When Ohio State travels to middle of nowhere in Iowa City, Iowa this fall, they'll enter Kinnick Stadium for the first time since 2010.
At that time, the Buckeyes were 9-1 with Terrelle Pryor under center, and needed Daniel "Boom" Herron to punch it in for six with under two minutes remaining to escape with a three-point victory. Due to "Tattoogate", however, this win does not technically exist in the college football history books.
In the all-time series, Ohio State leads Iowa 46-14-3 and have won six of the last seven matchups overall. With that being said, let's dive into the last four meetings between the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes in Iowa throughout the last 20 seasons.
Oct. 21, 2000: No. 14 Ohio State 38, Iowa 10
The Buckeyes arrived in Iowa boasting a 6-1 record, after suffering their first loss of the season at home to Minnesota a week prior. With that, the Scarlet and Gray seemed to hold a grudge heading into the matchup with the Hawkeyes and cruised to a four-touchdown win on the road while putting up 446 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Steve Bellasari threw for 315 yards with 17 completions and three touchdowns to Ken-Yon Rambo, Reggie Germany and Chad Cacchio.
Rambo and Germany each racked up over 100 yards receiving on the day, while running backs Derek Combs and Jerry Westbrooks registered a touchdown on seven touches each.
The Buckeye defense was also quite impressive in the win, as they forced four fumbles — recovering one — and defensive back Donnie Nickey picked off Hawkeyes' quarterback Jon Beutjer.
Oct. 16 2004: No. 23 Ohio State 7, Iowa 38
This game represents the lone loss for Ohio State on the road against Iowa since 2000, but it was ugly.
The Buckeyes could not contain Iowa quarterback Drew Tate, who threw for 331 yards on 26 for 39 passing and four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). Buckeyes quarterbacks Justin Zwick and Troy Smith combined for just 14 of 26 on passing, and just 150 yards.
With 2:39 remaining in the first half, Ohio State trailed 10-0 but was driving to get a score before the teams entered the locker room. On a third-and-eight from around the Hawkeyes' 13 yard line, Zwick dropped back to pass and fired a ball for the back corner of the endzone.
The ball, however, ended in the hands of an Iowa defensive back — killing any momentum the Buckeyes remaining. Two Ohio State lost fumbles later in the second half, Iowa was in complete control up 38-0 with over nine minutes remaining in the game.
Troy Smith added a garbage-time touchdown to get the Bucks on the scoreboard, but this is one game that should be forgotten from Jim Tressel's time at the helm.
Sept. 30, 2006: No. 1 Ohio State 38, No. 13. Iowa 17
Redemption time for Troy Smith against Drew Tate.
With College Gameday on site, the Buckeyes and the Hawkeyes met in a packed Kinnick Stadium for a top-20 showdown in which Lee Corso took Iowa and put on their mascot head of a bird; "NOT SO FAST, MY FRIEND!"
Ohio State was spectacular in all facets of the game in this victory, as Smith threw for four touchdowns (two to Anthony Gonzalez, and one each to Roy Hall and Brian Robiskie) while running back Antonio Pittman added one of his own on the ground.
The Scarlet and Gray defense was also excellent, picking Tate off three times throughout the game and snagging a fumble off the turf.
A win over the Hawkeyes was the fifth of the season for coach Jim Tressel, who led the Buckeyes to an undefeated regular season, a Heisman trophy winner in Smith and the first of two straight National Championship appearances.
Who did Ohio State lose to in 2006? Oh yeah, Urban Meyer and the Florida Gators.
Nov. 20, 2010: No. 7 Ohio State 20, No. 20 Iowa 17 (Vacated)
Arguably one of the more exciting game between these two programs in recent memory, the 2010 version of Ohio State vs. Iowa had plenty of drama.
The Buckeyes took their first lead of the game with 8:36 left in the third quarter after Pryor found Reid Fragel in the end zone to put the visitors up 10-7.
Iowa, however, would go on to tie the game at 10 with a field goal near the end of the quarter and eventually take the lead with 11:53 remaining after Marcus Coker punched it in from one yard out.
A Devin Barclay field goal cut the Hawkeye lead to 17-13 at the 7:38 mark of the final quarter, but Ohio State needed a stop and a score in order to escape. After forcing a three-and-out on defense, Pryor led the Buckeyes on one last drive for the win — and despite struggling in the game (three interceptions), showed poise in the biggest moment.
On a fourth-and-10 at the 50, Pryor took the snap and scrambled to his right in order to find a receiver. After seeing no options, 6 foot, 6 inch quarterback trotted to his left and picked up blocks and 15 yards for the first down.
His heroic run kept the drive alive, and set-up Boom Herron's one-yard run into the end zone with 1:47 remaining and the eventual win.
Just remember though: this one technically doesn't count. Stupid tattoos.
The matchup between the Buckeyes and the Hawkeyes Nov. 4 this fall will be a true test for Urban Meyer's squad. Iowa played their opponents very tough at Kinnick Stadium in 2016, losing three of their seven home clashes last year by a combined 17 points.
It may not seem like an important game at this point, but this will be one to circle on the calendar deep in the Scarlet and Gray campaign.
