Tuesday, July 6, 2010

#9 Most Memorable Iowa Football Game since 1999

The countdown continues of the Top Ten Most Memorable Iowa Football Games under Kirk Ferentz. #9 on this list could be best described by the Four Seasons popular song, "Oh What a Night."

Engy's #9 - 2008 Iowa 55 Minnesota 0. It would be the last time the battle for Floyd of Rosedale would take place inside the downtown Metrodome facility. It would also be the last time Hawekeye fans would flock to what would become termed "Kinnick North," a home away from home as Iowa fans traveled well up Interstate 35 and drown out their neighbors to the north. Emotions ran high on this night as it was not only Senior Night for the Gophers, but the final home game played under the Teflon roof before they took their show to the new on-campus TCF Bank Stadium. A border battle was expected, but there was little fight on this cold Minneapolis night. The Hawkeyes seemed stymied by the Gopher defense early on as quarterback Ricky Stanzi used up all three timeouts early in the first quarter, but it didn't take long for the Shonn Greene show to pick up steam. Not only did the Doak Walker winner pound away at touchdowns, but the Iowa Defense contributed to the scoring parade as Amari Spievey intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown. What started out as a competitive game turned into a comedy by halftime sending many of the fans from the north home early, never wanted to see another Gopher game indoors. The Hawkeye fans however didn't want to leave, and in some respects, treated it as their home as the score ended up 55-0, the worst defeat in the history of the series.

Amy T #9 - 2003 Iowa 27 -Wisconsin 21. The Hawkeyes held on late in the last game of the series before the Heartland Trophy was introduced a year later in Iowa City.

Phil Haddy #9 - 2004 Iowa 33 Ohio State 7. An afternoon in Iowa City which many will not forget. A complete domination of a traditional Big Ten power. Most notable for the Buckeyes on this day was the emergence of Troy Smith, future QB who will go on to lead the Buckeyes to the National Title Game in the following years. Smith came entered in the second half and held onto the job for the rest of his career.

Pete #9 - 2002 Iowa 31 Purdue 28. Iowa's Dallas Clark scored the winning touchdown in the final minutes on a fourth down play, while unknown Adolphus Shelton intercepts a Purdue pass deep in Iowa territory to preserve victory.

Now it is your time to list your #9 in the list.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Al's #9 - 2003 Iowa 40 Iowa State 21. Coach Ferentz celebrates his first victory as head coach over in state rival Iowa State. Following consecutive heart breaking losses the Hawks found themselves in familiar territory, up 20-7 at the half. After one of the great Coach Jackson "halftime pep talks" the Hawkeyes blocked an early 3rd quarter punt for 6 and Nate Kaeding drilled 2 field goals to extend the lead to 33-7. Following the 40-21 victory Hawk fans flooded Jack Trice to celebrate the win. It was quite a feeling walking from the sideline to the Jacobson Building mobbed by happy Hawk fans every step of the way!

Jon Pippert said...

Pip's #9 - 2005 Iowa 20 Wisconsin 10. Most people didn't give Iowa a shot going into "Barry Alvarez day" because Iowa was coming off two tough loses to Michigan and Northwestern. After getting behind 10-0 Iowa scored the next 20points and beat the badgers for the 4th straight year. It was great spoiling the celebration to honor Barry Alvarez after the game and sticking it to the badgers who thought they were a lock to win the game. That arrogrance of the badgers may have played a part in them dropping four would-be thouchdown passes through the game.