Minnesota 27, Iowa 24: Gophers Take Floyd Of Rosedale From No. 24 Hawkeyes In Huge Upset

Midway through the season, few would have expected for Minnesota to take the Floyd of Rosedale from ranked Iowa, who had held the bronze pig for three years. After all the Gophers were an abysmal 1-9 entering last week.

Well, it’s happened. Minnesota held the lead over No. 24 Iowa for most of Saturday’s game in Minneapolis, and after Ricky Stanzi and company finally regrouped to take the lead, the Gophers answered back offensively and defensively to deliver a crushing loss to the Hawkeyes.

Minnesota quarterback Adam Weber finished with 164 yards through the air, completing 13 of 25 throws. The running game, however, made the difference, with DeLeon Eskridge rushing for 95 yards. The Gophers rushed for 216 yards in total.

In contrast, Iowa’s Marcus Coker was forced to shoulder the entire load of the Hawkeyes’ running attack. He managed 90 total yards, but he coughed up a crucial fumble in the final minutes. With the ball and the lead, Minnesota simply kept the ball on the ground long enough to run out the clock.

Minnesota finishes 3-9 for the 2010 season, but they certainly end on a high note -- one that wasn’t expected, given not only the Gophers’ losing streak that ate up most of the season, but the mid-season firing of head coach Tim Brewster. Coach Jeff Horton, who took his place, has a lot to be proud of.

Meanwhile, Iowa finishes the season with three straight losses -- two by three points, and one by four -- only a few short weeks after routing then-No. 5 Michigan State.

For more on these teams, check out our Iowa blog, Black Heart Gold Pants, and our Minnesota blog, The Daily Gopher.