Iowa came up just short in a tough game against Penn State, making it back-to-back weeks that the Hawkeyes have lost to ranked teams.

Both losses are bound to leave a sour taste in the mouths of fans. Once again, it was a lackluster offensive output that doomed the Hawkeyes in a 17-12 loss to the Nittany Lions. While the unit has the talent to turn it around, it has been a rough couple of weeks.

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When discussing those struggles, head coach Kirk Ferentz pointed to negative field position as something that has hampered the offense in losses to Michigan and Penn State. During his Sunday Conversation, Ferentz said the Hawkeyes desperately need to find a way to flip the field position in tough games.

Whether it be through a turnover or big special teams play, improving field position will help take the strain off the offense. Hawkeye Sports shared Ferentz’s comments:

“Somehow we’re going to have to find a way to flip that and be more opportunistic,” Ferentz said. “It’s tougher to score points when you have to drive the ball over 80 yards; the odds aren’t with you on that one.

“Somehow, some way, we have to help flip the field position, whether it’s on special teams or coming up with a takeaway. Those have been missing the last two weeks that impact the final score in a game.”

Hopefully, the Hawkeyes bounceback with a big performance against a visiting Purdue team in Week 8.