Akrum Wadley destroys Nebraska for second consecutive year
Iowa Hawkeyes running back Akrum Wadley left his mark on Iowa’s dominating victory over Nebraska, showing off his NFL caliber skillset…
The Iowa Hawkeyes are a very, very tough football team to beat when Akrum Wadley is on top of his game. The star running back now in his senior season has proven over and over again to NFL scouts that he is capable of changing a game quickly with his speed, pass catching ability, and vision with the football.
He’s also proven that his production is not just a flashy number on the stat sheet.
When Wadley puts up big numbers, the Hawkeyes win.
In fact, in Wadley’s Iowa Hawkeyes career, when he rushes for more than 100 yards in a game (14 career 100 yard games), the Hawkeyes have a record of 13-1.
That success continued as the Hawkeyes rolled to a huge win over Nebraska on Black Friday, cementing Nebraska’s 4-8 record and sending the Hawkeyes rolling into bowl season at 7-5.
Wadley tore apart the Nebraska defense to the tune of 159 yards on 19 carries and a hat-trick in the touchdown department.
The three touchdowns gave Wadley a total of nine on the season, but as productive as he has been for the Hawkeyes, it was only his first multi-rushing touchdown game of the season, and his first multi-touchdown game since October 1st, 2016 against Northwestern, an Iowa loss.
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You have to love the way Wadley plays the game. Despite being a smaller back, he runs with purpose and isn’t afraid to mix things up between the tackles. Unlike some backs his size, the Hawkeyes don’t just pull him out of the game in goal line situations. Because he’s such a threat outside the tackles, the Hawkeyes are able to use Wadley inside and keep defenses honest.
He’s an excellent pass catcher out of the backfield, and obviously is very good at making plays in the open field.
He’s been excellent for the Hawkeyes as their unquestioned lead back this year after sharing touches the past couple of years.
Speaking of the past couple of years, Wadley has been an absolute terror for the Nebraska defense to have to deal with in both 2016 and 2017, averaging almost nine yards per carry in those games with 264 total rushing yards and four touchdowns between the past two games between those teams.
This kid is the real deal, and will be exciting to watch at the next level.