The Iowa Hawkeyes lost control of the Floyd of Rosedale trophy Saturday, falling 13-10 to Minnesota on a last-second field goal in Minneapolis despite holding the Golden Gophers to just 209 yards of offense.
The defeat dropped Iowa to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play, a serious blow to the program's College Football Playoff hopes with games against Wisconsin, Northwestern, and Nebraska still ahead, according to Sports Illustrated.
How Minnesota Won It Late
Credit the Gophers for converting the kick, but the real damage came one play earlier. A 39-yard pass to Jalen Smith put Minnesota in field goal range and set up the winning score.
That single play stung more than the scoreboard shows. The 38-yard gain accounted for more than 18% of Minnesota's entire offensive output on the day, a sign of how little the Gophers could move the ball otherwise. Iowa finished with 288 total yards, not much better in a game defined by missed chances.
Fans and Media Sound Off
The reaction came fast and harsh. USA Today rounded up responses from Iowa fans and media after the loss, and the word that kept surfacing was frustration with a self-inflicted defeat. Hawk Central called it an incredibly disappointing performance, pointing to turnovers and blown opportunities that cost Iowa a game the defense had largely won.
One sequence drew particular attention: a wild non-play in which simply holding onto the ball could have changed the outcome entirely. Instead, Iowa heads home without its most cherished rivalry trophy.
PJ Fleck 'Out-Iowas' Iowa
Iowa has built its identity on winning ugly, grinding out low-scoring games and coming out on top, as it did earlier this season at Michigan. On Saturday, Minnesota flipped the script and did it to the Hawkeyes.
Golden Gophers head coach PJ Fleck described the win as his team out-Iowaing Iowa, a compliment to the Hawkeyes' formula and an indictment of how the day went for Kirk Ferentz's squad.
Minnesota, which already beat Michigan this year and knocked off Wisconsin late last season, now holds all three of its rivalry trophies at once for the first time in nearly 50 years.
What the Loss Means for the Playoff Race
The timing could hardly be worse. Wisconsin, suddenly one of the more impressive teams in the West, visits Kinnick Stadium next weekend, followed by a road trip to No. 20 Northwestern. Nebraska waits at the end of the schedule.
The margin for error is gone. At 2-2 in conference play, Iowa likely needs to run the table or come close to keep its playoff hopes alive, a task that starts immediately against a Badgers team playing its best football of the year.
Can the Hawkeyes Bounce Back?
The path is still there, but only if the mistakes disappear. Iowa's style of play keeps opponents in games, and when the Hawkeyes beat themselves with turnovers and special teams breakdowns, the kind of team that maybe should not be in position to win late suddenly is.
The defense did its job in Minneapolis. Holding any Big Ten opponent to 209 yards should be enough to win. Making that performance count for nothing is what will haunt this team through the bye-week questions and the week of preparation ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Floyd of Rosedale?
Floyd of Rosedale is the bronze pig trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Iowa-Minnesota football game, one of college football's oldest rivalry trophies. It heads back to Minneapolis after Saturday's 13-10 Minnesota win.
What is Iowa's record after the Minnesota loss?
Iowa fell to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in Big Ten play with the defeat on Saturday, October 25, 2026.
Does Iowa still have a chance at the College Football Playoff?
Yes, but the road is narrow. Iowa would likely need to beat Wisconsin, No. 20 Northwestern, and Nebraska in the coming weeks to stay in contention.