Fitting End for Resilient Hawkeyes

Coming into Iowa's Friday game at Nebraska, most fans didn't know who Marshall Meeder was. It's a name the faithful aren't likely to forget moving forward. 

The Central Michigan transfer booted a 38-yard field goal as time expired, giving his team a 13-10, walk-off win. It was his first time playing for the Hawkeyes...ever. 

The unusual ending would have been unbelievable if you hadn't watched Iowa this season. If you had, at least a part of you expected the unexpected. 

The Big Ten West Division Champions improved to 10-2 with their latest triumph, snatching away victory from the jaws of defeat once again. Their latest magic trick joined a campaign full of them. 

Luck was involved along the way. That said, no Hawkeye team in Kirk Ferentz's 25 years as head coach made its breaks more than this one. Resiliency outlasted adversity. 

Nebraska appeared shocked that it happened. Like others, the poor Huskers didn't see it coming. 

They felt in control after picking off Iowa quarterback Deacon Hill near midfield with 31 seconds remaining in regulation. Best case scenario, they score, ending the game. At minimum, they go to overtime with the crowd behind them. 

The odds told us those were the most likely outcomes. The Hawkeyes welcomed another opportunity to defy them.

On second down with seven yards to go for a first, Nebraska quarterback Chubba Purdy dropped back to pass. He saw an open teammate in the middle of the field. He didn't notice that Iowa defensive end Ethan Hurkett dropped into coverage. 

Purdy threw the ball right to Hurkett, who returned the interception 10 yards to the Nebraska 37 with :15 left. Leshon Williams ripped off 22-yard run on first down. Hill moved the ball to the center of the field and kneeled on second down, setting up a straight shot field goal for kicker Drew Stevens. 

Only Stevens was held back after having two attempts blocked earlier in the game. Meeder ran onto the field, sending people scrambling for a roster. Before most folks could find him, he knocked the pigskin through the uprights and was mobbed by teammates. 

Steven's kicked the game-winner two weeks ago against Northwestern. Friday, he stepped aside for a new hero to emerge. It's been that kind of year, which should make for really fun team reunions 10, 20, 50 years down the road. 

The stories to be told about Iowa Football '23 will capture the imagination of future Hawkeye fans. That's if they can believe them. 

The Hawkeyes either trailed or were tied with Illinois, Northwestern and Michigan State in the fourth quarter. Like Nebraska, they all took the L, kicking themselves for what might have been. 

Multiple factors went into Iowa continuing to cause onlookers to shake their heads in disbelief. The most important one was the Hawkeyes identifying who they were early this season and leaning into it. 

Hurkett's heroics capped off another sensational defensive performance. Iowa needed it Friday more than ever with the special teams joining the offense on the struggle bus. 

It should be pointed out that the Hawkeyes won 10 regular-season games for just the seventh time in program history with a favorable schedule. Not playing Top 5 Ohio State and Michigan helped. They got rolled by Penn State, 31-0, in their lone meeting with a ranked team. 

That changes next weekend when Iowa faces the winner of Saturday's Ohio State-Michigan contest for the Big Ten title. Early numbers show that the East champ could be a three-touchdown favorite, at least. 

The setup will test the Hawkeyes' ability to defy their longest odds this season. Consider that Iowa was a 10.5-point underdog against Michigan in the '21 Big Ten title game. The Wolverines prevailed, 42-3. 

Plenty of folks will bet against Iowa pulling off what would be a stunning upset. They'll like the odds. They should know, the Hawkeyes don't care.