Big plays on special teams and a strong defensive effort enabled the Hawkeyes to snap a five-game losing skid to in-state rival Iowa State in a 40-21 road victory.
After posting a field goal on its opening drive, LB Grant Steen recovered a first-quarter fumble that led to Iowa's first touchdown as QB Nathan Chandler hit Maurice Brown on a 17-yard pass play to give Iowa an early 10-0 lead. The score proved costly, though, as Brown was hurt on the play and missed five games. After a Cyclone score, Iowa put up 23 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to extend its lead to 33-7.
Iowa scored 10 points in the second quarter on a RB Fred Russell three-yard run and a Nate Kaeding 23-yard field goal before the Hawkeye special teams broke the game open in the third quarter.
Sean Considine blocked his first of two punts, which was recovered by Chris Smith in the end zone. Two drives later, Steen returned an interception 15 yards to the ISU four-yard line, which Iowa converted into a field goal. Iowa's defense stopped ISU on the next drive and Considine blocked another punt that led to three more points. RB Marcus Schnoor added a 33-yard scoring run to put an exclamation point on the Hawkeye victory.
Kaeding kicked four field goals and four PATs to set a single-game record with 16 kicking points. He also tied the school record (four) for field goals in a game. Additionally, he passed Rob Houghtlin to become Iowa's career scoring leader with 291 points. Kaeding's efforts landed him Big Ten Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Chandler completed 7-14 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown. Russell rushed for 75 yards on 26 carries, while Brown caught three passes for 52 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game with the ankle injury. Defensively, Iowa recorded 14 tackles for loss, including three sacks. Steen collected six tackles, intercepted one pass and recovered a fumble. Considine recorded six tackles, including one for loss, blocked two punts and had one pass break-up. LB Chad Greenway had a career-high 17 tackles, while LB Abdul Hodge registered a career-high 15 stops, including three for loss, one sack, and a forced fumble.
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