Wow. Two more weeks, two more wins. Iowa has now set a school record with 9 consecutive victories to start the season. Say what you want about the margin of victory but the bottom line is Iowa is 9-0 (5-0 in the Big Ten) and has a one game lead in the Big Ten race.
The Michigan State game was one of the hardest hitting games I have ever seen. Michigan State's program was built to model Iowa's and that always makes for a close game. In 2007 Iowa won in OT; in 2008 Michigan State won by 3, and in 2009 Iowa needed a last second 7 yard TD to win, 15-13. It was one of those magical moments that you will remember for a very long time. Even my wife, who is not a huge football fan, was jumping around the living room screaming. Surprisingly we didn't wake the kids. Even in defeat Iowa suffered some major losses. On offense Dace Richardson broke a bone in his lower leg and is done until the bowl game, Adam Robinson sprained an ankle and is out for a while, Brandon Wegher took a shot to the ribs, and Colin Sandeman got laid out by a vicious helmet-to-helmet hit that drew the ire of the Michigan State "faithful" (I really hope they were booing the penalty and not the injured player, although multiple sources, say they were booing the loudest when Sandeman walked off the field). On defense Brett Greenwood was laid out by a friendly fire helmet-to-helmet hit that was delivered by Tyler Sash. Luckily Sandeman and Greenwood were not seriously hurt; Greenwood was carted off while Sandeman walked off on his own. I, personally, feel the worst for Dace. Luckily he didn't hurt his knees as he has spent a lot of time trying to come back from knee injuries that were thought to be career-ending. He will be missed over the next few weeks but Iowa has linemen that are more than capable of filling the void. Dace's injury makes Bryan Bulaga's illness earlier in the season look like a blessing in disguise as it gave Reily Reiff some playing time. When all was said and done, the offense finally showed up with 97 seconds left in the game and was able to score the winning touch down with no time left, on a 4th down no less. This was also Iowa's first victory in East Lansing, MI since 1995.
Out of the players injured against Michigan State only Wegher and Greenwood started against Indiana. Unfortunately Greenwood only lasted a few plays before taking himself out. Wegher was able to play the entire game and had a career day as the primary back. He gained 118 yards and had 3 touch downs in the big victory over Indiana. The Hawks started slowly again, falling behind 21-7 at the half. After halftime Ricky Stanzi went off, in a bad way. Stanzi threw 4 interceptions in the 3rd quarter, but Indiana could only muster 3 points in the quarter. Tyler Sash grabbed a batted Ben Chappell pass and returned it 86 yards for an Iowa touchdown. At the end of the 3rd it was 24-14 Indiana. Prior to Sash's return Kinnick Stadium was dead quiet. The pick got the crowd, and the team, back in the game. Iowa took over in the 4th quarter, scoring 28 unanswered points to pull away. Stanzi hit Marvin McNutt on a intermediate crossing route that McNutt turned into a 92 yard touch down. At this point I noticed Indiana's defense was tired. On the next Iowa possession a similar play was called and Derrell Johnson-Koulianos caught the pass and went 66 yards for a touch down. Brandon Wegher then added his second and third touch down runs to put the game away. Iowa committed 6 turnovers on the day and only forced 3. The big difference is that Iowa capitalized on those opportunities while Indiana did not. The Iowa defense stepped up big time in the second half allowing only 3 points. One of these days Iowa will put a whole game together and we will all see what they can do.
I got to thinking about how the last few games have gone. I don't know if it's more about adjustments made during the game or halftime as much as it is conditioning of the players. It seems that Iowa is always fresh later in the game than the other teams. Today's game was a great example of that as Indiana couldn't do anything and looked fatigued. The first part of the body to be affected is the mind (blown coverage, penalties) and then the body. Indiana couldn't do anything in the 4th quarter this week, or last, and I really think it came down to conditioning. Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Doyle has done a marvelous job with this team and should be given a lifetime contract, along with Coach Kirk Ferentz and Coach Erik Campbell.
Up next are the Northwestern Wildcats. Last year NW came into Iowa City and left with a victory after forcing 5 Iowa turnovers and holding Iowa out of the end-zone (after a 1st and 8) to win the game.
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