Walking on air

IOWA CITY -- There is photographic evidence that Marvin McNutt walked on air.

Of course, these guys are trained to keep perspective and not allow the highs to rocket into space. McNutt talked about the two drops he had in Iowa's 45-24 victory over Indiana before 70,585 Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.

OK sure, there's that. But, in a few years, when he's making NFL money, even McNutt might take a step back and admire this one. And, yes, looking around the corner, that Iowa defense did allow 414 yards to an offense directed by a true freshman quarterback.

Let's start this out light.

Outside the lines, it was homecoming in Iowa City. On the field, it was Marvin McNutt Day.

McNutt set the Iowa career record for touchdown receptions with a dazzlingly easy 80-yard catch-and-run in the first quarter and then he padded the record with two more to help the Hawkeyes (5-2, 2-1 Big Ten) build 35-14 halftime lead.

When all was said and done, McNutt caught six passes for 184 yards and the three TDs. McNutt now has 24 career TDs, breaking the record held by Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes. McNutt has 2,303 receiving yards and needs just 314 to break the career record set last season by Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (2,616).

Hughes sent a text to McNutt before Saturday's postgame. Dwight probably isn't far behind. DJK is in Iowa City, so you know McNutt will hear from him.

Where would McNutt's numbers be if he came to Iowa as a wide receiver instead of a quarterback? That's a hypothetical, but talk about rocketing into space.

"You don't earn records by accident," Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said. "It's a tribute to his work ethic."

When all is said and done, McNutt might go down as the greatest wide receiver in Iowa history. He needs 44 receptions to tie Johnson-Koulianos' career reception record of 173. That one might be a stretch.

But hey, let's not be a Debbie Downer on Marvin McNutt Day. Even ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay got in on it with this tweet, "He's one of the most underrated college football WRs."

"He's a stud," quarterback James Vandenberg said. "I know all the receivers have learned so much from him. I know I've learned so much from him. I just feel really fortunate to have had a chance to play with him."

The dance McNutt and Vandenberg performed in the first half was otherworldly. Vandenberg completed 8 of 10 for 211 yards and three TDs in the first half. That's a pass efficiency of 356.24.

The 80-yarder popped wide open when the double team covering McNutt on a crossing route crashed into two other Indiana (1-7, 0-4) defenders. IU cornerback Michael Hunter delayed No. 2 when he broke up the first fade attempt. On the next play, Vandenberg called an audible out of a run play and went to the same exact pass. This time, McNutt snatched the ball over the trailing Hunter.

"I knew I had to win that time," McNutt said. "I wasn't going to drop another one."

McNutt scored the hat trick on a 29-yarder with just 16 seconds left in the first half. That basically sent Indiana home.

So, was it like walking on air?

"Not really," McNutt said with a laugh. "It just felt like I was playing football, and it was fun."

Running back Marcus Coker got in on the fun with 139 yards and two TDs. Vandenberg finished 12 of 16 for 253 yards and four TDs (290.32 in pass efficiency). Even the No. 2 running backs (De'Andre Johnson and Jordan Canzeri) chipped in with nine carries for 52 yards.

This was Marvin McNutt Day. In the postgame, it didn't take long to realize that, yes, the numbers are outstanding, but McNutt is more than that. Remember Coker's start to the season, three fumbles in two weeks?

"He's been one of those guys who's picked me up ever since I've been here," Coker said. "He's one of the guys I fell back on when I was having a hard time. Seeing him go out there and get three today, just amazing."

OK, the defense.

IU freshman Tre Roberson might've stamped his name on Big Ten freshman of the week with his 278 yards of offense and a TD pass. Indiana gained more yards against the Hawkeyes (414) than it did against North Texas (404). Last week against Wisconsin, the Hoosiers converted 2 of 14 third downs (14.29 percent). Saturday, it was 7 of 14. The Hoosiers rushed for 218 yards, the second time this season Iowa has allowed 200-plus on the ground.

"I don't know what it is about yardage, but psychologically, it's yards on the ground that really . . .," Ferentz said, "they seem to give you Pepto-Bismol moments. That part, we've got to tighten down. It's just not a good feeling when people run the ball successfully."

Hey, Marvin McNutt day, right?