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Social media reactions: Iowa Hawkeyes hammer Northwestern, flaunt best offensive performance

josh helmer
·6 min read
13

In the best possible way, Iowa looked like a desperate football team Saturday versus Northwestern.

A game that earned sickos Game of the Week status didn’t necessarily meet that definition. Instead, from the word go, the Hawkeyes’ offense played its best football of the season.

Iowa evened its record to 4-4 overall and improved to 2-3 in Big Ten play, while dropping Northwestern to 1-7 (1-4 Big Ten). The Hawkeyes scored on each of their four first half possessions and seven of eight possessions overall.

Northwestern entered with the nation’s No. 97 total defense, surrendering 408.4 yards per game. Iowa entered with the nation’s worst total offense, averaging just 227.3 yards per game. Something had to give, and the Hawkeyes made sure the pendulum swung in their direction. In fact, Iowa had surpassed its season averages by halftime.

Spencer Petras finished 21-of-30 passing for 220 yards with a touchdown pass to tight end Luke Lachey. Nico Ragaini led the way in the receiving department with four grabs for 66 yards and eight different Hawkeyes had receptions.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Kaleb Johnson carried 14 times for 88 yards and Leshon Williams had 11 totes for 43 yards. Wide receiver Arland Bruce IV added a 23-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run to go along with Spencer Petras’ opening score off a quarterback sneak that ended Iowa’s string of 29 consecutive drives without an offensive touchdown.

Iowa’s defense was its typical stingy self, limiting Northwestern to just 177 yards. The Hawkeyes had a sensational day stopping the Wildcats’ rushing attack, holding Northwestern to just 18 rushing yards on 37 carries.

Northwestern quarterback Brendan Sullivan finished with a pair of touchdown passes—the second of which came as time expired—but he was intercepted once and threw for just 159 yards.

Again, the big story was Iowa’s offense, though. Iowa fans, Hawkeye media and the nation were pleasantly surprised with just how well the Hawkeyes played offensively. Here were the best social media reactions from the win that was.

Setting the scene

Already being trolled

Iowa settles its quarterback competition by sticking with Spencer Petras

Naturally, that wasn't met with universal acclaim

Little did anybody know what was in store

Kaleb Johnson got things started

And he's quickly becoming a fan favorite

First drive ends in points and a 3rd-and-2 head-scratcher

Red zone woes temporarily linger

Ring it up to 29

Frustrations were short-lived at long last

Okay, yes, but let's just enjoy the moment

Who is this Hawkeye team?

No, seriously, who is this?

Wait, a Petras-Brady comp? It was on mobility, but still...

Spencer Petras paging Luke Lachey

Northwestern fans in misery

Or, simply a disaster

Arland Bruce IV jets to the end zone

Iowa was just waiting

Drew Stevens absolute money from downtown

One and the same

And there might be hardware because of it

Nice performance with an important attendee

Defense delivers as well

Sing the song

Happy Hawkeye Homecoming

Needs this, on to the next

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Story originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire