Play of the Game: Canzeri’s rush

DOWN, DISTANCE:

Iowa had first and 10 from Illinois' 25-yard line

SCORE/TIME

: Iowa led 16-13, 2:56 left, third quarter

FORMATION, PERSONNEL

: Iowa — three wide receivers, tight end, running back; Illinois — Four down linemen, three linebackers, four defensive backs

WHAT HAPPENED

: Iowa running back Jordan Canzeri took the handoff from quarterback C.J. Beathard and raced 75 yards for a touchdown.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT:

The play answered an Illinois field goal and extended Iowa's lead to 23-13.

THE QUOTE 1

: 'We had an original play called — and C.J. put us in a great one with the check — a play that we actually haven't run in a while. Just the fact that he was football smart and he had the awareness to put us in that call, that was great on his part. The line blocked it amazing ... it just opened right up and I just saw it and I took it.' — Canzeri

THE QUOTE 2

: 'That's my job to block that guy. If he goes out, you take him out. I'm not supposed to let him cross my face, I'm just doing my job.' — Iowa center Austin Blythe

THE QUOTE 3

: 'I just tried to do my job and Jordan did the rest.' — Iowa guard Jordan Walsh

THE QUOTE 4

: 'C.J. has done a really good job of giving us that option. He's got his head in the game.' — Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz

THE QUOTE 5

: 'I'm not going to speculate what happened there, especially when I didn't see it.' — Illinois interim coach Bill Cubit

J. Canzeri run for 75 yds for a TD - ESPN Video

THE ANALYSIS

: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard checked out of the play call. Iowa left tackle Cole Croston and left guard Sean Welsh double-teamed Illinois defensive tackle Chunky Clements, and center Austin Blythe locked up with defensive tackle Joe Fotu. Right guard Jordan Walsh pulled behind Blythe's block and drilled linebacker Trey Watson to seal an alley. Canzeri took the handoff and cut behind the double-team and Blythe, who drove his defender about six yards out of the play. Welsh shifted off Clements and blasted weakside linebacker Mason Monheim as Canzeri hit the second level. Canzeri outraced free safety Clayton Fejedelem and Eaton Spence, who was blocked by Iowa freshman wide receiver Jerminic Smith, to the end zone for the score.

l Comments: (319) 339-3169; scott.dochterman@thegazette.com