The first half didn’t go according to plan for the Iowa Hawkeyes versus the Troy Trojans.
Despite arriving as a heavy underdog, Troy led Iowa at the halftime break, 14-10.
The Trojans got a pair of big plays from junior receiver Devonte Ross, who caught a 63-yard touchdown pass and also returned a punt 77 yards for a score to account for the Trojans’ two first-half scores.
Ross’ punt return touchdown came with 1:00 remaining in the first half. On the ensuing possession with one timeout left in its back pocket, Iowa opted to run twice with junior running back Kaleb Johnson and just take the game into halftime instead of trying for points.
It brought the boo birds out in Iowa City.
Boos are raining down, and can’t blame ’em. Why not go for points here, down 14-10? Really questionable decision. Can’t believe Iowa let the half go without using its final timeout.
— Chad Leistikow🆑 (@ChadLeistikow) September 14, 2024
“That’s totally my decision, yeah. You can blame that one on me. I know the fans weren’t happy.
“The way we were playing, why make a bad situation worse? I’m not saying it would have happened. It’s like the two-point thing last week. We talked about that Sunday and Thursday. I’m still not sure where these charts come from. A lot of it’s just how the game feels to you at some point. We’re sitting there at that point, one minute away, 70 yards away. Whatever it might have be, 75. Doesn’t matter.
“But, let’s just minimize the damage and see if we can regroup and play a good second half. We’re going to get the ball. There’s nothing in my mind right now that was instilling confidence in me we could go down the field and score,” Ferentz said.
Iowa’s offense did mount a pair of scoring drives in the first half versus Troy, cashing in on a 4-yard touchdown run from Johnson early in the second quarter on its third possession. Then, Iowa tacked on a 42-yard field goal from junior kicker Drew Stevens later in the second quarter.
But, the Hawkeyes were forced to punt twice in the first half and their second drive of the game morphed from a promising one to an eventual turnover on downs.
Ferentz’s conservative decision didn’t end up costing Iowa. Though the Hawkeyes punted on their first possession of the second half, Iowa ended three second-half offensive drives with touchdowns.
Junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan had a 2-yard touchdown pass to junior tight end Addison Ostrenga, Johnson creased the defense for a 33-yard rushing score and sophomore running back Jaziun Patterson provided the finishing touches with a 39-yard rushing touchdown.
The Hawkeyes also added a 28-yard pick-six from graduate cornerback Jermari Harris in the 38-21 win over Troy.
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