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Thanks to performance in Holiday Bowl, Iowa’s Ihmir Smith-Marsette now No. 1 in B1G history in one category
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In the 2019 Holiday Bowl, Iowa defeated USC 49-24. The Hawkeyes led 28-24 with over 13:00 left to play in the third quarter, but went on to score 21 unanswered points to close the game.
None of those points were scored by wide receiver Ihmir Smith-Marsette. However, the junior pass-catcher did score three times in the second quarter. It was a quarter to remember.
RELATED: Ihmir Smith-Marsette dominated the first half of the Holiday Bowl
Thanks in part to his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in that second quarter, Smith-Marsette finished the game with three returns for 142 yards and a score. His all-time average was bumped up to 29.9 yards per kickoff return.
That’s now the best in Big Ten history:
After last night's performance, Iowa's 'Premier' Ihmir Smith-Marsette ranks No. 1 in Big Ten history in kickoff return average at 29.9 yards per return.
"The way Ihmir played tonight was incredible." — Brandon Smithhttps://t.co/0ke0UC7hqj
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) December 28, 2019
Smith-Marsette, again, is a junior. He could potentially leave for the NFL after his absurdly effective performance against the Trojans. But, he hasn’t made that decision yet.
All Iowa fans want him back as a Hawkeye for 2020. That much is for sure.
Kevin covers Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.