Rapid reactions: Key takeaways from Iowa marching past Minnesota for an 8th straight time
As typifies a battle for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy, it didn’t come easy. Even though early on it looked like it might, Minnesota certainly made Iowa earn it.
Others around the country probably wouldn’t classify it as conventional, but, for Iowa, all that matters is the 13-10 final and the notch in the win column. The Hawkeyes beat the Golden Gophers again, and let’s take a look at 10 of the game’s biggest takeaways for Iowa.
Floyd stays put, Iowa's domination of Minnesota continues
Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
For the eighth straight year, the Floyd of Rosedale is Iowa’s trophy to celebrate. The Hawkeyes have now won 18 of the past 22 in the series. Iowa’s longest winning streak in the series’ history rolls on at eight in a row.
So does Iowa's mastery over the month of November
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
There’s just something about late-season football in the Big Ten West that Iowa has had figured out in recent seasons. Count ’em up. That’s now 14 in a row in the month of November. The Hawkeyes have won every game in November since a Nov. 9, 2019, loss at Wisconsin.
The Hawkeyes have won four in a row
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Don’t look now, but Iowa’s in-season roll continues on as well. Things looked awfully bleak following the Hawkeyes’ three-game losing streak, but Iowa has continued to find a way into the win column. Those successive losses to Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State are a distant memory now.
Iowa's offense started fast
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Save for the Wisconsin game, Iowa has made a habit of getting off to fast offensive starts during this four-game winning streak. That was the case against Northwestern with 20 first-half points, against Purdue with 17 and Iowa scored on each of its first two possessions against Minnesota.
Sam LaPorta was a big part of that fast start, but he left with an injury
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta had a career-long 58 yard reception on the Hawkeyes’ first offensive play from scrimmage. He ended his day with four grabs for 95 yards, but left with an injury in the first half. His health status will be of paramount importance moving forward.
Jack Campbell got robbed
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
It’s a crime against college football that Jack Campbell was whistled out of bounds against Minnesota. He had the game-sealing, 75-yard, pick-six touchdown against the Gophers. Forget what the record books say. Of course, the officiating crew got it wrong, and it went down as a 30-yard interception return. It’s Campbell’s second interception this season and fifth of his career.
Still, Campbell made the two plays that spearheaded the win
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Twice Minnesota got in close and it looked as though the Gophers were about to tack on a go-ahead score. Minnesota drove to Iowa’s 13-yard line when Campbell forced a fumble that Mohamed Ibrahim coughed up and Deontae Craig pounced on. Then, after Minnesota drove to the Hawkeyes’ 33-yard line, Campbell was in the right spot at the right time to haul in the game-changing interception.
Three straight multiple turnover games
Nov 19, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Deontae Craig (45) celebrates a fumble recovery against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
One other note on the pair of turnovers that Riley Moss, Jack Campbell and Deontae Craig helped create and finalize for Iowa. That’s now three straight multiple-turnover games for the Hawkeyes’ defense.
Mohamed Ibrahim nearly won the game individually for Minnesota
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Mo Ibrahim deserves some applause here. He was awesome against Iowa and nearly won the game for the Golden Gophers with his individual performance. Yes, his fumble proved costly, but Ibrahim had Iowa’s defense looking out of sorts at times for one of the few games that’s happened all season. He finished with 263 rushing yards and a score. The 5-foot-10, 210 pound running back has battled back from a season-ending injury last season and been tremendous for Minnesota.
Spencer Petras made a big, game-winning throw to Luke Lachey
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
After Jack Campbell’s aforementioned interception was ruled out of bounds at the Minnesota 45-yard line, it would’ve been easy for the Hawkeyes to pout a bit or just not execute offensively. Instead, Spencer Petras stepped up and delivered a dime to tight end Luke Lachey. The 33-yard connection set Iowa up for the game-winning kick from Drew Stevens.
Win No. 115
(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
It’s another milestone win for the Hawkeyes 24-year head coach. Kirk Ferentz picked up his 115th Big Ten win, tying him with Amos Alonzo Stagg for the third-most in conference history. Ferentz only trails Michigan’s Bo Schembechler (143) and Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (153).
Iowa just needs to beat Nebraska to capture the Big Ten West
(AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Speaking of mastery over the month of November and dominating a rivalry game, it’s time to turn the focus to Nebraska. If the Hawkeyes can turn their seven-game winning streak over the Cornhuskers into eight, then Iowa will repeat as Big Ten West champions and head back to Indianapolis. What a wild turn of events in just one month’s time.
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