Phil Parker's Iowa defense enjoys a well-deserved reputation for toughness and grit, plus one other factor that's crucial to their success.
For the last 26 seasons (Parker's been there since 1999) they've excelled at limiting explosive plays. They choke off opponents with pursuit, scheme and great tackling, rarely giving up chunk yardage through the air or on the ground. They grind opponents down, make them earn it, turning football into a 100-yard war.
Prior to the Oregon game they'd given up just 19 plays of 20 yards or more, just 15 runs of 10 yards or more.
So it was surprising when the Ducks gashed that defense with 10 chunk plays in one game.
Primary credit has to go to some incredible blocking and pass protection by the Oregon offensive line, Iapani "Poncho" Laloulu, Emmanuel Pregnon, Isaiah World, Dave Iuli and Gernorris Wilson. That they did it while missing starting right tackle and four top targets in the passing game made it even more remarkable.
Oregon’s Center Iapani LaIouIu “Poncho” is playing as good as any Center in America. Here’s why ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/NyTBLB9je3
— LandonTengwall (@LandonTengwall) November 10, 2025
There were three chunk passes:
7:18 1st Quarter 2nd and 8 on the Iowa 40 Gary Bryant 22-yard pass from Dante Moore
13:04 2nd quarter 2nd and 7 on the Oregon 41 Jamari Johnson 21-yard pass from Dante Moore
:25 seconds to play 4th quarter 1st and 10 on the Oregon 49 Malik Benson 24-yard pass from Dante Moore
There were seven chunk runs:
12:35 2nd quarter 1st and 10 on the Iowa 38 Jordon Davison 19-yard run
11:53 2nd quarter 1st and 10 on the Iowa 19 Dierre Hill 19-yard touchdown run
1:41 2nd quarter 1st and 10 on the Oregon 20 Noah Whittington 11-yard run
(Very next play) Whittington 27-yard run
5:32 3rd quarter 2nd and 8 on the Oregon 15 Dante Moore 49-yard run
11:27 4th quarter 1st and 10 on the Oregon 42 Hill 11-yard run
(Very next play) Davison 12-yard run.