Game Report: Iowa Hawkeyes 41, Minnesota Golden Gophers 3

A closer look at the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 41-3 win Saturday afternoon over the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Kinnick Stadium:

Turning point

When play began?

Iowa went on a nine-play, 75-yard drive the first offensive series of the game, using a perfect mix of the pass and run. Gronowski completed throws of 26, 11 and 11 yards, respectively, eventually running into the end zone from 2 yards out on a quarterback draw.

After a three-and-out stop from the defense, the Hawkeyes drove again, with Drew Stevens hitting a 33-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead. Zach Lutmer’s 35-yard pick-six increased the edge to 17-0.

Another Minny three-and-out and a shanked punt gave Iowa possession at the Gopher 45. Gronowski eventually connected with receiver Reece Vander Zee (Lutmer’s teammate at Central Lyon/George-Little Rock High School) for a 29-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone on the third play of the second quarter.

After yet another three-and-out Minnesota possession, Iowa’s Kaden Wejten fielded a punt on the left side at midfield, immediately darted to his right, picked up a couple of blocks and housed it for a 31-0 Hawkeyes lead.

By the numbers

1 — Touchdown throws in Big Ten Conference play for Gronowski.

11 — Touchdown runs for Gronowski, tying Wilburn Hollis (1960) for the most in a season by an Iowa quarterback.

31 — First-half points for Iowa.

32 — First-half offensive plays for Iowa.

70 — Career field goals for Iowa’s Drew Stevens.

Notebook

* Lutmer’s interception and return were brilliant. Originally lined up toward the line of scrimmage as if supporting the run, he drifted back in coverage instead, fooling Minnesota quarterback Drake Lindsey.

Lindsey threw a pass to his tight end on a wheel route near the Iowa sideline that he thought was open but was not. Lutmer caught the pass at Minnesota’s 35, worked down the field, broke a tackle at the 11 and strolled to the end zone.

* Iowa has won 10 of the last 11 games against Minnesota, the exception being two years ago at Iowa City in the infamous Cooper DeJean invalid fair-catch signal game. Minnesota leads the series 63-54-2.

* Early in the second quarter (with 11:16 remaining, to be exact), Iowa held a 31-0 lead. The Hawkeyes were outgaining Minnesota at the time, 166 yards to 1.

* Iowa trailed Minnesota at halftime of last season’s game in the Twin Cities, 14-7. It scored 24 unanswered second-half points for a 31-14 victory.

The 31 unanswered points in the first half meant the Hawkeyes went on a 55-0 run against the Gophers over four straight quarters.

* Iowa talked during the week about keeping Minnesota’s pass rush at bay. The Golden Gophers had two sacks Saturday, a week after posting a school-record nine against Nebraska.

* Redshirt freshman backup linebacker Cam Buffington had an interception midway through the fourth quarter, the first of his career. His return helped set up the first touchdown rush of his career for backup quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski.

* Early in the second quarter (with 11:16 remaining, to be exact), Iowa held a 31-0 lead. The Hawkeyes were outgaining Minnesota at the time, 166 yards to 1.

* Minnesota’s entire team, coaching staff and support staff walked to the hashmark nearest their sideline at the end of the first quarter to participate in “The Wave.”

Injury report

No surprises for Iowa in the pregame availability report.

Wide receivers Jarriett Buie and Dayton Howard were listed as “out,” as were offensive lineman Luke Gaffney and running back Brevin Doll. Tight end D.J. Vonnahme was listed as “questionable” and did not play.

Running back Jaz Patterson returned to action for the first time since the Rutgers game Sept. 19. He had five carries for 18 yards.

For Minnesota, Iowa transfer John Nestor returned to start at right cornerback after missing last week’s game against Nebraska. He then got rolled up upon on a play and injured a leg early in the fourth quarter. Top running back Darius Taylor got one carry in the first quarter for the Gophers but did not play again.

Iowa left guard Beau Stephens limped off the field in the first quarter with some sort of left leg injury. He went to the injury tent to get checked out and eventually returned to the game, though he didn’t play much of the second half presumably due to the score. Leighton Jones spelled him during his time out.

Next game

Iowa has its second bye of the season this coming week. Its next game is Saturday, Nov. 8, at Kinnick Stadium against the Oregon Ducks.

Oregon (6-1) was a heavy favorite Saturday night in its home game against Wisconsin. The Ducks, who went into the weekend ranked sixth in the country, also has this coming week off.