Following their second and final bye week of the season, the N0. 20 Iowa football team returns to Kinnick Stadium for a marquee matchup against No. 9 Oregon. Both teams enter the contest with hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff, but the loser of today’s game will likely be eliminated from contention. Led by star sophomore quarterback Dante Moore, the Ducks boast a balanced offensive attack that has scored 41.5 points per game this year, but the unit will be without leading wide receiver Dakorien Moore due to an injury. On the flip side, the Hawkeyes are clean on the injury front.
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the two programs and first since 1994, a 40-18 Oregon victory. The Ducks are making their first visit to Kinnick Stadium since 1989, when Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz was the Hawkeyes’ offensive line coach under Hayden Fry.
Kickoff from Kinnick Stadium is set for 2:40 p.m. on CBS.
COIN TOSS: Oregon wins the toss and elects to defer to the second half. Iowa will open the game with the football.
13:26 1Q: Iowa 0, Oregon 0, – Mark Gronowski had Jacob Gill open for a first down, but the pass is off the mark. Rhys Dakin’s punt is a wobbler that lands at the 49-yard line.
13:05 1Q: Iowa 0, Oregon 0 – The Ducks aren’t able to capitalize on the good field position and go three-and-out. The punt sails into the end zone for a touchback, and the Hawkeyes will begin their next series at the 25-yard line.
9:55 1Q: Oregon 2, Iowa 0 – Iowa gets the game’s first first down, but Gronowski’s pass on 3rd and 3 to Gill is again low. The ball is then snapped over Dakin’s head, and he is forced to kick it out of the back of the end zone for a safety. Oregon has the early lead.
5:16 1Q: Oregon 2, Iowa 0 – The Ducks drive deep into Iowa territory, but Dante Moore’s pass is intercepted by Hawkeye defensive back Deshaun Lee in the end zone. Iowa escapes danger.
1Q: Oregon 2, Iowa 0 – The Hawkeyes open with a couple of first downs, but a poorly executed 2nd down play halts the drive. Oregon will take over at its own 18.
11:46 2Q: Oregon 9, Iowa 0 – The Ducks march right down the field thanks to a dominant rushing attack, and Dierre Hill Jr. breaks through several Iowa tacklers for a 19-yard touchdown.
5:43 2Q: Oregon 9, Iowa 7 – The Hawkeye offense responds with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to get right back in the game. A 38-yard completion to Gill sets up a three-yard touchdown pass to tight end DJ Vonnahme. Iowa is back in this one.
3:08 2Q: Oregon 9, Iowa 7 – An offensive pass interference call helps the Hawkeye defense get off the field. Iowa has the ball at its own 27-yard line with a chance to take the lead.
1:53 2Q: Oregon 9, Iowa 7 – The Hawkeyes reach midfield, but the Ducks bring a blitz and sack Gronowski on a 3rd and 6. Dakin booms a 48-yard punt to flip the field, and Oregon will start at its own 20.
HALFTIME: Oregon 12, Iowa 7 – Ducks running back Cam Whittington continues to carve up Iowa’s front four, allowing Oregon to have a chance at points before the break. Atticus Sappington’s 46-yard field goal attempt is good, and the Ducks take a five-point lead into the intermission.
13:32 3Q: Oregon 12, Iowa 7 – Moore’s third down pass is deflected at the line of scrimmage by Max Llewellyn. Iowa will take over at its own 33-yard line after a timeout.
6:15 3Q: The Hawkeyes drive the ball down to the Oregon 17-yard line, but the normally-dependable Kaden Wetjen fumbles on second down. Wetjen was initially ruled down, but the officials determined it was indeed a fumble and a clear Duck recovery after review. Oregon takes over at its own 13.
0:44 3Q: Oregon 15, Iowa 7 – The Ducks capitalize on Wetjen’s costly turnover, but can’t extend the lead to two scores. Sappington’s 40-yard field goal try is good, and Oregon now leads by the maximum one-score lead of eight points.
12:59 4Q: Oregon 15, Iowa 10 – Iowa gets down in Duck territory, but the drive stalls out. Ferentz opts to try a 58-yard field goal attempt, and Drew Stevens has just enough leg to get it over the crossbar to slice the deficit to five. That ties a Kinnick Stadium and Iowa program record, and it’s also the longest in Stevens’ career.
8:56 4Q: Oregon 15, Iowa 10 – Iowa’s run defense continues to struggle, but Oregon shoots itself in the foot with some penalties, and is forced to punt. The Hawkeyes will be backed up on their own eight-yard line.
FINAL: Oregon 18, Iowa 16 – Gronowski’s touchdown run gives Iowa the lead with under a minute to play, but the Ducks march right down the field and Sappington wins the game with a 39-yard field goal. A last ditch effort is all for naught, and the Hawkeyes drop another heartbreaking game at Kinnick Stadium.
This is a developing story. Check back here or @dipregame on X for updates.