Following the season opening thrilling win over Northern Iowa, many Hawkeye fans were unsure how good this team would be. A feat that has never been done before, Iowa blocked two field goals to end the game giving them a 17-16 win over the FCS national power. But the next week was the exception to the rule as the Hawkeyes steamrolled their in-state FBS rival, Iowa State, 35-3.
Teams like Arizona, Arkansas State, Wisconsin and Michigan each gave the Hawkeyes everything they could handle as they had to fight from behind if some to keep a winning streak alive. But it was games against Michigan State, Penn State, Indiana and Minnesota that may give Hawkeye fans their lasting memories.
In Happy Valley, an Adrian Clayborn punt block and return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter put Iowa ahead for good. Behind, and looking sub-par heading into the fourth quarter against Indiana, the Hawkeyes played their best quarter on offense including back to back touchdown passes of 60+ yards as well as two rushing touchdowns by freshman Brandon Wegher for the win over the Hoosiers.
In order to hold onto the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, Iowa held Minnesota twice in the fourth quarter on fourth down to preserve the victory. And finally who will ever forget the last second, fourth down touchdown pass of Ricky Stanzi to Marvin McNutt to beat Michigan State to set a school record of eight consecutive wins to begin a season.
Hawkeye fans had reason to enjoy every game this season. Except for Iowa State, each game went down to the wire and provided some of the best football outcomes ever seen by an Iowa team. It convinced them, that no matter what the score is, there was never a time to not stop believing.
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