I read a discussion about Iowa blowing games leading going into the 4th quarter since 2010.
I took a different look, games since 2014 that were decided by 1 score (TD + 2 point XP). Out of 80 total games, 38 (47.5%) have been decided by 1 score. The Hawks are 20-18 in those games. Of those 20 wins, 5 were 4th quarter scores where Iowa was behind and they scored to put them ahead for the win (or into OT that they won). Of those 18 losses, 6 were losses with no time left on the clock or tied the game that the Hawks lost in OT, and then yesterday where Purdue scored with 1:23 left that Iowa couldn't score.
Those wins:
2014 - Ball State 17-13 Iowa scores a TD with 1:00 left in the game.
Pitt 24-20 Iowa scores a TD with 6:56 left in the game.
2016 - Michigan 14-13 Duncan FG with no time on the clock.
2017 - Iowa State 44-41 (OT) Wadley catch and run to tie the game with 1:03 left in the game, win in OT.
2019 - Iowa State 18-17 Duncan FG with 4:51 left in the game.
Those losses:
2014 - Iowa State 17-20 ISU drives 51 yards in 4:04 for FG with no time left.
Nebraska 34-37 Nebraska goes 69 yards in 1:41 for FG with :08 to tie, Huskers win in OT.
2015 - MSU 13-16 MSU drives 80 yards in 9:02 for TD with no time left.
2016 - NDSU 21-23 NDSU drives 46 yards in 1:53 for FG with no time left.
2017 - Penn State 19-21 Penn State drives 80 yards in 12 plays in 2:42 for TD with no time left.
2018 - Purdue 36-38 Purdue drives 43 yards in 11 plays in 4:30 for FG with no time left.
Extra Wisconsin 17-28. Not technically a 1 score game, but the Badgers score the go ahead TD with :57 seconds left on a 10 play 88 yard drive. Stanley throws a pick and UW gets a cheap TD at the end.
2020 - Purdue 20-24. Purdue drives 72 yards in 12 plays in 3:45 with 1:23 left on the clock.
In addition, there were losses that Iowa scored late in the 4th quarter, but couldn't get the ball back. Those were last year against Wisconsin (22-24) Wisconsin got the ball back with 3:12 left and ran out the clock. Also, Penn State (12-17). PSU got the ball back with 2:31 left and ran out the clock.
I think we tend to remember the losses more than the wins in the close ones, particularly the way Iowa lost those close ones, long drives that the Hawks couldn't stop. Plus, Iowa had just the one win at the buzzer, whereas they've had 5 losses with no time left.
I took a different look, games since 2014 that were decided by 1 score (TD + 2 point XP). Out of 80 total games, 38 (47.5%) have been decided by 1 score. The Hawks are 20-18 in those games. Of those 20 wins, 5 were 4th quarter scores where Iowa was behind and they scored to put them ahead for the win (or into OT that they won). Of those 18 losses, 6 were losses with no time left on the clock or tied the game that the Hawks lost in OT, and then yesterday where Purdue scored with 1:23 left that Iowa couldn't score.
Those wins:
2014 - Ball State 17-13 Iowa scores a TD with 1:00 left in the game.
Pitt 24-20 Iowa scores a TD with 6:56 left in the game.
2016 - Michigan 14-13 Duncan FG with no time on the clock.
2017 - Iowa State 44-41 (OT) Wadley catch and run to tie the game with 1:03 left in the game, win in OT.
2019 - Iowa State 18-17 Duncan FG with 4:51 left in the game.
Those losses:
2014 - Iowa State 17-20 ISU drives 51 yards in 4:04 for FG with no time left.
Nebraska 34-37 Nebraska goes 69 yards in 1:41 for FG with :08 to tie, Huskers win in OT.
2015 - MSU 13-16 MSU drives 80 yards in 9:02 for TD with no time left.
2016 - NDSU 21-23 NDSU drives 46 yards in 1:53 for FG with no time left.
2017 - Penn State 19-21 Penn State drives 80 yards in 12 plays in 2:42 for TD with no time left.
2018 - Purdue 36-38 Purdue drives 43 yards in 11 plays in 4:30 for FG with no time left.
Extra Wisconsin 17-28. Not technically a 1 score game, but the Badgers score the go ahead TD with :57 seconds left on a 10 play 88 yard drive. Stanley throws a pick and UW gets a cheap TD at the end.
2020 - Purdue 20-24. Purdue drives 72 yards in 12 plays in 3:45 with 1:23 left on the clock.
In addition, there were losses that Iowa scored late in the 4th quarter, but couldn't get the ball back. Those were last year against Wisconsin (22-24) Wisconsin got the ball back with 3:12 left and ran out the clock. Also, Penn State (12-17). PSU got the ball back with 2:31 left and ran out the clock.
I think we tend to remember the losses more than the wins in the close ones, particularly the way Iowa lost those close ones, long drives that the Hawks couldn't stop. Plus, Iowa had just the one win at the buzzer, whereas they've had 5 losses with no time left.
