Stingy defenses and unceremonious offenses result in a snooze fest for the statisticians. Even the iconic manual scoreboard at Wrigley Field didn’t require much blood pumping for its operator. But, the Hawkeye fans that took over the Friendly Confines seem to embrace their gritty brand. Ugly wins are still wins. Northwestern, the “hometeam,” has grown rapidly under the leadership of new head coach David Braun. A casual observer would never think they suffered a summer of intradepartmental tumult with the hazing scandal that rocked Evanston. Hope still glittered.
A scoreless halftime score didn’t shock anyone. It was a staring contest. Who would flinch first? Iowa would make the Wildcats blink as they blocked a punt setting up their offense with a short field. The Hawkeyes capitalized with a touchdown and it almost felt insurmountable for Northwestern. But, the ‘Cats would manage an impressive drive that knotted the score at 7 with just under two minutes remaining. A few plays later, Iowa would set up for a 53-yard field goal in the closing seconds – one that would soar through the uprights and secure a 10-7 win.
It’s fitting that the game ended with a baseball-esque score. Wrigley Field has hosted three Northwestern games here since 2010, and it’s a fantastic venue for football. The Wildcats may begin second-guessing their decision to play at the iconic park since they have yet to win within these ivy-covered walls. Paltry offensive numbers and all, Iowa continues to stride toward Indianapolis for the Big Ten title game. Wins are wins.
