A week after facing off against eventual Legends division champion Michigan State, a game in which the Hawkeyes committed three turnovers at critical moments and couldn’t stop Kirk Cousins’ wide receivers or Spartan running back Le’Veon Bell (20 rush, 112 yards, 1 touchdown), the Iowa Hawkeyes finally soothed their road rage in a 31-21 win over Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium.

Before last Saturday’s game at Purdue, concern simmered near boiling point in Iowa City after Iowa’s loosely played 37-21 loss to the Spartans.  In the Hawks first loss at home (and last home game) this season,  James Vandenberg threw a rare interception, resurgent defensive back and kick returner Jordan Bernstine inexplicably fumbled on a return, and the consistently suspect Iowa defense could not do enough in the first half to control the damage of Iowa’s turnovers.  Kirk Cousins took every opportunity given to him, throwing three first half touchdowns.

The second half started to look like an unlikely Hawkeye comeback, as Iowa closed the 31-7 halftime score to 34-21 on touchdowns by Marcus Coker and Marvin McNutt.

Any hopes of making the game competitive evaporated, however, when Zach Derby caught a pass inside the red zone and fumbled midway through the 4th quarter.  The Spartans took the third Iowa turnover of the game and marched down the field to kick a field goal, settling the 37-21 final score.

While Iowa committed three turnovers over the course of the game, Michigan State committed none.  The superior green-clad defense left Kinnick Stadium largely the same, stuffing Marcus Coker and draping over Vandenberg’s wide receivers.  It was evident that day that Iowa was not in the same league as Michigan State.

…

Fast forward a week, and Iowa’s trip to Purdue looked daunting.  While not particularly spectacular in one single area of play, the Boilermakers were playing at home and had upset Ohio State the week before, 26-23 in overtime.  At 5-4, Purdue sought to take advantage of a seemingly weak road competitor in Iowa and become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007.  Questions hovered over the Hawkeye players’ willingness to turn the last two games of the season into worthwhile outings.  The “team identity” questions persisted, as Iowa had lost their last game at home by the widest margin since a 38-20 loss to Indiana in 2007.  Questions regarding Marvin McNutt, however, had been answered weeks before.  The senior wide receiver, Iowa’s all-timer, had left the Michigan State with his fourth straight 100-yard receiving game, and seventh of the season.

By the time it was all said and done Saturday at Purdue, Iowa’s “triplets” (Vandenberg, McNutt, and Coker) had their way and the Hawkeyes got their first road win of the year.  Vandenberg threw three touchdown passes, two to McNutt, and Coker blasted a short touchdown with 139 yards rushing.  McNutt finished the game with 151 yards receiving on 9 catches, his fifth straight 100-yard receiving game and eighth 100-yard receiving game overall.  The eight 100-yard receiving games is a decade high in the Big Ten.  McNutt now has 1240 season receiving yards, 12 touchdowns, and every single-season and career record at Iowa except for all-time receptions (12 catches shy, chasing Derrell Johnson Koulianos) and single-season receptions (14 catches shy, chasing Kevin Kasper from 2000).

The Hawkeye defense played its best game of the year, forcing four turnovers and corralling Purdue’s backfield with 9 tackles for loss and 5 sacks.  Defensive linemen Mike Daniels (2 sacks, 4 tackles for loss) and Broderick Binns (7 tackles, 1 sack) played like desperate seniors,  eager to see Florida for the holidays.

The score could have been more in Iowa’s favor had the Hawks not turned the ball back over to Purdue after forcing a turnover on their opponents previous series.  In one such instance,  Tanner Miller’s interception at the two yard line certainly wiped itself of opportunity after James Vandenberg fumbled in his own end zone and Purdue recovered for a touchdown.  Iowa took a 21-14 lead into the half.

Iowa plugged its turnover leak in the second half and Marvin McNutt got his second touchdown of the game, catching a bobbling, 51-yard touchdown that was without question the Hawkeyes’ offensive play of the game.  And a bit of luck finally fell Iowa’s way, as well.  With a 31-21 lead and the game nearing end, quarterback and Miami transfer Robert Marve (and victim of two Tanner Miller interceptions) dove for the pylon to seemingly score a touchdown.  Upon review, however, the judges ruled that he fumbled onto the pylon.  Iowa received the ball in exchange–along with the win–served up nicely on the touchback platter.

Iowa (7-4, 4-3) now travels to Lincoln, Nebraska to face the Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3) in the inaugural Heroes Game.  It’ll be the first time the teams have played since 2000.  The Hawkeyes and ‘Huskers had a two game series in ’99 and 2000, both games dominated by Nebraska.  It’s been an up and down year for Nebraska in its first year in the Big Ten.  The ‘Huskers are the only team to have beaten Legends division champion Michigan State, but they are coming off a 45-17 loss at Michigan last Saturday.  The praised “Blackshirt” defense of Nebraska has been at times dominant but largely inconsistent in a disappointing Big Ten debut.  At best, this game represents a contest for bowl positioning.  The game will be played on Friday, 11 a.m., on ABC.

Sam’s football viewing for Turkey consumers’ holiday:

Thursday: Packers at Lions, 11:30 a.m. central, Fox

…(there are other NFL games Thursday, all day, but this one is the best).

Friday: Iowa at Nebraska, 11 a.m. central, ABC

…(and other good NCAAF games).

Saturday: Penn State at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m. central, ESPN stations. 

…(Decides Leaders division champion.  Winner plays Michigan State a week later for Big Ten title, and other good NCAAF games like Ohio State at Michigan).

Sunday: More NFL

4 days, likely 6,450 mg of sodium consumed.

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Tomorrow at Kinnick Stadium, the Iowa Hawkeyes and Michigan State Spartans will duel for crucial positioning in the Legends division of the Big Ten–hoping to clear the air of a foggy and inconclusive race in their respective division.  The Spartans sit in considerably the best position in the division, having lost their first conference game two weeks ago at Nebraska.  With one divisional loss and no non-divisional losses, the Spartans (7-2 overall, 4-1 in conference) hold an armored upper hand on three teams behind them that boast a 3-2 conference record: Nebraska, Iowa, and Michigan.

After the 24-3 loss to the Cornhuskers on October 29th, it appeared that Big Red was in control.  They had only one loss in conference, a wretched but non-divisional 48-7 defeat at Wisconsin.  That all changed last Saturday when resurgent Northwestern won 28-25 at Memorial Stadium, stunning Husker fans and further muddying the Legends division race.

For Michigan State, the aim is simple: beat Iowa for some conference separation, go home to face the meek Indiana Hoosiers (the scare of Ohio State aside), and then finish the year at revived–albeit still defensively vulnerable–Northwestern.

For Iowa, the goal is to clench the figurative fist ’til knuckles turn white and hope to win every game.  That’s really the only way the Hawkeyes can make it to Indianapolis for the inaugural Big Ten title game.  That, and playing better than they have for most of the year.

After the agonizing and inexcusable loss to Minnesota, the Hawkeyes’ desperate, urgent quest to Indianapolis began with a showdown against Michigan last Saturday.  Like Indiana Jones in the final scenes of “Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade,” the Hawkeyes “got penitent,” dropping low in the trenches and dodging the beheading buzz saw of Michigan, winning 24-16.  Tomorrow, the Hawks must walk with tender foot over the fragile stones of Michigan State’s trap, spelling “V-I-C-T-O-R-Y” along the way.  Next, Iowa must take the “leap of faith,” winning their first road game of the season at flawed but dangerous Purdue, followed by their last test: winning at the unfamiliar house of Nebraska, Memorial Stadium.  If everything goes as planned and Iowa wins out, an ancient knight will greet the Hawks in the locker room and tell them, “You played wisely.”  You see, movies make us understand things better.  Pressing on.

Solving the Michigan State riddle will be no easy exam for Kirk Ferentz and his players.  The Michigan State defense, despite a few substandard games (that’s playing below their standards), still ranks among the elite within the landscape of all college teams.  The team ranks second in the nation in total defense, and leads the conference in passing defense.  Lead by giant tackle Jerel Worthy and end William Gholston, the Spartans are second in the conference in run defense.  They are eighth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing 16 points per game.

They will strive for victory despite a twofold challenge: winning at Kinnick and slowing some of the nation’s most elite offensive players.  The Spartans haven’t won at Kinnick Stadium since 1989 (they won, 17-14, and Iowa finished that year 5-6).  Last year at Kinnick, MSU crumpled 37-6 after entering the game 8-0.  Blame it on the pink toilets.  Iowa is 6-0 at home this year.  The pink toilets still remain.

Marcus Coker is averaging 122.3 yards per game, which leads the Big Ten and ranks sixth nationally.  He has the most rushing yards of all backs nationwide  since October 15th (647 yards).  James Vandenberg is second in the conference in passing yards (2,089) and touchdowns (18).  Wide receiver Marvin McNutt is twelfth in the nation in receiving yards (959, second in conference to A.J. Jenkins), and has six 100-yard receiving games this year, including three straight entering Saturday.  He is closing in on multiple career and single-season records at Iowa, including single-season receiving yards (1,037, Keith Chappelle), single-season touchdowns (has 9, needs 2 to tie record Maurice Brown set in ’02), and career receiving yards.  He already has the record for career touchdown receptions (25).

Before last Saturday’s 24-16 win over Michigan, Iowa’s defense had been a sieve of yards and a liability.  It shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same breath as Michigan State’s unit, but did hold Michigan well under its season averages in points, rushing yards, and total yards.  The Hawk defense also forced multiple turnovers.  Saturday, they will attempt to do the same to Spartan quarterback Kirk Cousins (1989 yards, 13 touchdowns, 5 interceptions).  Last year, Cousins threw 3 interceptions in the loss, with one being returned for a long touchdown.  On the ground, the Spartans are lead by Le’Veon Bell (528 yards, 8 touchdowns) and Edwin Baker (492 yards, 2 touchdowns).  B.J. Cunningham leads the team in receiving yards (51 receptions, 827 yards, 3 touchdowns).

Final Thoughts

If Iowa wants to win this game and move on to the next battle of what is essentially a playoff to the title game, the fans at Kinnick must be energized to the point of foaming-at-the-mouth delirium.  This is a big game, and must be treated as such.  Michigan State is 1-2 on the road this year.  Their one win came at Ohio State–an elite, rare win in a tough environment.  However, Ohio State was dealing with serious offensive ineptitude at the time, and MSU’s defensive prowess has diminished somewhat in the past few games.  Iowa is a different team at home behind a pro-Hawk crowd, and the Spartans–for whatever reason–have come up short at Kinnick for more than twenty years.  Expect a close game throughout (not a repeat of last year), with Cousins making a late-game mistake to give the Hawkeyes the win.

Iowa 27, MSU 23

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Whatever it may be, since his first year as a former quarterback turned wide out in 2008, Mr. McNutt has done the goofy and the great at Indiana’s expense. He has regularly done the trick-or-treat shuffle up to Indiana’s house, finding the “Please Take One” bowl and rightly relieving the Hoosiers of all of their Tootsie Rolls. When will they learn? No child ever takes just one Tootsie. Moving on. Last year, McNutt got Iowa out of Indiana with a victory, catching Iowa’s only touchdown of the day in a foreboding 18-13 win at Indiana.  His Indiana file also includes:

-McNutt’s first ever catch as a newly minted wide receiver: Indiana, 2008 (1 catch, 11 yards)

-McNutt’s career high for yards receiving in a game prior to Saturday: Indiana, 2009 (4 catches, 155 yards, 1 touchdown)

-McNutt’s totals from Saturday: 6 catches, 184 yards and 3 touchdowns

McNutt ranks second in the Big Ten in receiving yards (757), behind A.J. Jenkins of Illinois, who has 987 yards on the year.  McNutt also has 21 fewer catches than Jenkins, with 41 after Saturday’s swiftness. Jenkins had a similar game against Illinois, catching 6 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. By now, the league’s premium wide receivers must know this to be the “Indiana bump.”

Barring injury, it’s realistic that McNutt will get well over 1,000 yards receiving, which Iowa hasn’t seen since Kevin Kasper barely broke the K mark in 2000 with 1010 yards. And even if he slowed down compared to the first half of the season, McNutt could wrangle 30 career touchdowns and 14 for a peaking senior year. After this year’s seventh game, McNutt has already matched his season totals for touchdowns (8) from 2009 and 2010 (8 touchdowns each season). He only needs three more touchdown catches to tie Maurice Brown’s single season record from 2002 and 280 yards to surpass Keith Chappelle’s single season record of 1037 yards.

These are all plausible goals, but I do expect McNutt’s production to dip a bit, as Iowa faces defenses born of the beastly (Michigan State) to the improved (a.k.a. Not Indiana’s or Northwestern’s), like Michigan, Purdue, and Nebraska. Come to think of it, Iowa hasn’t really rattled any good defenses this year. Iowa’s dismal 3 points against Penn State has been the only test thus far, and the Hawks clearly failed that day.

However the rest of the year unfolds, Iowa fans will remember McNutt for being a smooth and consistent pass catcher. He will be the first Iowa receiver drafted since Kevin Kasper, a safe assumption based on his unequivocal physical talents and measurables, not to mention his eventual statistics. It’s going to be neat to see what McNutt does in the NFL, and few should expect to see a weapon like “7” come around anytime soon. Oh, I forgot about that Keenan Davis guy from Cedar Rapids.  He’s pretty good. But he’d be hard pressed to end up anywhere near McNutt’s career totals, or pull off a Michigan State 2009 moment. McNutt off the slant!

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