2008
Sure, Iowa’s recent 21-10 victory over then-No. 5 Penn State had the hype.
It had two undefeated teams, the prime-time TV coverage, ESPN “Gameday.”
It was on the road in front of 109,316 fans inside a whited-out Beaver Stadium.
But here’s the thing … (wait for it).
This year’s win never could have happened without the one in 2008.
No way the Hawkeyes would have gone into Happy Valley, not shown up in the first quarter, and still have the confidence to claw their way back to win the game if they hadn’t won last year in Kinnick.
The 24-23 upset over the No. 3 Nittany Lions — a much better team than this year’s version — came at a time when the wheels were about to come off the Hawkeye Nation bus. At the time, Iowa was 5-4 overall, 2-3 in the Big Ten.
The four losses had come by a combined 12 points, including a devastating three-point loss at Illinois the week before. The frustration was building and a second-straight year without a bowl invitation looked inescapable with Penn State, Purdue, and Minnesota to go.
Everyone had counted Iowa out before the game.
But the comeback win gave the Hawkeyes the momentum to beat the Boilermakers (22-17) and the Golden Gophers (55-0), as well as dominate South Carolina (31-10) in the Outback Bowl on Jan. 1.
Iowa finished the season winning six out of its last seven games, leading to a No. 22 preseason AP ranking and a renewed swagger that carried over to this fall.
I’m not saying this season’s victory wasn’t fulfilling by any means. I’m not greedy. A win is a win.
But how does anything top the drama of a last-second field goal by a hometown player in front of a sellout home crowd that produced one of the best field rushes in recent memory?
That’s why 2008’s win is bigger than 2009’s.
— by Robbie Lehman
2009
When Iowa beat Penn State last year on kicker Daniel Murray’s game-winning field goal, it was a miracle.
Last weekend’s win over Joe Paterno’s squad, however, was a statement victory.
Last season — Hannah Montana. This season — The Sopranos.
One was a cute, Disney-movie ready shocker by a middling Big Ten team. The other was an undefeated squad winning a convincing road game in arguably the most difficult surroundings in all of college football.
One gave Iowa a pat on the head. The other, a nod of respect.
Some may argue the Black and Gold have received too much respect, leaping 18 spots in the recent AP poll, going from the 31st team in the country to 13th.
But Iowa has earned it.
When Iowa beat the Nittany Lions on Sept. 26, it was the culmination of an under-the-radar run the Hawkeyes have been on since defeating Penn State last season. Since last year’s upset, Iowa has gone unbeaten, which includes notching the Big Ten’s lone bowl win.
There is a reason the “GameDay” crew set up camp in Happy Valley. The game meant more then last year, where the only interest in Iowa City was whether the Hawkeyes could spoil Penn State’s bid for a national championship.
Three days ago, Iowa was a team on the rise, and Penn State wanted blood. Ignore Joe Paterno’s scoffing at revenge talk.
When Daryll Clark hooked up with Chaz Powell for a 79-yard touchdown pass on the Nittany Lions’ first offensive play of the game, you could see it. Clark lost his mind, almost hulk-flexing through his jersey.
He wanted this one, and he wanted Iowa to feel the pain he experienced at Kinnick Stadium last season.
But Iowa survived, cutting off a massacre before it began. Without Bryan Bulaga or Tony Moeaki, and with two running backs experiencing their first Big Ten road game, Iowa stayed in the fight like Rocky Balboa against Ivan Drago.
The Hawkeyes broke the Nittany Lions. And unlike last season, no one is calling it a miracle.
For the first time in years, Iowa is truly in the running for Big Ten control. And finally, the rest of the country realizes it.
— by Sean Morgan
