Top 10 Iconic Ferentz Games - Post 2015 Edition

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Given its the slow period of summer (absent recruiting news) I was contemplating best wins under Ferentz. 2015 changed a lot. Arguably the loss to MSU gets some consideration for how high the stakes were and how intense the game was. Anyway, based upon an objective criteria of big wins, exciting finishes, and fucking awesome beatdowns here's my list. One reason I'm posting is that even a bit in retrospect it seems more 2015 should be on here and I'm having trouble figuring out where to rank. It's getting damn hard to limit it to 10.

1. 2005 (2004 season) Capital One Bowl - duh
2. 2008 Penn State - also duh. A re-arrival statement game.
3. 2009 @Michigan State
4. 2002 @Michigan (#9). 34-9 beatdown of top 10 team on road. Firmly announced 2002 team's dominance.
5 2009 @Penn State (#5). Clayborn.
6. 2015 Pitt. Night game, Koehn.
7. 2015. @Nebrantska. Aside from being our second win over Nebrantska this clined the best regular season in Iowa history.
8. (tie) 2004/2005 Wisconsin. 2004 clinched big ten title vs #9 Wisconsin. Emotional Ferentz. A 30-7 beatdown over Alvarez. 2005 was a disappointing year but that Wisconsin we beat Barry Alvarez in his final home game.
9. 2010 (2009 Season) Orange Bowl. BCS win.
10. (tie) 2002/2008 @Minnesota. Both signature Iowa fandom experiences.
2002: Teardown opposing teams goalposts.
2008:On here because this equals any post game message board joyousness I can recall. Utter 55-0 beatdown of legitimate rival. Shon Greene. Lois Feldman incident.

First out:
11. @2015 NW. 40-10 beatdown of what became a 10-2 team. Announced team was legit. Looked bleak after Canzeri injury and already no Daniels, but then ... Akrum Wadley.

Others to consider?:

2000 Michigan State. They were actually ranked #25. Ferentz's first b10 win. Turning point where it seemed like he might be successful. Matt Rogers was Iowa's quarterback in 90-91.
2001 Alamo Bowl. Ferentz's first bowl win (and appearance). Set tone for '02.
2002 @Penn State. Great game. Got us on the right rack. They were actually ranked #12.
Note: No Iowa State games on here, as it should be. None even really considered.
2003: Michigan. 30-27. They were ranked top ten and ultimately played in the Rose Bowl that year.
2004 (2003 season) Outback Bowl. Beatdown over an SEC team.
2004 Ohio State. We don't beat them often (this is Ferentz's only win) and this was a slaughter.
2004. @Penn State. 6-4. Quintessential Ferent game.
2009 (2008 season) Outback Bowl. Beatdown over an SEC team.
2010 Michigan State (#5). Disappointing year but we *crushed* Michigan State. This was their only regular season loss. If they won this they would have been playing for a natty. Fuck Dantonio 4ever.
2011 Michigan (#13). Good win over a decent Michigan team that only lost 2 games all year.
2013 @Nebrantska. Highly satisfying beat down win for our first win in the Nebrantska series. False start for Ferentz 3.0.
2015 @Wisconsin. Realistically our best game of the year but ugly otherwise it probably makes list.

That's 25 games and Ferent's best 25 wins - other suggestions? To channel cid, here's to many more this year.

 

[CurdMan]

Good list. The 2010 win over MSU was my favorite game in Kinnick until the Pitt game last year. That game against MSU was just so much fun. Constant scoring, the Hyde pick 6, Ferentz making Dantonio his bitch. Plus, that game had a big game feel because there was so much on the line still.

The Pitt game last year was neat because most of us entered the year with low expectations. I was worried about just making a bowl game. Iowa city was overdue for a night game, many people (including myself) were feeling real good from a days worth of boozing, and everyone was desperate for a good showing from the Hawks. King was awesome and CJB led a great 2 minute offense. When Koehns kick sailed through, the party was just beginning in Iowa city and little did we know itd continue into December.

Kirk has taken us on quite the ride.

 

[HawkLax6]

The 2007 win over MSU. It is a Big Ten Classic.

 

[valp0]

If we're talking about games after 2015, the list starts and stops with the Rose Bowl.

 

[valp0]

Given its the slow period of summer (absent recruiting news) I was contemplating best wins under Ferentz. 2015 changed a lot. Arguably the loss to MSU gets some consideration for how high the stakes were and how intense the game was. Anyway, based upon an objective criteria of big wins, exciting finishes, and fucking awesome beatdowns here's my list. One reason I'm posting is that even a bit in retrospect it seems more 2015 should be on here and I'm having trouble figuring out where to rank. It's getting damn hard to limit it to 10.

1. 2005 (2004 season) Capital One Bowl - duh
2. 2008 Penn State - also duh. A re-arrival statement game.
3. 2009 @Michigan State
4. 2002 @Michigan (#9). 34-9 beatdown of top 10 team on road. Firmly announced 2002 team's dominance.
5 2009 @Penn State (#5). Clayborn.
6. 2015 Pitt. Night game, Koehn.
7. 2015. @Nebrantska. Aside from being our second win over Nebrantska this clined the best regular season in Iowa history.
8. (tie) 2004/2005 Wisconsin. 2004 clinched big ten title vs #9 Wisconsin. Emotional Ferentz. A 30-7 beatdown over Alvarez. 2005 was a disappointing year but that Wisconsin we beat Barry Alvarez in his final home game.
9. 2010 (2009 Season) Orange Bowl. BCS win.
10. (tie) 2002/2008 @Minnesota. Both signature Iowa fandom experiences.
2002: Teardown opposing teams goalposts.
2008:On here because this equals any post game message board joyousness I can recall. Utter 55-0 beatdown of legitimate rival. Shon Greene. Lois Feldman incident.

First out:
11. @2015 NW. 40-10 beatdown of what became a 10-2 team. Announced team was legit. Looked bleak after Canzeri injury and already no Daniels, but then ... Akrum Wadley.

Others to consider?:

2000 Michigan State. They were actually ranked #25. Ferentz's first b10 win. Turning point where it seemed like he might be successful. Matt Rogers was Iowa's quarterback in 90-91.
2001 Alamo Bowl. Ferentz's first bowl win (and appearance). Set tone for '02.
2002 @Penn State. Great game. Got us on the right rack. They were actually ranked #12.
Note: No Iowa State games on here, as it should be. None even really considered.
2003: Michigan. 30-27. They were ranked top ten and ultimately played in the Rose Bowl that year.
2004 (2003 season) Outback Bowl. Beatdown over an SEC team.
2004 Ohio State. We don't beat them often (this is Ferentz's only win) and this was a slaughter.
2004. @Penn State. 6-4. Quintessential Ferent game.
2009 (2008 season) Outback Bowl. Beatdown over an SEC team.
2010 Michigan State (#5). Disappointing year but we *crushed* Michigan State. This was their only regular season loss. If they won this they would have been playing for a natty. Fuck Dantonio 4ever.
2011 Michigan (#13). Good win over a decent Michigan team that only lost 2 games all year.
2013 @Nebrantska. Highly satisfying beat down win for our first win in the Nebrantska series. False start for Ferentz 3.0.
2015 @Wisconsin. Realistically our best game of the year but ugly otherwise it probably makes list.

That's 25 games and Ferent's best 25 wins - other suggestions? To channel cid, here's to many more this year.

You have 12 games in your top 10.

 

[douglasbader]

Your list is completely missing a sure fire Top 5 game.

Purdue 2002.

 

[howler]

7. 2015. @Nebrantska. Aside from being our second win over Nebrantska this clined the best regular season in Iowa history.

Such a special afternoon. The pick 6. The guys regrouping after King's PR snafu. Jordan getting loose in the open field twice. Tommie's 4 INTs. The fact 12-0 was unfolding before us after a particularly hostile 2014 post-season for Ferentz and the program. Doing it all in Lincoln, too. So much fun.

Definitely now a top 5 game for me.

 

[valp0]

Your list is completely missing a sure fire Top 5 game.

Purdue 2002.

 

[HawkLax6]

Your list is completely missing a sure fire Top 5 game.

Purdue 2002.

A little HaLo insider info I don't think anyone has ever heard on this site before, but you can see HaMo celebrating in the end zone after this TD.

Oh wait.....

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Noted. Purdue 2002, although is it still top 5, or even top 10? What gets kicked out? Keep in mind neither team was ranked at the time, that Purdue team wound up losing six games.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

I think I'd put Purdue 2002 at #8.

Can't have it ahead of every 2015 game. Would people take it over Michigan as best 2002 game? I would not.

 

[douglasbader]

I think I'd put Purdue 2002 at #8.

Can't have it ahead of every 2015 game. Would people take it over Michigan as best 2002 game? I would not.

I would easily have it ahead of every 2015 game. The 2015 undefeated season was great, but besides the Pitt night game with Greenwood and 57 yard FG, there isn't really a standout game. It was a collective season of mostly mediocre games against mediocre competition. Even the Nebrantska game is meh as they were way down from a traditional Nebrantska team.

The Purdue 2002 game is a Top 5 game. So much atmosphere, so many huge and memorable plays. I kick out the Penn State 2009 game.

 

[Whatever]

I would make an argument for the 2000 @Penn St game. He did win against Michigan St at home earlier in the year but then they lost 3 more games and he really looked dead in the water at that point with a 2-18 record as a coach. I remember not watching the first half of that game which was unheard of for me and then scrambling to get to a bar to watch the second half. That game started the turn around.

 

[castichawk24]

We should set up a 64 or 128 game tournament bracket and decide this via polls!

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

We should set up a 64 or 128 game tournament bracket and decide this via polls!

@Revolver could do that and @douglasbader could bow him over 300 times for the effort.

 

[Whatever]

I think I'd put Purdue 2002 at #8.

Can't have it ahead of every 2015 game. Would people take it over Michigan as best 2002 game? I would not.

I would easily have it ahead of every 2015 game. The 2015 undefeated season was great, but besides the Pitt night game with Greenwood and 57 yard FG, there isn't really a standout game. It was a collective season of mostly mediocre games against mediocre competition. Even the Nebrantska game is meh as they were way down from a traditional Nebrantska team.

The Purdue 2002 game is a Top 5 game. So much atmosphere, so many huge and memorable plays. I kick out the Penn State 2009 game.

No way you kick out the 2009 Penn St game. Night game, national television against the #5 team in the country. That was a top 5 game for Ferentz.

 

[douglasbader]

I know @MikeyJoe and @castichawk24 love a good list, so here is my Top 10....

1. 2008 Penn State
2. 2005 Capital One Bowl
3. 2002 Michigan
4. 2009 Michigan State
5. 2002 Purdue
6. 2004 Wisconsin
7. 2009 Penn State
8. 2010 Orange Bowl
9. 2001 Alamo Bowl
10. 2015 Pitt

 

[valp0]

I think I'd put Purdue 2002 at #8.

Can't have it ahead of every 2015 game. Would people take it over Michigan as best 2002 game? I would not.

I would easily have it ahead of every 2015 game. The 2015 undefeated season was great, but besides the Pitt night game with Greenwood and 57 yard FG, there isn't really a standout game. It was a collective season of mostly mediocre games against mediocre competition. Even the Nebrantska game is meh as they were way down from a traditional Nebrantska team.

The Purdue 2002 game is a Top 5 game. So much atmosphere, so many huge and memorable plays. I kick out the Penn State 2009 game.

No way you kick out the 2009 Penn St game. Night game, national television against the #5 team in the country. That was a top 5 game for Ferentz.

Was that the Clayborn block

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

We should get Flick (youtube Hawkeye Historian overhere) this 2002 Minnesota is great. Forgot we ran some option. To quote Morehouse, Jermelle Lewis was a fucking cadillac.

 

[Whatever]

I would easily have it ahead of every 2015 game. The 2015 undefeated season was great, but besides the Pitt night game with Greenwood and 57 yard FG, there isn't really a standout game. It was a collective season of mostly mediocre games against mediocre competition. Even the Nebrantska game is meh as they were way down from a traditional Nebrantska team.

The Purdue 2002 game is a Top 5 game. So much atmosphere, so many huge and memorable plays. I kick out the Penn State 2009 game.

No way you kick out the 2009 Penn St game. Night game, national television against the #5 team in the country. That was a top 5 game for Ferentz.

Was that the Clayborn block

Yes.

 

[valp0]

Definitely a top 5 for that alone

 

[Whatever]

I don't get the 2002 Purdue love. That game was painful until they pulled it out. The Banks to Dallas Clark play was a top 5 play but that was not a top 5 or even top 10 game IMO.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

I don't get the 2002 Purdue love. That game was painful until they pulled it out. The Banks to Dallas Clark play was a top 5 play but that was not a top 5 or even top 10 game IMO.

Rewatching the highlights that must have been frustrating, our offense was effectively bottled except for that 95 yard play. We scored two special teams touchdowns in the first half or else that game is an L. (That would never happen anymore). I recall Purdue had 8-9 in the box every time to stop our run game and basically got burned by Clark twice, in what became two top 10ish plays and that is what the game is known for.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Aside: while I enjoy every Iowa foray into memory lane like this, I did have a moment where I chuckled audibly at ISU fan's putting together a top 10 wins for Rhoads where essentialyl every win over Iowa or a top 25 team was the top five and by 8 they were including wins over Northern Illinois and UNI.

Its damn nice to have actual football history and two iconic coaches in a row that go back to before most of us can remember.

Fuck, Ferentz beat Barry Alvarez in his final home game/rivalry game (Wisconsin was ranked too) and its not a top 10 Ferentz win unless you cheat like I did.

 

[valp0]

Where would the B16 championship game be had they pulled it out?

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Definitely a top 5 for that alone

5 2009 @Penn State (#5). Clayborn.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Where would the B16 championship game be had they pulled it out?

 

[Whatever]

1. 2010 Orange Bowl
2. 2005 Cap One Bowl
3. 2008 Penn St
4. 2009 Penn St
5. 2015 Big Ten Championship
6. 2002 Michigan
7. 2004 Wisconsin
8. 2002 Minnesota
9. 2015 Nebrantska
10. 2009 Michigan St

They lost but I'm not sure how you can leave the 2015 Championship game out of there.

 

[Lime]

I would make an argument for the 2000 @Penn St game. He did win against Michigan St at home earlier in the year but then they lost 3 more games and he really looked dead in the water at that point with a 2-18 record as a coach. I remember not watching the first half of that game which was unheard of for me and then scrambling to get to a bar to watch the second half. That game started the turn around.

I would actually put the 2000 Northwestern game on here because that was the first game that Iowa actually really executed the shit that has made them good. Relatively Dominant on the line. Physical defense. Effective passing with some WR screens and play action while minimizing mistakes. Limit the big play, bend but don't break, etc.

15 years later generally speaking it's still the blueprint for most Iowa wins.

 

[douglasbader]

I'm not putting a loss in the Top 10 games no matter how great of a loss it was.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

I would make an argument for the 2000 @Penn St game. He did win against Michigan St at home earlier in the year but then they lost 3 more games and he really looked dead in the water at that point with a 2-18 record as a coach. I remember not watching the first half of that game which was unheard of for me and then scrambling to get to a bar to watch the second half. That game started the turn around.

I thought about including that one in the HM and should have. 2OT on the road. Hansen interception. That gave momentum into 2001 and most people I think at that point thought Ferentz could get it done.

 

[Lime]

I don't get the 2002 Purdue love. That game was painful until they pulled it out. The Banks to Dallas Clark play was a top 5 play but that was not a top 5 or even top 10 game IMO.

Rewatching the highlights that must have been frustrating, our offense was effectively bottled except for that 95 yard play. We scored two special teams touchdowns in the first half or else that game is an L. (That would never happen anymore). I recall Purdue had 8-9 in the box every time to stop our run game and basically got burned by Clark twice, in what became two top 10ish plays and that is what the game is known for.

I can only imagine how maddening that was for Purdue, they basically dominated Iowa but gave up a 10-point swing on one play twice (blocked FG + likely field position if Clark long TD doesn't happen). Backup QB played well and then has tipped INT to Iowa's #75 DB option on last drive (can't remember Adolphus Shelton ever playing again) in FG range.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

That 2000 team is probably a bowl team most years.

The non conference featured top 10 KSU, Iowa State's best team ever (9-3), and Nebrantska (#1 ATT). We lost to Western Michigan, which looks like a bad lass but they were 9-3 too. We beat two ranked teams in the douche (MSU, NW) and lost Ohio State. Only lost 13-7 to Wisconsin. Lost 45-33 to a not good Indiana team but featuring Randle-El.

 

[Lime]

That 2000 team is probably a bowl team most years.

The non conference featured top 10 KSU, Iowa State's best team ever (9-3), and Nebrantska (#1 ATT). We lost to Western Michigan, which looks like a bad lass but they were 9-3 too. We beat two ranked teams in the douche (MSU, NW) and lost Ohio State. Only lost 13-7 to Wisconsin. Lost 45-33 to a not good Indiana team but featuring Randle-El.

They actually played a hell of a game at Nebrantska, too. 42-13 final but it was 28-13 until the last 2 minutes and one of Nebrantska's TDs came on a Hail Mary. This as 42-point underdogs.

http://dataomaha.com/huskers/history/game/2000-9-23-iowa

Against K-State it was 17-7 until 5 minutes left despite being +28 in Vegas.

http://espn.go.com/abcsports/bcs/s/2000/0826/706347.html

Actually interesting to look back and realize how hard that team fought, the OL just wasn't there yet, there weren't offensive game breakers to make up for that, and the defensive depth would wear out.

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

Yeah also that team probably didn't learn to believe until the MSU game. Again, an 0-4 non conf start is pretty rough and was not an indicator they were a bad team.

Agree on OL. I know Bruce Nelson had gained weight (he was playing at like 255 in '99) but he was still small and I know in '00 they had a lot of injuries (Steinbach basically missed the whole year and he had moved to OL and started a few games in '99) and also had a random setbacks like Van Briesen quitting football. Alonzon Cunningham (good dude and OG) started most of the games at OT. Gallery actually started the first four games at TE before moving to RT and starting six there.

 

[Lime]

Probably the toughest non-conference schedule for Iowa since early Hayden

10-2 #7 Nebrantska
11-3 #9 Kansas State
9-3 #25 Iowa State
9-3 Western Michigan

The tail end of the B12 North being the good B12 division before recruits discovered ESPN and weather.

 

[Revolver]

We should set up a 64 or 128 game tournament bracket and decide this via polls!

@Revolver could do that and @douglasbader could bow him over 300 times for the effort.

Kirk only has 115 wins at Iowa. Which isn't the best number for a bracket...

But I can make it work.

 

[The Tin Man]

2004 Outback Bowl not getting enough love.

 

[Lime]

We should set up a 64 or 128 game tournament bracket and decide this via polls!

@Revolver could do that and @douglasbader could bow him over 300 times for the effort.

Kirk only has 115 wins at Iowa. Which isn't the best number for a bracket...

But I can make it work.

127. include the BTCG for 128.

 

[valp0]

Definitely iconic

 

[Stu Beagle]

Neb game was so fun. Canzeri so damn fast

 

[Harlan]

We should get Flick (youtube Hawkeye Historian overhere) this 2002 Minnesota is great. Forgot we ran some option. To quote Morehouse, Jermelle Lewis was a fucking cadillac.

Morehouse said "fucking"?

 

[YugoslavianMountainHound]

We should get Flick (youtube Hawkeye Historian overhere) this 2002 Minnesota is great. Forgot we ran some option. To quote Morehouse, Jermelle Lewis was a fucking cadillac.

Morehouse said "fucking"?

 

[Harlan]

Definitely iconic

Go Fuck Yourself.

 

[Revolver]

@Revolver could do that and @douglasbader could bow him over 300 times for the effort.

Kirk only has 115 wins at Iowa. Which isn't the best number for a bracket...

But I can make it work.

127. include the BTCG for 128.

I'll have the seeding process done by noon.

 

[Harlan]

Kirk only has 115 wins at Iowa. Which isn't the best number for a bracket...

But I can make it work.

127. include the BTCG for 128.

I'll have the seeding process done by noon.

Can you de-prioritize that below the fucking yourself process?

 

[Revolver]

127. include the BTCG for 128.

I'll have the seeding process done by noon.

Can you de-prioritize that below the fucking yourself process?

I'll see what I can do.

 

[Revolver]

Reading all of these wins that have been suggested brings back so many good memories. FUCK, I'm ready for football season.

 

[sergeanthulka]

Your list is completely missing a sure fire Top 5 game.

Purdue 2002.

A little HaLo insider info I don't think anyone has ever heard on this site before, but you can see HaMo celebrating in the end zone after this TD.

Oh wait.....

View attachment 5659

Has anyone ever pointed out to the old Hamster (mhrip) that Dallas Clark actually scored in the South End Zone?

nvm, he must be talking about the 95-yarder...sorry...

 

[Lime]

Your list is completely missing a sure fire Top 5 game.

Purdue 2002.

A little HaLo insider info I don't think anyone has ever heard on this site before, but you can see HaMo celebrating in the end zone after this TD.

Oh wait.....

View attachment 5659

I do miss the days when fans were able to hop onto the field to celebrate touchdowns, even if it seems like a terrible idea.