My #6 - Iowa 21 - Penn State 10 2009. On a rainy evening, and in front of a national television audience, revenge was on the minds of all those wearing white in the Beaver Stadium "White House." A year earlier the Hawkeyes defeated the Nittany Lions in Iowa City and crushed any hopes Penn State would have at playing for the national title. Throughout the day there were signs that the Blue and White naiton hadn't forgotten. ESPN GameDay was live from the Central PA campus and a vendictive attitude towards those wearing black and gold could be felt. We were warned by locals the night before that if anyone was to venture into the college area, we would better off not wearing Iowa colors. Prior to State taking the field, "the kick" - Iowa's last second field goal for victory in '08 - was shown to fire up the crowd. Rain didn't damper their enthusiasm, and on the first offensive play, the Nittany Lions connected on a 79 yard pass play for a touchdown and the sold out crowd provided the most noise that I can ever remember. The fans began jumping and the outdated press box was shaking. But when these two teams meet, and in this case as undefeateds, the game was far from over. After the Nittany Lions took the seven point lead, the Iowa defense made it difficult for Penn State to move the ball. A safety in the end zone and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown made set the tone for the night and Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark, who wanted to redeem himself for the loss in '08, picked up where he left off and threw for three interceptions. An Adam Robinson run for touchdown sealed the game, and a Daniel Murray field goal put it out of reach for a Hawkeye victory, the seventh in the last eight games with Penn State. Afterwards there was no doubt that Iowa was a player in the national polls.
Amy T #6 - Iowa 30 - Wisconsin 7 2004. With a share of the Big Ten title on the line, and the introduction of the Heartland Trophy, the Hawkeyes shut down the border rivals Badgers securing a spot in the Capital One Bowl.
Phil H #6 - Iowa 42 - Penn State 35 (2OT) 2002 - Iowa kicked off the Big Ten season in style by taking a big lead on the Nittany Lions, only to let them back into the game. The defense rose to the occassion in the second OT keeping Penn State out of the end zone. The win was the first of eight consecutive victories in the conference.
Pete #6 - Iowa 6 - Penn State 4 2004 - Iowa scored two field goals and gave up two safeties to the Nittany Lions for one of the more unique games in the series.
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Pip's #6 - 2002 Iowa 34 Michigan 9. On a rainy and foggy day Iowa beat Michigan badly in the big house. After Michigan fumbled a punt return in the 3rd quarter Iowa scored on the ensuing drive and controlled the rest of the game. The win was the first over Michigan since 1990 and it was a significant win during the perfect run through the Big Ten in 2002.
Al's #6 - 2005 Iowa 20 Wisconsin 10. In a season that had more bad times than good, this game proved to be the high point of the season. Coming off of 2 vomit inducing losses the Hawks headed to Madison hoping to retain the Heartland Trophy. There was more on the line than a Bull that Saturday afternoon as it was Coach Alvarez's last game on the Camp Randall sideline. The Badger crowd was was a sea of white towels, reminiscent of the 1999 Ron Dayne Game. Iowa spotted Bucky 10 1st quarter points but that was all she wrote for Barry's team. The Hawks put up 20 straight points behind Tate and Young while the slumping defense did the rest in one of their best performances of the season. This game was a season saver of sorts, helping propel the Hawks to 4th straight New Years Day bowl.
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