Living in Minneapolis, it hit especially hard when the replay official at last year’s Iowa/Gopher football game decided to make it about him and not the players on the field. So Cooper DeJean’s remarkable play never happened. The Hawkeyes on the field won that game; the dude in the replay booth took pity on PJ’s Gophers (he probably had a side bet on whether the Rower would take Floyd to bed – he did) and decided to let Minnesota borrow Floyd for a few months. In the long run, it’s good for the game. After all, an entire generation of Gopher fans had never even seen the prized pig. Also, it was kinda cute for the 187 Gopher fans to pretend that they escaped Iowa City with a win last year. The first half of Saturday’s game wasn’t ideal, but after halftime, most Minnesota Golden Gopher fans want nothing to do with PJ Fleck. I’m thinking a contract extension is in order.

Here’s a look at the offensive numbers for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Can you even imagine the damage the Hawks would have done the past few years if our offense had been at the current level? The Hawkeyes are far from a finished product, but the offense actually feels like there is a plan in place. Now, we need our receivers to consistently catch the ball and Cade to hit on a few more shots. Running over and around the Minnesota Gophers is one thing. Doing it at the Horseshoe against Ohio State in a few weeks would be another. Being a diehard fan of the black and gold all my life, I have seen some incredible backs. Ronnie Harmon (sans the Rose Bowl), Tavian Banks, Sedrick Shaw, Albert Young, Ladell Betts, and Shonn Greene, to name just a few. Kaleb Johnson is playing like the GOAT at the moment.

It’s easier said than done, but a signature day against the Buckeyes would elevate Superman onto the national stage. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, however. Against Minnesota, KJ ran for 206 yards (9.8) and scored three touchdowns. Multiple times, he was hit in the backfield, only to break long runs. He’s the homerun threat the Hawkeyes have been lacking. Tim Lester’s offense has helped our offensive line more than any other position. Running the football is one of my great loves. I played EA Sports College Football the other day against my son. He made fun of me because I love running the football on a videogame. He called it boring. I call it old-school, winning football. There’s something special about a team knowing you will run the ball and them still being unable to stop you.

Standouts from Saturday vs. Minny

• Cade McNamara has not thrown an interception in the last two weeks. This will be a challenge against uber-athletic Ohio State.
• Rhys Dakin had his best game as a Hawk. He booted the ball five times for an average of 49.6 yards. Iowa football is predicated on field position. It’s also pretty sweet when a punter flexes on an opposing crowd. Keith Duncan at Nebby vibes on that one.
• Speaking of the kicking game, Drew Stevens has looked very good this year [knock on wood].
• Jay Higgins is stacking terrific game after terrific game. J-Higg had nine tackles, a BrUp, and an interception. What can’t this dude do? Also, Hawk! Hawk! Hawk! to his dad.
• Deshaun Lee (eight tackles) and Jermari Harris (four tackles and two BrUp). Iowa’s secondary took a step in the right direction. Quinn Schulte intercepted a pass.
• Tim Lester continues to utilize QB Brendan Sullivan in a red zone package. The Hawks are far less predictable because of this. It probably was no small thing for him to talk Kirk Ferentz into this “backyard football” type of idea.

The second half started with the Hawkeyes getting the ball. It ended just five plays and 67 yards later when the Hawks’ Kaleb Johnson housed a run from 15 yards out. The Hawkeyes never looked back. It was one of the most dominant halves of football I remember from our squad.

As a fan, I don’t like having the week off. From a rest, rehab, and refocus standpoint, this week comes at a good time. Hopefully, Ohio State and Michigan State will go 14 overtime periods this week. The Hawkeyes have laid an egg in the past handful of big games/opponents. It will be a good measuring stick to see how we stack up against one of the best teams in the nation in a tough environment. It would be an excellent time to get Kaleb Brown more involved, as he’s a former Buckeye. As always, it’s great to be a Hawkeye. Go Hawks!