After suffering its first losing season in six years in 2012, Iowa (8-4, 5-3 Big Ten) displayed major progress in 2013. With a new starter at quarterback, the Hawkeyes relied on a run game that averaged 188 yards a game and a stout defense that ranked 11th in the nation in points allowed. These strengths helped the Hawkeyes finish second in the Big Ten Legends division. Here’s a breakdown of the entire Iowa season, game by game:
Aug 31 Northern Illinois 30 Iowa 27
Iowa lost its season opener by three points to the Northern Illinois Huskies, who eventually finished the season 12-2. The Huskies were led by their senior quarterback and Heisman finalist Jordan Lynch, who romped his way to 331 total yards and 3 touchdowns. Iowa sophomore quarterback Jake Rudock did well in his first start, throwing for a touchdown and more than 250 yards, but a late Rudock interception set up the game-winning field goal for the Huskies with four seconds left.
Sept 7 Iowa 28 Missouri State 14
The Hawkeyes snapped a seven game losing streak dating back to the 2012 season with a win against Football Championship Subdivision school Missouri State. Iowa never trailed, and junior fullback Mark Weisman carried the team with 180 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Sept 14 Iowa 27 @Iowa State 21
In what may have been the Hawkeyes most important win of the year, Iowa took home the Cy-Hawk trophy with a close win against in-state rival Iowa State in Ames. Iowa shut out its opponents in the first half and held a 20 point lead at one point in the fourth. Time of possession was key for Iowa, as it held the ball for more than 38 minutes.
Sept 21 Iowa 59 West. Michigan 3
In their final game before Big Ten play, the Hawkeyes dominated a Western Michigan team that would record just one victory on the year. Iowa became the second FBS team in the last 10 seasons with two punt return touchdowns and two interception return touchdowns in one game.
Sept 28 Iowa 23 @Minnesota 7
In their second road test in three weeks, the Hawkeyes responded valiantly, scoring the first 20 points of the game and dominating conference opponent Minnesota. Weisman recorded his fourth 100-yard game of the year, while the defense held Minnesota to just 165 total yards, the lowest total for Minnesota all season.
Oct 5 Michigan State 26 Iowa 14
The Hawkeyes ran into a brick wall against a stout Michigan State defense, losing at home to the eventual Big Ten champions. Iowa held the lead at halftime following two Rudock touchdowns, but the Spartan defense stiffened in the second half. Michigan State pitched a shutout in the second half and scored 16 points of their own.
Oct 19 @Ohio St. 34 Iowa 24
In a game few gave the Hawkeyes a chance to even contend, Iowa hung with the Buckeyes for three quarters before falling off the pace in the second half. Rudock had one of the best games of his career, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns. The Hawkeyes led by seven at halftime, but the Buckeyes took over in the second half, holding the ball for over 23 minutes and putting up more than 300 yards.
Oct 26 Iowa 17 Northwestern 10 (OT)
Senior tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz caught a touchdown pass to give Iowa a lead in overtime, and its defense sealed the win, sacking Northwestern senior quarterback Kain Colter on fourth down. The Hawkeyes’ defense finished with six sacks, a season-high up to that point.
Nov 2 Wisconsin 28 Iowa 9
The Hawkeyes could not control the Wisconsin rushing attack, as the Badgers ran for over 200 yards in Iowa’s worst loss of the season. The game remained within seven points until the fourth, when Wisconsin senior running back James White scored a pair of touchdowns to put the game out of reach.
Nov 9 Iowa 38 @Purdue 14
Iowa continued its excellence on the road with a blowout victory over the struggling Purdue Boilermakers. Iowa sophomore running back Jordan Canzeri, who struggled to get get carries early in the season, ran for 165 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries, helping the team outgain the Boilermakers by nearly 250 yards.
Nov 23 Iowa 24 Michigan 21
After a first half filled with turnovers and a missed field goal, the Hawkeyes rallied from 14 points down to defeat the Michigan Wolverines on Senior Day. Michigan junior quarterback Devin Gardner was held to less than 100 yards passing, and the Hawkeyes dominated the Wolverines in total yardage.
Nov 29 Iowa 38 @Nebraska 17
Iowa finished its season an impressive 4-1 on the road, as the Hawkeyes won their first game in Nebraska since 1941. The key to the game was turnovers, as Iowa converted an interception, fumble and turnover on downs into the deciding 21 points.
Contact Tommy Romanach at [email protected]
