By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Whether or not Saturday was Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s final game in Kinnick Stadium remains to be seen.

Smith-Marsette has the option to return next season with an extra year of eligibility granted by the NCAA due to COVID-19, and Iowa could play at home during Big Ten Championship Week.

But if it was his final game in Kinnick, the senior Newark, N.J., native went out with a bang, and a little banged up.

The senior Newark, N.J., native had seven receptions for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns in Iowa’s 28-7 win over Wisconsin to help the Hawkeyes improve to 6-2 and win their first game over Wisconsin since 2015.

“Being able to do that on senior night,” Smith-Marsette said. “Being able to come out here and perform at a high level, then adding that trophy to the other trophies we’ve won this season, it’s been great.”

Smith-Marsette’s 140 receiving yards were the most by an Iowa receiver since Marvin McNutt had 151 yards against Purdue in 2011, and put Smith-Marsette in the top 20 in receiving yards in school history.

The 6-foot-1, 179-pound Smith-Marsette also moved to No. 10 all-time in all-purpose yards in school history.

However, Smith-Marsette’s night ended on a bittersweet note at best.

With Iowa clinging to a 14-7 lead, sophomore quarterback Spencer Petras connected with Smith-Marsette on a 53-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter that all but iced the game for the Hawkeyes.

Realizing he was alone, Smith-Marsette front-flipped into the end zone and appeared to make an awkward landing.

Smith-Marsette was taken to the locker room and reappeared with a walking boot on his left foot, though he said the boot was a precautionary measure.

Smith-Marsette said after the game that he felt great, and that were he given the chance, he wouldn’t have done anything differently.

“It was just instant,” Smith-Marsette said. “It happened. I’m cool, I’m happy. Do I regret the flip? No. Would I do it again? Probably. I’m just happy we got the win. Everybody was having fun. We came out with the victory.”

Smith-Marsette was asked what head coach Kirk Ferentz might think about the flip.

“I wasn’t thinking about it,” Smith-Marsette said. “But I doubt he would have been mad being up 21-7 at the time. I’m pretty sure he was like ‘That was stupid, but it’s cool, we scored and no flags. We’re good.’”

Ferentz, not typically one for antics or showboating, didn’t appear to share Smith-Marsette’s enthusiasm about the flip.

“That’s a painful lesson, right?” Ferentz said. “Youthful exuberance. Ihmir is a very spirited guy, very demonstrative guy. If he had nailed his landing, maybe it would have been a great move. That’s a painful lesson for him. Hopefully he’ll be able to bounce back.

“A big game for him today. I was happy to see that. I know he had family here. That’s special. He was a big part of the win today.”