Play of the Game: Beathard’s Big Time Rush

DOWN, DISTANCE:

Iowa faced first and 10 at the Minnesota 40

SCORE/TIME

: Iowa led 17-14, about 1:20 left, second quarter

FORMATION, PERSONNEL

: Iowa — three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back; Minnesota — four down linemen, two linebackers, five defensive backs.

WHAT HAPPENED

: Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard scrambled for 26 yards to the Minnesota 14-yard line with about 1 minute left in the first half.

WHY IT WAS IMPORTANT:

The run set up a touchdown to put the Hawkeyes up 24-14 at the break.

THE ANALYSIS

: Beathard lined up in the shotgun, dropped back to pass and went through three progressions. Minnesota sent linebacker Cody Poock on a blitz. Beathard stepped up in the pocket, then ran to his left. Running back Derrick Mitchell picked up Poock and Beathard cut left off Mitchell's block. Beathard juked Minnesota safety Adekunle Ayinde at the 23-yard line, then continued running to the 18, where he stiff-armed safety Antonio Johnson. Beathard finally was forced out at the 14 by Minnesota cornerback Eric Murray. Three plays later, running back LeShun Daniels scored on a 2-yard run.

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