Iowa’s much-maligned offense gave fans few reasons to cheer whenever it had the football in 2023.
Under embattled offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, and with injuries at key positions such as quarterback and tight end, the Hawkeyes averaged just 16.6 points per game, the fourth-fewest among 133 FBS schools.
If there was a silver lining embedded in that misery, though, it was this: Whenever Iowa’s offense stepped off the field, it gave fans the chance to see arguably one of the best punters in college football history. Few figures were more important than Tory Taylor in the Hawkeyes salvaging a 10-3 regular season despite its pronounced offensive woes.
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The senior standout, a native of Melbourne, Australia, regularly flipped the field and pinned opponents deep in their own territory. That in turn put Iowa’s excellent defense in advantageous positions and kept his team competitive in low-scoring games in which the fight for field position was paramount.
For his excellence this season, Taylor was a unanimous all-American, earning the distinction from each of the five selectors designated by the NCAA — the Associated Press, the American Football Coaches Association, the Football Writers Association of America, The Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. He also won the Ray Guy Award, given annually to the best punter in college football.
With his first punt in the Hawkeyes’ matchup against Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl, Taylor added to his already lengthy resume: He became the all-time single-season FBS punting yardage leader with a booming 62-yard punt vs. the Vols.
Here’s everything you need to know about Taylor’s historic mark:
Tory Taylor punting yards record
With 4,119 yards heading into the game against…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/iowas-tory-taylor-breaks-ncaa-123617388.html
Author : USA TODAY Sports
Publish date : 2024-01-02 12:36:17
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