Goodson Responds In First Start

Iowa freshman running back had 94 rushing yards.

Iowa's offense was due for some changes after the struggles of the last few weeks.

One of the biggest changes in Saturday's 23-19 win over Minnesota came at running back, when freshman Tyler Goodson got the start.

Goodson rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.

"I was speechless when (running backs coach Derrick Foster) first told me, (about the start)," Goodson said in quotes provided to the media. "For me, I didn't focus on the fact I was starting, but focused on the next play and tried to make an impact that would help our team win the game."

Goodson became the fifth true freshman running back to start in Kirk Ferentz's 21 seasons as Iowa's coach, the first since Greg Garmon in 2012.

Iowa's running back group has been sharing the carries this season. Mekhi Sargent has 108 carries, Goodson has 82 and Toren Young has 81.

Sargent had six carries for 18 yards in Saturday's game. Young did not play.

"Just felt like he gave us our best chance to do things," Ferentz said. "I've said it all along, we really like all three of our backs. The guys that are playing are doing a great job. Just thought it might be the best answer for today's game. We'll assess as we go."

"It boosts my confidence," Goodson said. "Coming in as a freshman, you don't have confidence because you don't know what the game is like. The speed is totally different, so you have to get used to that. Once the game slows down, then you start progressing as a player and that's when your confidence gets going."

Goodson's 10-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter gave Iowa a 13-0 lead.

"I got the ball and everything was clamped in, so I bounced outside," Goodson said. "A guy comes, I give him a 1-2, stiff-arm, then another guy comes, I give him a stiff-arm and step out of the tackle. As I got down to the goal line, I put my head down and hoped for the best."

Ferentz was impressed with Goodson's overall play, included his blocking on passing plays.

"He did a lot of good things out there," Ferentz said. "I just said on the radio, maybe as impressive as anything, blitz pickup off a play-action in the second half. For a freshman to make that protection, then execute it, was really impressive.

"It's even more impressive because he didn't execute it during the week, the end of the week last week. I think that kind of shows you the kind of young guy he is. He learned from a mistake, carried it out there to the game field."

Goodson appreciated the opportunity.

"I'm glad I gained the trust of the coaches for them to put the ball in my hands and give me the best opportunity to make plays and score touchdowns for this team to win," he said.