Favorite game of 2015

[HawkNorth]

Was it:

Iowa State: playing the Clones in Trice; CJ's incredible scrambles; two great TD passes and a dominant defensive effort in the second half.

Pittsburgh: a classic slugfest; King's two int's, CJ's clutch time management and a 57 yard FG.

Wisconsin: winning on the road in a trophy game; forcing four turnovers including Nate Meier's game saving forced fumble and Canzeri's 125 rushing yards.

Northwestern: playing on the road against a motivated opponent; an injury depleted lineup; Akrum Wadley runs wild, a stellar defensive effort and an unexpected blowout win.

Nebraska: sticking it to the Huskers on their own field to clinch the West; Canzeri's explosive TD runs on consecutive possessions; Parker Hesse's pick and TD; Hawks finish 12-0.

 

[icantfindausernamethatisntused]

Really tough to decide as they each have different reasons to enjoy the win. For example, the Pittsburgh game might have been the best single game of the season because of the classic finish, plus it was a night game. However, as great as that win was, it didn't generate much buzz for Iowa becoming a contender in the Big 10, which is why Wisconsin could easily be my favorite win last year. It had been awhile since we beat them, and the win put us squarely in the driver's seat for the division for the rest of the season. Very few expected us to win, but once we did we instantly became division favorites, which was a fun ride. Then of course I always love beating Northwestern and Nebraska. Beating Northwestern the way we did was a welcome change of pace as we had been involved in a number of close games leading up to that. It was truly a joy watching our offense click on all cylinders. The win against Nebraska kept our national championship title hoops alive and ensured that Nebraska would end the season with a losing record. As fun as that was, I don't think we really played that well as we essentially just sat by and let Nebraska beat themselves.

In the end, knowing how the season ended up, I picked Pittsburgh simply because I think it was the best game with the best finish. However, I was much more excited/happy immediately after the Wisconsin and Nebraska games, but those games themselves were not quite as fun to watch.

 

[ghostOfHomer777]

My favorite was the Wisconsin game ... Ott and King each gave us tour de force performances ... and it culminated in a victory. It still ended up being a hard-luck season for Ott ... but I was happy to see that he was one of the differences in that game for us.

 

[StormHawk42]

Since I was at Nebraska in -10 wind chills and being around other Hawk fans chanting "12 and 0, 12 and 0" as Husker fans walked out of the stadium, I'd say that one. But I'm biased.

 

[Hawkeyestate81]

I was at the Pitt and Nebby games, both great but the Pitt game, all that was going on that day with Greenwood leading the team out of the tunnel. Iowa recognized several special people that day during commercial breaks, a Veteran returning home a kid who has been up against so much and is battling tough, etc. We just went nuts during the breaks for all fo this stuff. The crowd was as energized and loud as I can remember and only at 62k it was nuts. Then the kick obviously at the end, what a freaking blast. I cannot wait to get back to Kinnick people really missed out on a lot of special moments last year in games.

 

[anon_i8nzeu2gbf0ba]

Hawkeyestate81, you nailed it. Every time I see that clip of Greenwood, I tear up. Hell, I did right now just writing about it.

Fabulous football game that Iowa dominated far more than the final score would indicate. But who would trade a 17-point win for the way that one finished? My wife and I felt fortunate to have witnessed that night in person under the lights at historic Kinnick Stadium. And for us, it confirmed that Iowa had the potential for a memorable season. Yes sir, that one was a night to remember.

 

[ichawk24]

I have to go with the home game, so I chose Pitt.

 

[milehighhawkeye24]

NW, it was nice kicking back and watching an a$$ kicking. On road, seeing coach Fitz stunned, and I was so worried going in BC we had all like 11 starters out and was CJB's worst week with his injury...wasn't sure he would go

 

[HerkysDad]

The Purdue game.

Deplorable conditions, but so proud of the facilities crew working through the night to clear the field and parking lots, the fans driving through blizzard conditions to attend, and the team for playing a greart game to go 11-0 in tough conditions. Not to forget the vendors, security staff, Spirit Squad, Hawkeye Marching Band and even the field officials.

It was quite a long snowy drive to get there!

 

[SWIowahawks]

Iowa had clinched the division before the Nebraska game. I was there again and it was my favorite on the list.

The Big Ten Championship game was my overall favorite. After rewarching that game, I was proud to be a Hawk. Those kids left everything they had on that field and impressed a lot of people. Gus Johnson calling the 4th quarter TD pass to Tevaun is one of my favorite plays as a Hawk fan.

 

[nu2u]

I voted for Wisconsin. Iowa needed that win to get the Bucky monkey off if its back that it had been carrying for 6 years. It was a key road win that put Iowa as the West Division team to beat and established credibility for Iowa as a national title contender also.

I can see why the Pittsburgh game is a popular choice. Any time you get a 57 yard game winner as the clock expires definitely qualifies. I wish I had a copy of that picture of Tyler Boyd standing underneath the goal posts and helplessly looking up to see the ball sail over the crossbar. If the poll had been for the "most exciting" game I would have voted differently.

 

[Dauminator]

Tough call. I'd rank them this way, right now.

5 Wisconsin: great to win up there, but that was a nerve-wracking game.

4 Nebraska: weather, rival, road game, division sown up, never been 12-0 - the boys overcame it all.

3 Northwestern: this was the game where we showed we could be in for a great year as up until then we were scraping by. Turned out we scraped by most games, but as scary as NW was in the buildup, then to come out and punk them like that was just great.

2 Pittsburgh: sorry I missed this one in person. This was a unique night that will go down in Hawk legend. It has less to do with a 57 yard FG, but more with the atmosphere and the Greenwood-led swarm. Tight game against a tough opponent helped. Though Iowa really should have won comfortably.

1 Iowa State: I said "right now." Why do I rank this first right now? It's the game that gives me most hope for next year. CJ was a complete stud in this game. If we have that CJ this year, we should repeat in the West at least.

 

[IowaNiceHawk]

NW, it was nice kicking back and watching an a$$ kicking. On road, seeing coach Fitz stunned, and I was so worried going in BC we had all like 11 starters out and was CJB's worst week with his injury...wasn't sure he would go

I was in Evanston when Akrum Wadley stunned the pinheads at Northwestern, rolling them like a sister of the poor squad.

2nd was Nebraska and getting to 12-0, clinching Big10 West at Lincoln.

3rd probably Pitt........what a Super night at Kinnick

 

[Packer54]

I have to break it up:

Home: Pitt....no need to say why frankly. Electric nite game, electric ending.

Away: Wisky. Going there and punching them in the mouth defensively, which is what they pride theirselves on, was special. Plus running around our neighborhood with a hawk flag in Wisconsin was pure joy after the game. Pure frickin joy.

 

[paednoch23]

So I guess there are 6 cyclones voting for the ISU game in an attempt to pull the old "see it's your super bowl too" card. Why is ISU even on the list.

 

[paednoch23]

Tough call. I'd rank them this way, right now.

5 Wisconsin: great to win up there, but that was a nerve-wracking game.

4 Nebraska: weather, rival, road game, division sown up, never been 12-0 - the boys overcame it all.

3 Northwestern: this was the game where we showed we could be in for a great year as up until then we were scraping by. Turned out we scraped by most games, but as scary as NW was in the buildup, then to come out and punk them like that was just great.

2 Pittsburgh: sorry I missed this one in person. This was a unique night that will go down in Hawk legend. It has less to do with a 57 yard FG, but more with the atmosphere and the Greenwood-led swarm. Tight game against a tough opponent helped. Though Iowa really should have won comfortably.

1 Iowa State: I said "right now." Why do I rank this first right now? It's the game that gives me most hope for next year. CJ was a complete stud in this game. If we have that CJ this year, we should repeat in the West at least.

Iowa State Troll

 

[markfromj]

2nd was Nebraska and getting to 12-0, clinching Big10 West at Lincoln.

We clinched the week before.

 

[J_Heater]

Minnesota. History was made crowd was electric. Throw in grapple that day. Slam dunk

 

[KuwaitHawk]

I am going off the list and go with Minnesota also.

 

[Gridiron24]

At the Pitt game, and even more so while walking home afterwards, I realized that 2015 was going to be a special season.

Northwestern was when I decided we would go 12-0!

 

[SDHawkDoc]

Pitt.
So great on so many levels.
That was possibly the most excited I've seen the players after a win.

 

[unoHawkeye]

Not a lot of love for the Northwestern game. If we look back to the week leading up to the game, there was a lot of talk about the Wildcats wearing the alternate jerseys, and the twenty year anniversary of the 1995 Rose Bowl season cut short for Fitzgerald (didn't they even honor their coach from that year before the game?). Anyways there was a lot of speculation that Fitzgerald was going to have his team absolutely fired up for this game, then Iowa came out, in a game that many thought we'd lose due to a depleted lineup and a bye week which many thought came too late, and absolutely kicked the living s*** out of them. It's also kind of crazy remembering that it was Northwestern who ended our perfect season in '09 and for awhile has been a team who's had our number.

While each game was special for a different reason - ISU: Think this was the least "special" game for sure, helluva performance by CJ
Pitt: Duh
Wisconsin: Monkey off our back in one of the toughest games we played
Nebraska: Completed the season trophy sweep, finished 12-0

EDIT: Minnesota should have been an option instead of Iowa State, especially for those in attendance. That was probably the most exciting atmosphere that Iowa played in in the regular season. Still remember hearing the I.O.W.A. chant the entire third quarter drowning out the announcers. Very cool

 

[MarkRules]

I have to pick Northwestern because that was the game that sent us into a bye week at 7-0 and left the national media no choice but to talk about the Hawks. They didn't have to respect us, but at least we annoyed them enough that they had to talk about us.
That game was the difference between a good season, and a special season.
And, with all that said, the game that will be remembered 25 years from now is the Pittsburgh game. A perfect night at Kinnick.

 

[ottumwan in tx]

Minnesota and it's not even close

 

[DarkThunder#61]

Minnesota game was very fun as it was the only one I got to last year.

However, I'm going with the Northwestern game because it was such an unexpected turnout and I could really sit back and enjoy the destruction of a Pat Fitzgerald - coached team by his most hated rival.

The look on his face throughout the game was that of fate telling him "this is what your hatred has brought you."