Been watching the Hawks for 37 years.

[Sett1997]

I can't think of a game I've enjoyed anymore than this one.
The catch was awesome against LSU, McNutt as time expired VS MSU was awesome.
This was off the charts though and takes the cake imo.
What say you guys?

 

[NorthernHawkeye]

It's hard to judge this stuff because the emotions of this game are fresh whereas the emotions of the latter games have waned.

It's like anything in life.

 

[Kurt Warner]

I say I'm with ya, amazing game that made you proud as all get out to be a Hawk fan. It has to rank right up there in biggest wins of all time.

 

[Sett1997]

It's hard to judge this stuff because the emotions of this game are fresh whereas the emotions of the latter games have waned.

It's like anything in life.

As far as pure enjoyment and the payback this one was it for me. I see your point though.
I was pretty excited at the time by the other 2 games I mentioned.
THIS ONE FELT GOOD!

 

[Sett1997]

All the disappointment In losing to them over the years and their primadonna bs made this ass whipping special!
Hats off to the players and coaches.

 

[HoustonHawkeye]

There has been many dramatic games over the years. This is the biggest ass whipping of a top ranked team that I can remember. Nothing comes close.

 

[irunlikeAcieEarl]

I've been alive for 36 years, this is the greatest regular season victory I've seen by Iowa. We rarely beat OSU, even in the '04 beat down they were in a down year. The 55 spot on the Buckeyes was glorious.

 

[kwik44]

Those games were in doubt until the last seconds so euphoria was instant gratification, the gratification for this one went on and on and on during the game.

 

[Sett1997]

Those games were in doubt until the last seconds so euphoria was instant gratification, the gratification for this one went on and on and on during the game.

You nailed it.

 

[BioHawk]

It's a top 5 game for sure.

 

[Wasnt-drunk-didnt-troll]

I believe Iowa football is taking steps towards being consistently nationally competitive and we will start to beat OSU every few years. I don't know that I will see Iowa beat Ohio State by 31 points again in my life time. (32) that was a program changer especially the way it went down. (Media w/ wave, jerseys, new oc, tiger hawk. Etc.)

 

[jdw10224405]

Been debating today which was the bigger win, OSU or Mich last year. Neither had any realistic expectation of winning. Michigan was the euphoria of a last second win. OSU was a unbelievable party that was on for most of the game. The manner in which the Hawks kicked OSU's ass puts it over the top for me, but ultimately it doesn't matter - both were amazing!

 

[td77]

How about 2002 at the Big House and routing #8 Michigan? That was pretty special.

 

[Sett1997]

Been debating today which was the bigger win, OSU or Mich last year. Neither had any realistic expectation of winning. Michigan was the euphoria of a last second win. OSU was a unbelievable party that was on for most of the game. The manner in which the Hawks kicked OSU's ass puts it over the top for me, but ultimately it doesn't matter - both were amazing!

I thought Michigan was going to completely destroy us last year. I had more hope for this game than that one.
I'll give Ferentz credit, he has a way of finding these diamonds in the rough and motivating them to be giant killers.
Hopefully this was Brian's coming out and Kirk gave him the offensive reins. We saw this same type of aggressive play calling in our 12-0 start season.
Regressed back though to being conservative around game 9 imo .

 

[jdw10224405]

I thought Michigan was going to completely destroy us last year. I had more hope for this game than that one.
I'll give Ferentz credit, he has a way of finding these diamonds in the rough and motivating them to be giant killers.
Hopefully this was Brian's coming out and Kirk gave him the offensive reins. We saw this same type of aggressive play calling in our 12-0 start season.
Regressed back though to being conservative around game 9 imo .

I had a little bit better feeling about the OSU game this year but it was because of the Michigan game last year and PSU earlier. I posted in another thread that I hope we look back on this game in a few years as a major positive turning point for the program.

 

[irunlikeAcieEarl]

I thought Michigan was going to completely destroy us last year. I had more hope for this game than that one.
I'll give Ferentz credit, he has a way of finding these diamonds in the rough and motivating them to be giant killers.
Hopefully this was Brian's coming out and Kirk gave him the offensive reins. We saw this same type of aggressive play calling in our 12-0 start season.
Regressed back though to being conservative around game 9 imo .

I disagree, we usually find a way to play Michigan tough at home. We've only once blown out OSU, prior to to this game. I was not really nervous for the Michigan game. This game, I had no idea where that offense came from.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

We went from cheering to having a great laugh the whole 4th quarter. We didn’t feel sorry for the Buckeyes but couldn’t help but laugh & laugh at them for the final 15 min of fball.

Not sure what my top 5 all time movie comedies are but 4th quarter against Oh St is in there somewhere.

 

[ICWestfan]

In my mind, about the closest game that was enjoyable to watch and equally as entertaining was Iowa's win over Michigan in 2002. I'm sure there are others (Iowa 59-0 over Illinois in '85) but that seems the most recent for me.

 

[Hwkfn1]

I think the 54-28 win over Illinois in 1990 was pretty close to this one. Illinois was a Top 5 ranked team and Iowa came out and absolutely dominated them right from the beginning. Hopefully, this year Iowa can finish the season strong, unlike that year in which Iowa lost 2 of their 3 remaining games.

 

[Suterman]

This was from the first play (Pick6) to the last play, pure enjoyment. But this game had no conference or league implications for Iowa. There have been far bigger games with bigger stakes than this one. This is probably the most improbable game I've ever watched at Kinnick and I loved every second of it.

 

[NashvilleHawk]

How about 2002 at the Big House and routing #8 Michigan? That was pretty special.

I can compare that game with the 2010 win against Sparty, the 2004 win against Connie and the 2002 game at the Big House.

The closest I can come with this recent Ohio State game, is beating a Texas team, who was ranked #1 earlier in the season, in the 1984 Freedom Bowl, 55-17, and Iowa had 55 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

When I saw 55 points along with a fake field goal, I thought someone turned on my PS4 and Hayden Fry with this sunglasses and ice cream pants were walking the sidelines.

 

[usarmyret2011]

I am 50, and after the game I was talking to the guy has been my best friend since we were 7 years old. We started going to games together with his Dad (a former Iowa player who played behind and roomed with Alex Karras) when we were 9 years old and we both said that we have waited our entire lives for a complete game like this from the Hawks against a team like Ohio St. There have been some really good ones before this, but there is no one in the Big Ten we "hate" more than the Buckeyes, so for us it was the best ever!

 

[soybean]

I can't think of a game I've enjoyed anymore than this one.
The catch was awesome against LSU, McNutt as time expired VS MSU was awesome.
This was off the charts though and takes the cake imo.
What say you guys?

I went to my first Iowa game in 1957, or so I'm told, and I have vivid memories of Hawkeyes game I've attended since about 1960ish. I recall more exciting finishes and some other Hawkeye blowout performances. But I have to agree with the OP about this game being the most enjoyable. I recall looking up at the scoreboard several times Saturday when the score was 17-17 to reassure myself that what I was thinking in my head was really the case...we were tied with mighty Ohio State in a game that I told myself walking in that I'd be satisfied if we stayed within 14. After we went up by 31-17 then, and only then, did I relax and know we were gonna be OK...after that it seemed like the Hawks were making every play on offfense, defense, special teams and even some trick plays thrown in for good measure.

I did not rush the field. But I watched the whole thing play out like it was a movie. It was dozens of little fan interactions and dramas. People were happy and dazed all at the same time. A one point it occured to me what the recruits might be thinking. If Saturday didn't move the needle with them in favor of coming to school in Iowa City then nothing else would.

 

[hawkfeever]

I can't think of a game I've enjoyed anymore than this one.
The catch was awesome against LSU, McNutt as time expired VS MSU was awesome.
This was off the charts though and takes the cake imo.
What say you guys?

years and years of frustration out in that one game. remember games like when they had Eddie George. They just crushed us. And you know all the other Big Ten teams were like yeah Iowa kick their a$$. people just didn't think it would be the Hawks to lay one on them like that.

Nate Stanley is ice. So damn cool out there.

 

[Underscore2]

From the stands, I watched 1 vs 2 "The Kick" sail through right in front of me, and the moment after can really never be topped. But as far as most memorable, this one defiantly tied with The Catch in all honesty.

 

[pkongsh]

We typically upset top ranked teams on a field goal. We got respect as an average team that had a knack for keeping a game close with a conservative game plan that could steal one occasionally. This game changes that narrative if we follow it up with the same aggressiveness going forward. We have the talent to blow a lot of doors off. I hope we do it.

 

[Eternal Return]

I disagree, we usually find a way to play Michigan tough at home. We've only once blown out OSU, prior to to this game. I was not really nervous for the Michigan game. This game, I had no idea where that offense came from.

Yup. Even the 2004 game against Ohio State didn't become a blowout until the second half. I didn't have any doubt Iowa would be in the game the whole after Iowa's first offensive series when they marched down the field and got a field goal. The players looked sharp, intense, and confident the whole game. Even in 2004 it sort of like Drew Tate won that game. Plus, that was a 3-2 Ohio State team at that time. This Ohio State team was being crowned as the only opponent (besides Georgia) who could possibly hang with Alabama. Off the charts for best win I've ever seen by the Hawks and I started following them them when I was young, around 1980. The Texas bowl game in '84 was a similar total beatdown, but Texas was only ranked 19th that year. This is ... there's no comparison as far as I can tell. Never seen Iowa plaster any team with as much talent as OSU so thoroughly from start to finish.

 

[HerkysDad]

This game excitement began at 8 seconds into the game and did not let up until until they finally cleared the field of fans at the end. It was wall to wall excitement.

 

[dfelg11404]

This win could very well be a stepping stone to changing the program from the average team with a shot at taking down a big boy at home a couple times a year to a team that will compete for a conference title more often than every 3 or so years.

Iowa showed us and the entire country this weekend that they are fully capable of beating anyone in the county on any weekend. This wasn't a hang around and hope we have a shot at the end. This was a full team, both sides of the ball, dismantling of a perennial national powerhouse team. The confidence boost this kind of win gives the program is massive

Everyone has always questioned why Iowa isn't on the level of, let's say Wiscy for example, where they are expected to win the west year in and year out. This win justifies those questions being asked because it shows this team and this staff is MORE than capable of being there every single week. This wasn't a fluke win. This was a preparation win. An execution win on both coaching and playing points.

From start to finish Iowa was hands down the better team on the field, against "the" Ohio State. A team chock full of middling ranked recruits vs 5 star after 5 star. A defensive line predicted to all be in the NFL was thrown around all day long by a young inexperienced Iowa o line. That only happens with flawless prep/execution.

 

[hawk halen]

My dad had season tickets since he graduated from Iowa in '58. I started attending all of the home games in the late 60's. For the fellow geezers, this game reminded me of our upset of UCLA in '74. In both games we were given zero chance to win at home and completely dominated our highly ranked opponent. Kinnick was shaking after the screen pass touchdown from Rob Fick to Mark Fetter. The image of the goal posts coming down and Earl Douthitt being carried off the field on the shoulders of students is still fresh in my mind.

 

[RogerKint]

I remember the UCLA game. We were given no chance. I sat in the $2 “knot-hole” section. John Schara(sp?) was their QB.

 

[Pepperman]

The 2002 win at Michigan was better in my opinion. Now, I know the "freshness" of this OSU game matters a lot to people and hell many posters here probably don't even recall that 2002 season (how could you unless you're over the age of 22 or so) but going into the Big House and whipping them 34-9 was unheard of back then for a Hawkeye team. Much like hanging 55 on OSU, I know. Some of this comes down to opinion and recency bias. You know, I have no memory of that 1990 game at Illinois, but many fans who do believe it was just as special. Clearly I can't comment on anything pre that win so therefore I don't know all of the 1980s stuff with beating Nebraska, etc.

But for me, in my lifetime, I rank them as follows:
1) At Michigan 2002
2) OSU 2017
3) I'm not even sure what comes next. Wisconsin 2004, At PSU 2009, MSU 2010, At Minnesota 2008, Orange Bowl vs GA Tech, ???

 

[Franisdaman]

It's hard to judge this stuff because the emotions of this game are fresh whereas the emotions of the latter games have waned.

It's like anything in life.

agreed.

one thing to think about: how often do we beat Ohio State? how often do we dismantle them, esp when they are a top 6 team in the country.

i think beating Ohio State is as rare and special as they come so I can see why people would think this game might be one of the best Iowa wins ever.

but then again, we are not batting for a B1G title so....

 

[soybean]

I was at this game with a dearly departed friend...its on my list of favorites too...

 

[soybean]

This one is hard to top too...

 

[RogerKint]

I was at that one too. Great game. But my seats were in the opposite end zone down on the field. I never saw the catch!

 

[soybean]

Another great one...

 

[Dauminator]

The 2002 win at Michigan was better in my opinion. Now, I know the "freshness" of this OSU game matters a lot to people and hell many posters here probably don't even recall that 2002 season (how could you unless you're over the age of 22 or so) but going into the Big House and whipping them 34-9 was unheard of back then for a Hawkeye team. Much like hanging 55 on OSU, I know. Some of this comes down to opinion and recency bias. You know, I have no memory of that 1990 game at Illinois, but many fans who do believe it was just as special. Clearly I can't comment on anything pre that win so therefore I don't know all of the 1980s stuff with beating Nebraska, etc.

But for me, in my lifetime, I rank them as follows:
1) At Michigan 2002
2) OSU 2017
3) I'm not even sure what comes next. Wisconsin 2004, At PSU 2009, MSU 2010, At Minnesota 2008, Orange Bowl vs GA Tech, ???

This is a very good point. There are a lot of different kinds of games. It's hard to pin one down as a best. Blowing out a rival or tough conference team unexpectedly, coming out on top in a slugfest between two ranked teams, upsetting a highly ranked opponent when everyone counted you out. It's all happened multiple times.

This one is in a pretty unique category. It combines a lot of elements. It's an upset over a highly ranked team who looked on their way to the playoff, but it was also a blowout. Even some of the playcalling seemed to come out of nowhere, and everything went right. And it's against a team that has our number like no one else historically. Against a coach with a video game record against conference foes. Fifth most points ever scored against one of the best and most consistent programs in the sport's history. A really unique blend of circumstances that makes it hard to find a parallel.

Michigan 2002 is a good candidate. On the other hand, Iowa had already started to show some potency that year. Sure we didn't expect it against a good Michigan team, at their homecoming no less, but we had shown it. MSU 2010 is a decent contender. MSU was top ten and we smoked 'em. I don't remember us being as down on our boys at that time, though. Frustrated by "almost" being good, but not as down. Nebraska 81 and UCLA 74 are before my time (and I would argue that while Neb 81 may be just as surprising, it was a close defensive struggle so not quite the same).

Maybe it's premature to say it's the most ____ in history but if nothing else it's a very rare sort of win.

 

[soybean]

I remember the UCLA game. We were given no chance. I sat in the $2 “knot-hole” section. John Schara(sp?) was their QB.[/QU

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[Sett1997]

I can compare that game with the 2010 win against Sparty, the 2004 win against Connie and the 2002 game at the Big House.

The closest I can come with this recent Ohio State game, is beating a Texas team, who was ranked #1 earlier in the season, in the 1984 Freedom Bowl, 55-17, and Iowa had 55 by the end of the 3rd quarter.

When I saw 55 points along with a fake field goal, I thought someone turned on my PS4 and Hayden Fry with this sunglasses and ice cream pants were walking the sidelines.

Forgot the Texas throttling , I thoroughly enjoyed it too. Lol