University of Iowa Versus Northern Iowa: Parity Reigns in College Football

Iowa 17, Northern Iowa 16: Last year the University of Iowa’s football team was considered unlucky. They lost several close ones at the beginning of the season in the last moments. In fact the total margin of defeat for their five losses equaled just 12 points. It drove Iowa fans to distraction.  But today’s victory over Northern Iowa makes up for all the bad luck suffered in 2008. Iowa ended an extremely tight contest by blocking back-to-back field goal attempts by the University of Northern Iowa’s football team. Iowa held a one-point lead, 17-16, with seven seconds on the clock. The UNI Panthers decided to go for the game-winning field goal.  Even though it was a first down play, with time running out, the Panthers went for the win and lined up for the FG attempt. Special teams member Brodderick Binns was credited with the block that seemed to save the game for the Iowa Hawkeyes.  However, because the kick came on a first down attempt and was picke...