No. 9 Iowa holds on to beat Indiana, 35-27

THE SKINNY

No. 9 Iowa piled up 467 yards of offense and held on for a 35-27 victory at Indiana Saturday to improve to 9-0 for the second time in school history.

The Hawkeyes (5-0 Big Ten), who led 20-17 at the half, scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to take a 15-point lead. Indiana (4-5, 0-5) answered with a score, then nearly recovered an onside kick, but the Hawkeyes survived. 

C.J. Beathard was 19 of 31 passing for 233 yards and a TD while rushing five times for 38 yards and another score.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Akrum Wadley got the unbeaten Hawkeyes off to an electric start with a 65-yard touchdown run on Iowa's second play of the game.

A. Wadley run for 65 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

After a Griffin Oakes field goal, the Hawkeyes made it look easy on their second TD drive, stretching between the end of the first and beginning of the second. Iowa went 95 yards on 11 plays, capped by LeShun Daniels' 4-yard run.

Jordan Howard got Indiana back within one possession by racing 37 yards down the sideline, avoiding a couple Iowa tacklers to find the end zone with 8:52 left in the half.

Jordan Howard 37yd TD run; longest run allowed by November 7, 2015

Jordan Howard 37yd TD run; longest run allowed by #Iowa this season (2nd TD run allowed). #Hoosiers #Hawkeyes #IOWAvsIND

— BTNStatsGuys (@BTNStatsGuys)

Howard then split the Iowa defense for his second TD of the game, from 29 yards out, to put the Hoosiers in front with 3:52 to play in the half.

J. Howard run for 29 yds for a TD, (G. Oakes KICK) - ESPN Video

Indiana middle linebacker T.J. Simmons was ejected for targeting with 3:03 left in the second quarter on a play that left Iowa wide receiver Tevaun Smith woozy and needing medical attention. Smith returned in the second half.

That penalty helped extend a drive that ended with Beathard leaping into the endzone over two Indiana tacklers to give the Hawkeyes a 21-17 halftime lead.

Beathard has been battling an injury the last few weeks that limited his running ability, but he showed his athleticism on a play that stood after review.

IOWA vs. IND - ESPN Video

Iowa has scored in the last two minutes of the half or the game in all but the Northwestern game this year. I think that's impressive.November 7, 2015

Iowa has scored in the last two minutes of the half or the game in all but the Northwestern game this year. I think that's impressive.

— marcmorehouse (@marcmorehouse)

Indiana drove inside the 10-yard line to begin the fourth quarter, and Oakes made his second field goal of the day, from 28 yards, to get the Hoosiers within one point after a scoreless third quarter.

Iowa answered. Beathard led the Hawkeyes on two consecutive impressive fourth-quarter drives, showing off his play-making ability with a number of great throws.

Daniels capped the first with a 2-yard run to put Iowa up eight, then George Kittle added a TD reception with a Beathard-like endzone leap for a 15-point advantage.

C. Beathard pass,to G. Kittle for 10 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

Desmond King picked off his eighth pass of the season to equal Nile Kinnick and Lou King (no relation) for the school record.

But Indiana got the ball back, scored on a 4th-down pass and nearly recovered an onside kick. The ball came loose and two Hoosiers were in the area, but Henry Krieger Coble fell on it.

PLAY YOU HAVE TO SEE

This nearly impossible throw from Beathard was excellent and also a crucial part of the Hawkeyes' fourth-quarter scoring drive. Rolling to his left, he's able to complete a first-down pass to Matt VandeBerg, sore groin and all.

C. Beathard pass,to M. VandeBerg for 12 yds for a 1ST down - ESPN Video

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Middle linebacker Josey Jewell was all over the place early, totaling 11 solo tackles. He drew immense praise from the broadcast team as well as a former Hawkeye linebacker.

Jewell is going to have a long careerNovember 7, 2015

Jewell is going to have a long career

— Pat Angerer (@PAngererUSA)

ESPN analyst Ed Cunningham on Iowa being ranked ninth in the initial CFP rankings: "We've seen (No. 1) Clemson, (No. 3) Ohio State and (No. 7) Michigan State. I think Iowa can play with and beat any of them."

Cunningham on King tying Kinnick: "Do you think they'll re-name the stadium King Stadium?"

Iowa naut of jugger has righted itself vs. Indiana. Hawkeyes exhibition month rolls on.November 7, 2015

Iowa naut of jugger has righted itself vs. Indiana. Hawkeyes exhibition month rolls on.

— Pat Forde (@YahooForde)