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.