Iowa won a very closely contested game against the Michigan State Spartans. Mich St has played one of the hardest schedules in the NDL, so Coach Wildes knew they were battle tested and would come in ready to go.
Iowa would receive the opening kickoff and take it down and score a TD capped by a 52 yard TD run by Kaleb Johnson. Iowa would force a punt, but after a few first downs Kaleb Johnson lost his first fumble of the season. The Spartans would eventually score a TD. Iowa, always known for their special teams, would block the XP and return it for 2 points giving them a 9-6 lead.
The second quarter would see both teams exchange TD's and then Mich St had a nice 2 min drive to get inside the 5 yard line with 19 sec left and 1 time out. The Hawkeyes would hold firm and force a FG, and the teams went to the half 16-16
The second half would turn into quite the defensive battle, as both teams were held scoreless in the 3rd quarter. It stayed 16-16 until halfway into the 4th quarter the Hawkeyes would get a punt downed inside the 15 yard line, and within a few plays Xavier Nwankpa would get his second INT of the game, this time returning it for a pick 6.
Michigan State would answer back with a long TD on a crossing route over the the top of the cover 3 defense. It was the only time all game Iowa let them get behind them, which was clearly a focus, as the Hawkeyes didn't play hardly any of their patented cover 2 all game.
Iowa would get the ball with 2:40 left, with the game tied 23-23. Johnson, battling calf cramps would alternate with backup HB Moulton on the game winning drive, as they were able to run the ball and the clock all the way down for Stevens' game winning field goal.
Iowa opened the game with a strong run game started the game 7-0 in the first drive on just 1 pass attempt. By the looks of the first drive head coach Rohk knew the Spartans defense would be in for a long game. The Spartans would get the ball and punt it back to Iowa after a short drive. Iowa would then drive the ball into spartan territory and lose the ball on a fumble giving the Spartans a chance too tie the game but that wouldn’t happen after the Spartans first TD because Iowa special teams took advantage and blocked the PAT making it a 9-6 game by halftime the score was 16-16 a true defensive battle. The 3rd quarter would go scoreless and eventually Iowa would take the lead on a pick 6 making it 23-16 but it didn’t take long for Aiden Chiles to answer after he throws a bomb too tie it at 23-23 but there would be too much time on the clock for Iowa where they would go on to punch it down the field taking the clock down to just seconds left too kick the game winning Field goal and win 26-23
Players of the game
Iowas entire Oline
Iowa HB Kaleb Johnson
CONNECT WITH US ONLINE:
WHOS ONLINE:
Dcanady1 and 12 Guests in the last 5 minutes Legend: NDL Admin | Conference Commish | Media Team | NDL Coaches
NDL Hall of Fame:
664 Coaches Newest Member: OracleHCR
HOME
Discord