Another week, another crazy, discombobulated, unpredictable win for the Iowa Hawkeyes. For the eighth time in nine games this season the Hawkeyes fell behind, this time by a pair of scores to the lowly Indiana Hoosiers. But again the Hawks rallied behind Ricky Stanzi and one of the nation's stingiest defenses and pulled off a ridiculous 42-24 win.
And the game ball goes to...: Ricky Stanzi. So he threw a career-high five interceptions and was the brunt of a few unnecessary boos from Hawk fans. But in the fourth quarter Stanzi did what he does best, win the game for the Hawkeyes. Going into the final period Stanzi was 10-for-23 for 160 yards and those five picks. Yet Stanzi's 3-for-3 for 177 yards and two long touchdowns, the first a 92-yarder to Marvin McNutt and the second a 66-yarder to DJK, are what told the story for the Hawkeyes. When the pressure was on, Stanzi delivered. End of story.
Tip of the cap: to Mr. McNutt. Four receptions, 155 yards and the 92-yard touchdown which cut Iowa's defecit to 24-21 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. It looked like McNutt took about 10 total steps on his way to the endzone. This kid needs to touch the ball more.
Also to freshman running back Brandon Wegher. In his first career start Wegher recroded his second career 100-yard game, ripping off 118 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. I was worried before the game about Wegher's durability against a Big Ten team, but he got better as the game went on icing the Hawkeyes' win with a pair of fourth quarter touchdown runs.
Wag of the finger: to Iowa's slow starts. Eventually the Hawkeyes are going to need to come out from the opening kick and take control of their opponent because it just might cost them one of these times (Ohio State, I'm lookin' at you).
Final thoughts: What is there to say about that crazy Halloween near disaster? The Hawkeyes keep finding ways to win, but how long they can afford to spot their opponents two scores and continue to win?
Next week: the Hawks host those pesky Northwestern Wildcats. Iowa has dropped three of its last four against Northwestern, including two in a row in Kinnick Stadium. Anybody else starting to feel that pixie-dust waring off? Well, not waring off, but maybe running out? How about Iowa hammers the Wildcats to save a little more magic for that trip to Columbus that's coming up. I like it.
I just have a bad feeling about this weekend. I'm hoping I'm wrong but I think that at some point these chaotic fourth quarter free for alls are really going to come back to bite us in the ass.
ReplyDeleteI still can't believe it. We looked horrible for the majority of the game and then came back to win by 18 points?!? Our second largest win of the season. Incredible.
ReplyDeleteNorthwestern will be another close game I'm sure, always is.
You're both right. I mean, at some point the Hawkeyes are going to have to impose their will on their opponents from the opening kick. But maybe this is just the way they win. Who knows.
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