Kinnick Diaries: Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers Week 8 Live Blog

Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you have some sort of coffee or energy drink on hand, because you may need it for this one. Whenever the Hawkeyes and Gophers get together, you’re bound to find hard-hitting defensive play aplenty. You won’t find much in the way of points, at least not this year. If last year’s 13-10 result is anything to go by, this one is going to be a struggle.

This year’s contest is the perfect storm for some supreme Sicko viewing. Neither offense has typically performed well this year as both teams rank outside the top 100 scoring offenses in the nation.

With the scoring ineptitude of both teams alongside some heavy winds in Kinnick Stadium, this game carries one of the lowest over-unders in college football history. It also has some massive implications as well, setting the stage for a colossal matchup.

Iowa is the current leader in the Big Ten West division, and a win today would go a long way with Kirk Ferentz running away with the division. The Gophers are currently tied for third in the standings with a 1-2 Big Ten record. Should they win, they wouldn’t be too far off from the Hawkeyes’ 3-2 conference record.

You don’t want to miss all of the “action” in this one, so follow along as we chronicle all of the punts that will surely ensue. Remember to refresh the page to keep the updates flowing!

Deacon Hill throws a pick. Iowa Loses

Yup. Deacon Hill takes a sack immediately, misses a pass badly, and then throws an interception. That drive was the complete Deacon Hill experience. Controversial ending to say the least, but Iowa absolutely deserved to lose this game. An embarassing performance that will be overshadowed by a ref-show.

Minnesota wins 12-10 in one of the absolute worst games I’ve ever watched in my life.

Is this a fair catch? You decide

https://x.com/CowardlyDoggo/status/1715866734916452670?s=20

So Iowa gets the ball back... NO COOPER DEJAN CALLS GAME! NO HE DOESN'T!

Yes that’s right, Iowa gets the ball back and now they have one timeout left. P.J. Fleck decided that they were going to THROW for some reason, and basically gifted Iowa a timeout. These head coaches man. Iowa will receive the ball with a little under a minute back.

NO IT’S COOPER DEJEAN! COOPER DEJEAN JUST RETURNED THE PUNT FOR A TOUCHDOWN! COOPER DEJEAN SAVES IOWA! I DON’T KNOW HOW!

JUST KIDDING THEY CALL IT BACK! Iowa ball with 1:21 left.

Iowa punts to Minnesota with two minutes left

Yes, Iowa did just punt to Minnesota down two with two minutes left to go.

Iowa has minus eight yards in the second half

THEY HAVE NEGATIVE EIGHT YARDS IN THE SECOND HALF! WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE. Iowa is down 12-10, Deacon Hill takes a sack and nearly throws a pick. WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE?!

Minnesota takes the lead

A 31-yard field goal puts the Gophers up 12-10. Yup. Minnesota has taken the lead, and it’s a pretty insurmountable two-point advantage. This one legit might be over.

Iowa offense is as inept as ever

Seriously, can we stop being cheeky about this offense next week? I’m tired of this little inside joke Iowa’s media base seems to have about Iowa winning despite the offense being inept. The offense stinks, it stinks to watch and it’s a true embarrassment. That’s ANOTHER three-and-out after Seth Anderson drops a wide-open pass.

Everything about the offense is broken and is horrible and needs to be thrown into the fire.

Iowa holds Minnesota to another field goal

Phil Parker should be given an award. Iowa’s offense literally gives Minnesota the ball just outside of their own endzone, and the defense only allows a single yard. Somehow Iowa is still leading 10-9 with 2:25 in the third quarter.

Another fumble for Iowa

Another fumble for Deacon Hill, and it’s Tyler Nubin forcing it again. What a player for the Gophers. Minnesota now takes over at the Iowa 11 with a great chance to take the lead.

Three and out for Iowa

You know the deal by now. Iowa responds with a quick three and out. Minnesota now has… momentum? Sort of?

Minnesota earns three

Wake up! Wake up! We have points!

Minnesota takes advantage of getting the ball to start the second half, a 13-play drive ending in a Dragan Kesich 44-yard field goal. That makes it a 10-6 Iowa lead in the third quarter.

Iowa scores, aided by Minnesota

That was probably the least satisfying six points you will ever see. Minnesota bailed out the Iowa offense with multiple horrendous penalties. Iowa’s quarterback sneak was topped TWICE, but the second stop was negated because of one of the worst penalties you will ever see committed. Then Iowa finally got the sneak to work, only after accepting the 10-second run-off from the penalty though. 10-3 Hawkeyes at the end of the second.

Iowa sets themselves up perfectly for a potential two points

The best play for the Hawkeyes over the past two seasons has been a Tory Taylor wonder punt setting the Hawkeyes defense up for a safety. Well, after deciding to punt on fourth-and-one, Taylor pinned Minnesota back to their own one yard line. Here we go!

UPDATE: Iowa almost got to Kaliakmanis in the end zone, missed tackle on the potential sack by Hurkett. I don’t know if Iowa will ever have a better chance at points.

Iowa's defense gets a stop

Yup. Given the great field position, the Gophers are stopped. They then proceed to miss the field goal. That’s the type of game this is.

Minnesota punts again, Iowa fumbles it back

That’s six on the day already. Iowa gets good field position. Too bad they’ll probably waste it.

AND THEY DO! Deacon Hill is sacked and fumbles the football! Minnesota now gets the ball in Iowa territory.

Minnesota gets points

What a weird drive. Say whatever you want about that pass interference call, when’s the last time you’ve seen two timeouts strategically used in the first quarter? P.J. Fleck did not want to lose the advantage of the wind at his team’s back, so he called two timeouts to get the kick off in the first. That’s how windy it is. All tied at 3-3 and it’s only going to get weirder from here.

Oh, and because I really don’t feel like updating you every time there is a punt (there have been five combined already) Iowa just had a three-and-out. Yay.

Three and out for the Hawkeyes

Welp, now we’re back to normal. Iowa has a fourth-and-one near midfield and elects not to go for it. Guess the sneak doesn’t look great in practice. (Yes, I’ll give credit to Leistikow for that joke)

Minnesota Punts

What a perfect start for Iowa as they force a quick Minnesota punt. Quarterback Kaliakmanis looks a little shaken up on third down, something to watch for today.

Iowa gets points to start out!

You read that right, Iowa scored right away on their first drive. Deacon Hill drove them down the field, with Diante Vines having the drive of his life. The offense stalled in the red zone and nearly threw a pick, but hey! Three points! 3-0 Iowa!

Showtime!

Goin' Gold

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire