Iowa lost 24-21 in Bloomington in 2012, played the first weekend in November. Iowa got off to a fast start, but like many games between 2010-2014, the Hawkeyes failed to close the game out.
However, since 1982 (Ferentz's first game as an OL coach), actually in October, Iowa has only lost one game in Indiana in the month of November. That game was the last one played, in 2012, a 4-8 Iowa team.
The 1982 Hawkeyes won 24-20 against a 5-6 Indiana team. If I remember correctly, Devon Mitchell made a game saving tackle on forth down to kill the final drive for the Hoosiers.
Yes ... his Iowa bio says "made a game-saving tackle on the two-yard line as the game ended to preserve a 24-20 win at Indiana."
This team has a 1981, 1985, 2002 and 2009 vibe to it. Kirk Ferentz was on the staff or head coach during each of those Iowa teams. Ferentz said earlier in the preseason he liked the potential of the team. It is really coming together.
The choice of Zach Johnson as honorary captain on Saturday was a prudent one. Ferentz has put a lot of thought into the off season, as well as the first nine weeks of 2015.
“I felt the first two games after our bye week would present unique challenges and (Saturday) playing a team with an interim coach and nothing to lose coming in here and taking some chances and they played hard and aggressively,” Ferentz said Sunday during an exclusive interview with hawkeyesports.com. “We anticipated that to be a tough challenge and no different than going down to Indiana. They have a quarterback (senior Nate Sudfeld) that is experienced and productive and an offensive team that scores a lot of points. They have played a lot of folks tough, they have four quality wins, and it will be a big challenge for us.”
The IU series is a lot like the Iowa State series. The Hoosiers can be a thorn in the Iowa side over the years, but during the Fry and Ferentz era combined ... Iowa typically wins 2/3rds of the game. Ferentz has won 5 of the last 6 in the IU game.
It is great to be 8-0 Hawkeyes!
