Final score: Iowa 35 Minnesota 7

Quick recap: An abundance of defense. That was the story from Minneapolis on Friday night, as Iowa retained Floyd of Rosedale for a sixth-consecutive year. The difference in the game was that Iowa’s offense was actually able to move the football at times against Minnesota — thanks largely to running back Tyler Goodson — while the Gophers looked miserable on that side of the football. Iowa’s first touchdown game in the opening quarter, thanks to a 1-yard jet sweep by Nico Ragaini. The following score was Goodson cruising into the end zone from 7 yards out to build a 14-0 lead at half. The Hawkeyes tacked on three more touchdowns in the 4th quarter to put the game away. But it was the Iowa defense that was the story, allowing a garabage time touchdown, holding the Gophers to 312 total yards and intercepting two passes.

Key moment: In the 3rd quarter, Minnesota was trailing 14-0 and put together a 17-play, 11-minute drive that appeared to be resulting in points. It was the most coherent drive of the night. But on a 3rd-and-6, the Gophers handed the ball off to Mohamed Ibrahim, who was hit for a 1-yard loss thanks to a smothering Iowa defense. The Hawkeyes blocked the field goal attempt and were able to keep the Gophers off the scoreboard.

Key player: This award could probably go to the entire defense, or you could make the argument for Goodson, but let’s go with linebacker Jack Koerner. He was all over the field for the Hawkeyes, grabbed an interception and blocked a field goal in the victory.

Key stat: Minnesota committed 8 penalties for 80 yards while Iowa was flagged just twice for 25 yards. In a game where the Gophers struggled to move the football, those self-inflicted wounds, on both sides of the football, were not helpful.

What it means for Iowa (2-2): It’s probably too early to say that Iowa is back in the B1G West race, but it’s certainly not out of the picture just yet. Losses to Purdue and Northwestern are certainly tough, but the Hawkeyes have a defense that are capable of keeping anyone in check. Spencer Petras and the offense still need to find some consistency, but Iowa’s defense should keep it in every game on the schedule. Kirk Ferentz’s team needed a win to keep their hopes alive in the West, and it did exactly that against the Gophers.

What it means for Minnesota (1-3): There’s no other way around it, this is a bad football team. Minnesota’s defense actually played well for three quarters, but the offense couldn’t move the football at all against Iowa’s defense. And when it did, there were some questionable play calls, penalties or turnovers that kept the Gophers out of the end zone. As long as the Gophers play this poorly, there aren’t going to be many wins left on the schedule.