Iowa football: Three standout performers against Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes scores a touchdown against Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 06: Noah Fant #87 of the Iowa Hawkeyes scores a touchdown against Blake Cashman #36 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the third quarter of the game on October 6, 2018 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Iowa defeated Minnesota 48-31. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the first half against defensive back Isaiah Nimmers #26 of the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 15: Wide receiver Brandon Smith #12 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the field during the first half against defensive back Isaiah Nimmers #26 of the Northern Iowa Panthers on September 15, 2018 at Kinnick Stadium, in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images) /

Brandon Smith

Brandon Smith had himself a coming out party Saturday against Minnesota’s corners. It wasn’t just the overall production, but it’s how he produced that lands him on this list. Smith, the Iowa football team’s #2 wide receiver has been quiet through the first third of the season, but Saturday was a breakout performance.

The true sophomore from Mississippi doubled his season catch total with five catches for 68 yards, but what really got him on this list was his acrobatic catch on the first drive of the second half for the Hawks.

On 3rd and 3, Nate Stanley tossed up a jump ball to the 6’3” Smith and not only did he force a defensive pass interference call, but he managed to reach behind the defender and haul the catch in. It was honestly the best catch I can ever remember seeing a wide receiver for the Iowa football team make.

That’s not hyperbole either. Just check out a GIF of the play posted on Twitter.

If there was a better catch in recent Iowa football history than that, please tweet us at Dear Old Gold because I would love to see it.