Favorite Part of the Iowa game?

[MNfootballfan]

What was your favorite part of the game Saturday?

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

It was the second kneel down by Adam Weber, it was emphatic and was a great way for a kid like Adam Weber to end his career (taking a knee and sprinting to Floyd).

However, my favorite play was Gray's beast run where he should have been stopped 4 times.

 

[Gopher07]

I loved the cold weather. Looking at the snow piles in the corners, seeing the breath of the players, the sound of 100,000 hands with gloves on clapping ... the only thing that would've been better is if it would've started to snow as Weber trotted out for the last two kneel-downs.

 

[Seany]

I wasn't at the game, so mine could equally be #2, 3 or 5, and I definitely had an extra bounce in my step on Sunday cause of those Gophers. However I had to go with #2, because of how special and rewarding that must have been for the players to rush over there and grab that dang pig after going SO long without winning a rivalry game. That will be a memory of a lifetime for those guys, and very well-deserved. I couldn't be any happier for them.

 

[Breakin' The Plane]

Gray's run was my favorite play of the season.

 

[Bob_Loblaw]

I loved the cold weather. Looking at the snow piles in the corners, seeing the breath of the players, the sound of 100,000 hands with gloves on clapping ... the only thing that would've been better is if it would've started to snow as Weber trotted out for the last two kneel-downs.

That's a good point. I watched the game on replay as well and they showed something on TV about Duane Bennett warming up without a shirt on. It was one of those things where Iowa came out looking completely frozen and it was awesome to see a real home field advantage for the first time in my lifetime.

 

[FreakyDeke]

What was your favorite part of the game Saturday?

Mine was the hit that caused the fumble that gave us the chance to run out the clock. Troy DESTROYED that guy! When was the last time a huge defensive play saved us?

 

[Seany]

That's a good point. I watched the game on replay as well and they showed something on TV about Duane Bennett warming up without a shirt on. It was one of those things where Iowa came out looking completely frozen and it was awesome to see a real home field advantage for the first time in my lifetime.

Yeah, that was really cool. Bennett was totally fired-up and totally into it, and my god is that guy ripped. You don't realize just how much underneath the jersey and pads, but the dude is seriously well-built.

 

[Sam]

McKnight's catch and the review afterwards was my favorite part of the game. To see the look on Hawkeye fans' faces after the ruling was confirmed was priceless.

 

[Schnauzer]

I was thinking back to last year and seeing a lot of Gophers wearing ski masks and cold weather gear in a couple games where I thought that was a bit of overkill. At that point I wondered when the transformation would take place when REAL cold weather was seen as an advantage. I think I got my answer on Saturday. Seeing Bennett (on my DVR) running out there shirtless with a big smile on his face, coupled with my own observation at the game during TV timeouts contrasting Iowa and the Gophers got me thinking we are on to something here. Iowa looked like they were in misery and the Gophers looked comfortable.

Really, as I have said a billion times... there really that big of a difference in Minneapolis compared to other Big 10 locations, including Iowa City (at least until December through February come around). But, we all know the perception and that perception has a way of becoming reality when you are away from home. I have since seen a lot of Iowa fan comments about the cold from Saturday. It was in the mid 20's. If you are dressed right, it really isn't that big of a deal, and certainly not a temp that is unheard of in Iowa. But, I'm sure it just SEEMED a lot colder after driving straight north for a couple hours. Kind of like how chilling I'd find it to watch a game in 20 degree weather in Winnipeg, I guess.

 

[AhliBobwa]

It was the second kneel down by Adam Weber, it was emphatic and was a great way for a kid like Adam Weber to end his career (taking a knee and sprinting to Floyd).

However, my favorite play was Gray's beast run where he should have been stopped 4 times.

THIS^

Also, love hearing that about Duane B. It confirms what I've long thought...that having an outdoor stadium would create huge home field advantage late in the year. I think going forward Gopher fans will feel more affection towards Winter based on the home field advantage it will provide late in the year.

I think that's the main reason why I wish the Big Ten Title game would be hosted by one of the teams playing in it. The team with the longest title drought should host the game every year. That would be awesome.

 

[AhliBobwa]

Also, the 2 huge TS plays stand out.

The hit on the fumble was amazing. But even more impressive to me was that fade route he broke up on the sidelines. That WR was 5 inches taller than Troy, but he ran stride for stride with him, found the ball, turned jumped and reached out his arm to break up the play. I have not seen a better play made on a good pass into single coverage this year.

Next year could be special.

 

[monk10]

How about going to the game despite the cold weather? Game would have been 11ty billion times more enjoyable if you didn't have to put on 11tybillion layers and drape yourself in blankets.

 

[AhliBobwa]

How about going to the game despite the cold weather? Game would have been 11ty billion times more enjoyable if you didn't have to put on 11tybillion layers and drape yourself in blankets.

Disagree. There is something liberating and perfect about cold weather football. You get up earlier, tailgate with more focus, and you end up cheering harder because you'll do anything to keep moving and stay warm. It's like being 12 years old again. Back then you go outside on Saturdays when it's in the single digits and windy because, screw it, it's always fun to play outside.

 

[knuckles]

Cold weather excellence is Minnesota's identity and it is the first thing that any football culture here should embrace. It was fun to finally see that identity make itself known in a Gopher game. When the sun went down you could see Iowa close up shop--they wanted the misery to end more than they wanted to win.

 

[we will win this week?]

Watching the excitement and jubilation on our sideline,especially when the game was on the line. Our team was jacked up!
The second best part was watching Iowa fans filing out before the end of the game.

 

[LloydChristmas]

Hoese lighting Prater up like a Christmas tree on that first down in the first half.

Hate to see a guy get injured but, I couldn't stop rewinding and replaying it. Priceless!

 

[Formo]

Waking up with a bit of pep in my step on Sunday morning. With watching the team sprint to Floyd two times a VERY close second.

 

[GophBen]

There wasn't really one favorite part. Too much great stuff. The FG to score our 1st points against the pigeons in forever, the onside kick, Gray's runs (TD & 1st down to ice it) McKnight's catch, Troy's pass defense and terrible form tackling , running to get our Pig twice, Weber getting carried off the field, Jewhan owning the pigeons up front, and so much other stuff still brings a smile to my face.

 

[tikited]

McKnight's catch and the review afterwards was my favorite part of the game. To see the look on Hawkeye fans' faces after the ruling was confirmed was priceless.

Remind you of Arland Bruce against Penn State 1999??

 

[e.bigelow]

It was absolutely amazing watching the players run over not once, but TWICE to get floyd!! Also being able to celebrate on the field with players and fans! Running onto the field was one of the best experiences of my life at a gopher game! Absolutely amazing!!

 

[Zeppelin Gopher]

There wasn't really one favorite part. Too much great stuff. The FG to score our 1st points against the pigeons in forever, the onside kick, Gray's runs (TD & 1st down to ice it) McKnight's catch, Troy's pass defense and terrible form tackling , running to get our Pig twice, Weber getting carried off the field, Jewhan owning the pigeons up front, and so much other stuff still brings a smile to my face.

Good list. I'd also add: Collado's TFLs, AJ Barker's appearance, you getting pissed at me for drunkenly stepping on your seats with wet shoes, Weber's QB draw, Iowa's underachieving stud DL getting stuffed for the most part, the clinching first down measurement on the board and the anticipation that came with it, stepping into the stall to mix a drink and laughing at the 4 empty rum bottles strewn about the toilet, rushing the field to claim Floyd...

But above all, it had been so long since we'd won a meaningful game or beat a rival that taking down Iowa meant so much in itself.

 

[Mouth Breather #1]

Not to nitpick, but..... There were what - 800 students in the stands? If you asked me, the main demographic that took the field and made it ours were males age 25 - 30; and probably many of the same people who packed the student section 10,000 deep in its mid-2000's heyday.

I really feel the best part of the whole day was A) It was my golden birthday, and B) We were the fanbase that got to christen The Bank by being the first to rush that field (I'm guessing Hawkeye fans might've tried had they won).

Awesome, awesome day!!

 

[ShushPush]

Disagree. There is something liberating and perfect about cold weather football. You get up earlier, tailgate with more focus, and you end up cheering harder because you'll do anything to keep moving and stay warm. It's like being 12 years old again. Back then you go outside on Saturdays when it's in the single digits and windy because, screw it, it's always fun to play outside.

Football in the snow! After a while, the coats came off and it was just sweatshirts. After a while, just the t-shirts, until some poor sap got tackled and got snow kicked in his face one too many times. It always made coming inside more fun after withstanding and dishing bone crushing tackles in winter. My mother would always say something like, "you look frozen", and frankly the icebergs hanging off my eyebrows must have made it look like I was frozen. I don't remember feeling frozen, just a chill. I don't think the cloths dryer shut off in winter, until the old man muttered something about paying the bills. We didn't wii football. We played football.

 

[Gopherocious]

Disagree. There is something liberating and perfect about cold weather football. You get up earlier, tailgate with more focus, and you end up cheering harder because you'll do anything to keep moving and stay warm. It's like being 12 years old again. Back then you go outside on Saturdays when it's in the single digits and windy because, screw it, it's always fun to play outside.

Completly agree...all of us in Section 101 were standing the whole game. I couldnt believe it! It kept everyone warmer and gave me an excuse to jump and yell and scream as much as I wanted