IOWA CITY, Iowa. (10/03/09) - A late Arkansas State rally fell short as the thirteenth-ranked Iowa Hawkeyes (5-0) held on for a 24-21 victory over the Red Wolves Saturday afternoon at Kennick Stadium.
Trailing 24-14 following a 20-yard field goal from Iowa's Daniel Murray with 10 minutes remaining, the Red Wolves (1-3) cut the Hawkeye lead to 24-21 on a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Corey Leonard to tight end Trevor Gillott with 2:01 to play, but time ran out on ASU as Iowa held on for the win.
The Red Wolves' defense held the Hawkeyes without a first down after Iowa recovered an ASU onside kick attempt following Gillott's touchdown, but just 10 seconds remained on the clock when Arkansas State got the ball back at its own 18. Two deep pass attempts from Leonard were incomplete, allowing Iowa to escape with the win.
"I am very, very proud of our football team for the way we competed, but I am disappointed in the fact that we had opportunities to make a few more plays than we made and it cost us an opportunity to win the game," said ASU head coach Steve Roberts. "We are not here to play well. We are here to play well and win, and we just got one part of that right."
Iowa jumped out to a 14-0 first quarter lead behind a pair of touchdown passes from quarterback Ricky Stanzi before Arkansas State got on the board just before halftime on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Leonard to wide receiver Brandon Thompkins. Thompkins crossed the goal line with 44 seconds remaining in the half, and placekicker Josh Arauco added the point-after to cut the Hawkeye lead to 14-7 at the break.
Iowa used a 43-yard scoring strike from Stanzi to wideout Marvin McNutt to take a 21-7 lead with 13:16 remaining in the third, but Arkansas State cut the lead to a touchdown when linebacker Demario Davis picked off a Stanzi pass and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown with 14:41 remaining in the game.
Iowa answered with Murray's 20-yard field goal to give the Hawkeyes a 10-point cushion.
Leonard completed a season-high 22 passes on 40 attempts for 216 yards and two touchdowns, while Thompkins caught a career-high eight passes for 76 yards and a score to lead the ASU offense. Cornerbacks Daylan Walker and Cordarious Mingo each recorded eight tackles, including seven unassisted for Walker, to lead the Red Wolves' defensive effort.
