Trailing Indiana 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, Iowa’s perfect season and an outside shot at a national championship were on the ropes.
Those worries were quickly tossed to the side, however, as the Hawkeyes exploded for 28 fourth-quarter points to win going away by the final score of 42-24.
Quarterback Ricky Stanzi had thrown five — yes, five — interceptions in the first three quarters, but threw touchdown passes of 92 and 66 yards in the first four minutes of the quarter to give the Hawkeyes the lead for good. A pair of touchdown runs in the last seven minutes put the icing on the win and helped Iowa remain perfect at 9-0.
Even as it was ultimately a blowout, the game wasn’t devoid of controversy as the Big Ten proved the SEC hasn’t cornered the market on questionable officiating.
Leading 21-14 with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter, Indiana threw what looked to be a touchdown pass on third down from the Iowa 11-yard line. It was ruled a touchdown on the field, but the play was overturned following a booth review. The Hoosiers were then forced to attempt a field goal, which was missed.
What could’ve been a two-touchdown lead instead remained a one-score game.
So, was it a bad call?
Based on this photo courtesy of Sports by Brooks, it sure looked like it was a touchdown.
Of course, Iowa running off 28 straight points in the fourth pretty much made this reversal a moot point, although who knows what the mindset of the Hawkeyes would’ve been if faced with the 14-point deficit so deep into the game.
In the end, though, Iowa is still clinging to its perfect mark, with a huge Big Ten game looming with No. 17 Ohio State in the Horseshoe on Nov. 14.
