What is your favorite game of the Iowa vs UM series since 1980

Saginawbay

Saginawbay

Well-Known Member
For me two games really stand out the obvious 85 game 1 vs 2 and a victory for the Hawks and the 02 game in the Big House when we totally dominated Michigan hard choice between those two games for me.
 


I was a year old in 1985, so I will not say the Haughtlin kick. I don't even know that I just spelled his name correctly? :(

I will go with 2002 at the big house! 34-9 baby!!! That win officially put us on the map!
 


The '85 game will get lots of votes, and is probably the most classic game. But like the previous poster, I don't really remember that game, so I will go with the '02 beatdown in the Big House. We could've hung 50 on them if we wanted to.

The 2003 game wasn't bad, either..
 




The most important game in the history of this series that is never talked about is the 1981 iowa win. Iowa had lost 23 straight to Michigan and went into the Big House and pulled out a 9-7 win. This was a huge win in our Rose Bowl season.

I'd throw in a vote for 1984, Iowa dominated Michigan 26-0 at Kinnick. yes, we played them at home in back to back seasons.

I may have to pull both games out of the VHS vault soon now!
 


I'm a pretty big fan of the 1990 game where Paul Kujawa plowed through from the 1 for a 24-23 win at the Big House. We held Grbac to something like 80 yards passing.
 


Your question really highlights how lopsided this series really is. I believe Iowa's record against Michigan is approximately 10 wins and 40 losses (not too good). Since 1980 (30 years ago), we have only defeated Michigan 7 times (81, 84, 85, 90, 02, 03,09).

I really believe 81 was the most meaningful. A huge upset by a team that had suffered 20 consecutive losing seasons.
 


I'll agree 81' was the most meaningful, but 85' was the best. I was there and it was amazing. IC was incredible that night!!!
 


What can you say about the 1985 game 1 vs. 2 it's was everything 1v2 was supposed to be and more.
However the 2002, 34-9 beat down was my favorite game in this series.
 


How can anyone not say the '85 game. It was the greatest Iowa victory in my lifetime.

The funny thing is that today the game would be entirely different. The pass to Helverson in the second quarter would be a touchdown today. To everybody in the stadium Helverson not only had one foot inbounds but both feet inbounds. But an official five feet away from him ruled that he was out-of-bounds.

The whole complexion of the game would be different today. After what happened in '83 the Big Ten is lucky Iowa won the game.
 


ColumbusHawk said:
How can anyone not say the '85 game. It was the greatest Iowa victory in my lifetime.

The funny thing is that today the game would be entirely different. The pass to Helverson in the second quarter would be a touchdown today. To everybody in the stadium Helverson not only had one foot inbounds but both feet inbounds. But an official five feet away from him ruled that he was out-of-bounds.

The whole complexion of the game would be different today. After what happened in '83 the Big Ten is lucky Iowa won the game.
Click to expand...

I'm glad he was called out....otherwise we don't have the storybook ending that happened :D
 


1985. When you look at pictures from that game, I am one of the screaming crazies in the student section and then on the field after Houghtlin's winning kick. Simply amazing experience.
I was a junior in '85. A great year to be a Hawkeye. But aren't they all!! :)
 


ColumbusHawk said:
How can anyone not say the '85 game. It was the greatest Iowa victory in my lifetime.

The funny thing is that today the game would be entirely different. The pass to Helverson in the second quarter would be a touchdown today. To everybody in the stadium Helverson not only had one foot inbounds but both feet inbounds. But an official five feet away from him ruled that he was out-of-bounds.

The whole complexion of the game would be different today. After what happened in '83 the Big Ten is lucky Iowa won the game.
Click to expand...

Because I was born in '84.
 


VintageHawkeye said:
1985. When you look at pictures from that game, I am one of the screaming crazies in the student section and then on the field after Houghtlin's winning kick. Simply amazing experience.
I was a junior in '85. A great year to be a Hawkeye. But aren't they all!! :)
Click to expand...

Wow, I might have been right there with you every step of the way -- also a jr, student section, stormed the field. Not only the best Iowa v Michigan game but, given the rankings, the lights (1st time in Kinnick history), the outcome, quite possibly the greatest Hawkeye game, ever!

Hard to believe that was 25 years ago. Back in the day of passing around the bota bags (I still have mine!) filled with peppermint schnapps / hot chocolate and passing coeds to the top of Kinnick over the mosh-pit of students -- all with no fear of getting tossed! Man times have changed.

Then again, considering your moniker - "Vintage" - that would make me kinda old. Well, at least growing older ... but not growing up! :)

Other than that, I have to go with the '03 win. Chandler scrambling for a rugby-style "touch"down. The over-the-shoulder td catch by Ochoa (pound-for-pound, one of the most under rated WR / PR of the Ferentz era) that was upheld on review.
 


1981 will always be special personally since it was my freshman year. watched it with floormates & several hundred others at rec center on 'big screen'....1982 i roomed next to some guys that knew tom nichol so talked with him a few times thru that season. 26-0 was tremendous game that few UM fans ever mention...
 


i just REALLY got into football in the last 4 years or so...so for me it will have to be last season. blackout, night game, homecoming. good time
 


The game in 1985 was great don't get me wrong. But in 2002 if my memorie is correct we were big underdogs in that game. We totally dominated michigan that day!
 




Well, looks like the final vote is the 85 game which is hard too argue with for sure 1 vs 2 last second field goal lights at Kinnick all american QB lots of drama. For the program I would say the 81 game was a game that put Iowa back into the college football world before that we did not exist. Should be a great game Saturday and another Iowa win Hawks 33-UM20
 


2003 Iowa 30 Michigan 27 All I remember is that nobody thought we would win that game, and it didnt seem like we should have a chance at all, our offense was terrible, theirs was great. Both defenses were good so you knew it would be a slugfest, but most people just assumed Michigans superior talent would eventually overcome the hawkeye defense and pull away for the win, It wasnt the case, The hawkeyes went blow for blow with michigan and won it in the final round thanks to a Nate Kaeding FG. Great Memories.
 


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