Iowa freshman running back Tyler Goodson has 217 rushing yards and 83 receiving yards this season. — Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports

The Monday Kickoff: Goodson's Big Plays Were Built In The Summer

Iowa freshman running back had big catches in Saturday's loss.

Author:
John Bohnenkamp
Publish date:
Oct 7, 2019 11:45 AM EDT

What could have been the biggest pass play of the day for Iowa in Saturday’s 10-3 loss at Michigan went to a freshman running back.

Nate Stanley’s 31-yard pass down the left sideline was caught by Tyler Goodson, a throw that found a perfect opening between two defenders and into the hands of an 18-year-old who is becoming a big part of the Hawkeyes’ offense.

It was Iowa's last offensive gasp of the day — two holding plays after Goodson's catch doomed the Hawkeyes' possession in the closing minutes — but it may be a sign of what is to come.

Goodson had five catches for 62 yards in Saturday’s game to go along with six carries for 15 yards.

Goodson has rushed for 217 yards and has 14 catches for 83 yards, becoming a do-it-all back in an offense that appreciates his versatility.

“It’s part of the game plan,” said Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, noting that fellow running backs Mekhi Sargent and Ivory Kelly-Martin can be used as wideouts as well. “Certainly he affords us that opportunity.”

Goodson also had two receptions for first downs on Iowa’s lone scoring drive of the day — a 15-yard play on third-and-6 and an 11-yard catch on second-and-10 on the final play of the first quarter. He also had a 5-yard run on the drive.

“He’s been huge,” Stanley said. “He’s done a great job in the run and pass game. “He made a lot of plays for us today, in big situations.”

Goodson’s opportunities were built in the months after he arrived on campus. It was why Ferentz had him playing in the first game of the season, when he had nine carries for 36 yards in the 38-14 win over Miami (Ohio).

That early experience, and his production, has put Goodson in the situations like he saw on Saturday.

“He’s been in our plans,” Ferentz said. “We were trying to bring him along, but you could see we had him in when the game was on the line (on Saturday).

“He earned our trust back in August. Every time you see him play … he’s got good ability, but I’m more impressed with just the way he plays out there. He acts like he belongs.”

“He came in in the summertime, stepped right up,” Stanley said. “He did what he needed to do to put himself into the position where he can make the plays he’s making right now. It’s no surprise, just from the work ethic he had when he came in, that he’s doing what he’s done on the field.

“Really just look forward to see what else he can do for us the rest of the year.”

Jackson's return

Alaric Jackson, back in the starting lineup at left tackle on Saturday after suffering a knee injury in the season opener, struggled at times in his return.

But the junior said he was happy to be playing again.

“I felt pretty good — first game back, playing at home,” said Jackson, who grew up in Detroit.

Ferentz said he could see some of the first-game-back rust.

“That’s on me,” Ferentz said. “You play a guy that hasn’t played in four games, he’s going to be a little rusty. He wasn’t as sharp as we would have been.

“He’ll come back quick. He’ll be a better player next week.”