The Iowa Hawkeyes entered Saturday as the 2nd-ranked team in the country as they opened up division play in the Big Ten West against Purdue. They left as a team asking more questions than having answers.
Iowa’s first drive of the game resulted in an interception, but the Iowa defense would hold Purdue in check. However, the Boilermakers would find the endzone on the ensuing drive, on a 6-yard touchdown run by quarterback Aidan O’Connell, to put Purdue up 7-0. Both teams would miss field goals on their next offensive possessions, before Iowa put together a touchdown drive capped of by an Ivory Kelly-Martin touchdown run, to tie the score at 7. Purdue would score before halftime, on a 3-yard touchdown pass from O’Connell to TJ Sheffield to give the Boilermakers a 14-7 halftime lead.
Things would only worsen for the #2 Hawkeyes, as Purdue picked up a field goal to extend their lead to 17-7. Two drives later, Purdue would punch it in for the final time, to give the Boilermakers a 24-7 lead. Iowa’s offense did not have the fire power for a comeback, and were stunned in the 24-7 loss.
Iowa drops to #11 in the rankings and 6-1 overall, and will be on a bye week before a road matchup with Wisconsin on October 30th.