Game Report: Iowa 45, Indiana 24 (with videos)

BY THE NUMBERS

24 - Career receiving touchdowns for Iowa's Marvin McNutt, a school record

11 - Years of bowl eligibility if Iowa beats Minnesota next week

45 - Years since Iowa played homecoming on Oct. 22

100 - Years of Iowa homecoming football games. The Hawkeyes are 54-41-5 on homecoming

1 - Receiving touchdowns by Iowa tight ends after Brad Herman's 1-yard grab in the fourth quarter

REPORT CARD

B - No, Iowa can't use a net on defense, but it might come to that.

- Marc Morehouse

B - Indiana had 218 rushing yards and sacked Vandenberg four times. Indiana.

- Mike Hlas

B - Nothing out of the ordinary from Saturday's Iowa-Indiana game, which is kind of extraordinary.

- Scott Dochterman

GAME BALL

Iowa WR Marvin McNutt. McNutt entered the game tied with Tim Dwight and Danan Hughes for the most touchdown receptions in Iowa history. Then McNutt caught three more. It's no longer just a record; it's a standard.

“You don't win records by accident,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. “It's a real tribute to his work ethic.”

McNutt earned the record-setting score on an 80-yard catch-and-run late in the first quarter, tied for the ninth-longest in Iowa history. His second touchdown was on a 24-yard pass from quarterback James Vandenberg on a fade route. His final touchdown catch came with 44 seconds left in the first half on a 29-yard pass.

McNutt said he didn't have time to reflect on his record, but he's proud of the accomplishment.

“Definitely,” he said. “Proud to be a member of this Hawkeye tradition. I'm blessed to even have gotten the opportunity to even play receiver here. To start off as a quarterback and get a receiver record, I'm thankful this worked out as a good as it did.”

Put the record in a vault, because it might be there for a while.

BACK AT YOU

McNutt's second touchdown came one play after he dropped a pass from Vandenberg. On first-and-10 from the 24, Vandenberg threw a fade route and McNutt couldn't hang on to the ball in the end zone.

“I knew I had to make this play because I dropped the first one,” McNutt said. “I don't like dropping two passes in a row, let alone one at all.”

“I figured we'd give it a second go, and I like our odds,” Vandenberg said.

INJURY TIME

Injuries have decimated Iowa on defense. Linebacker Tyler Nielsen (hand surgery) missed the game, as did defensive tackle Tom Nardo (knee). Middle linebacker James Morris missed last week's game with an ankle injury and re-aggravated it Saturday.

Tom Donatell (linebacker) and Steve Bigach (defensive tackle) started for the second straight week for Nielsen and Nardo, respectively.

“Of course you'd like to have guys like Tom Nardo and Tyler Nielsen out on the field,” Iowa defensive end Dominic Alvis said. “But our philosophy is next man in, and that's how we're going to get the job done.”

MCCALL BACK?

As Iowa's defense suffers through injuries, Iowa's offense is getting healthier. True freshman running back Mika'il McCall, who suffered a broken ankle in the season opener, was dressed and available for Saturday's game. Ferentz initially said McCall was likely to red-shirt for the season but plans to take McCall to Minnesota next week, and he could play.

“I wouldn't rule it out, but let's see how the week goes,” Ferentz said.

McCall ran nine times for 61 yards in the opener. He entered Saturday's game second in team rushing, but now resides in fourth.

POSITIVELY UNBALANCED

Of Iowa's 58 plays, 42 were on the ground. The Hawkeyes averaged 4.8 yards a carry. Ferentz said getting the running game on track was a point of emphasis.

“Yeah, we a couple (plays) scripted, for sure,” Ferentz said, “wanted to get Marcus (Coker) going, get the line going.”

UP NEXT

Iowa plays at Minnesota (2:37 p.m., BTN) in a chance reclaim the Floyd of Rosedale traveling trophy after losing to the Gophers 27-24. It's the second consecutive season the Hawkeyes have played at Minnesota, something the Hawkeyes haven't done since 1949-50.

Iowa plays for four traveling trophies, including the inaugural against Nebraska later this year. Iowa doesn't possess any of them right now. Iowa lost the Cy-Hawk to Iowa State in September and the Heartland Trophy to Wisconsin last year. Iowa is not schedule to play Wisconsin until 2013 but could meet the Badgers in the Big Ten title game.

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