NFL
By: Zachary Draves
After a season filled with adversity and uncertainty, the Iowa Hawkeyes relied on pure resilience and sheer will to come away victorious in a low-scoring matchup against Illinois 15-13 and claim the 2023 Big Ten West Division title. The win punched their ticket to play in the Big Ten Conference championship game.
The sold-out crowd at Kinnick Stadium on Senior Day bore witness to what had become all too familiar with Iowa football and that was to expect the unexpected. All against the backdrop of a season that saw injuries affect their star quarterback Cade McNamara, tight ends Luke Lachey and Erick All, and beloved TE Cooper DeJean. As well as the NCAA gambling that saw the suspension of senior DL Noah Shannon, who was named honorary captain, and the ousting of their offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz, son of head coach Kirk Ferentz.
For the majority of the game, both offenses were largely neutralized by a combination of defensive prowess and some painstaking officiating that disrupted the flow. As a result, neither side had the momentum.
But all that turned around in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter and the Hawkeyes trailing 13-9.
After a 17-yard punt return by DeJeans’ replacement Kaden Wetjen, a third-down pass by QB Deacon Hill to Nico Ragaini, and Illinois being penalized for holding, it was RB Kaleb Johnson who got the ball and ran up the field for a 30-yard touchdown to put the Hawkeyes up 15-13.
(Courtesy: AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
For Johnson, he used his instincts and took off.
(Courtesy: Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
“I saw green grass and just ran, he said. “That is my thing, when I see green grass I run. I saw green grass, took off running, and scored… It was just amazing, man, being back [in the end zone]… I was reading the safety right there, whether I should press up and go in or go out. I pressed him, went outside, and used my speed.”
Even after Drew Stevens missed the extra point attempt, it was the Hawkeye defense that sealed their fate. Iowa DL Joe Evans blocked a pass attempt by Illini QB Joe Paddock on fourth down which gave the Hawkeyes the ball with just under 4:00 left while holding onto a two-point lead.
(Courtesy: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports)
It turned out that it was all the cushion they needed as they utilized clock management effectively to win outright.
After all the team has gone through, Hill who went 19-of-29 attempts for 167 passing yards and one touchdown, spoke to how this moment represents the essence of this team.
“It has got to be the story of our season, he said. “Just keep punching forward every play, each and every day. Keep moving forward, one step in front of the other. I think we did that today. We knew at some point one was going to break, and we just couldn’t let up. We couldn’t take our foot off the gas. You know, no matter the outcome of what that drive was, we knew that we had to keep pushing forward each and every play.”
This marks the third time the Hawkeyes have won the Big Ten West Division title under Coach Ferentz (2015, 2021, 2023). For Coach Ferentz, he passed Michigan’s Bo Schembechler for third place in career Big Ten conference wins with 195. It was for that reason and others that defensive coordinator Phil Parker gave him the game ball.
Afterwards, he and Brian shared an emotional embrace and he spoke to that moment as only a father could.
(Courtesy: Jeffrey Becker/USA Today Sports)
“So glad it turned out the way it did,” he said. “I was proud of him. He’s been admirable in the way he’s handled a very tough situation. And I’m not quite sure I know how he’s done it but I’m really proud of him as a dad. And can’t say enough about that. But I do try to keep things separate.”
The Hawkeyes close out the regular season on Black Friday, traveling to Lincoln for a Heroes Game matchup against Nebraska. Game time is 11:09 a.m. (CT) and the game will be televised on CBS.
They will play the winner of the Michigan/Ohio State game in the Big Ten Conference championship game on December 3rd in Indianapolis.
