Hawkeye, Badger game by the numbers

By the numbers

42-42-2 - Where the Iowa-Wisconsin series stands after 86 games

3 - Years until the Iowa-Wisconsin series resumes

28 - Consecutive red-zone chances converted into scores for Wisconsin

8 - Lead changes in the game

1 - Catches needed by Derrell Johnson-Koulianos to break Kevin Kasper's record of 157 career catches

Game ball

Once again, Adam Robinson carried the load, running for 114 yards on 23 carries. He averaged 5.0 yards a carry and had a 30-yard run in the first half and scored on a 1-yard run two plays later.

“We played hard for all four quarters,” Robinson said. “I just think Wisconsin came to play, and we made too many mistakes to get the win late in the game.”

Report card

C-minus - Forget turkeys, second guessing is now in season in Iowa.

- Marc Morehouse

C - The point of this story is make your extra-points.

- Mike Hlas

B-minus - The Hawkeyes would receive this same grade even if they had won.

- Scott Dochterman

C-minus - Remember all those close wins last season, Hawkeye fans? That stuff tends to even out.

- Jeff Johnson

3 moments

1. Facing fourth and 4 from his 26, Wisconsin punter Brad Nortman sprinted 17 yards on a fake punt, earning a first down. The play kept alive Wisconsin's drive, which culminated in a game-winning touchdown.

“Brad said he used to be a great athlete back in the day in high school,” Wisconsin safety Jay Valai said.

2. After Iowa took a 6-3 lead late in the first quarter, Wisconsin defensive end J.J. Watt stormed through Iowa's line to block the extra point. It proved the difference in Wisconsin's 31-30 win.

“At the time you don't think it's a big play, but then at the end of the game it's one of the biggest plays of the game,” Watt said.

3. Iowa QB Rick Stanzi found Derrell Johnson-Koulianos wide open down the left sideline for a 45-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter to give Iowa a 20-17 lead.

Not-so special teams

After three decent games, Iowa's special teams units returned to its previously inept form. Not only did Iowa have an extra-point blocked, punter Ryan Donahue bobbled a high snap on a 30-yard field-goal attempt.

Kick coverage was subpar. Freshman Don Shumpert was whistled for being offside on a kickoff when the Hawkeyes had Wisconsin pinned at its 18. After the penalty, Wisconsin's David Gilreath returned the ball to the 49. Three plays later, Wisconsin scored a touchdown.

2-for-1

Wisconsin took two trophies home to Madison for the first time since 1998. Friday, the Badgers' team managers scored a touchdown with three seconds left to beat Iowa's managers, 19-13, in the battle for the Rusty Toolbox.

Saturday, the Badgers won the Heartland Trophy for the first time since 2007.

“I'm excited to know that we hold the trophy, and we hold the Toolbox for three years,” Watt said. “Nobody can take that away from us, and we're extremely excited about it.”

Rivalry, Interrupted

With the Big Ten expanding to 12 teams and splitting into two divisions, Iowa and Wisconsin will not play next year. The teams had played 72 of the last 74 seasons but will compete in opposite divisions next year. Big Ten officials have said it's likely the teams will play in 2013.

Wisconsin's Valai said winning this game made it more special considering the teams skip the next two seasons.

“First and foremost, this is Iowa. And Iowa beat us last year,” Valai said. “We won't play this team for another two years and being seniors, sophomores and juniors, probably wouldn't get another chance to play Iowa. We didn't really think about the outside world. It's Iowa. We came out with the victory today.”

Quotable

“I'm always an Iowa fan. I went to school here, I graduated from here.”

- Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema, an Iowa team captain in 1992 and assistant coach for coaches Kirk Ferentz and Hayden Fry