutely blew me away that encapsulates how insane Wetjen is:
As recently as 2019, Iowa only had 121 punt return yards for the entire team for the entire season. On Saturday, Wetjen had 147 yards by himself in one game, and that was his 2nd highest game this season.
As recently as 2019, Iowa only had 121 punt return yards for the entire team for the entire season. On Saturday, Wetjen had 147 yards by himself in one game, and that was his 2nd highest game this season.
Speaking of ways it could get worse.
November 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Speaking of ways it could get worse.
Elite hand strength for 6 and 8.
November 15, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Elite hand strength for 6 and 8.
Last post on this so I won't keep blowing up your notifs.
I'm back through the 50s in looking at non-con games. At first, I was looking to see all non-con games in Cali. What I found is that hey do have a ton of games against Pac-10 and Big 8 schools, but almost nothing against ACC/SEC/SWC.
I'm back through the 50s in looking at non-con games. At first, I was looking to see all non-con games in Cali. What I found is that hey do have a ton of games against Pac-10 and Big 8 schools, but almost nothing against ACC/SEC/SWC.
November 15, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Last post on this so I won't keep blowing up your notifs.
I'm back through the 50s in looking at non-con games. At first, I was looking to see all non-con games in Cali. What I found is that hey do have a ton of games against Pac-10 and Big 8 schools, but almost nothing against ACC/SEC/SWC.
I'm back through the 50s in looking at non-con games. At first, I was looking to see all non-con games in Cali. What I found is that hey do have a ton of games against Pac-10 and Big 8 schools, but almost nothing against ACC/SEC/SWC.
Okay, so actually the UCLA win shouldn't count. Evidently it was a loss that got flipped on forfeit.
"UCLA later forfeited all their wins in 1977 due to two unnamed players who used fake school transcripts. This officially gave Iowa a 5-6 final record on the year."
hawkeyerecap.com/game.asp?id=...
"UCLA later forfeited all their wins in 1977 due to two unnamed players who used fake school transcripts. This officially gave Iowa a 5-6 final record on the year."
hawkeyerecap.com/game.asp?id=...
Iowa Hawkeyes Football @ UCLA on 10/1/1977 - HawkeyeRecap.com
Iowa arrived a day early into Los Angeles to help with jet-lag, but it didn't seem to work. The Hawks fell behind 17-0 in the first quarter. James Owens, a hurdler in track, who finished 6th in the 19
hawkeyerecap.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Okay, so actually the UCLA win shouldn't count. Evidently it was a loss that got flipped on forfeit.
"UCLA later forfeited all their wins in 1977 due to two unnamed players who used fake school transcripts. This officially gave Iowa a 5-6 final record on the year."
hawkeyerecap.com/game.asp?id=...
"UCLA later forfeited all their wins in 1977 due to two unnamed players who used fake school transcripts. This officially gave Iowa a 5-6 final record on the year."
hawkeyerecap.com/game.asp?id=...
Looking at Winsipedia, it looks like other candidates for LA win would be 1977 at UCLA and 1961 at USC.
November 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Looking at Winsipedia, it looks like other candidates for LA win would be 1977 at UCLA and 1961 at USC.
Do we count Chuck Long's Freedom Bowl domination over Texas? Game was in Anaheim.
November 15, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Do we count Chuck Long's Freedom Bowl domination over Texas? Game was in Anaheim.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Incredible emotion by Chadwick Boseman in his final performance.
November 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. Incredible emotion by Chadwick Boseman in his final performance.
Big Ten title game vs Michigan. BF lost his mind at the final call.
November 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Big Ten title game vs Michigan. BF lost his mind at the final call.
Tevaun Smith TD in the 2015 Big Ten title game comes close, but Gus reeled it back in much faster on that one.
youtu.be/eqCwv-cAMc4?...
youtu.be/eqCwv-cAMc4?...
Beathard Hits Smith for 85-YD TD vs. Michigan State
YouTube video by Big Ten Network
youtu.be
November 8, 2025 at 9:45 PM
Tevaun Smith TD in the 2015 Big Ten title game comes close, but Gus reeled it back in much faster on that one.
youtu.be/eqCwv-cAMc4?...
youtu.be/eqCwv-cAMc4?...
Looking pretty similar to their first 20 minutes against Iowa State. Problem is, Texas Tech is a lot better than ISU.
November 8, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Looking pretty similar to their first 20 minutes against Iowa State. Problem is, Texas Tech is a lot better than ISU.
I've heard horror stories from folks at Kinnick for Ohio State in about 1993 or so. Only thing worse than the weather was the score.
November 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM
I've heard horror stories from folks at Kinnick for Ohio State in about 1993 or so. Only thing worse than the weather was the score.
I was curious about some options for superior debuts. Very, very few come even close, but here's a truly crazy one: after sitting out as a freshman due to NCAA rules, Kareem scored 56 points in his career debut for UCLA against USC in December 1966.
November 4, 2025 at 2:58 AM
I was curious about some options for superior debuts. Very, very few come even close, but here's a truly crazy one: after sitting out as a freshman due to NCAA rules, Kareem scored 56 points in his career debut for UCLA against USC in December 1966.
Bonkers: Koa Peat is only the second freshman this century (and perhaps ever) to go for at least 30 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists in his collegiate debut.
Cole Anthony (vs. Notre Dame) in 2019 is the other: 34, 11 and 5.
Peat did it against the third-ranked reigning national champs 😂
Cole Anthony (vs. Notre Dame) in 2019 is the other: 34, 11 and 5.
Peat did it against the third-ranked reigning national champs 😂
November 4, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Found the numbers.
10/18/09 vs Tennessee
Tom Brady, 1st Half
24/28, 345 yards, 5 TDs, Pats were up 45-0 at HT.
10/18/09 vs Tennessee
Tom Brady, 1st Half
24/28, 345 yards, 5 TDs, Pats were up 45-0 at HT.
November 3, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Found the numbers.
10/18/09 vs Tennessee
Tom Brady, 1st Half
24/28, 345 yards, 5 TDs, Pats were up 45-0 at HT.
10/18/09 vs Tennessee
Tom Brady, 1st Half
24/28, 345 yards, 5 TDs, Pats were up 45-0 at HT.
Off the top of my head, I think I'd go with Tom Brady in the snow vs the Titans in 2009 or 10. It was insane.
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Off the top of my head, I think I'd go with Tom Brady in the snow vs the Titans in 2009 or 10. It was insane.