The Hawkeyes and their faithful descended upon San Diego, site of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl to match up with the USC Trojans. Both teams came in to the game riding three game winning streaks, yet Iowa arrived with heavy hearts while mourning the deaths of two program pioneers - former athletic director Bump Elliott and legendary coach Hayden Fry. The Iowa football program honored the lives of both men, not only leading up to the game, but also emblematically during the game.
The weather in Southern California was uncharacteristically chilly with highs reaching only into the upper 50s during the week and game day. Thankfully, the game was played in dry conditions. As darkness came over outdated and delapidated SDCCU Stadium, the energy of Hawkeye fans feeding off the explosiveness of their beloved Hawkeyes provided plenty of warmth.
The Holiday Bowl pitted one of the nations best defenses (Iowa, 9-3) against one of the nations most productive offenses (USC, 8-4). Conversely, Iowa's offense was ranked statistically in the bottom half of the NCAA along with USC's defense, so something had to give. USC touted two of the best wide receivers, Michael Pittman and Amon-Ra St. Brown. The Trojans also boast a dynamic playmaker at quarterback in Kedon Slovis, yet the Iowa defense, led by defensive lineman AJ Epenesa, hadn't allowed a team to score more than 30 points in a game since October, 2018.
Throughout the season, Iowa had little trouble moving the ball, but found itself settling for field goals behind the foot of All-American kicker Keith Duncan. This game, however, the Hawkeye offense scored touchdowns and not once lined up in field goal formation. For the Hawks to be successful, they'd have to put together clock-draining drives and keep the explosive Trojan offense on the sidelines as much as possible. That's precisely how the game unfolded early on. In the first half, Iowa's offense attacked the edges of the Trojan defense repeatedly and did so with much success. The first drive, Iowa scored on a reverse to WR Tyrone Tracy, while lined up in a T-formation in what might've been a nod to former coach Hayden Fry. On their second drive, the Hawkeyes scored on a jet sweep by Ihmir-Smith-Marsette. Yet, the Trojans responded to both scoring drives with touchdowns of their own. However, the game began to break open in the second quarter on Iowa's third possession when Smith-Marsette returned an ensuing kickoff 98 yards to the house. After a 3-and-out from the USC offense, Smith-Marsette scored again on a jailbreak screen to put the Hawkeyes ahead 28-14. The Trojans would add a field goal before heading to the halftime break.
1st Half Highlights
Controlling the clock
With the score tied 7-7, Iowa put together another clock-controlling 15-play, 72-yard drive resulting in another touchdown.
A key play in the drive was a 3rd down and 9 call to RB Mekhi Sargent who picked up 19 yards on the carry.
Through the first half, Iowa did what they hoped to do by controlling the clock with long drives. However, USC's offense led by QB Kedon Slovis was as explosive as advertised.
After the Trojans tied the score at 14, Ihmir Smith-Marsette provides more fireworks and returns a kickoff 98 yards for an Iowa touchdown. It was Smith-Marsette's second KOR for a touchdown in back-to-back games, also returning one to the house against Nebraska in the regular season finale.
It wouldn't be a football game anymore without some controversy, right? On the next series from the USC offense, Iowa linebacker Nick Niemann appeared to have forced a fumble while Slovis was attempting a pass. It was ruled a fumble but overturned after replay review.
After the 3-and-out forced by the Iowa defense, the Hawkeyes had great field position after the 27-yard punt and began the next drive at their own 48-yard line. Six plays later Nate Stanley connects with Smith-Marsette on the jailbreak for the 12-yard score.
USC ended the half after a 32-yard field goal narrowed Iowa's lead 28-17.
After regaining some of the momentum, USC came out of the locker room firing. After the 3rd quarter opening kickoff, the Trojans found the end zone quickly, driving 75 yards in just four plays highlighted by 55-yard reception from Slovis to Amon-Ra St. Brown. After furiously pulling to within 28-24, USC caught the Hawkeye kickoff return team off guard and successfully executed an onside kick. But just as quickly as the Trojans regained all the momentum things began to unravel for the Trojans. Slovis was injured when AJ Epenesa rushed and stripped the ball as he was throwing and was unable to return to the game. QB Matt Fink took over under center, but Iowa's defense was simply too much for the Trojans.
2nd Half Highlights
After the strip sack fumble, the Iowa offense did it's thing again, rattling off another clock-consuming drive. The 14-play 90-yard drive ended when RB Tyler Goodson crossed the goal line on a 1-yard burst up the middle. This, after the Hawkeye offense imposed their will on the Trojan defensive front and ran three straight Nate Stanley sneaks at the end of the drive.
The Iowa defense notched up the intensity to another level forcing two more fumbles, the latter giving Iowa excellent field position inside the USC 10-yard line and the route was on.
From here, the teams traded punts and USC managed to get into field goal range, but missed a 39-yard attempt. Then, with the Iowa post game celebration just 1:43 away, LB Nick Niemann gets himself in front of a Trojan receiver and gets his first career pick six - a 25-yard dash to the house.
Victory Celebration and Trophy Presentations
The Iowa Hawkeyes finish the year with a 10-3 overall record. Pending the outcome of other post season bowl games, the victory could put Iowa at or near the Top 10 in the final rankings. QB Nate Stanley finishes his Iowa career with a 3-0 bowl record. The Hawkeyes open the 2020 football season at Kinnick Stadium on September 5th against the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.
Credits:
All photographs and story by Dennis Scheidt for HawkeyeReport.com of the Rivals.com network