The Iowa Hawkeyes went into the weekend battered and bruised and coming off one of their worst losses in the Kirk Ferentz error. They had their manhood questioned after a 41-14 loss to Penn State last week.
Fans didn’t expect to see a win against No. 2 Michigan on Saturday, but they wanted to see some fight, determination and effort.
What they got at Kinnick Stadium and on national TV was a whole lot more.
After a complete disaster the week before, the short-handed Hawkeyes somehow found a way to take down the undefeated Wolverines in front of their home fans.
Insane.
It was a fantastic day all around for most college football fans in the state of Iowa.
On top of Iowa’s gigantic win over Michigan, Iowa State also rallied to take down Kansas in Lawrence and Northern Iowa went on the road to knock off FCS nationally ranked Western Illinois.
Most fans don’t follow the Drake football program, but the Bulldogs also won their game to complete the 4-for-4 sweep on the day.
I watched the Hawkeye game with my own eyes, but I’m still struggling to figure out how C.J. Beathard throws for 66 yards, the team gains less than 300 total yards and Iowa still wins.
The gloom that hung over Iowa’s football program the last several weeks disappeared thanks to a mammoth defensive effort and just enough offensively against the nation’s No. 1 defense.
And the win came down to a last-second kick by a player who might have been figuring out who he was taking to his high school prom at this time last year.
Keith Duncan’s 33-yard field goal will go down in Hawkeye lore.
Just like Rob Houghtlin’s 28-yard kick in 1985 to give Iowa a 12-10 win over this same Michigan program in a one versus two matchup.
Just like Daniel Murray’s 31-yard boot in 2008 that sent the Hawkeyes home with a 24-23 win over No. 3 Penn State.
It was a big night in Iowa City. Kirk Ferentz had tears in his eyes during the postgame interview, and Iowa defeated a top-five team on national TV with ABC’s No. 1 announcing team calling the game.
There were more than 60 recruits in town, including Iowa City West standout wide receiver Oliver Martin, who also has an offer from Michigan. It included Kurt Warner’s son, another standout wide receiver.
The result was the Hawkeyes’ first win over an AP top-two team since Houghtlin delivered his kick against the Wolverines in 1985. That Michigan team also was led by current coach Jim Harbaugh, who was the Wolverines’ starting QB that season.
Saturday’s victory won’t take away the sting of what this season could have been. But it helps heal the pain.
This Hawkeye team was driving down a road toward 5-7 or 6-6. Now, with 3-7 Illinois looming next week, Iowa has the chance to get to seven wins before hosting nationally ranked Nebraska on Black Friday. And it qualified for another bowl game in style.
Iowa State’s win was much needed. The Cyclones were down 14-3 on the road and came back to defeat Kansas.
I realize Kansas is not very good. But you take any win you can get if your Matt Campbell and his coaching staff as they try to rebuild in Ames.
It was a career day for running back David Montgomery, another big night for Central Iowa native Allen Lazard and the Cyclones scored on four of their five second-half possessions to end a long losing streak in the Big 12 Conference.
Iowa State fans expected to get a win. Iowa and Northern Iowa fans likely didn’t feel good about their chances.
In the end, the entire state got to do a little celebrating Saturday. Those are always the best nights.
Contact Troy Hyde
at thyde@newtondailynews.com