Likes, dislikes from Iowa football's loss to Ohio State

After a thrilling victory over Michigan a week prior, Iowa football faced a daunting challenge against Ohio State on Saturday, October 3rd. The Hawkeyes (4-1) fell short, losing 31-14 at Kinnick Stadium. Here are the likes and dislikes from the game.

The kicking and punting units of Iowa delivered a strong performance. Caden Buhr made two field goals, one from 43 yards and another career-long 48 yards, both in the first quarter. Punter Boston Everitt showed great skill, with four punts averaging 41.8 yards, including two inside the 20-yard line.

Jeremy Hecklinski emerged as a surprise star in the fourth quarter. Entering for the injured Hank Brown, Hecklinski went 5-of-5 passing for 67 yards, leading to the only touchdown of the game. He also connected with Reece Vander Zee for a two-point conversion.

On offense, the duo of DJ Vonnahme and Tony Diaz provided bright spots. They combined for 11 catches and 123 yards. Kinnick Stadium crowd delivered an electric atmosphere, with excitement leading up to the matchup, including a visit from ESPN's College GameDay.

LJ Phillips Jr. finally got touches against Ohio State after missing games due to injury. He tallied 16 yards on four carries, showcasing his potential as a key addition to the running backs room.

Iowa still holds control of their postseason destiny, though a loss diminishes their chances of securing a Big Ten championship. However, a College Football Playoff berth remains within reach. The team still has plenty to play for this season.

On the negative side, Iowa's offense struggled to put points on the board until the fourth quarter, with a total offense of just 238 yards. The Heisman Trophy candidate Jeremiah Smith had a standout performance with 11 receptions for 206 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to overcome Ohio State's defense.

Quarterback Hank Brown had a disappointing game, going 12-of-27 for 132 yards, turning the ball over twice, and almost giving away a third. The running game continued to falter against power conference competition, with only 62 yards gained, excluding sack yards. Starting running back Kamari Moulton had only 27 yards on 11 carries.

The game started disastrously for Iowa, with a strip sack and recovery by Ohio State, giving them an early 7-0 lead. Turnovers played a significant role, as Ohio State turned each of their takeaways into touchdowns. Iowa's defense, while not the biggest issue, struggled to provide adequate resistance, allowing Ohio State to accumulate 484 total yards.

Injury concerns loomed large for Iowa, with Zach Lutmer sidelined due to an injury and Ty Hudkins stepping in. Cornerback Deshaun Lee also left the game with an injury. Iowa's performance fell short of their potential in previous seasons, falling to Ohio State by a comfortable margin after losing to Indiana and Oregon by a combined seven points.