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University of Minnesota Athletics
Blog: Gophers Prep for Emotional Battle With Iowa
11/22/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
There will be several reasons for emotions to be high as the University of Minnesota football team hosts No. 24 Iowa on Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium.
The Gophers will be looking to build off their momentum from beating Illinois in their last game to propel them against a tough Hawkeye team in the annual battle for the Floyd of Rosedale.
The Gophers lead the overall series 59-42-2 and are 39-34-2 since Floyd of Rosedale became the prize in the 1935. However, the Hawkeyes have been dominant in the series as of late, winning in eight of the last nine meetings, including a 12-0 victory last season. Minnesota last beat Iowa in 2006 by a score of 34-24 at the Metrodome.
"To make this a rivalry we need to win more," Minnesota interim Head Coach Jeff Horton said. "I know nobody is going to give us much of a fighting chance this year because of the records but we're going to have a great week of preparation and go out there to win Floyd of Rosedale and make it a rivalry again."
For the Minnesota players, they are looking to finally run across the field and hoist a trophy in victory, a feat that none of the current Gophers have had the opportunity to enjoy.
"Not only is this an important game, just being Iowa versus Minnesota and being our last game, but also being our last chance to win a trophy game and be a part of that is important," senior quarterback Adam Weber said. "That's going to be on our minds every single day at practice."
Another element that makes Saturday's game an emotional one for the players will be the fact this it will be the last time that the 15 current seniors will be able to take the field sporting maroon and gold.
The Gopher players will take the field with their families before the game to be individually recognized.
"I tell the seniors that they play a lot of games ... but they will always remember the last game," Horton said. "We need to go out there and do everything in our power to win that game."
The matchup against Iowa will have special meaning for the seniors. It is not only a game against a rival that they have not personally beaten in their careers, but it also gives them a chance to finish their Minnesota career with a win.
"We say play like it's your last play, but now it's actually coming down to it, " senior fullback Jon Hoese said. "It'll come quick, it's crazy that it's just one game. But after that it's going to be kind of overwhelming to realize I'm done playing football at the University of Minnesota."
-By Keith Beise, Athletic Communications Assistant
