IOWA CITY, Iowa – Sept. 20, 2025— The Iowa Hawkeyes survived a nail-biting start to their Big Ten campaign on Saturday, defeating Rutgers 38-35 at Kinnick Stadium in a contest that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The showdown marked the conference opener for both teams, and neither disappointed in a game filled with momentum swings, explosive plays, and late drama. Iowa running back Tyler Goodson provided the decisive spark, breaking free for a 56-yard touchdown run midway through the fourth quarter. That play gave the Hawkeyes a narrow lead they would not relinquish.
Rutgers, however, refused to go quietly. Quarterback Gavin Wimsatt led the Scarlet Knights on a furious late drive, bringing them deep into Iowa territory. Just as the Knights threatened to reclaim the lead, senior defensive back Riley Moss stepped in front of a pass for a game-sealing interception with under a minute remaining.
“That’s the kind of resilience you need in Big Ten football,” Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz said after the game. “We bent at times, but when the moment called for it, our guys stood tall.”
On the opposite sideline, Rutgers coach Greg Schiano stressed the positives despite the narrow defeat.
“I’m proud of our team’s fight,” Schiano said. “We went toe-to-toe with a ranked opponent on the road. There are no moral victories, but there are building blocks we can take from this.”
The contest was a true back-and-forth affair. Rutgers’ balanced offense kept Iowa’s defense guessing, while the Hawkeyes leaned heavily on Goodson’s speed and physicality. Both teams traded big plays throughout the night, reflecting the intensity of early-season Big Ten competition.
Looking ahead, Iowa will try to build momentum from its emotional victory as it prepares for next week’s clash against Michigan State. Rutgers, meanwhile, will regroup at home against Indiana, aiming to convert Saturday’s near-miss into a statement win.
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