It's because Hawkeye Nation is sitting, waiting, hoping, wishing, for Pitt to fall off either this weekend against West Virginia, or the next against Cincinnati. We are praying Oklahoma takes out Oklahoma State at home. We are dreaming that the members of the human polls are going over the games that our beloved Hawkeyes played in. So with an amazing 10-2 season under our belt, and a BCS bowl bid close within our grasps, I want to ease the mind of my fellow corn heads. So lets take a look back at this Hawkeye season. Here is my "Top 10" plays/moments of the year, in celebration of the Hawkeyes going 10-2.
10. The Return of our Hawaiian Punch
Tony Mo has had himself one crazy career in Iowa. One of the most touted tight ends in the country during high school, Tony Mo was destined to shine in black and gold. Tony has had his share of injuries (come to think of it, he's had more than his share; he's suffered so many injuries that nobody else in a Hawkeye jersey should have gotten hurt the past 3 seasons). But this year it looked like we would finally have him for a full season, until he missed three games due to a sprained ankle. That wasn't enough to keep him out vs. Rich Rodriguez's Michigan Wolverines. Tony hulled in 6 passes for 105 yards and two huge touchdowns in his return (both touchdowns consisted of great throws by Stanzi and blocking by DJK and Allen Reisner).
9. Spievey goes Badger Hunting
The tandem of Spievey and Sash has really been fun to watch these past 2 years. They have emerged as two of the top lock down defensive backs in the country. But against a really good Wisconsin team, it was Spievey that took the show. He compiled 2 interceptions on Scott Tolzien and added 6 tackles. In a defensive battle Spievey created havoc on the Badgers giving the Hawks the upper hand in a 20-10 win.
8. A Shonn Greene sighting vs Arizona Adam Robinson has really played a key role this season. He has played above and beyond expectations while filling in for the injured Jewel Hampton. Robinson grew up right before our eyes against an Arizona team that would later break into the top 25. He had his first ever 100 yard game, netting 101 yards total rushing on only 18 carries. He also finished with two touchdowns to cap off his memorable day. Robinson ran like a man possessed, plowing through gaps and punishing the defense (he looked like a former bruiser at the half back position)!
7. Somebody Call 9-1-1 I'm not the biggest fan of Sean Kingston, but I now love his song "Fire Burning" because of one man. A man that isn't the most glorious, or attractive. A man that may be completely wasted during every halftime. A man that dances so gracefully, so perfectly, so "Chip and Dale" like. So here is to you Fire Burner, I have never laughed so hard in my life. You make me crave Sean Kingston at random times in hope that wherever the song is played you might just pop up.
6. Hawkey State!
I hate Iowa State as much as I hate food cooked in crock pots, the Boston Celtics (Jerry), being slapped in the face, the Green Bay Packers, frat boys that pretend they are good at sports, and the Chicago Cubs. So with all that hate, I wanted to blow the Cyclones out of the damn state (and yes I wanted that to rhyme). It wasn't going to be good enough to just win, but I wanted to embarrass them. And thats exactly what we did. The Hawkeyes went into Ames and came out victorious with a 35-3 win over those ugly clowns. The Hawkeye defense caused 6 turnovers! That's right 6 turnovers, and who led the way? None other than Tyler Sash, who tied a school record with 3 interceptions himself. Wegher gained 101 yards on the ground while Stanzi threw for 4 touchdowns. If Iowa State wasn't the dirty step child to the Hawkeyes before this game, they sure are now with that God-awful performance in front of their home crowd.
This is where it gets tough, the Top 5.
5. Anyone for a Block Party?
The only reason I am putting this at 5 is because of how great the top 4 are, plus the fact that this game shouldn't have been this close. We all know the situation (at least I assume, because if you have read this far you must care a little bit about the Hawks). Iowa is up 17-16 and UNI has the ball on the Iowa 23-yard line with 7 seconds left to play. As Billy Hallgren (who was 3-3 on the day) lined up for a 40 yard game clinching field goal. Good snap, good hold and BLOCKED by defensive end Broderick Binns! Hawkeye Nation goes crazy, the stands are erupting and you can hear the roar from miles (literally) away. Iowa stayed away from the ball while Panther Tight End Ryan Mahaffey fell on the loose ball behind the line of scrimmage. Nobody including myself knew this bizarre rule, but UNI had one more chance to win the game because the football was recovered behind the line of scrimmage. So the Panthers lined up for a 41 yard field goal. Good snap, good hold and BLOCKED by linebacker Jeremiha Hunter. This time Iowa made sure there would not be another play when Pat Angerer pounced on the ball to guarantee victory.
4. Sash is a "Pinball Wizard"
In the second half of the Indian game, Iowa fans were getting reckless watching the Hoosiers drive down the field on our "bend but don't break defense". Indiana was up 21-7 on the Iowa 14 yard line and looking to cap the game off by delivering a Halloween scare in Iowa City. But Tyler Sash had a Trick and a Treat of his own, when he pulled in an interception that hit off 4 other players. "Trick or Treat Iowa City!"
3. DJK All the Way
The Ohio State game was a fist fight from the beginning. Iowa had zero (and I mean zero) respect coming into this game from the national media. Everyone expected James Vandenberg to be completely flustered in the 'Shoe, living up to his name (JV). The national media assumed that Ohio State would cruise to a huge margin of victory and lock up the Big Ten Title and Rose Bowl bid without so much as a whimper out of Iowa. Desmond Howard from ESPN's College Gameday said Iowa would lose by two touchdowns.
Well as we all know, that wasn't the case because Iowa had something to prove. They took Ohio State to overtime, on the road with a freshmen quarterback. A big part of our success during that game was because of DJK and Marvin McNutt. When Iowa was down 24-10 with 11:11 remaining in the 4th quarter, they were desperately looking for something epic: enter DJK with his 99 yard electrifying kickoff return for a touchdown. Warning: This video may bring back traumatic heart ache.
2. What do I do after I score?
Happy Valley, Penn State vs. Iowa, Joe Pa vs. Kirk Ferentz, and Adrian Clayborn vs. the whole offensive line.
1. McNutt's IN YOUR FACE!
This moment goes down as one of the most epic sports moments I have ever witnessed. It is sitting right there with Mark Buehrle's Perfect Game, Jordan's final shot, Devin Hester's opening kick off for a touchdown in the Super Bowl, Mark Buehrle's No Hitter, and Vince Young's performance in the Rose Bowl, among other things. Pretty classly pantheon to be sitting in. But it deserves it. It had everything an "epic" sports moment needs; time ticking off the clock, final play of the game, down by 4, great pass, great route, great catch, great celebration, personally peeing my pants, and all of Hawkeye Nation using some sort of "MCNUTTS IN YOUR FACE SPARTY!" joke. This game was incredibly amazing and utterly ridiculous. I spent the last two minutes pacing my living room, all the while giving Jonah the play by play while he was driving back from a Notre Dame game (yeah, I know, he hasn't lived it down). Two seconds left, Tony Mo goes in motion, single coverage on McNutt and Touchdown! Touchdown! Iowa WINS, JONAH IOWA WINS, I can't believe it, WE WON!
Marvin you gave us another "The Catch" moment, and God knows it couldn't have come at a better time! You gotta love those McNutts in your face (t-shirts available upon request, e-mail us at themanchise@gmail.com for more info)!
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