Iowa Hawkeyes vs Minnesota: Three Stars of the Game
By Jeremy Karll
Brandon Snyder – 5 Tackles, 1 Interception, 1 Fumble Recovery
On an afternoon where the Hawkeyes defense looked as good as they have all season and allowed a mere seven points, Brandon Snyder was the star of the game. He once again delivered numerous big blows, something that has become characteristic of him, and also helped the Hawkeyes secure two turnovers.
In the first quarter, Parker Hesse forced Rodney Smith to put the ball on the ground, and Brandon Snyder recovered for his third fumble recovery of the season. In fact, that marks the third consecutive game that Snyder has recovered a fumble in.
C.J. Beathard threw an interception on the ensuing play, although Snyder and Iowa’s defense set the offense up with beautiful field position, nonetheless. Not to mention it stopped a Minnesota run game that started to pick up momentum with Smith gaining 13 yards on the previous two carries.
Then, late in the fourth quarter, Snyder picked Mitch Leidner for his second interception of the season, and Leidner’s second of the game. It allowed Iowa to burn nearly a minute off the play clock before being forced to punt. Despite the Hawkeyes not securing the win on the ensuing possession, it gave them a chance and stopped Minnesota’s offense for the fifth time in the fourth quarter up to that point.
Brandon Snyder only appeared in five games last season, however the sophomore safety has emerged as a budding star for the Hawkeyes defense. He rivals Josey Jewell as the hardest hitting defensive player on the team and has either forced or recovered a turnover in four consecutive games now.
Just two weeks removed from a career-high 13 tackles and a forced fumble, Brandon Snyder has not slowed down. This is the least amount of tackles he’s recorded since week two, however he gave the offense chances and continued his fantastic sophomore season.
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For as many problems as the Hawkeyes have faced on both sides of the ball this season, Snyder has consistently been a key contributor to the defense, and I expect it to continue.