The 2024 Iowa football (8-5, 6-3 Big Ten) season came to a disappointing end in Nashville, Tenn., on Monday as the Hawkeyes dropped a 27-24 nail-biter in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl vs. Missouri (10-3, 5-3 SEC).
While Iowa led by as many as 10 points midway through the third quarter, the Tigers’ 13 unanswered points, coupled with an interception and a critical fourth down stop on an attempted quarterback sneak by Brendan Sullivan with 1:04 remaining in the game, was enough to seal an Iowa’s fate.
Missouri outgained Iowa 376 to 297 in all-purpose yards, but the Hawkeyes held the rushing yards advantage 166 to 89. Unfortunately, the lone turnover of the game belonged to Iowa as an interception with 12:50 left in the fourth quarter eventually led to a then-game-tying field goal
Missouri would add a 56-yard field goal at 4:36 remaining in the game that would eventually prove to be the game-winner as Iowa’s last-ditch fourth down effort on the game’s final drive would be denied at the Tigers’ 46-yard line.
While the 2024 TransPerfect Music City Bowl did not end positively for Iowa, here are three Hawkeyes that stood out the most on Monday.
Deontae Craig
Deontae Craig ended his Iowa career with a standout performance against the Missouri Tigers. Craig racked up four tackles for loss and had a pair of sacks to lead Iowa’s defensive efforts against Missouri.
Kamari Moulton
Moulton had a consistent game on the ground by rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries, including a game-long 38-yard rush.
Without the services of Kaleb Johnson in the backfield, this game was a clear-cut opportunity for Moulton to show the coaching staff what he is capable of as the No. 1 running back option heading into next season.
Kaden Wetjen
Although Wetjen only recorded 13 yards on two receptions against the Tigers, his spectacular 100-yard kickoff return touchdown skyrocketed himself into the three stars conversation.
Wetjen’s return was also significant in the game, as Missouri had just tied the score at seven with 2:12 remaining in the first quarter. The special teams touchdown allowed the Hawkeyes to keep pace with Missouri and avoid chasing the game for most of the contest.
The sensational play from the senior is the second special teams touchdown and first kickoff return score of his two-year Hawkeyes career and could not be any more memorable.
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