Heartland Trophy triumph stands out for Iowa defenders

IOWA CITY — Iowa players appreciate each of the football program's four traveling trophies that reside in the foyer of the Hansen Performance Center as symbols of victory. But in telling the story of Iowa's 2015 regular season, one trophy stands out just a tad more to a few defensive returnees.

In last season's Big Ten opener, the Hawkeyes beat Wisconsin 10-6 in a typical brutish bash at Camp Randall Stadium. Iowa's victory ended a three-game series losing streak, and the Hawkeyes reclaimed the Heartland Trophy for the first time since 2009. The win and ensuing momentum catapulted the Hawkeyes to an eventual Big Ten West Division title.

'All the trophy games are very important but the Wisconsin game was our first Big Ten game, so it did make it a little more special,' Iowa defensive tackle Faith Ekakitie told The Gazette last week. 'I hadn't been up to Camp Randall in my career, so it had been a very long time since we had beaten them there. It was nice to come away with a win.'

With the game at stake, the Hawkeyes led by four points with 7 minutes, 50 seconds left. The Badgers faced second-and-goal at the Iowa 1-yard line. Defensive end Nate Meier moved inside on Iowa's goal-line defense and at the snap knifed through the 'A' gap between Wisconsin center Dan Voltz and right guard Micah Kapoi. Meier's quick burst forced Kapoi to step back, and Kapoi's left foot stepped on quarterback Joel Stave just as he tried to hand off to running back Taiwan Deal. Stave fell, and the ball caromed off Deal. The loose ball rolled to 5-yard line, where Ekakitie recovered. (Mobile users: Watch here)

If Iowa's 2015 accolades were placed in a time capsule, a hologram of its fourth-quarter defense in Madison needs to pop out like a Jack in the Box. Wisconsin held the ball for 9:18 in the final quarter, and of the Badgers' 24 plays, 18 were inside of Iowa territory. That doesn't count two plays that were wiped out on penalties.

Four Wisconsin drives that quarter reached at least Iowa's 34-yard line and none amounted to points. Iowa's defense stonewalled Badgers' drives at its 33 and 40, both of which ended with punts. Wisconsin fumbled on the Hawkeyes' 1-yard line and turned over the ball on downs from the Iowa 16.

Iowa's offense stalled in its three fourth-quarter drives (not counting a final kneeldown) with a fumble at its 27, and two punts from inside its 13-yard line. The Hawkeyes totaled just 22 yards in the final period.

Final score

For a more detailed breakdown of this game, click here.

It was all on Iowa's defense, which is why the defenders are most proud of the Heartland Trophy.

'Going into Madison, it's no easy place to play and the way we won, we won pretty much on defense on that last goal-line stand,' Iowa cornerback Greg Mabin said. 'That's the first time we had the trophy in the last (six years). It's been a while since it's been in this building, so it was great to bring that home with us and it was a battle the whole way through. They fought hard, we fought hard, but we were able to come out on top and bring it back.'

'Going up there in their hometown, in their territory and winning that trophy meant so much,' said Iowa cornerback Desmond King, who intercepted two passes that day. 'Now that we have it back, it's a must that we keep that trophy.'

The victory mattered to Iowa for multiple reasons. Since the Badgers' epic 31-30 win in 2010, the programs had veered in opposite directions. Wisconsin won either four league or divisional crowns from 2010 through 2014. Iowa was 19-21 in Big Ten play over that five-year span. Wisconsin's three straight victories against Iowa were hard-fought, but considering the programs' parallels — the Badgers now lead the series 44-43-2 — the Hawkeyes needed a win to put themselves back on par with their neighbors.

'Everyone we play on the schedule is always a tough game,' Ekakitie said. 'But Wisconsin historically, it's no secret; they've always been a great program. To go there and beat one of the powerhouse schools, it does give you a confidence boost. Sometimes you do need that validation like, 'Hey, all the hard work we've been putting in actually is going to pay off.' In that instance, it did pay off for us.'

• Gallery: Iowa at Wisconsin 2015

The outcome proved pivotal in the Big Ten West race. Iowa finished Big Ten West play at 8-0, while Wisconsin tied for second at 6-2. A touchdown instead of fumble would have sent the Badgers to Indianapolis.

'I feel like after we won that game, it kind of defined what kind of team we were and what kind of season we were going to have,' King said. 'It was our first Big Ten win and it was a road game, a trophy game, a rivalry game, and it was against someone, the top dogs of the West. A team that was supposed to be known for going to the Big Ten championship over the previous years. Beating that team, it gave us so much confidence that we knew we were a great team and we had a shot at going to the Big Ten championship.'

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