#10 IOWA 27, #9 IOWA STATE 17: BIG BROTHER

The #10 Iowa Hawkeyes (2-0) came into Ames and showed the #9 Iowa State Cyclones (1-1) it remains a Hawkeye State as the Hawks blew out ISU, 27-17, and forced ABC into b-roll for much of the fourth quarter.

It was a dominant performance, if not one without some drama throughout the first half. Iowa State was the first team to put points on the board after they finally moved outside the shadow of their own goal posts into scoring range at 3-0. The only reason they were there in the first place was a third down Cyclone sack on Spencer Petras followed by a very wonky missed field goal.

The following Hawkeye possession once again flipped the field, though they were unable to come out with points. It was the perfect time for Matt Campbell and company to take a shot, and it resulted in a Matt Hankins interception at midfield. The Hawkeyes tapped into enough offense over the course of the 2nd quarter to see Petras play incredibly well and they took a lead on the possession on a Tyler Goodson touchdown run.

After a 27-yard ISU punt, the Hawkeyes had their best drive of the day, though it started a little shaky on sack from Petras. He converted a 3rd-and-15 pass to Sam LaPorta across the middle. He later found Charlie Jones twice, including on a 26-yard touchdown. Immediately after Hankins’ interception, Petras went 7/7 for 83 yards. It was really all he needed to do.

ISU countered just before half when the Hawks went into prevent defense. 5 plays, 75 yards, TD. I’m sure that displeased Phil Parker.

Yet the Hawkeyes came right out of half and did what they have done 120 minutes this season, shut it down. The Cyclones and Hawkeyes traded punts on each team’s first two possessons but shaky special teams allowed a 69-yarder to be downed (honestly it could have been much worse) by Iowa and then a 24-yard return put the Hawks on their side of the field. Another third down sack allowed Tory Taylor to pin ISU inside the 10.

And then...

Pregame, Chris Fallica predicted there was no way Iowa could score two defensive touchdowns in back-to-back games but one was enough to put this game on ice.

Brock Purdy threw two interceptions on the Cyclones’ next two possessions (another one to Hankins and one to Seth Benson) and Iowa mustered just a field goal to extend it to three possessions at 27-10.

Hunter Dekkers then entered for Iowa State and closed the gap to 27-17 when Iowa. The ensuing onside kick attempt went through Nico Ragaini’s hands but the Cyclones were unable to capitalize on the loose ball as it meander out of harm’s way to the sideline. A Cyclone FG attempt drifted wide left in their last ditch effort to hit the over win the game.

The story, once again, was that Iowa’s defense body-bagged a top 25 opponent in borderline hilarious fashion. The vice Phil Parker & company puts offenses in, through two games, allows Iowa’s offense to just be (the Hawks had just 174 yards of total offense), though today included enough playmaking from Spencer Petras to be excited about his ability when it’s needed.

Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit spent much of the fourth quarter chopping it up about random stuff. We saw four-sport Tyler Linderbaum highlights. The Hayden Fry coaching tree made an appearance. They also mentioned Iowa has the best resume of any team in the country, which is true.

Iowa did what bigger brothers do, put the younger ones in their place. Better luck next year Matty! And for tonight, it is a Hawkeye State and that is certainly enough to be excited about for this evening.