Blackeyed Nuts

Blackeyed Nuts iowa defeats No. 6 Ohio state 55-24 at kinnick stadium

Stunning.

Dominating.

Flawless.

Prepared.

just Wow.

All adjectives that could be used to describe the performance the Iowa Hawkeyes put on display in front of a national TV audience in beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 55-24 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes rolled out impeccable alternate "blackout" uniforms to coincide with the theme of the fans dress code which set the stage for an intimidating, electric atmosphere that seemed to zap the Buckeyes from opening snap. In eight seconds flat, the Hawkeyes jumped out to 7-0 lead on Amani Hooker's sensational pick six interception of Buckeye QB J.T. Barrett on the first play from scrimmage and, from there, never lost momentum.

As uncharacteristic as the Hawkeyes' uniform was, the plays the entire Iowa team strung together from start to finish was perhaps even more unrecognizable. QB Nate Stanley had 5 touchdown passes. DB Josh Jackson had 3 interceptions in the game. The Hawkeyes even used the "polecat" play to perfection to break Ohio State's collective backs. There was the aforementioned pick six, a crazy fake punt that even left head coach Kirk Ferentz shaking his head. And there was flawless execution of a wide open playbook that culminated in the delightful postgame Kinnick Stadium Black Sea formation.

Enjoy the ride

Pregame Festivities

The First Play From Scrimmage

The Hawkeyes won the coin toss and elected to defer their possession to the second half. Ohio State QB J.T. Barrett lined up in the gun, took the snap, looked left, then looked back to the right and targeted WR Binjimen Victor. However, he did not see Hawkeye S Amani Hooker on the prowl and the pass was a dart directly into Hooker's awaiting arms.

Amani Hooker raced 30 yards to the end zone for the game's first score - a mere 8 seconds into the contest.

After the quick score, the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes traded scores throughout the 1st quarter. On Ohio State's next drive, they did what most expected: marching downfield on a 6-play, 80-yard drive culminating in a touchdown from Barrett to WR Terry McLaurin.

Iowa's lone offensive score of the first quarter came on a 30-yard field goal from Miguel Recinos. But the offense was clicking with big chunks of yardage being gained by Hawkeye RB Akrum Wadley. The Iowa offense was only getting started.

Iowa Hawkeye K Miguel Recinos drills a 30-yard FG in the 1st quarter

Key drives and memorable plays

TE T.J. Hockenson scored on a 10-yard reception from Nate Stanley early in the 2nd quarter. The drive began in the 1st quarter and consumed 11 plays and 80 yards.

Akrum Wadley played significant downs on the scoring drive catching 2 passes for 29 yards to go with 6 carries.

TE Noah Fant hauls in his first touchdown catch of the afternoon. This catch capped off a 7-play, 89-yard drive for the Hawkeyes.

After the Noah Fant touchdown, the Buckeyes begin their drive but it ends in disaster when Josh Jackson picks off Barrett and bolts for 19 yards before being run out of bounds

Following the turnover, Iowa goes to work from the Buckeye 22 yard line. Nate Stanley scrambles then finds Akrum Wadley who runs all the way to the 3 to set up the Fant touchdown.

Coming fresh off of Josh Jackson's interception of J.T.Barrett, TE Noah Fant scores a touchdown on a 3-yard reception putting Iowa up 31-17 at halftime.

Former Hawkeye Desmond King returned home to Kinnick and celebrates a successful first half with his former team mates

The stunned Buckeyes look up at the scoreboard as they head back to the famed pink locker room at Kinnick.

ESPN Reporter Todd McShay looks on from the field

With the second half underway, the Hawkeyes and Buckeyes traded drives resulting in punts twice, but Iowa was winning the battle of field position. As time wore on and the Buckeyes were not gaining any momentum, the energy inside Kinnick was only getting stronger. With 6:09 to go in the 3rd quarter the next Hawkeye scoring drive began. It was a 9 play, 78-yard drive that had a little bit of everything. No, it had everything including - the Polecat.

On the 9th play of the drive the Hawkeyes found themselves with 4th and 3 to go from the Buckeye 20. Iowa elected to kick the field goal, but then changed formation. Holder Colton Rastetter took the snap and lobs a pass to long snapper Tyler Kluver who makes the catch, stumbles and lunges hard to the 3 yard line.

On the next play, Nate Stanley is wrapped up by the defender but still able to rifle a pass to T.J. Hockenson for the touchdown putting Iowa up 38-17.

To wind down the 3rd quarter, RB James Butler peels off a 53-yard run all the way to the Buckeye 3-yard line that would set up the Hawkeyes next touchdown.

FB Drake Klick puts the Hawkeyes up 45-17 to begin the 4th quarter. Nate Stanley credited for the 2-yard touchdown pass.

Iowa finished their rampage when RB Toren Young bulldozed into the end zone on a 6-yard run putting the Hawkeyes up 55-24.

And the floodgates holding back the Black Sea were opened

The win moved Iowa to 6-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten Conference. The 55 points scored by the Hawkeyes was the most surrendered by any Urban Meyer-coached team.

The Hawkeyes travel to madison to take on the Wisconsin Badgers.

Appreciate

Credits:

All photographs credit @webcentrick for Hawkeyereport.com