It was a tale of 2 halves. After the Gophers football group outgained Iowa 222 lawns to 107 in the very first half, the switch totally turned in the 2nd half, and the Hawkeyes controlled the yardage fight 227-61 before handing the Gophers a 31-14 loss Saturday night in Minneapolis.
Iowa entered into Saturday’s match with the Gophers enabling 211.3 passing backyards per video game, which ranked 77th finest in college football. The Gophers acknowledged the weak point and relied greatly on the pass in the very first half with an unusual 26-10 pass-rush split.
Similar to Minnesota’s season-opening loss to North Carolina, Max Brosmer looked overwhelmed to start the video game. Iowa benefited from an early interception and a 24-yard run from star running back Kaleb Johnson triggered a hurrying goal and an early 7-0 Hawkeyes lead.
Brosmer reacted by finishing 7-of-7 passes for 68 backyards and a lovely 3-yard goal pass to Jameson Geers on the U’s very first scoring drive of the video game. He ended the half finishing 11 of his last 13 passes. Minnesota drove 68 lawns down the field to close the very first half with an exceptional 11-yard goal reception from Elijah Spencer, providing it a 14-7 lead and lots of momentum.
MINNESOTA TAKES THE LEAD!!! @GopherFootball pic.twitter.com/7iQJUWycOy
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 22, 2024
The Hawkeyes made a declaration right out of the locker space. A five-play, 67-yard scoring drive evened the video game at 14, simply over 3 minutes into the 3rd quarter. Another six-play, 73-yard scoring drive on their next possibility with the ball, and Minnesota’s lead turned into a 21-14 deficit.
The Gophers had just 14 lawns of overall offense in the 3rd quarter, and Iowa took total control over the video game with another field-goal drive and a goal drive to open the 4th quarter. An appealing new-look gameplan was completly gone, and the Hawkeyes led 31-14.
Things will not get simpler for Minnesota in Week 5. After permitting 206 to Johnson and 272 overall from Iowa’s hurrying attack. They will take a trip to Ann Arbor, Mich., to deal with the protecting nationwide champs and among the very best running attacks in college football.