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Iowa Football: 5 takeaways from 2018 season

By Quinn Douglas

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 01: Nate Stanley #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes calls a play during the 2019 Outback Bowl against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Raymond James Stadium on January 1, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

3. Mekhi Sargent is the bellcow

It appeared Iowa had a solid, three-man rotation at running back coming into the 2018 season that was expected to be led by Ivory Kelly-Martin and followed up with Toren Young and JUCO transfer Mekhi Sargent. By season’s end, Sargent had emerged as the bellcow of the group. Toren Young remained solid behind Sargent, but Ivory Kelly-Martin got lost in the shuffle due to injuries and ball security issues.

Sargent came to life when the Hawkeyes needed it most, after they had run their losing streak up to three games. In Iowa’s dominating 63-0 win over Illinois, Sargent rushed for 121 yards and two touchdowns, reawakening a once doormat Iowa rushing attack. His next game was even more impressive as he tore up a Nebraska team that passed him up while he was playing at Iowa Western Community College. Sargent rushed for 173 yards and a touchdown on the Huskers.

While he struggled mightily with the rest of the Iowa rushing attack against Mississippi State, Sargent has established himself as the leader of a deep running back group heading into 2019. Sargent led Iowa in rushing with 745 yards and nine touchdowns, while Toren Young finished with 637 yards and five touchdowns. Pair that with the immediate potential from incoming freshman running back Tyler Goodson, Iowa could have more legit, three-headed rushing attack in 2019.

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