Iowa dominates Minnesota 31-14 to reclaim Floyd trophy
- Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns, leading Iowa to victory.
- Minnesota initially took a 14-7 lead in the first half with two touchdown passes from Max Brosmer.
- Iowa's win allowed them to reclaim the Floyd of Rosedale trophy and avoid consecutive losses to Minnesota.
In a thrilling Big Ten opener on Saturday night in Minneapolis, Iowa secured a 31-14 victory over Minnesota, reclaiming the Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Kaleb Johnson was the standout performer, rushing for a career-high 206 yards and scoring three touchdowns, including two in a dominant third quarter that shifted the momentum in Iowa's favor. The Hawkeyes had previously suffered a disappointing loss to Minnesota last year, which made this victory particularly sweet for them. The first half saw Minnesota take an early lead, with quarterback Max Brosmer connecting on touchdown passes to Jameson Geers and Elijah Spencer, putting the Gophers ahead 14-7. Iowa struggled offensively, managing only 107 total yards by halftime, and Cade McNamara faced challenges in establishing a rhythm, completing 11 of 19 passes for just 62 yards. However, a key interception by linebacker Jay Higgins set the stage for Iowa's comeback. In the second half, Johnson's explosive runs and a late hit penalty against Minnesota helped Iowa regain control of the game. The Hawkeyes capitalized on their opportunities, showcasing their resilience after a tough loss to Iowa State two weeks prior. This win marked a significant turnaround for Iowa, preventing consecutive defeats to Minnesota for the first time since 2010-11. Looking ahead, Iowa will face a challenging matchup against Ohio State on October 5, while Minnesota prepares to take on Michigan on September 28. Both teams are eager to build on their performances, with Iowa aiming to maintain their momentum and Minnesota seeking to bounce back from this setback.