Most Lucky/unlucky plays in Iowa history

[LincolnHawkeye]

I know there are those of you out there with a lot more perspective and better memories out there. But I was thinking about all of the times during Iowa games where one lucky play, whether it be a tipped ball, and fumble that bounces to the right person, or a meaningless penalty that negates a touchdown that can totally change a game. And usually those plays don't show up in the highlight reels.

The most recent example obviously is the HKC fumble that vandeberg scooped up and scored against Iowa state. The other couple of plays I remember off the top of my head are in 2007 during the Indiana game at home, the Indiana receiver caught a pass and then fumbled it. Indianas quarterback, Kellen Lewis, is at the right place at the right time and scoops up the ball and scores easily, making it 21-0 and effectively putting it out of reach. Another one is Illinois 2007, when the came into kinnick ranked, it was a tight game throughout and Illinois completed a long touchdown pass in the 4th quarter to take the lead, but it was called back somehow for an illegal receiver downfield, and we ended up winning. I'm sure there are a ton of other plays that I can't remember right now.

 

[HawkPT]

Grant Steen's fumble after his 3rd (?) interception late in the game in early 2000s at ISU. From joy to pain in a few short seconds.

 

[MadDogC]

Penn St 2002 extra point block and return for 2-pts for a game we later won in OT...

 

[J_Heater]

Lucky I would have to go with Drew Tate against LSU. Tate not knowing clock was running and LSU blowing it's coverage.

Unlucky would be officiating against Florida

 

[ichawk24]

Tate knew the clock was running.

 

[Keeker16]

I believe it was the 1990 season against Ohio state. Iowa was undefeated in the big 10. I think it was right before halftime and their qb chucks it downfield. I think it hit a hawkeye dback in the chest and bounced right into the arms of an osu wr who ran into the end zone...and then bobby olive ripped our hearts out at the end of the game

 

[HawkCapt1912]

Bobby F-ing Olive

 

[J_Heater]

Tate knew the clock was running.

OK. I stand corrected, I never listened to anything Tate said about it. He didn't seem to act like he knew the clock was running. Why didn't he call timeout, did he mention that?

It was still Lucky because LSU had nobody covering a WR 40 yards down field and the DB that came off his man to get to Warren whiffed on the tackle.

I think it was lucky. Great play regardless in Hawkeye history

 

[spiderland]

In the 1987 Kickoff Classic against Tennessee, Iowa's defense forced the Vol's QB to cough up the ball right on his own goal line, directly off one bounce into the arms of Myron Keppy at the 1, who fell into the end zone for an apparent Hawkeye touchdown. Except you couldn't advance a fumble back then, so it was Iowa ball first and goal. No worries, right? Well, four plays later, on 4th and goal, Chuck Hartlieb option pitches the ball DIRECTLY INTO THE HANDS OF TENNESSEE LB DARRIN MILLER (2 yards behind the line of scrimmage) who races/rumbles 97 yards for a touchdown.

I don't know about unlucky, but to this day that sequence of plays remains one of the most frustratingly unbelievable I've ever witnessed as an Iowa fan.

 

[HawkCapt1912]

'02 trailing Purdue, blocked punt returned by Antwan Allen for TD
'09 Sash Halloween pick for TD
'09?? Sash pick and lateral to Hyde for TD
Not sure of year but Greenway was playing. Minny kicker lining up for game winning FG, hits the kick but penalty on Minny. Misses itafter 5yr penalty. We win, Goofers lose.

 

[wowski18]

Pass Interference PSU 08 setting up the game winning kick

 

[HeRKeYHoPeFuL]

Unlucky - 2009 vs NW, Wegher 80 yd TD run called back for questionable hold. We lost by 7 and lost our QB early. Could have been an even more special year.

 

[LincolnHawkeye]

Pass Interference PSU 08 setting up the game winning kick

That was the loudest I've ever heard the crowd react to a PI call before the flag was thrown

 

[LincolnHawkeye]

'02 trailing Purdue, blocked punt returned by Antwan Allen for TD
'09 Sash Halloween pick for TD
'09?? Sash pick and lateral to Hyde for TD
Not sure of year but Greenway was playing. Minny kicker lining up for game winning FG, hits the kick but penalty on Minny. Misses itafter 5yr penalty. We win, Goofers lose.

Wasn't there an Indiana TD taken off the board before that interception because the guys foot was OB?

 

[J_Heater]

It was a loss but I can tell you 2 extremely lucky plays at Ohio St in 2009 about 2 plays apart

OSU jumps off sides by a half a helmet and bailed Vandy out of a pick 6 and a few plays later he throws another pick but OSU LB Rolle ran into Chembe Chekwa and the ball bounces right into Moeaki's hands.

We were lucky to tie that game.

 

[hawkcub]

It was a loss but I can tell you 2 extremely lucky plays at Ohio St in 2009 about 2 plays apart

OSU jumps off sides by a half a helmet and bailed Vandy out of a pick 6 and a few plays later he throws another pick but OSU LB Rolle ran into Chembe Chekwa and the ball bounces right into Moeaki's hands.

We were lucky to tie that game.

Didn't DJK also return a KO for a TD after it was mishandled?

 

[EagleHawk]

Another one is Illinois 2007, when the came into kinnick ranked, it was a tight game throughout and Illinois completed a long touchdown pass in the 4th quarter to take the lead, but it was called back somehow for an illegal receiver downfield, and we ended up winning.

That was the same call that cost us the previous year in the bowl game against Texas. Tight end was covered by a WR.

Penn St '02, we forced a fumble deep in Penn State territory and are taking in for a touchdown, but ref blows the play dead after we already have the ball. Then the 'reception' in overtime that had JoePa running a 4.3 40 after the game. that game worked itself out.

 

[cw_hawk]

OK. I stand corrected, I never listened to anything Tate said about it. He didn't seem to act like he knew the clock was running. Why didn't he call timeout, did he mention that?

It was still Lucky because LSU had nobody covering a WR 40 yards down field and the DB that came off his man to get to Warren whiffed on the tackle.

I think it was lucky. Great play regardless in Hawkeye history

Iowa huddled that play, so Tate didn't know the clock was running. He recognized it was running when they lined up at the LOS.

 

[EndzoneSeat]

I'll second, third, whatever, the Sash "pinball" interception against Indiana.

 

[Pepperman]

'
Not sure of year but Greenway was playing. Minny kicker lining up for game winning FG, hits the kick but penalty on Minny. Misses itafter 5yr penalty. We win, Goofers lose.

I assume you're talking about the 2004 game up in the dome? Minnesota's RB stepped out of bounds on a long TD run, but it wasn't called, so that was unlucky... but the play I think you're trying to recall was before Minnesota attempted the FG. Greenway shot into their backfield and literally tackled the RB by his shoelace to lose about 3-5 yards for Minnesota. Then their kicker pulled the kick left from maybe 47 yards or so. Needless to say, we don't know what would have happened, but a 43 yarder might have been good and the Hawks don't go to the Capital One Bowl.

 

[Pepperman]

Penn St 2002 extra point block and return for 2-pts for a game we later won in OT...

Two other things about this game.

1) PSU fumbled in the first half and we would have recovered in their red zone (might have even been inside the 5 or 10, IIRC). They didn't rule it a fumble though. Replay showed it was, but this being 2002 there were not replays allowed for the referees to get things correct.

2) Right before halftime, Kaeding hit a FG from a long way. I want to say 55 yards, and I remember it bounced off the upright and through. He misses that kick and OT doesn't happen, just like what you were saying above with the extra point block.

 

[MadDogC]

Iowa huddled that play, so Tate didn't know the clock was running. He recognized it was running when they lined up at the LOS.

Correct, imo. I've seen revisions on youtube where Gary Dolphin narrates how KF, KOK, and Tate had it all in complete control, letting the clock run down and frustrate the great saban who was counting on a t/o...i guess it depends on what yer definition of complete control is...

 

[CaliHawkFan]

2001: Iowa up 20 to 14 on Michigan, 3rd and Goal for Michigan with time running down in the third.... Marquis Walker makes one of the more amazing grabs I've ever seen. HUGE turning point in the game and Wolverines went on to win 32-26

 

[wneff]

1983 and 1986 games at Michigan. In both, the games are tied and we have the ball late in the 4th driving for the winning score. In both, a running back fumbles (O. Gill and R. Bass or D. Hudson?), Michigan recovers and then kicks a field goal at the end to win (16-13, 20-17). One of the fumbles was off of a pitch (see the discussion of the Tennessee game above). We didn't pitch very often and had some issues when we did.

 

[hawkguy77]

I assume you're talking about the 2004 game up in the dome? Minnesota's RB stepped out of bounds on a long TD run, but it wasn't called, so that was unlucky... but the play I think you're trying to recall was before Minnesota attempted the FG. Greenway shot into their backfield and literally tackled the RB by his shoelace to lose about 3-5 yards for Minnesota. Then their kicker pulled the kick left from maybe 47 yards or so. Needless to say, we don't know what would have happened, but a 43 yarder might have been good and the Hawks don't go to the Capital One Bowl.

There was a game in the dome where Minnesota got an illegal participation penalty and missed the second attempt, but that game was in 1987? when Vlasic was playing.

 

[icu81222]

Stanzi being sacked in EZ by JNW player and having to come out of the game we were in control of. We then go on to lose. That was a big loss.

 

[89and91]

I believe it was the 1990 season against Ohio state. Iowa was undefeated in the big 10. I think it was right before halftime and their qb chucks it downfield. I think it hit a hawkeye dback in the chest and bounced right into the arms of an osu wr who ran into the end zone...and then bobby olive ripped our hearts out at the end of the game

Yep this was the one I was thinking of.

On a positive note though there was the 1986 game at Minnesota where Houghtlin lined up for a game winning FG and he missed but the goofy gophers were called for 12 men of the field so we got a 15 yard penalty and re-try that Houghtlin drilled to win the game.

 

[Hawk-A-Doodle-Doo]

Bobby F-ing Olive

Good correction. Hawkeye law requires that his full name be used at all times.

 

[bagdropper]

Wasn't there an Indiana TD taken off the board before that interception because the guys foot was OB?

If my memory is good, there were multiple replay overturns in that game of Indiana TD's where I honestly thought they got it wrong each time. Might have even been on the same drive. One I remember distinctly was a micro-fraction of a jostled ball reception in the end zone that really...it was a TD.

I have that game recorded in my archive, if I remember tonight I'll see if I can find them.

 

[wneff]

There was a game in the dome where Minnesota got an illegal participation penalty and missed the second attempt, but that game was in 1987? when Vlasic was playing.

I thought it was the other way around (in '86). Houghtlin missed the first field goal attempt, but Minnesota had 12 on the field. Got a second try 15 yards closer and made it for the Hawkeye win.

 

[hexumhawk]

I believe it was the 1990 season against Ohio state. Iowa was undefeated in the big 10. I think it was right before halftime and their qb chucks it downfield. I think it hit a hawkeye dback in the chest and bounced right into the arms of an osu wr who ran into the end zone...and then bobby olive ripped our hearts out at the end of the game

This is the one that first came to mind. Think we might have been ranked #6 at the time as well.

 

[yerpHAWK]

Lucky: Pretty much the whole 09 season (2 blocked kicks, Mcnutt slant, pinball INT, Blocked Punt,
Unlucky: Pretty much the whole 10 season, and anytime we lose to Iowa State.

 

[gojojo]

There was a game in the dome where Minnesota got an illegal participation penalty and missed the second attempt, but that game was in 1987? when Vlasic was playing.

In 86 Houghtlin missed a 52 yd fg but Minny was penalized with illegal participation. He then made the 37 yd attempt. Then went on to make his last FG attempt at Iowa in the Holiday Bowl to beat SDST in one of the wildest games in Iowa history

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

I believe it was the 1990 season against Ohio state. Iowa was undefeated in the big 10. I think it was right before halftime and their qb chucks it downfield. I think it hit a hawkeye dback in the chest and bounced right into the arms of an osu wr who ran into the end zone...and then bobby olive ripped our hearts out at the end of the game

Ding ding ding! We have a winner! If Merton Hanks knocks that ball down instead of trying to intercept it, Iowa no doubt wins that game, then likely doesn't have the letdown at Minnesota and there's talk going into the Rose Bowl about the national championship. I could watch Hawkeye football for another hundred years and probably never be as crushed as I was after that game.

 

[gojojo]

The whole 90 game vs tOSU was a disaster. Not only the TD by Jeff Grahm at the end of the first half, but there was a blocked punt returned for a TD late in the fourth with a 2 score lead. On tOSU's next possession, Olenjsak (Sp?) intercepted a fourth down pass from the 40 in the end zone which lost us 20 yds of field position. Then we run the ball out of bounds to stop the clock which then lead to an awful punt. tOSU then gets the td with 2 seconds left to Bobby Fing Olive. In my 40 years I have never witnessed such a complete disaster in an Iowa game.

 

[bagdropper]

I wouldn't call the McNutt slant TD against MSU luck. I would call it perfect execution of the play. The Houghtlin Minnesota FG (I remember bartending that night...one indelible memory of Iowa football for me - whole place died an agonizing death, then exploded with joy shortly after)...it was whomever on MN's team that shouldn't have been out there that ultimately caused it.

To me, luck is the Tyler Sash INT return against Indiana in 2009. Some seriously fortunate bounces on that play.

To me, luck is the hit by one of the Stoops against OSU in 1983 when Keith Byers was whipping up on Iowa that messed his foot up. He never truly was the same player after that hit. He was a monster that game up until that point. Doesn't get injured, Iowa loses.


Luck in sports defined to me is...something occurs that beyond skill or decision that very easily could and should have turned into a different outcome. The Sash INT...the ball hits a pad or a hand 1 inch outside where it did, it doesn't happen. Byers...he probably got hit low a lot that year because of his size (Stoops would have been trucked had he hit him higher up). 999 times out of 1000, that foot doesn't break. The game immediately turned in Iowa's favor after that because OSU didn't run the ball nearly as well after.

 

[Recruiting Violation]

I'll throw out the 2010 Demarlo Belcher dropped TD at Indiana to be a very lucky play. We didn't deserve to win that game, and he dropped an easy TD that would have won the game. In a year filled with close games, this was the only one we won except for the Insight Bowl. Also, this was Kirk's 100th career head-coaching victory.

I'm choosing not to dwell on the unlucky plays. Those are too depressing. And that 2010 season probably had a lot of them, but I decided to not think about all those close losses.

 

[LGEND24]

Unlucky - 2010 @ Arizona when Marvin McNutt tipped the pass and Zona got a pick 6. That game was a perfect storm of things just not going right.

 

[J_Heater]

I can't recall his name but one fan was in a bathroom in Minnesota with Lois Feldman. That was pretty lucky or unlucky depending on who you were in that situation.

 

[cw_hawk]

How about something somewhat obscure?

1991 Holiday Bowl - IA v BYU -- the play where Leroy Smith got injured in the 1stQ.

BYU couldn't do anything offensively against IA up to that point in time...