10% of life is what happens to you, and 90% is how you respond to it. And on a Halloween homecoming in Kinnick, the Iowa Hawkeyes quickly made it clear that they had come to play, as they shut out a rising Wisconsin team 30 – 0. It was the playmakers that had been too silent lately that quickly silenced the doubters about which Iowa team would show up today.
Once again Diaz dazzled, RVZ returned as the Z Man, DJ Vonnahme was everywhere, with Hank Brown getting reunited with his favorite targets again and again. When it was all done, Iowa’s receiving corps had 20 catches and accumulated 222 yards, while Brown passed for 20/24 and 83%.
Explosive plays will break the will of your opponent, and today Iowa scored on their first two series and continued to pour it on. DJV had an explosive 45-yard pass reception, 5 catches for 54 yards, and added 10 more yards rushing for 64 all purpose yards and 2 touchdowns. Not to be outdone, Diaz also had a 45-yard reception, 4 catches for 75 yards, and added 20 more yards rushing and a touchdown for 95 all purpose yards.
Iowa ripped Wisconsin’s heart out on the the Badgers’ third offensive series of the game. On one of their best series with consecutive first downs, Wisconsin marched down the field to the Iowa one-yard line. The Badgers went for it on 4th and 1. But alas, their RB was stuffed at the goal line, as Montgmery made first contact on the running back below the knees, stood him up, and Cam Buffington flew in to deny Wisconsin at the goal line. When others say it’s all or nothing, we say it’s all or Buffington!
Turnovers, critical penalties, and ball security were the themes of last week’s Floyd Fiasco, but those uncharacteristic issues were mostly cleaned up this week. Iowa had 1 turnover on a Xavier Williams fumble and 2 penalties (which included 1 intentional delay of game penalty to give Boston Everitt room to place his punt). Instead, it was Wisconsin that couldn’t get out of their own way, with 3 turnovers and 8 penalties for 70 yards. It’s been a few minutes since Iowa’s defense had two interceptions in the same game, which allowed Iowa to protect the shut out as Wisconsin opened up the passing game with Ryan Hopkins in a last ditch effort to score in the fourth quarter.
The dual threat of Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph was a storyline coming into this game, and Phil Parker’s defense never let him get comfortable passing or rushing the ball. Joesph was Wisconsin’s leading rusher coming into this game but was neutralized with 7 carries for 6 yards.
So now we flip the calendar as KF teams traditionally finish strong in November, and here’s hoping this game serves as a springboard to finish strong. Next up is No. 20 Northwestern at their new stadium in Evanston IL. Between the new stadium and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, the Wildcats have found a new identity under head coach David Braun and become the next rung on the ladder.
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