Iowa vs Maryland

Touchdown Drama and Tasty Tidbits: Iowa vs Maryland Recap!

What do a hawkeye, a terrapin, and delicious game day snacks have in common? They're all part of the wild ride that was Iowa's clash with Maryland!

In a thrilling Week 13 of the 2024 College Football season, the Iowa Hawkeyes demonstrated their strength with a solid 29-13 victory over the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. This matchup was particularly noteworthy as it marked the Hawkeyes' first game with walk-on quarterback Jackson Stratton at the helm. Despite the butterflies that often accompany new roles, Stratton led his team deftly, showcasing an effective rushing attack that kept the Terrapins guessing and secured Iowa's position as a formidable contender in the Big Ten.

The first half had a bit of a ‘how many plays does it take to confuse a turtle?’ vibe – the Hawkeyes dominated the scoreboard but stumbled through some sloppy play. Although they led at halftime, fans were left wondering if they were watching a football game or a live rehearsal of an improv comedy show. Fortunately, Iowa tightened up in the second half, leaning heavily on their ground game, which had Maryland's defense chasing shadows like kids at a Halloween party. The methanol-powered Iowa ground game effectively churned out yards and clocked in points, ultimately sealing the deal for their victory.

As we watched the game unfold, it was also hard not to pay a little attention to Maryland’s quarterback, Billy Edwards Jr., who tried his best to rally his teammates despite some challenges from the Hawkeye defense. Between shrugging off tackles and launching passes into the frenzy, he was like a salad trying to avoid being tossed! Sadly, with their 4-6 record post-game, the Terrapins will have to cook up a fresh game plan to secure bowl eligibility in the coming weeks.

After the dust settled at SECU Stadium, Iowa fans could celebrate the victory while munching on game day snacks, confident in their team’s continued growth. While the Hawkeyes may have had their ups and downs this season, their resilience shines through, and the contretemps with the Terrapins only added more entertaining chapters to their football saga. Fun fact: did you know that the term "Hawkeye" was popularized by the main character in James Fenimore Cooper's novel "The Last of the Mohicans"? And as for the adorable terrapin, it's the official state reptile of Maryland. Never has a shell been so colorful in the sports world!