Friday, July 23, 2010

Top Ten Most Memorable - #4

#5 - Iowa 24 - Penn State 23 - 2008. With national title aspirations on the line, the Penn State Nittany Lions entered the game in Iowa City as the number three team in the country. As the last road game on the Nittany Lions schedule, get past the 5-4 Iowa team and the argument would begin from Central Pennsylvania as to why they should play for the BCS Title. With the legendary Joe Paterno sitting in the press box due to an on-field injury he watched as his Nittany Lion team struggled out of the gate, almost losing the ball at their own one and punting to the Iowa team which found Doak Walker winner Shonn Greene rolling into the end zone for seven. The Iowa Defense was stingy and kept the Penn State offense from making key first downs or trips into the end zone. But each team would not back down. Trailing in the fourth quarter the Hawkeyes looked back to Shonn Greene who put the black and gold on his back putting the Hawks a field goal away from the win. The final Penn State drive had Tyler Sash intercepting a Daryll Clark pass which set Iowa up for a Daniel Murry field goal with a few seconds left. It was the biggest win for Iowa at home in a number of years and began a streak of win that would take them to the same weekend a year after this upset.

Amy T #4 - 2009 Iowa 15 - Michigan State 13. A record for consecutive wins to start a season was on the line as Ricky Stanzi complete a touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt on the game's final play for a Hawkeye victory.

Phil H. #4 - 2009 Iowa 21 - Penn State 10. In front of a White House, the Iowa Hawkeyes surprised most of the nation by winning in one of the nation's largest crowds. Penn State was looking for redemption for the loss at Iowa City the year before, but after taking an early 7-0 lead could not get their offense going.

Pete #4 - 2000 Iowa 21 - Michigan State 16. No one thought it would take the Hawkeyes over a year for Kirk Ferentz to secure his first conference victory, but in front of a Homecoming crowd, the Hawkeyes played steady, taking the lead in the fourth and hanging on for the victory.

2 comments:

Jon Pippert said...

Pip's #4 - 2002 Iowa 45 Minnesota 21. Iowa controlled the game and there was doubt that they would win this game. They left with the first Big Ten Championship since 1990, the first undefeated Big Ten season since 1922, and carrying Coach Ferentz off the field. It was a great win because most of these same players went through a 1999 season where they didn't win a Big Ten game. At this point in the season it's safe to say Iowa could get beat anyone in the country. The fans left the field with goal posts and it was indeed Kinnick North.

Anonymous said...

Al's #4 - 2009 Iowa 21 Penn State 10. This was a battle of unbeaten teams in what is becoming a great Big 10 match up. The 2009 edition was no letdown. In front of a packed "White House," the Nittany Lions started out bang, connecting on their first play from scrimmage for a TD. After grinding out a long drive on their second possession, PSU had to settle for a short field goal. Little did they know that would be their final points of the game. Two of the leagues top defense dug in for the next 2 quarters. Trailing 10-5 early in the 4th, Iowa made their move in front of the national ABC audience. Defensive end Adrian Clayborn started the scoring by blocking a punt and returning it 53 yards for 6. The following Penn State possessions would end in interception, fumble, interception. It was like deja vu all over again. The Hawkeyes celebrated with their fans while Deryll Clark sat on the bench with his head in his hands. This tremdenous effort put the Hawekeyes back on the national map and into the Top 25, a place they have remained until present date.