Moving On Up

IU played Iowa at Kinnick Stadium yesterday afternoon.  Doug and I were both nervous about the game.  Even though we had blown out Illinois, we knew that this would be a tough game.  Cameron told us that "Iowa City was where ranked teams went to die."  We believed him as playing on the road in the Big Ten was always tough, and Iowa was one of the hardest places to get a win. There was also a lot of talk this week in sports newsrooms that our win against the Illini wasn't as impressive as we thought that it was because many believed that Illinois was overrated.  We were still hopeful for an IU victory, but afraid at the same time.

Yesterday's game started off great as IU had an interception that turned into a touchdown.  I thought for a moment that maybe it would be another easy Hoosier victory like last week.  Iowa had other ideas, however, and soon were on top 10-7.  Thankfully, IU kicked a long field goal at the end of the first half to tie the game going into the locker room.  The third quarter was extremely tense as neither teamed scored and Iowa controlled the ball.  I was really worried at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Iowa went up by three.  Our offense was struggling against their defense and I wasn't sure that we would be able to score again.  

Thankfully, the Hoosiers were able to tie the game and for a while it looked as though they would be the victor as they caught another interception that we believed would turn into an easy touchdown. Unfortunately, IU's quarterback threw his first interception of the day giving the Hawkeyes prime field goal position.  By that time, I had turned my attention to the wine fridge as I was trying to hurry up the defrosting process.  I could hear the game but was way too nervous to watch.  I was actually pacing in my bedroom during the three-point kick when I heard Doug yell, "He missed it."  I couldn't believe it and ran straight to the tv to see the replay.  From there things only got better for the Hoosiers.  Our veteran wide receiver made two amazing plays back-to-back ending with a run to the endzone.  IU won the game and as a reward moved up to #8 in the rankings.  The Hoosier football fans in our family were ecstatic, and I hoped that the game would quiet the critics, at least for a little while.