Game Report: Indiana at Iowa

GAME MVP

Iowa WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos. He caught three passes for 117 yards and a touchdown. Every catch was for a first down. His final catch led him 66 yards through the Indiana defense to put Iowa ahead 28-24. He also returned three kickoffs for 81 yards.

THREE PLAYS

1. With Iowa trailing Indiana 24-14 early in the fourth quarter, the Hawkeyes had the ball on their 8. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi faked a handoff, ran a bootleg to the right and hit wide receiver Marvin McNutt in stride. McNutt raced past Indiana cornerback Donnell Jones and scooted 92 yards for a touchdown, the fourth-longest pass play in Iowa's history. It cut Iowa's deficit to three points and shifted the momentum toward the Hawkeyes.

2. On Iowa's next offensive play, Stanzi ran a similar bootleg and threw to Johnson-Koulianos. DJK shook off Indiana defensive back Chris Adkins and raced to a 66-yard score to give Iowa its first lead.

3. With Indiana leading 21-7 and facing a third-and-goal at the Iowa 2, Indiana quarterback Ben Chappell was hit by Iowa linebacker A.J. Edds as he tossed the ball. It bounced off three players before safety Tyler Sash grabbed the ball midair and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown. The play cut Iowa's deficit to 21-14.

“That was the craziest play ever,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

CRAZY TRAIN

Iowa quarterback Ricky Stanzi continued his hot-cold streak, throwing five interceptions before tossing two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to give Iowa the lead and, ultimately, the win.

Stanzi threw four third-quarter picks to end every Iowa possession that quarter with a turnover. But he shook off the bad throws and continued to lead the team.

“I don't know that I've ever seen a quarterback struggle or have that much adversity and then come back play, you know, like he's not affected,” Ferentz said. “And that's been Rick's story line since he started playing for us a year-plus ago. No matter what happens, he just keeps on playing.”

COMEBACK KIDS

Iowa has trailed in eight of its nine victories - including three by double-digits. Saturday's 14-point deficit was the largest Iowa has overcome this season.

Iowa twice has trailed by 10 points in road conference games and scored on the final play last week at Michigan State to win. Saturday, the Hawkeyes trailed by 10 points in the fourth quarter before scoring 28 unanswered points.

“If we keep winning, teams are going to prepare harder and compete harder against us, so it's our responsibility to to understand that and get the job done,” Johnson-Koulianos said.

LOST IN THE SHUFFLE?

True freshman running back Brandon Wegher made his first career start and rushed for a career-best 118 yards and three touchdowns. Wegher had split time at the position before Adam Robinson suffered a high-ankle sprain against Michigan State.

“This guy's got a hardness to him,” Ferentz said. “I think he rises to the competition. You know, I think he embraced the challenge this week.”

Wegher, who hails from Sioux City, now has rushed for 439 yards this season.

INJURY TIME

Iowa safety Brett Greenwood started the game but left after the first series with a recurring shoulder injury. Wide receiver Colin Sandeman didn't play after suffering a head injury last week against Michigan State. Robinson also did not play, along with guard Dace Richardson, who is recovering from a broken leg.

Indiana cornerback Ray Fisher was sidelined after the opening kickoff, which helped contribute to Iowa's two long pass plays in the fourth quarter.

LAST WORD

“You're talking about the biggest bonehead play of the year - or maybe the day. But that was me. I got greedy.”

- Ferentz on instructing punt returner Amari Spievey to go for a return at the end of the first half. Spievey fumbled at the Iowa 12, Indiana recovered and scored a touchdown with 9 seconds left in the first half to take a 21-7 halftime lead.