Iowa football defeats Maryland | File Photo
Iowa football defeats Maryland | File Photo
Iowa football powered through a 31-point second quarter on the way to posting a 51-14 win against Maryland, propelling the Hawkeyes to a No. 5 ranking in a national poll.
“Iowa runs the ball on 3rd & 17 vs. Maryland nickel defense and nearly picks up the first down. #MdDefense #MdDefenseProbs #TBIA #TerpsFilmBreakdown #MDvsIowa,” Terps Football Film Breakdown said in a post to its Twitter account regarding a key moment in the Oct. 4 game.
Iowa's ability to force Maryland turnovers was also a key to the game.
“You sit on the bench for two seconds, you’re right back out” Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras said regarding the turnovers, TSN reported. Petras threw for three touchdowns and ran for two.
Both of Petras's touchdowns were 1-yard quarterback sneaks, according to Saltwire. Maryland led 7-3 after the first quarter forcing Iowa to come from behind to blow them out later in the game. Maryland's quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa was the leading passer in the Big Ten coming into the game, but Iowa's defense performed well and held him to just 157 yards and intercepting him five times.
Iowa was dominant after falling behind early, leading 34-7 at halftime, according to Saltwire. Iowa is currently riding an 11-game win streak stretching back into last season. Maryland lost their star receiver Dontay Demus to a leg injury on a kickoff early in the second quarter.
Maryland had been undefeated before the game.
Iowa had no time to sit on its laurels before putting its No. 5 ranking on the line against No. 4 Penn State on Oct. 9, TSN reported.
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