Hawkeyesports.com — It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
The 19th-ranked University of Iowa football team scored 35 straight points, rallying from a 14-0 second-quarter deficit to down Illinois, 35-21, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. It is the Hawkeyes’ fifth straight win this season and the seventh consecutive victory over the Illini.
It is the first time Iowa has rallied from a 14-point deficit in a win since 2013 in a 24-21 victory over Michigan. It is the first time the Hawkeyes have accomplished the feat on the road since 2007 at Northwestern.
The Hawkeyes’ defense gave up 148 yards and two touchdowns on the Illini’s first three possessions before buckling down. Iowa forced three consecutive three-and-outs (and didn’t allow another yard) in the first half and it forced six straight punts in the second and third quarters.
Illinois gained 348 total yards for the game with 205 coming over the final three quarters. The Illini had 138 yards over their final two drives.
After a slow start, sophomore Spencer Petras had his best game as a Hawkeye. He finished 18-of-28 for 220 yards and a career-high three touchdowns and he guided the Iowa offense to 424 total yards.
Petras spread the ball to six different receivers with three having four or more catches. Senior Brandon Smith made five receptions for 58 yards, while Sam LaPorta and Ihmir Smith-Marsette had four receptions for 57 and 32 yards, respectively. LaPorta, Smith-Marsette, and senior Shaun Beyer had touchdown receptions.
Iowa’s rushing attack churned out 204 yards, helping the Hawkeyes pick up 22 first downs. Sophomore Tyler Goodson had 19 rushes for 92 yards and senior Mekhi Sargent carried the ball 10 times for 54 yards. The wide receivers combined for 65 yards on three carries and a touchdown on jet-sweep action.
Seniors Nick Niemann and Chauncey Golston had eight tackles apiece to lead the defense and Golston had half a sack and half a tackle for loss. Iowa finished with four tackles for loss in the game, including 1 1/2 from junior Daviyon Nixon, who entered the game leading the Big Ten with 11 1/2 tackles for loss.
Brandon Peters completed 10-of-18 passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns before being replaced by Isaiah Williams in the fourth quarter. Williams was 7-of-16 for 83 yards and one touchdown. Chase Brown led the Illini rushing attack with 83 yards on 18 attempts, while Josh Imatorbhebhe had four receptions for 48 yards and one touchdown.
The Hawkeyes host Wisconsin on Saturday, Dec. 12 at Kinnick Stadium.
