Iowa football won three rivalry games this season. It adds extra bragging rights to close out the year

IOWA CITY — Good things come in trios. Iowa football made sure of that this season.

Even though the Hawkeyes didn’t sweep the trophy battles this season, the three rivalry games they won were arguably Iowa’s best games this season.

Best, and dominant at that.

“It's been a lot of fun,” Quarterback Mark Gronowski said “Especially when you get opportunities like this, everyone's built up and ready to go for these games to kind of put out statement wins like this. It really is a testament to how good these guys are that we have here.”

Iowa won its games over Wisconsin, Minnesota and Nebraska by a combined score of 118-19, including a shutout in Madison against the Badgers. All three wins extended their respective streaks and kept the three trophies right back in their spots at the Hansen Football Building in Iowa City.

Then, of course, there’s the bragging rights that come with it.

“I got buddies that are Nebraska fans, so I know they were here today,” receiver Kaden Wetjen said. “I hope they stayed and watched the rest of the game. But it’s awesome to see, and hearing all the Iowa fans around the stadium kind of get loud after they all left, I mean, it's just a testament to our fan base as well.”

More importantly than just hoisting the trophy, the three wins also were filled with the complementary football head coach Kirk Ferentz praised throughout the season. The defense forced turnovers, the offense took advantage of red zone opportunities and special teams played consistently.

There were some missteps, sure. But there wasn’t one player that stood out among the rest of the Hawkeyes.

Against Nebraska, Gronowski and running back Kamari Moulton both scored two touchdowns, while the defense forced two fumbles. Despite the tie game midway through the first half, Iowa out-gained the Cornhuskers 181-69 total yards in the final 30 minutes.

“It definitely feels good when you have a good win,” running back Kamari Moulton said. “Everybody works so hard ... It’s just a great feeling to have a good win to end it like that.”

The best part? All three games ended with “Let’s go Hawks” chants echoing from around the field, both at Kinnick Stadium and on the road. Iowa forced out Nebraska fans by the third quarter, and Wisconsin fans vacated the moment “Jump Around” ended.

Though the 8-4 (6-3 Big Ten) Hawkeyes won’t play in the College Football Playoffs this season, three rivalry wins provides some additional positives. Iowa’s season, as littered with seniors as it was, ended with another road rivalry win.

And a trophy back on the shelf, with the potential for another next month.

“We know it's a tough, tough battle every single year,” Wetjen said. “It was just awesome, kind of seeing the guys all work hard this week and really put everything together.”

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