This game was over from the opening kickoff. The Iowa Hawkeyes showed up ready to play and completely overpowered Minnesota, winning 41-3. In the first half, Iowa scored a defensive touchdown, a special
teams touchdown and the offense added 17 more to take a 31-0 lead into halftime. The second half was a formality.
At the half, Minnesota had (-9) yards rushing, one turnover (for a touchdown) and five punts (one returned for a touchdown). As he was being interviewed at the break, he said that everything that could have gone wrong did. He was very right.
In the second half, it was not quite as bad, but the Gopher offense never found any rhythm against the Hawkeye defense. On their opening possession in the third quarter, Drake Lindsey threw deep to Jameson Geers which was intercepted. It was his second of the game, which would eventually become three.
The offense had 44 total yards in the first half and 89 in the second. And the Gopher rushing attack got to positive yards with just under five minutes remaining in the game.
The teams traded field goals for the third quarter, at least the Gophers got on the board. And at this point, most Gopher fans likely turned the TV off. The Iowa second string offense got plenty of work in the 4th quarter, scoring a touchdown and finishing off the win for the Hawkeyes.
A very frustrating and embarassing game in all phases. Drake Lindsey made several poor decisions, the running backs dropped a ton of passes, the defense was OK but they were not a physical as the Iowa front and the Iowa staff outcoached the Minnesota staff. Iowa has now won 10 of the last 11 games in the rivalry.
This was a day to forget and a day full of learning opportunities for the young players on the Gopehr roster. On the season, Minnesota is undefeated at home and now is 0-3 on the road.
Up next is a home game against Michigan State next Saturday.
