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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Need a play? Call Akrum.

October 8, 2016
Iowa running back Akrum Wadley runs in for 54-yard touchdown during the Iowa-Minnesota game at TCF Banks Stadium in Minneapolis on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016. The Hawkeyes defeated the Golden Gophers, 14-7. (The Daily Iowan/Margaret Kispert)

By Jordan Hansen | [email protected]

MINNEAPOLIS — Akrum Wadley only saw daylight.

Nevermind a whole cluster of Minnesota defenders were converging on the Iowa running back as he took an inside handoff from quarterback C.J. Beathard late in the fourth quarter. Forget about the rapidly closing hole that it still seems impossible he burst through.

He still had to make players miss. Wadley did, stepping off to the side to avoid a diving Gopher defender, giving Iowa back the lead and eventually Floyd of Rosedale as well.

The Gophers weren’t able to score again. Final score: Iowa 14, Minnesota 7.

“We ran that play right before half, and it worked for me, so we went back to it,” Wadley said. “The line did a great job blocking … all I had to do was beat one guy, and I was off to the races.”

The play worked, even though a whole host of things didn’t for Iowa on Oct. 8. There were 2 Beathard interceptions (the first time he’s thrown more than one in a college game) as well as fumbles and dropped passes.

It wasn’t pretty, by any means.

But the Hawkeyes beat the Gophers and remained in the hunt for the Big Ten West Division title. They got the taste of a terrible loss to Northwestern last week out of their mouth and are now 2-0 in trophy games, 2-1 in Big Ten play.

“It’s a lot more fun when you’re winning,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “This is only one game, but I’m really proud of the way I think we took a positive step today.”

Perhaps the most noticeable change was in the defense. Iowa harassed Minnesota quarterback Mitch Leidner throughout the day. He only completed 13-of-33 passes for 166 yards (75 of which came on an ill-fated final drive) and 2 interceptions.

He missed badly throughout the day but was also the victim of a fairly consistent Iowa pass rush as well as solid play from the defensive secondary.

“It’s just knowing your job,” safety Brandon Snyder said. “It’s just focusing on the details. It was more focused on us, but they were obviously a team that wanted to run the ball and take a couple shots. That’s exactly what they did.

“All the details that we haven’t been great at we were better at today.”

During the first half, the little things were killing Iowa. Short-yardage runs that went nowhere, penalties, and drops were all issues during the first half. The Hawkeyes had 137 yards of offense in the first 30 minutes, but it only spawned a 3-0 halftime lead.

Keith Duncan tacked on another field goal in the third quarter to push the lead to 6-0, but a long drive by Minnesota four minutes later gave the Gophers a lead it didn’t look like they’d relinquish.

But the Iowa defense was able to hold Minnesota to 0-for-5 on third down in the fourth quarter.

While the Gophers did have one last gasp, getting the ball all the way to the Iowa 18, cornerback Greg Mabin was able to make a play, knocking the ball away on a fourth and 15.

Game. Set. Match.

Iowa is now 4-2 and is only looking ahead.

“We just need to keep doing what we did,” Wadley said. “Celebrate this, 24-hour rule, and get back to the grind. It’s on to the next game after the 24 hours.”

Follow @JordyHansen for Iowa football news, updates, and analysis.

 

 

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