Chicago Sports Then and Now

It wasn't easy, but Ohio State maintained their hold on the Big Ten with a win over Iowa.

#1 Ohio State (#10) defeated Iowa (#13) in Columbus
The Buckeyes [9-2, 6-1] hung on in overtime to defeat a depleted Hawkeye team 27-24.  With Iowa’s starting QB Ricky Stanzi on the bench unable to compete because of an ankle injury, the pundits expected the Buckeyes to steamroll the Hawkeyes in the Horseshoe.   But Iowa made a game of it and lost the contest in the last gasps of overtime.  Ohio state booted through a field goal to win the game and book a place on the train to Pasadena. They just need to get by Michigan this week. Everyone is betting that they will.
#2 Iowa (#13) lost to Ohio State (#10) in Columbus
The Iowa Hawkeyes [9-2, 5-2] lost a heart-breaker in overtime in Columbus 27-24 to accede the top spot to the Buckeyes.  James Vandenberg filled in admirably for the injured QB Ricky Stanzi. Although Iowa clawed their way back into contention, they could not score in the overtime period.   Ohio State has claimed at least a tie for first place and no doubt a trip to Pasadena.  Next week the Hawkeyes play at home against the Minnesota Gophers for the privilege of retaining Floyd of Rosedale.

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The Hawkeyes will look to keep their top spot in the power rankings this week against Michigan.

#1 Iowa
Iowa enjoyed an immaculate start on Saturday, scoring on the first two drives from scrimmage.  Iowa fans were thinking blowout.  Then the Hawks plummeted into mediocrity. The Iowa offense sputtered just as Arkansas State revved it into high gear.  Iowa turnovers cost the Hawkeyes a respectable showing at home.  In the end, however, Iowa hung on to secure the win.  No one claims the victory was a thing of beauty – quite the contrary. Nonetheless Iowa is undefeated, 5-0, 1-0 in Big 10 play – enjoying a nine game winning streak.  It is hard to argue with those numbers.

#2 Ohio State
As we suspected Ohio State was too much for the Indiana Hoosiers to handle.  The Buckeyes scored early and led 10-0 at midpoint of the first quarter.  Terrelle Pryor, Ohio State’s quarterback, threw three touchdown passes and rushed for another – he seemed unstoppable.  The Hoosiers did not help themselves in this contest with three turnovers and a safety.  The good news is that the Hoosiers did score on Ohio State – the first points scored against the Buckeye defense in nine quarters.  Next week the Buckeyes host the undefeated Badgers of Wisconsin – with plenty of energy left to squash another Big 10 team’s dreams of glory.
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