The Iowa Hawkeyes knocked off the Illinois Fighting Illini, 15-13, with a late knockout punch delivered by a 30-yard Kaleb Johnson touchdown run. The win lifted Iowa to 9-2 on the year and has them packing their bags for the Big Ten Championship in Indianapolis.
The game was a vintage Hawkeyes win that featured stout defense, field position, and just enough firepower at just the right times. Iowa played their game, and it eventually was enough to come out on top in this crucial game.
The defense was lights out as it has come to be this entire season. The offense punched it in twice and that proved to be just enough. The special teams, for the most part, did their job when it mattered and may have unearthed a hidden gem as well.
With the Big Ten West clinched, here are the grades of each unit’s performance that helped the Iowa Hawkeyes check off one of their largest goals.