One of the most electrifying plays on a kickoff in Iowa History

[Hawkeyeinsoutherncalifornia]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

 

[Champions-Not]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

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I was there. I had my ear buds in but couldn't hear a word Dolph said.

 

[Roy-munson]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

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They have returned one since then I can think of 2 by djk.. jermelle lewis has one in 2003.

 

[KFsdisciple]

They have returned one since then I can think of 2 by djk.. jermelle lewis has one in 2003.

Do the ones by DJK count? Did they really happen? J/K...

but kick off returns for TDs of recent past: I feel like Akrum Wadley could have had one... Desmond King may be had one too. Other guys who could have but I can't recall for sure... Andy Brodell, Riley McCarron, Fred Russell in 2003 I think I had one, DJK had one in the Shoe...

 

[Roy-munson]

Cotton 2012, djk 2010, djk 2009, that’s it on kickoff returns went and did the research

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/2002.html

 

[HumbleP1e]

Cool to have a positive memory from that game. Thanks! I just remember being absolutely livid at the tackles holding our DEs on every play. I haven't watched it in a while, but it was worth the word, egregious. Just stole that early momentum and added to my belief that sports are often fixed. Lol.

 

[QChawks]

I was at a friends bowl party and I remember a guy jumping out of his chair downstairs and putting his hand through the low ceiling.

Good times.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Cotton 2012, djk 2010, djk 2009, that’s it on kickoff returns went and did the research

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/2002.html

Were any of those opening kickoffs though?

 

[JupiterHawk]

 

[JupiterHawk]

Not the first time a team has returned an opening kick and that was the highlight of the game, Maybe it inflates the team too much?

 

[K OKeefe]

CJ Jones hit another gear going down the sideline. He could really stride.

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

Did Iowa blowout P St this year or did they play us tough? I know we beat them but I can’t remember that game.

 

[K OKeefe]

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I loved the dumbstruck look on the two OSU fans. It remined me of Tyronn Lue during the NBA Finals everytime Golden State when on a run and Cleveland called timeout. The "what happened Lebron" look that Tyronn seems to get.

 

[JupiterHawk]

Did Iowa blowout P St this year or did they play us tough? I know we beat them but I can’t remember that game.

2002? Iowa jumped out to a big lead. With the help of some terrible calls, Penn St tied the game. Iowa won in OT in Happy Valley with a bad call going Iowa's way.

 

[HawkSTL]

I haven’t watched that clip in a decade. But J. Lewis hauled ass from the other return position to serve as a lead blocker for CJ Jones and cleared two dudes at the 40 yard line to spring Jones. Hell of an effort/grit play from a physically gifted kid.

 

[chiphawk59]

Every time Tim Dwight touched the ball on a return it was electrifying

 

[ROCKY MOUNTAIN HAWK]

2002? Iowa jumped out to a big lead. With the help of some terrible calls, Penn St tied the game. Iowa won in OT in Happy Valley with a bad call going Iowa's way.

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Thanks for that! I forgot that was the year Ol Joe ran after the refs. That made the victory that much sweeter! Paterno could look the other way on a lot of things but apparently not at the officials on that day.

 

[OutbackBowl2017]

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Was at the Shoe for that one. You coulda heard a pin drop after that score except for Hawk fans of course. Home crowd grew uneasy then shear panic when the Hawks scored to tie it up. Oh what could have been if KF let the boys play for the win instead of play for OT.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Cotton 2012, djk 2010, djk 2009, that’s it on kickoff returns went and did the research

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/2002.html

Yup. We've had chances for others, but I think penalties and our own stupidity (2016 Wisconsin?) cost us those.

 

[TouchdownMyPants]

I know I’m the Debbie Downer of the group, but I can’t watch any part of that Orange Bowl game. So much hope. Such a nice half of football. I can’t celebrate or rehash a half. I suppose it is better than rewatching the 2016 Rose Bowl, but only by half a tick.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

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Yep.

One of the few times where I felt like you should just end a game now because a crowd couldn't get more raucous/frenzied.

Unfortunately, the rest of the game played out and thus...........f*** USC.

I've never hated a team more.

 

[DaCDiggity]

If you squint your eyes a little it looks like Ihmir striding down the sideline....hope he gets a chance to be return man this season.

Could also see Tracy being the return man on kicks and punts, Tracy reminds me of Randall cobb

 

[Pepperman]

Was at the Shoe for that one. You coulda heard a pin drop after that score except for Hawk fans of course. Home crowd grew uneasy then shear panic when the Hawks scored to tie it up. Oh what could have been if KF let the boys play for the win instead of play for OT.

KF's worst blunder ever. I don't know what he would have to do to top that one in my mind... playing for the Rose Bowl on the road at OSU, their crowd is absolutely out of it, and he does that...

A good friend who is an OSU fan said as soon as he took a knee all of the OSU fans smiled and thought that was a horrible decision.

What really amazes me is there are Hawk fans that still attempt to argue he made the right move.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

KF's worst blunder ever. I don't know what he would have to do to top that one in my mind... playing for the Rose Bowl on the road at OSU, their crowd is absolutely out of it, and he does that...

A good friend who is an OSU fan said as soon as he took a knee all of the OSU fans smiled and thought that was a horrible decision.

What really amazes me is there are Hawk fans that still attempt to argue he made the right move.

THIS...is why Kirk gets the criticism he does...

 

[Melrose_Place31]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

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CJ Jones see you later.

Too bad that was the most exciting part of that game.

 

[BigOHawk]

CJ Jones see you later.

Too bad that was the most exciting part of that game.

One of my favorite plays and Hawk "calls" from any game, ever. I would guess the decibel level in that stadium rivaled any recent Hawk game with about 50,000 strong down there in FL.
Jermelle Lewis KR TD was pretty sweet as well, he took the ball and basically was one cut and ran diagonal all the way vs. Sparty for TD, would like to see that clip again!

And..here ya go, :45 second mark.

 

[BigOHawk]

Cotton 2012, djk 2010, djk 2009, that’s it on kickoff returns went and did the research

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/2002.html

I remember DJK 2009 vs. OSU at the Shoe but don't recall the 2010 KR TD, vs. who? Mich?

 

[Broadhead81]

Not the first time a team has returned an opening kick and that was the highlight of the game, Maybe it inflates the team too much?
OSU returned the opening kick in their bowl game a year or two later (want to say it was a Sugar Bowl....can't remember for sure) and then got boatraced.

 

[DaCDiggity]

One of my favorite plays and Hawk "calls" from any game, ever. I would guess the decibel level in that stadium rivaled any recent Hawk game with about 50,000 strong down there in FL.
Jermelle Lewis KR TD was pretty sweet as well, he took the ball and basically was one cut and ran diagonal all the way vs. Sparty for TD, would like to see that clip again!

And..here ya go, :45 second mark.

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Love DJ Johnson getting some redemption on that WR at 5:50ish

 

[JupiterHawk]

Great memory! Against Urban Meyer coached Florida. Ginn may have been injured on that play during the celebration.

 

[Roy-munson]

I remember DJK 2009 vs. OSU at the Shoe but don't recall the 2010 KR TD, vs. who? Mich?

Minnesota, Iowa lost that game but it seemed only djk decided to play, in what turned out to be his last game as a hawk

 

[kyle23]

 

[IACentralHawk73]

Tim Brant's call was a classic "C.J. Jones. See You Later". One of my favorite calls in any sport, just flowed so well.

 

[HawkIDrummer]

jesus you had to post that again...

 

[Hwk-I-St8]

KF's worst blunder ever. I don't know what he would have to do to top that one in my mind... playing for the Rose Bowl on the road at OSU, their crowd is absolutely out of it, and he does that...

A good friend who is an OSU fan said as soon as he took a knee all of the OSU fans smiled and thought that was a horrible decision.

What really amazes me is there are Hawk fans that still attempt to argue he made the right move.

Really? If so, I'd guess it's 95% thinking it was the wrong decision and 4% say flip a coin and 1% say good decision. I know during the game I was like "Holy F#$%, what the hell is he thinking? You go for the kill here..."

 

[Rustys Dad]

I wonder if IOWA has returned a kickoff since the 2003 Orange Bowl? I was sitting in the end zone with my father and sisters for this one and after that play (basically fell apart) all though the Hawks put up a good fight until the 4th quarter I believe... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

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Oh man, what a moment. I was there with my Dad and we were sitting behind CJ and so we watched him run away from us all the way to the other end of the field. I remember almost falling over forward because I lost it and Hawk fans were just insane ... I will NEVER forget that play or the support showed by Hawk fans in South Florida.

 

[Galenahawk]

I was in the upper deck and I thought the whole thing was going to collapse it was shaking so much. Didn't like the outcome, but it was a great time.

 

[MeetTheFerentz]

... still 55,000 Iowa fans going nuts and that old orange bowl stadium was shaking like you wouldn’t believe

Wow. It was shaking so much, you forgot what stadium you were in.