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The Iowa offense decided to stay in Iowa City once again. The defense managed to travel with the team to Columbus, however.
Iowa forced Ohio State into settling for 4 field goals on drives that all started in Iowa territory. The defense also forced C.J. Stroud into fumbling the ball which resulted in a defensive touchdown.
Fans began harping on how having Spencer Petras in the game wasn’t fair to the defense since they were playing so well. Petras had 2 interceptions and 1 fumble in the first half. One of those interceptions by Petras was a pick-6 for Ohio State.
Iowa fans can only imagine how much closer the game would be had Petras not made those early mistakes. Iowa went into halftime down 26-10. The noise is going to get even louder from the anti-Petras crowd after this performance.
Here’s how the fans reacted to the defense’s play:
C.J. Stroud playing pretty tight right now. Fading in the pocket vs. pressure. He knew he pushed that ball to Harrison the second it left his hand. Iowa’s defense is a nice test for him. Might need a few deep breaths here at the break.
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) October 22, 2022
I know it weird to say in a half Iowa has given up the most points they have all year but this is the best defensive half of the season. Against a normal defense Ohio St would have 40 pts by now.
— David Frost (@dcfrosty) October 22, 2022
Iowa defense is elite
— Mike Kremer (@ImBiggerMike) October 22, 2022
Honestly I just feel bad for the Iowa defense. Just getting hung out to dry week after week.
— Championship Serena 🏈🏆 (@sgeorgetter) October 22, 2022
You just feel bad for the Iowa defense at this point.
— Matt Gothard (@Matty_Geeeeee) October 22, 2022
Iowa might literally have the best defense in the country, but they’re a 30 point underdog in a conference game because their quarterback throws the dumbest interceptions I have ever seen
— Patzkea (@PatzkeA) October 22, 2022
Leaving SP in is just completely unfair to the young men playing defense for Iowa. #Hawkeyes #PracticeMVP
— Josh Gerdes (@joshgerdes) October 22, 2022
Iowa’s offense is just flat out bad. The defense deserves better.
— Bryan Meyer (@bmeyer91) October 22, 2022
Grant Bricker covers the B1G for Saturday Tradition. His previous stops include the Williamson Homepage and Nashville Post.