This Looks A Little Familiar...

In 2009, the Iowa Hawkeyes had a season to remember starting the year with a school record 9-0 season. Led by starting quarterback Ricky Stanzi, the Hawks found a way to win game after game reaching the Number 4 ranking in the AP polls. They remained unbeaten until November 7, in a game against the Northwestern Wildcats where they lost 17-10 after Ricky Stanzi had to leave the game after getting injured. He was replaced by backup quarterback James Vandenberg, who could not keep the Hawkeye's dreams of an undefeated season alive. That team would go on to finish 10-2 on the season, and win the FedEx Orange Bowl against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Ever since 2009, Hawkeye fans haven't had a whole lot to cheer about when it came to their football team, until of course, now.
This season, the Hawkeyes have done incredible, despite what the rest of the country would like to believe, and have battled week after week to achieve an unbeaten record of 9-0, tying their school record. This team shows many similarities to the 2009 team. For example, both teams started 9-0, had a quarterback who was a junior, had to replace many starters due to injuries throughout the season, and won their ninth game against the Indiana Hoosiers. The Hawkeyes were able to continue their dream season on November 7, after defeating the Hoosiers 35-27 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Indiana.
The game started at 2:30 Central Time and was televised nationally on ESPN. The Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff and Desmond King returned the ball 30 yards to their own 34 yard-line. On the second play of their drive, Akrum Wadley broke through a hole and ran 65 yards for a touchdown. On Indiana's possession, Nate Sudfeld, the Hoosiers' quarterback, marched Indiana down the field, but after the Hawkeyes' defense stood tall at their own 15, the home team was forced to kick a field goal to bring the game closer 7-3. On the next two possessions, the defenses of both teams halted their opposing team's offenses to force a punt. On Iowa's third possession of the game, the Hawkeyes marched 95 yards down the field and scored a touchdown off of a 4 yard run by power running back LeShun Daniels Jr. The two teams then traded punts until Indiana started their possession with good field positioning at their own 43 yard-line. After two big plays, the Hoosiers got in the in-zone and the score became 14-10. On the Hawkeyes' ensuing possession, the refs called some questionable holding calls on big plays for the Hawkeyes, and they were forced to punt. The Hoosiers then marched the ball down the field was again and took their first lead of the game 17-14. The Hawks then finally got their offense back together and scored a touchdown after a surprising 7 yard run by C.J. Beathard, who had been struggling with a right groin injury for the last few weeks. Indiana was able to get the ball back, but could not score before the half ended.
In the second half, the score remained stagnant for a while as both teams struggled to put points on the board. Near the end of the third quarter, the Hoosiers brought the ball all the way down to the Iowa 10 yard-line, but were only able to score a field goal. The score was 21-20 in favor of the Iowa Hawkeyes with 13:22 left to play in the game. With the momentum on the side of the home team and the home fans rowdy, the Hawks knew they needed to score. Beathard completed pass after pass until it was first and goal Iowa at the Indiana 3 yard-line. After two plays, Daniels was able to bring the ball across the goal line to put the Hawks up 28-20. On Indiana's next possession, they were unable to get anywhere and was forced to punt the ball back to the Hawkeyes. The Hawks were then able to score again after a touchdown pass from Beathard to George Kittle. Indiana knew they needed a touchdown here to have a chance to win the game, but on the third play of their drive, Nate Sudfeld threw an interception to none other than Desmond King, who now leads the entire nation in interceptions this year. With the ball back, Iowa was unable to score again and put away the game, but they were able to take some much needed time off the clock. When the Hoosiers got the ball back, they were able to score a touchdown, but could not recover an onside kick to get the ball back with 2:24 left. After Indiana's failed onside kick, the Hawkeyes erased the remaining time on the clock to finally win the game 35-27.
The Hawkeyes have been having a great season, and if they can win their next game at home against the Minnesota Gophers, they will break their school record, and Iowa can finally boast a 10-0 record for the first time.