On a crisp October afternoon in 2004, Iowa traveled to State College, Pennsylvania, to face Penn State in a matchup that would later be remembered for its unusual final score.
The game opened with a safety as Iowa’s offense misfired on its first drive, granting Penn State a 2‑0 lead before any points had been scored elsewhere.
Iowa responded with a field goal before the end of the first quarter, and the teams headed into halftime with a 6‑2 margin in favor of the Hawkeyes.
A Strategic Turn in the Fourth Quarter
The second half devolved into a slog of punts and turnovers, but the pivotal moment arrived when Iowa elected to take a safety on fourth down at the one‑yard line, preserving a 6‑4 lead while draining precious time.
Two interceptions thrown by Penn State in the closing period, coupled with a recovered fumble, sealed the victory, leaving the Nittany Lions with just 315 total yards and seven giveaways.
Kicker Kyle Schlicher accounted for all of Iowa’s points, and the defensive heroics of Ferentz’s staff turned a modest offensive output into a memorable win that still surfaces in Hawkeye lore.