Following a dramatic comeback win over Penn State, Iowa football returns to Kinnick Stadium for a matchup against rival Minnesota. Both squads enter the contest at 5-2 overall and 3-1 in Big Ten play and enter this game playing some of their best football of the season. The Golden Gophers dispatched then- No. 25 Nebraska last Friday after sacking Cornhuskers quarterback Dylan Raiola nine times to set a new program record. The Hawkeyes have won 10 out of the last 11 games in the series, with the lone loss coming in 2023.
Iowa running backs TJ Washington and Jaziun Patterson are active for Saturday’s game, while tight end DJ Vonnahme is out. Minnesota defensive back John Nestor makes his return from injury to face his old team after missing last weekend’s game against Nebraska.
Kickoff from Kinnick Stadium is set for 2:30 p.m.
COIN TOSS: Iowa wins the toss and elects to receive.
1Q: Iowa 7, Minnesota 0 – The Hawkeyes waste no time, executing a perfect blend of rushing and passing plays on the way to a 75-yard touchdown drive. Quarterback Mark Gronowski caps off the drive with a two-yard score, his 11th rushing touchdown of the season.
8:36 1Q: Iowa 7, Minnesota 0 – The crowd at Kinnick Stadium is already roaring, and the Iowa defense responds by forcing a Minnesota three-and-out. The Hawkeye offense will begin at its own 38 after a timeout.
3:24 1Q: Iowa 10, Minnesota 0 – Iowa drives right down the field and even converts a 4th and 1 in Minnesota territory, but a busted read-option play on the ensuing first down play kills the Hawkeyes’ drive. Drew Stevens connects on a 34-yard field goal to extend Iowa’s lead.
2:57 1Q: Iowa 17, Minnesota 0 – Gopher quarterback Drake Linsey’s pass to begin the drive is intercepted by Hawkeye defensive back Zach Lutmer, who takes it 34 yards to the house for a pick-six. Iowa is rolling.
1Q: Iowa 17, Minnesota 0 – The Hawkeyes force another Minnesota three-and-out. Minnesota punter Tom Weston shanks the punt, and Iowa will begin its next series at the Minnesota 45.
13:33 2Q: Iowa 24, Minnesota 0 – The Hawkeyes continue their offensive avalanche on a 29-yard touchdown catch by second-year wide receiver Reece Vander Zee, his first of the season. The play also marked Gronowski’s first touchdown pass since Week 3.
11:23 2Q: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – Minnesota’s offense can’t seem to figure out how to move the ball, and it goes backwards on the drive. Iowa punt returner Kaden Wetjen follows up by taking Weston’s punt 36 yards for a touchdown. This is turning into a beatdown.
2Q: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – The Gophers manage their first first down of the ballgame, but defensive lineman Aaron Graves ends any chance of a successful drive by sacking Lindsey on third down. The Hawkeyes will take over at the 25 after a timeout.
HALFTIME: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – Both teams struggle to move the ball after that, but the first half was all Iowa from the start. The Hawkeye defense held the Gophers to just 44 total yards in the half.
13:38 3Q: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – Minnesota connects for 14 yards on the first play from scrimmage, but Lindsey’s pass is intercepted by Iowa defensive back TJ Hall on the far sideline, marking the Hawkeyes’ second interception of the day.
9:53 3Q: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – Gronowski’s pass to Jacob Gill is caught one yard short of the first down marker, and Iowa is forced to punt. The Gophers will regain possession at their own 18-yard line.
8:00 3Q: Iowa 31, Minnesota 0 – Ethan Hurkett’s second down sack quickly ends Minnesota’s drive before it can begin. The Hawkeyes will take over at the Gopher 47 after a timeout.
4:06 3Q: Iowa 34, Minnesota 0- A 19-yard completion from Gronowski to tight end Zach Ortwerth positions Iowa for another touchdown, but two consecutive negative plays halt the drive. Stevens’ 46-yard field goal attempt is good, and the Hawkeyes extend their lead.
0:03 3Q: Iowa 34, Minnesota 3 – Defensive back Koen Entringer’s 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalty extends the drive, and the Gophers capitalize with a 33-yard field goal to get on the board.
14:09 4Q: Iowa 34, Minnesota 3 – The Hawkeyes are unable to do anything offensively and are forced to punt. Minnesota will take over at its own 30.
4Q: Iowa 34, Minnesota 3 – Iowa forces another three-and-out and will have good field position at its own 37 after a timeout.
4Q: Iowa 41, Minnesota 3 – Redshirt freshman linebacker Cam Buffington secures the Hawkeyes’ third interception of the day and takes it down to the Gopher 21-yard line. Backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski takes over for Gronowski and secures his first Iowa touchdown on a six-yard run for the exclamation point.
FINAL: Iowa 41, Minnesota 3 – The Hawkeyes dominate this one from start to finish improving to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in Big Ten play.
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