The Iowa defense was uncharacteristically bad in the first half Friday's game against Rutgers.
After Kaden Wetjen took the opening kickoff to the house to put Iowa up early, the Rutgers offense had its way with the Iowa defense.
Rutgers put up 21 first-half points, and were spreading the ball around through the air and on the ground as they had a brilliant first half on offense.
Luckily for the Iowa defense, the offense continued its run of stellar play, matching the Rutgers offense point for point.
In the locker room at halftime, the message was simple for the Iowa defense, treat the game like it is 0-0, and keep your foot on the gas.
During his postgame media availability after the Rutgers game late Friday night (posted by "The Hawkeye Report"), veteran defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett discussed the adjustments Iowa made from the first to the second half.
Hurkett stated he believed the defense was playing hard, but they lacked the details and fundamentals.
In the locker room at halftime, the message was clear: good things will happen if you're flying around to the ball.
Hurkett was proud of his teammates for the way they responded to the adversity they faced in the first half.
The Iowa defense finally got its first turnover of the year after an interception by Jaxon Rexroth, and Hurkett blocked a field goal attempt on special teams that helped seal the win for the Hawkeyes.
After holding Rutgers to seven second-half points, the Hawkeyes escaped Piscataway for their first Big Ten Conference win of the season.
Not a bad birthday present for Hurkett!