This was the biggest game of the season for Iowa. Hype brewing all week. The whole nation was recognizing it too, with Big Noon Kickoff coverage outside of the Old Capitol yesterday morning. The entire city was feeling the buzz. It wasn’t just a big upset the Hawkeyes eyed. It was a shot at the college football playoffs.
A streak of sunny and rather warm days in early November ended with a depressing gray and chilly downpour, making it an uncomfortable environment to play in. Later, that would clearly become a key factor. The Hawkeyes got off to an extremely slow start on all fronts, quarterback Mark Gronowski anchoring down the offense in some poor passes and decisions. Oregon soon drew first blood when a long snap on Iowa’s second punt of the evening went soaring over the head of Rhys Dakin. Dakin sprinted back and did some quick thinking, batting the ball in the endzone and then booting it out to surrender two points. Although the yellow laundry was thrown, they’d rather two points than dish out a free touchdown to the Ducks.
The defense for Iowa looked strong in the first quarter, with Oregon’s opening offensive drive seeing three balls hit the turf from the arm of star quarterback Dante Moore. Later on, Iowa defensive back Deshaun Lee hawked and intercepted a pass on a crucial defensive stop. Following the takeaway from the Hawkeyes, the Ducks ran the football for majority of the game, wanting to sway away from passing to a banged up wide receiver room. The rushing attack dominated for the Ducks, as they put up a whopping 261 yards on the ground. Four different players rushed for over 40 yards. Senior Noah Whittington led the way with 118 yards and averaged 6.9 yards per carry. The Ducks lone touchdown came on an outside run from Dierre Hill Jr. who found his way into the endzone for a 19-yard score.
Iowa found life in their responding drive, as Gronowski dropped a deep ball right into the hands of Jacob Gill for a 38-yard gain, taking them inside Oregon’s 5-yard line. On the next play, Gronowski hit a wide open D.J. Vonnahme, the Hawkeyes leading receiver, for a touchdown. This scoring drive would spark life into Mark Gronowski, as he would shake off his previous mistakes. We had a ball game in Kinnick.
On their first offensive drive of the second half, Iowa marched into the red zone. A touchdown would be monumental with them trailing 12-7. But a fumble from Kaden Wetjen, recovered by Oregon, swept the breath out of the Hawkeye faithful. It was dead silent in the sold out crowd. The Ducks found three points on the ensuing drive, thanks to a Dante Moore 49-yard rush that set them up for a field goal. 15-7.
Early in the 4th, the Hawkeyes ran into a 4th & 5 from the Oregon 40. Expecting Rhys Dakin to trot onto the field, fans were surprised to see Drew Stevens come out, and a little uneasy remembering the last time Kirk Ferentz sent out his field goal unit for a long try. But Stevens put ease into Kinnick. He nailed a career long, and program best, 58-yard field goal, making it a 15-10 game. Iowa wasn’t going away easily.
Derailed by penalties, Oregon struggled to find life on their next drive. Forced to punt, they pinned Iowa on their own seven yard line. A 93-yard drive was needed out of Iowa, which for a Kirk Ferentz led offense, felt like a distant and unattainable dream. But dreams can come true. Served with great protection, Gronowski found his earlier touchdown scorer, Vonnahme, for a long 40-yard gain putting Iowa already into Ducks territory. The crowd, soaked from pouring rain, was going berserk.
Iowa continued to chug. They converted a 4th & 3 on a pass over the middle pass to Reece Vander Zee. Heart attacks were inevitable in Kinnick. On the next play, Iowa’s leading rusher Kamari Moulton bowled down to the Oregon 10 yard line. Oregon stood tall, all the way until 4th & goal at the 3-yard line. For Iowa, it was now or never. For Gronowski specifically, it was now. Out of a five-wide package, on a designed draw, he quickly stepped away from pressure and cruised into the endzone untouched for the touchdown. Against all odds and an incredible 93-yard scoring drive, the Hawks had the lead.
The crowd, lively for a moment, dulled again after a miraculous two point conversion catch made by Kamari Moulton was called back. Leading by one, the pressure was on Phil Parker and his defense. While Dante Moore had handed the ball off the majority of the game, he wasn’t afraid to sling it. Moore would dart a ball to Malik Benson, covered tightly by TJ Hall up the right sideline. Benson would haul it in on a beautifully placed ball from his quarterback to put Oregon in field goal range. The remaining seconds ticked away as the Ducks chipped closer and closer. Ducks kicker Atticus Sappington trotted out for a 39-yard game-winning attempt. A dream scenario for any kicker. Sappington was perfect on the night, and needed just one more. On a miraculously clean snap and hold amidst pouring rain and a crazed Kinnick, his kick pierced through the goalposts. He remained perfect, and the Ducks came away with the victory, 18-16.
Not all stories can have happy endings. Mark Gronowski has brought some unthinkable life into the team, especially the offense. There was genuine hope this team would find a playoff spot. But in a win or die situation, the Hawkeyes fell just short to Oregon, postseason play now completely out of the equation. Iowa, already bowl-eligible, looks to finish out the year strong. They’ll fly to California to take on a ranked USC team on Saturday.