This was my third trip to Kinnick Stadium. The first was in 1993: a Miami Hurricane victor over Iowa. A friend was dating someone who had a son on the team (redshirting). The second was that infamous 55-24 blowout of Ohio State in 2017. Unforgettable trip; I might “encore post” that one.
And last Saturday: It was an easy trip there; left at 9:40 and arrived just after noon. I panicked a bit as the lot that I had planned to park in was full of tailgaters ..no spots at all. I did find a garage that was a pleasant 1 mile walk away from the stadium though. I’ll make a note of it.
The day: slightly chilly but downright warm for November in Iowa. I didn’t wear everything.
And the atmosphere: outstanding. Iowans take their football seriously! Packed stadium; fans cheering their team and booing the referees (and a few boos of offensive calls). But as to the game: I felt like crying afterward.
The Illini fought hard; took them to the limit. And late in the 4’th, the Illini had a 13-9 lead and had stopped Iowa’s offense all day…but that changed for two key drives.
How to sum it up.
Early, Iowa had a short drive, punted then sacked the Illinois QB in the end zone for a safety. Then it appeared that Iowa might take control; they had a decent drive that stalled and they missed a field goal.
Illinois made theirs (50+ yards) and lead 3-2 going into the second quarter.
Iowa responded with a long, time consuming drive that finished in the 2n’d quarter to lead 9-3. But the Illini responded with a long drive (key play: one longish run, and a nice pass to the tight end over the middle) to take a 10-9 lead.
After that..the Illini appeared to get the better of the action. But the Illini missed a long field goal..drove in close and at the beginning of the 4’th, on 4’th and 2 near the Iowa 10, settled for a field goal. I approved of the move as the Illini defense was in complete control. It was 13-9 and I thought that the Illini were going to win.
Then came their least ditch drive with 6:51. A good punt return set Iowa up near mid field, and two PI penalties (probably good calls, but the Illini didn’t get such benefit of the doubt) moved the ball to the 30. Then came “the run”.
Still, the Illini got the ball back with 4:40 to play. They ended up with 4’th and 2 at their own 33 with 2 time outs and they lined up in punt formation. Then the coach called a time out…then they went for it..pass batted down.
Now the Illini had one time out, and the Hawkeyes came up with a big run to get a first down to ice the game.
Sigh…
The game stats were about as even as the game was.
I had a front row seat in Section 332; I was kind of up there but loved the view of the game.
Other games: I was also disappointed in that the Illinois State Redbirds lost their game to North Dakota with 27 second left; ND makes the playoffs and the Redbirds don’t. They also lost a last second game to Youngstown State: so close but not yet there.
Navy beat a lousy East Carolina team 10-0 and now as won 5 games, albeit against dreadfully bad opposition.
Life of an old goat 