Kirk Ferentz has been more emotional over the past few years, and why not after a big win over a rival?
The Hawkeyes were reeling after a tough loss to Minnesota that knocked them out of the AP Top 25, but the locker room never panicked. Outside noise was building, especially after the sloppy loss to the Golden Gophers, but the Hawkeyes stayed the course and earned a massive 30-0 win over Wisconsin. It never gets old watching Iowa carry the Heartland Trophy off the field after a big win, and an emotional Ferentz was extremely happy with his team's response.
Ferentz fought back tears as he said his team 'really responded' against Wisconsin
Iowa has been in a few heart-wrenching games this season, but this wasn't one of them. Uncharacteristically, the Hawkeyes earned another blowout win over Wisconsin, their second straight shutout. Iowa crushed Wisconsin 37-0 in 2025, and after a 30-0 victory this season, Iowa has outscored Wisconsin 67-0. That is a massive scoreline we don't often see in Iowa football, but it's even better against a rival. Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell was clearly upset after another big loss to Iowa, calling it "an old-fashioned a** whooping."
Ferentz was much more jovial, fighting back tears as he praised his team's response
Kirk Ferentz: "Sometimes you've got to stub your toe (to learn). The key thing is: Do you learn? So that's it. They did. Apparently, they did. Now, what are they going to learn this week? We'll find out. But you respond or you don't, and the guys really responded today." pic.twitter.com/M2m3wKtVgV
— Tyler Tachman (@Tyler_T15) October 31, 2026
After an emotional win over Wisconsin, Ferentz said sometimes you have to stub your toe to learn, but the key is: do you learn? He said they apparently did, and they'll find out what else they learned next week. Ferentz finished by saying you either respond or you don't, and the guys "really responded" today. Iowa and Wisconsin entered the game on opposite sides of the spectrum, with Iowa reeling after a loss, and Wisconsin riding high after a massive upset over USC.
The squad started laser-focused and jumped out to an early lead. Iowa took a 10-0 lead into the second quarter and never looked back, thanks to a great all-around performance. The defense had another great game, holding Wisconsin to 235 total yards and forcing two turnovers, and the offense finally held up its end. Hank Brown looked much more confident and poised this week than last week, and he was extremely efficient in the passing game.
Brown completed 83 percent of his passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns, and even used his legs effectively to get Iowa out of a few jams. The biggest concern entering the game was the rushing attack, given how good Wisconsin's rushing defense is and Iowa playing without starter Kamari Moulton. Still, the Hawkeyes had a good game on the ground. Aside from Xavier Williams putting the ball on the ground twice, Iowa had a good rushing attack against Wisconsin, finishing with 140 total yards and a touchdown.
Special teams were also back to normal, with Caden Buhr making all three attempts, including a career-long 54-yard make in the third quarter. When Iowa is playing well in all three phases, it is hard to stop, and the program must keep that momentum going against Northwestern. The Hawkeyes can't afford what happened to Wisconsin to happen to them in week 10, and they must keep the energy at the same level. It isn't a rivalry game, but Iowa has a good chance to boost its College Football Playoff resume with another win.
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