The Minnesota Gophers were embroiled in a classic Big Ten contest against the Iowa Hawkeyes, with the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy on the line. Minnesota even led at halftime 14-7 with their new-look pass-first offense.
But what a difference a series makes. One conservative set of downs in the third quarter severed their momentum, and the sucking sound of air deflating the Gophers permeated Huntington Bank Stadium. The Hawkeyes would ride that shifting momentum to a 31-14 win.
Epic Defensive Struggle
As predicted, the game resembled a classic Big Ten border battle hard knock affair for much of the first half. Both defenses jammed the box to take away the respective teams’ running games, and the passing attacks were tentative and unproductive.
After an exchange of punts, Iowa capitalized on an opportunity that led to their first score. On first and ten from their 35-yard line, Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer threw a ball behind Darius Taylor that the Hawkeyes’ Jay Higgins intercepted. Iowa would start this possession on the Minnesota 38-yard line.
Hawkeyes Break Through
Four plays later, Iowa’s star running back Kaleb Johnson would veer to the left, elude a tackle by Gopher defensive back Za’Quan Bryan, and ramble to the Minnesota one-yard line. Johnson would finish the drive with a run up the middle to put the Hawkeyes up 7-0.
Both offenses remained stymied due to the spirited play of the defenses. Jalen Logan Redding stopped one Iowa drive with a third-down blocked pass. On the next series, Gopher linebacker Cody Lindenberg sacked Hawkeyes quarter Cade McNamara for a 13-yard sack to end another drive.
Gophers Take the Lead
Gophers coach P.J. Fleck would open up the offense midway through the second period, and it would have immediate results. Brosmer connected with wide receiver Daniel Jackson on receptions of 16, 9, and 7 yards, which would move the ball into Iowa territory. On third down at the Iowa 31-yard line, Max lofted a ball down the left sideline right into the arms of Le’Meke Brockington for a 28-yard reception. On the next play, Brosmer would hit tight end Jameson Geers in the back of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown pass to knot the score at seven apiece.
On Minnesota’s next possession, they drove 68 yards on 8 plays, culminating in an 11-yard Elijah Spencer swing pass reception that he would finish with a leap into the end zone for a touchdown. Key plays on the drive were Jackson’s 28-yard reception by the right sideline and Taylor’s 17-yard rush around the right end. The Gophers ran to the locker room with a 14-7 lead.
Iowa’ Strong Second Half Start
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The Hawkeyes wasted no time getting untracked in the second half. After taking the opening kickoff, McNamara would hit tight end Addidon Ostrenga for a 20-yard gain, followed by a 17-yard run by Johnson. Unfortunately for the Gophers, Lindenberg was called for a personal foul on the play, which moved the ball to the Minnesota 15-yard line.
From there, Johnson burst up the middle for a Hawkeye touchdown. The Hawks had tied the game at 14-14.
The Beginning of the End for the Gophers
The Gophers would get the ball at their 25-yard line, and here is where they lost their momentum. Three straight run plays by the Gophers netted nine yards and brought back memories of the old Gophers’ reliance on their running game.
They successfully converted a fourth-down run for a new set of downs, but the dye was cast. This was followed by a Brosmer sack and two incompletions by Max. Mark Crawford came in and booted a short punt.
The Damn Bursts
The Hawkeye’s ground game would grind down the Gopher’s defense on their next series. Johnson, McNamara, and Jaziun Patterson added short runs, and McNamara found an open Reese Vander Zee to the left for an 18-yard gain. Two plays later, Johnson exploded up the middle for a 40-yard run, and Iowa took the lead at 21-14.
Iowa’s Drew Stevens kicked a 46-yard field goal at the end of the third quarter to extend their lead to 10. They added a one-yard touchdown run by Brendan Sullivan early in the fourth quarter to close the scoring out. Brosmer threw another interception halfway through the fourth quarter, and the Gophers never threatened again. Hawkeyes 31, Gophers 14, and Floyd was headed back to Iowa City.
Aftermath
Daniel Jackson would lead the Gophers statistically with 9 receptions for 112 yards. Iowa was, of course, led by Kaleb Johnson, who rushed 29 times for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns, not to mention a string of missed Gopher tackles all over the field.
Next week, the Gophers head to “The Big House” to play the Michigan Wolverines fresh off their exciting come-from-behind victory over USC yesterday. The Hawkeyes get next weekend off to rest their wounds and then travel to Columbus, Ohio, to play the feared Ohio State Buckeyes.
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