Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On November 16, 2002, Brad Banks racked up five touchdowns as the Iowa Hawkeyes beat Minnesota to close out an 8-0 Big 10 campaign. As fans tore down the Metrodome goalposts, the Hawkeyes celebrated clinching a share of the Big 10 title.
Aside from a lone early-season loss to Iowa State, the Hawkeyes rolled through the regular season, racking up victories. Road wins over no. 12 Penn State in Happy Valley and no. 8 Michigan in Ann Arbor propelled the Hawkeyes toward a trophy game where more than just Floyd of Rosedale stood at stake.
Banks, the nation’s leading passer-by at the time the game ended, passed for three touchdowns and added two on the ground. Iowa running back Fred Russell racked up 194 yards as the Hawkeyes dominated the Gophers 45-21. Kirk Ferentz, only 11-24 during his first three seasons, spoke to the significance of the breakthrough season, saying: "A great day for our team, staff and coaches and for the entire state of Iowa.''
Although Ohio State, who Iowa didn’t play during the season, shared the Big 10 title, the season proved one to remember for Hawkeye fans. While fans stormed the field and tried to take the goalposts out of the Metrodome, Ferentz rode off the field on the shoulders of the Hawkeye faithful. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
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