What did we learn in Iowa’s 28-7 win over Wisconsin on Saturday?
By Tyler Devine
IOWA CITY, Iowa – What did we learn in Iowa’s 28-7 win over Wisconsin on Saturday?
We learned that sophomore quarterback Spencer Petras can throw the deep ball. We also learned that Wisconsin’s rushing attack is a shell of what it normally is.
We learned that front-flipping into the end zone is probably a bad idea. We also learned that Iowa is not immune to special teams gaffes.
Offensive Player of the Game: Ihmir Smith-Marsette. The senior receiver had seven receptions for a career-high 140 yards and two touchdowns. The Newark, N.J., native exited the game after he landed awkwardly front-flipping into the end zone on his second touchdown. He was later seen on the sideline with a boot on his left foot.
Defensive Player of the Game: Jack Campbell. The sophomore linebacker had four tackles, including one for a loss, three pass breakups and an interception.
Pivotal Plays: Tyler Goodson’s 20-yard reception on 2nd and 25 put Iowa into field goal range with seven seconds remaining before halftime and set up a 45-yard Keith Duncan field goal to give the Hawkeyes a 6-0 lead at halftime.
Sophomore quarterback Spencer Petras’ 19-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Marsette with 8:49 left in the third quarter extended Iowa’s lead to 14-0.
After Iowa took a 14-o lead, junior receiver Charlies Jones attempted to field a punt off the bounce and fumbled. Wisconsin scored its first touchdown of the game three plays later.
Petras’ career-long 53-yard touchdown pass to Smith-Marsette with 1:23 left in the third quarter put Iowa up 21-7.
Campbell’s interception in the end zone with 4:23 left in the fourth quarter halted a Wisconsin drive that could have put the Badgers within a touchdown.
Key Stats: Iowa had 150 yards in the third quarter after having 112 yards in the first half.
Iowa held Wisconsin to 56 rushing yards.
Weird Stats: Iowa and Wisconsin combined for 13 punts and nine first downs in the first half.
The two teams combined to convert 7-of-32 third-down conversions.
Did You Know?: Duncan’s 45-yard field goal just before halftime was the 20th field goal of at least 40 yards in his career, the most in school history.
Series Update: Iowa beat Wisconsin for the first time since 2015, and for the first time in Iowa City since 2008. The Badgers had won seven of the last eight meetings.
Wisconsin still leads the all-time series 48-44-2.