Caden Buhr just etched his name into Cy-Hawk history, drilling a 42-yard field goal with less than a minute left to seal a dramatic 16-13 victory for the Hawkeyes. This wasn’t just another win; it was sweet, sweet revenge after Iowa State snatched the last two rivalry games with game-winning kicks of their own. Iowa is now 2-0, but man, was it a rollercoaster. The Hawkeyes needed everything they had to pull this one out, and while the win feels amazing, there are definitely some things that need a serious look.
Defense and Special Teams Carried the Day
Let’s be real, without the defense and special teams, this game would’ve been a blowout, and not in Iowa’s favor. Phil Parker’s unit was absolutely phenomenal, holding Iowa State to a measly 13 points and just one touchdown for the entire game. After halftime, the Cyclones only put up three points. That’s lockdown stuff right there! Then you’ve got Caden Buhr, who was perfect, going 3-for-3 on field goals, including the game-tying boot and the winner. Punter Boston Everitt was a beast too, averaging 44 yards on six kicks, with four pinned inside the 20. This special teams unit looks totally different than last season, but they came through big time. Also, you gotta give props to the mental toughness after going down 10-0 in the second quarter. Scoring the final 10 points of the first half to tie it up? That’s a gut-check moment the team passed. Tony Diaz, the UTRGV transfer, continues to dazzle, adding eight catches for 95 yards after a seven-catch, 84-yard debut. He looks like the dynamic receiver Iowa has desperately needed. And let’s not forget Cam Buffington, the third-year linebacker, leading the team with 15 tackles in only his second collegiate start. What a performance!
Offense: A Familiar Nightmare?
Alright, now for the stuff that makes you wanna pull your hair out. The offense was… well, it was a mess. Only one touchdown against the Cyclones? After dominating Northern Illinois on the ground last week, the rushing game completely stalled, finishing with just 93 yards and a dismal 3.2 yards per carry. Kamari Moulton, who exploded for 183 yards in the opener, was held to 15 carries for 57 yards. Iowa State actually *outrushed* the Hawkeyes, 138-93! And talk about a sluggish start, Iowa looked incredibly underwhelming, especially on offense, letting Iowa State jump out to a 10-0 lead by the second quarter. These offensive woes are bringing back some seriously bad memories of past ineptitude. It’s clear as day that the defense and special teams *had* to bail them out.
Looking ahead, Iowa is 2-0 and found a way to win a tough rivalry game, which is huge. But the offensive struggles are a glaring issue. Can they clean it up, or will we keep relying on heroics from the defense and special teams? That’s the biggest question right now as they try to build on this undefeated start.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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