No. 9 Iowa came to Bloomington with an 8-0 record and left with its ninth win, as IU (4-5) could not maintain its play through four quarters, losing 35-27.
After starting the game with a quick 65-yard score, Iowa led 7-0 before IU scored for the first time, a field goal by kicker Griffen Oakes to bring the game to 7-3.
Putting together two 10-play drives in the first quarter, IU didn't need more than 10 plays throughout the second quarter, as junior running back Jordan Howard ran for two long touchdowns, 37 and 29 yards respectively.
In the final Iowa drive of the half, junior linebacker TJ Simmons was ejected from the game after a targeting penalty. Simmons had three tackles before being ejected.
Iowa would go on to score a touchdown on the drive to take the lead, 21-17.
Trailing by four points at the beginning of the half, IU shutout Iowa in the third quarter and added a field goal to pull within one point, 21-20.
Following the field goal, though, Iowa drove down the field on two consecutive scoring drives that lasted nine and eight plays respectively. Iowa drove 75 yards for a LeShun Daniels rushing touchdown and then scored on a 10-yard pass to fullback George Kittle.
After an 11-yard touchdown catch by senior tight end Michael Cooper, IU trailed by eight, 35-27, and attempted an onside kick which was recovered by Iowa.
The HAwkeyes ran out the clock and the final score remained 35-27.
Senior quarterback Nate Sudfeld threw 180 yrds on 16-of-37 passing, and Howard rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Sudfeld also set the career passing touchdowns school record, recording his 49th career touchdown pass on the completion to Cooper.
The Hoosiers surrendered 233 yards passing and 234 yards rushing.
Taylor Lehman
