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Iowa Football: 2017 post-regular season position grades

By Quinn Douglas

(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
(Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 24: Place kicker Miguel Recinos #91 of the Iowa Hawkeyes kicks an extra point against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 24: Place kicker Miguel Recinos #91 of the Iowa Hawkeyes kicks an extra point against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2017 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

SPECIAL TEAMS. C+. . ST. Iowa Hawkeyes

A big challenge for Iowa was replacing punter Ron Coluzzi, which resulted in a punting battle between Colton Rastetter and Ryan Gersonde. Rastetter ended up winning the battle, but his performance suggested that Gersonde should’ve deserved another shot. Rastetter only averaged 38.4 yards per punt on the season, while Gersonde averaged 42.5 yards per punt on the season. No question there will be another punting battle come spring camp.

Miguel Recinos and Keith Duncan also engage in a kicking battle throughout the spring and fall, eventually won by Recinos. Recinos did not relinquish his starting role as he finished the regular season a perfect 41-for-41 on extra points and 9-for-11 on field goal attempts. Iowa’s kick coverage was also fantastic all season long as opponents regularly struggled with returning kicks past the 20 yard line.

Worst Game:

The Iowa special teams was far from its peak in their loss against Purdue. Colton Rastetter continuously struggled to punt the ball with consistency each time he was called to kick. The return teams also struggled as Iowa returners did not have much room to work with throughout most of the game.

Next: Post-Regular Season 2018 NFL Mock Draft

Best Game:

Against the Buckeyes, Iowa’s special teams unit’s made their presence known as Ohio State continuously struggled returning kicks against Iowa’s stud kickoff team. The Buckeyes kickoff team of their own also allowed good returns all day that eventually set up great field position for the Iowa offense.

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