A disastrous third quarter put the game out of reach for the Iowa Hawkeyes

Iowa Hawkeyes fans had some hope coming out of halftime in the game against No. 3 Ohio State. The Hawkeyes had held the Buckeyes to just seven points in the first half and the game was well within reach for the Hawkeyes.

However, the third quarter had to start, and that ended up being the complete downfall for the Hawkeyes. The Buckeyes got the ball starting the second half drove down the field and scored a touchdown. Okay, that is not so bad, it is just part of it, they came out with adjustments.

Then, the Iowa offense had to take the field. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Cade McNamara was hit from behind and fumbled the ball right in front of an Ohio State defensive player who jumped on it. Ohio State now had a short field to go on and score, and score they did. Withing the span of five minutes the game had gone from the Buckeyes up 7-0 to 21-0.

All Iowa needed to do was score on the next drive to truly stay in the game, but instead, after a few plays, McNamara threw an interception against the stingy Buckeye offense and yet again had a short field to go down and score.

At this point, the Buckeye offense was rolling, and the Iowa defense was gassed. The Buckeyes went down and scored yet again to make it a 28-0 game and at this point, Iowa fans knew this game was out of hand.

Even though Iowa has been a second-half team so far this season, scoring 30 or more points against Illinois State, Troy, or Minnesota is a lot easier than against Ohio State. The Buckeyes were not willing to give up anything, and the Iowa offense was not showing a lot of threats of scoring.

The third quarter ended up being a 21-point wing in favor of the Buckeyes, and Iowa was never able to catch their breath in time to settle down and try to get back in the game. At the start of the fourth quarter, Iowa turned the ball over for the third straight time in the second half, effectively handing the game over to the Buckeyes.

Ohio State scored yet again, making it 35-0, which also meant it was time to send in the subs for the Buckeyes. Iowa was able to put a score up on the board in the fourth on a touchdown by prolific running back Kaleb Johnson, who was held to just 86 yards on 15 carries, which is a low day for Johnson.

Everyone knew this would be a tough game for the Hawkeyes, but with two losses on the season now, it seems like the Hawkeye's College Football Playoff hopes have officially dwindled. Now the Hawkeyes can at least get some solid wins and find their way to a good bowl game.