Iowa stays in the hunt for a Big Ten title with dominant win over Minnesota

The Floyd of Rosedale Trophy is staying in Iowa as the Hawkeyes beat the Minnesota Golden Gophers 41-3 in a game that was over in the first half. Iowa came out hot on offense, looking unstoppable, and then the defense made sure to shut down the Golden Gophers.

Iowa marched 75 yards down the field on its first drive to put seven points on the board, and then, like it always does, the Hawkeyes' defense went to work. A punt led to a field goal on the other end of the field for Iowa, and then the defense yet again made a huge difference in this game and picked off Minnesota and ran it back for a touchdown.

Not only was defense a difference maker in this game, but so was special teams. Wide receiver and punt returner Kaden Wetjen had himself a game as he returned a punt to the house in the second quarter that helped Iowa go up 31-0 just minutes into the second quarter.

Iowa is not a team that normally puts up 30+ points that early in the game, as the Hawkeyes are known as a defensive team, but the Hawkeyes came out ready to go against Minnesota.

The defense really was the highlight of this game, however, as the Hawkeyes held Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey to 109 yards and not a single touchdown. The Golden Gophers were never able to find the end zone in Kinnick Stadium, a stadium that was rocking in Iowa City.

Going into halftime, Minnesota had -9 rushing yards and only finished with a total of 24 yards. Three interceptions topped off the night for the Iowa defense as Phil Parker can be happy with the way his unit played against the Golden Gophers.

This win means that Iowa still only has one loss in Big Ten play and only two losses on the season. Even though Iowa isn't ranked in the AP Top 25 right now, a ranking could be on its way soon with a win like this. With only one loss in conference play, the Hawkeyes currently sit second in the Big Ten, giving them a real chance to still be in play for a spot in the title game.