Iowa Survives Scare

NFL News - October 25th, 2009 - Written by John

Of all the unbeatens playing this Saturday, nobody came as close to heartbreak as the Iowa Hawkeyes.

With mere seconds left on the clock, the Big Ten leaders found themselves down 13-9 to Michigan State, assuredly having only one play left to save the season. One play is all quarterback Ricky Stanzi needed. As time expired he snapped the ball at Michigan State's seven-yard line, scrambled, then hit Marvin McNutt with a dart to send the team into a chaotic celebration in the end zone, piling on top of each other like they had won the College World Series.

They might have well have. The Hawkeyes have won their first eight games for the first time in school history and have only one major speed bump remaining in their quest for the Big Ten title and a likely spot in the Rose Bowl.

“It speaks to our players, the character that they have,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told reporters. “They realized they still had time.”

Iowa has the second-longest winning streak (12) behind Florida, and are hoping to move up from sixth in the NCAA Football Standings.

The improbable comeback started at with 1:39 left on the clock and the ball at Iowa's 30. After moving the ball into Michigan State territory, Stanzi connected with Derrell Johnson-Koulianos on a 16-yard dart to move the ball to Michigan State's 15. He then threw a would-be catastrophic interception that would've ended the game, but it was nullified by defensive holding that put the ball at the seven. It took three failed plays to make the Hawkeyes realize it was make-or-break, and on fourth down, Stanzi drilled it into McNutt's chest in the middle of the end zone.

“Obviously Marvin did a great job of getting open," a thrilled Stanzi said. "And the O-line did a great job of protecting.”

It was a riveting conclusion to a nearly even game in which neither team turned the ball over and only had 14 combined penalties. The Spartans outgained Iowa but both teams were almost dead even in first downs, third-down conversions and total plays.

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