Game Report: Iowa vs. Ohio State

By the numbers

4 - Regular-season losses for Iowa this year

4 - Consecutive losses by Iowa against Ohio State

6 - Consecutive seasons Ohio State has won at least 10 games, a Big Ten record

15 - Combined points Iowa has lost by in its four defeats

Report Card

C-plus - This is Groundhog Day. But in this flick, Bill Murray loses the girl and ends up in a woodchipper.

- Marc Morehouse

C - This wasn't Ohio State's first rodeo.

- Mike Hlas

B - Death and taxes aren't nearly as automatic as Iowa's defense giving up a late-game touchdown this year.

- Scott Dochterman

Game ball

Ohio State QB Terrelle Pryor. Instead of folding, Pryor elevated his game in the fourth quarter. Facing fourth and 10 at the 50, Pryor scrambled from the right side to the left and rushed for 14 yards to keep the drive alive. Pryor later hit wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher on a 24-yard pass to the Iowa 2. Two plays later, Ohio State scored the game-winning touchdown.

Pryor finished the game completing 18 of 33 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 78 yards with the 14-yard effort on fourth down his longest run of the game.

Injury update

Iowa sophomore running back Adam Robinson suffered an apparent concussion on Iowa's final drive when he tried to catch a short pass from quarterback Rick Stanzi. Robinson, who didn't start because of an academic issue, likely won't play next week at Minnesota, Ferentz said.

Linebacker Jeff Tarpinian and guards Adam Gettis and Nolan MacMillan didn't play after suffering previous injuries.

Fourth-quarter losses

In Iowa's four losses this year, the Hawkeyes were tied or held the lead before losing.

Against Arizona, Iowa tied the game at 27-27 before losing 34-27 on a last-minute drive. Wisconsin scored a touchdown with 1:06 left to win by one point. Iowa led Northwestern by 10 points with 10:56 left. Ohio State scored its game-winning touchdown with 1:47 remaining.

In-game pageantry

Iowa honored Staff Sgt. Sal Giunta, a Hiawatha native, during a video tribute between the first and second quarters. Giunta was awarded the Medal of Honor on Tuesday by President Barack Obama after his actions in Afghanistan in 2007.

Before the game four U.S. Air Force fighter jets from the 25th Fighter Training Squadron conducted a flyover seconds after the national anthem.

Longtime Iowa wrestling coach Dan Gable was the honorary captain. He participated in the pre-game coin flip and was celebrated in a halftime ceremony amid cheers by both Iowa and Ohio State fans.

Freshman success

Iowa freshman running back Marcus Coker earned his second career start and scored his first touchdown against Ohio State on Saturday. Corker rushed for 70 yards on nine carries and caught one pass for 11 yards.

Early in the fourth quarter, Coker blasted off right tackle and ran 26 yards to the Ohio State 1. He scored one play later to give the Hawkeyes a 17-10 lead.

"He's really done a great job," Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said. "To me, today was his most impressive outing."

Ghost rivalry

Iowa and Ohio State might not play against until 2015 because of the Big Ten's divisional alignment that goes into effect next year.

The schools will compete in opposite divisions, and Iowa will play Indiana and Penn State as nonprotected, non-divisional opponents in 2011 and 2012. In 2013, Wisconsin likely will play Iowa as a nonprotected, non-divisional opponent, according to Big Ten officials. Iowa's other opponent probably will be Illinois, a team Iowa won't play from 2009 through 2012.

If Iowa doesn't meet Ohio State until 2015, the teams will have missed one another six times over an eight-year period. The teams could compete against one another in the Big Ten championship game starting next year.

McNutt's future

Iowa junior wide receiver Marvin McNutt added to his impressive resume with seven catches for 92 yards and a touchdown Saturday. He now leads the team in catches (48) and receiving yards (752). He also has seven touchdown receptions this year.

After the game McNutt said, “yeah” when asked if he was returning next year.

“Nothing, just getting ready for next season,” McNutt said when asked about his off-season plans.

McNutt, a converted quarterback, has 15 touchdown receptions in his career.

Up next

Iowa concludes its season at Minnesota in its first game at TCF Bank Stadium, which opened last year. The teams have played 103 times, and Minnesota leads 59-42-2 all-time. The schools also play for the 98.3-pound Floyd of Rosedale trophy. Iowa has won the bronze pig 13 of the last 17 years.