The Iowa Hawkeyes scored two touchdowns in the final quarter to break the game open in a 17-5 win over Iowa State in the 56th meeting in the series. Andry Brodell provided the game breaker as his 81 yard punt return for a touchdown gave Iowa a 17-3 advantage.
Brodell says he’ll do anything he can to help the team win, and if that means specials teams play, then he’ll do it. Brodell says he almost made the decision to call for a fair catch to take the conservative route, but says he’s glad he didn’t
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says he was pleased with the way the Hawkeyes handled adversity. The game was tied at three heading into the fourth quarter and says they were nonexistent offensively in the third quarter, but the defense held. And then Ferentz says it was great to see the offense take the ball and drive it.
For the third straight game the Iowa defense did not yield a touchdown but Ferentz says that unit can get better. Ferentz says they had times when they let the Cyclones move the ball too easily, but did dig in and made the plays when they had to.
Iowa State failed to capitalize on several opportunities. The Cyclones had the ball for nearly the entire third quarter but had to settle for one fields goal.
Iowa State coach Gene Chizik says he thought the whole team played hard with passion, but says to be a good team you have to be able to win in the fourth quarter. The Cyclones missed three field goals and gave up the late touchdown off a punt. Chizik says the special teams were not a strong point and need to work on it and get better overall.
The Cyclones take a 2-1 mark on the road to UNLV. The Hawks take their unbeaten record to Pittsburgh.