The Iowa football team defeated Indiana, 35-27.

By Danny Payne
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BLOOMINGTON, Indiana — This was a close one, kind of. After Indiana kicked a field goal to make it 21-20 early in the fourth quarter, I told Charlie Iowa’s either going to do just enough to win or just enough to lose. I was wrong. Iowa played four good quarters, Indiana played three.

Either way, Iowa is 9-0.

Here are some observations from the second half. More coverage coming later on.

• If you want to talk about a gritty second half, you’ve come to the right place. After a scoreless third, and solid defense from both sides, Indiana was able to put a field goal on the board very early in the fourth quarter.
• Iowa, on the ensuing drive, showed Indiana who was going to win this game. The Hawks converted on second-and-15 and third-and-11 on a drive eventually capped by a 1-yard touchdown rush from LeShun Daniels Jr. C.J. Beathard was spectacular, escaped a few times, and showed all of the poise in the world. Absolutely his best game since he’s been injured.
• The Hawkeye defense got a stop on the next drive, and it was over from there. Iowa drove down the field, picked up another touchdown in the form of a 11-yard touchdown catch from George Kittle.
• For what it’s worth, head coach Kirk Ferentz and wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy were on the field trying to call a time-out before that play. Ferentz was at the Big Ten logo at the 25, and wasn’t granted the time-out.
• Desmond King is so crazy good. In Iowa’s ninth game of the season, he grabbed his eighth interception, which tied Nile Kinnick and Lou King for the Hawkeye single-season record. Granted it was a bad ball from Nate Sudfeld, but give props for King to make that catch and get his foot down in bounds.
• We’ll have more coverage later on this evening and in our print edition, so be sure to stick with us for everything you need to know about Iowa’s win over the Hoosiers.
• Hell of a throw-and-catch from Sudfeld to Nate Cooper with 2:24 remaining.
• Mini-scare on the onside kick after the Hoosiers made it 35-27. Jacob Hillyer missed the recovery, but Travis Perry eventually came out of the scrum with the ball. From there, the Hawks just had to pick up a first down, and things were over. C.J. Beathard’s naked boot did just that.
• Statistics are for your viewing pleasure below. Be safe tonight, everyone.