Iowa Hawkeyes Fight Back for Respect

Stunned disbelief was all that could be seen on the faces of the Michigan State Spartan fans Saturday night after the Iowa Hawkeyes scored a last second touchdown to win 15-13 in East Lansing, Mich.

Those fans shouldn't have been so shocked, and neither should the rest of the country, as the Hawkeyes, then ranked #6, have been doing it all year against some very tough opponents.

Saturday's game against the Spartans, who were also right in the race for a Big 10 title and had narrow road losses to Notre Dame and Wisconsin, wasn't pretty but in it the Hawkeyes continued to show the team character that has led to the team's first 8-0 start in the 120-year history of Iowa football.

Defense ruled much of the game as the Spartans and Hawkeyes traded field goals until Iowa had a 9-6 lead. With 1:37 remaining in the game, Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins hit Blair White for a 30-yard touchdown pass to take a 13-9 lead. That drive included a hook and ladder play by the Spartans that helped set up the go-ahead score.

However, just as they've done all year, the Iowa Hawkeyes refused to give up. Having experience beating good teams on the road, including Penn State and Wisconsin, as well as a win over the PAC-10's Arizona Wildcats, the Hawkeyes took the ball from their own 30 with that 1:37 remaining.

Although Hawkeye quarterback Ricki Stanzi struggled all night, throwing for just 78 yards to that point, on that final drive he threw for 58 yards and drove the Hawkeyes to a first and goal from the eight yard line.

The first three attempts at getting the pigskin over the goal line failed, similar a drive earlier in the game. However, with a field goal meaning nothing, Stanzi brought the Hawkeyes to the line of scrimmage on fourth and goal with two seconds left in the game. A quick drop and strike to wide receiver Marvin McNutt and that stunned disbelief on the part of the Spartan faithful could be felt as he crossed the goal line and the Hawkeyes celebrated the historic win.

Now, not only is Iowa 8-0 for the first time in its history, it is in the driver's seat for a Big 10 title. However, standing in the way is an Ohio State Buckeye team that put a shellacking on the Minnesota Golden Gophers Saturday. Of course, a week ago those Buckeyes looked so bad against the Purdue Boilermakers some fans in Columbus, Ohio, called for Buckeye coach Jim Tressel's job. That game to be played at The Horseshoe in Columbus on Nov. 14, will provide the Hawkeyes with yet another tough road challenge, depending on which Buckeye team decides to show up. We know which Hawkeye team will visit.

After the game Saturday at Spartan Stadium, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz pointed out to the Big Ten Network that his Hawkeyes have been nationally ranked the last two weeks but were still underdogs going into those games against two very tough conference opponents who, nonetheless, were not ranked. It will be interesting to see whether the Hawkeyes have gained a little respect yet.

Sources:

The Big Ten Network

http://cfn.scout.com/2/912670.html

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=292970127