9-and-0: Iowa 42, Indiana 24

By Nick Pugliese. Reporter

Iowa's Marvin McNutt (7) runs down the sideline on his way to a 92-yard touchdown during the second half of their game against Indiana Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Oct 31, 2009 at 1:20 PM CST

Story Updated: Oct 31, 2009 at 5:57 PM CST

IOWA CITY - Iowa’s magical season picked up a few more believers Saturday as the seventh-ranked Hawkeyes remained undefeated with a thrilling, come-from-behind 42-24 victory against Indiana.

Iowa (9-0 for the first time in its history) trailed by 14 points twice for its biggest deficit of the season before rallying with 28 fourth-quarter points. Two of those scores were long touchdown passes from Ricky Stanzi to Marvin McNutt (92 yards) and Darren Johnson-Koulianos (66 yards), the latter putting the Hawkeyes up 28-24 with 11:38 to play.

While Stanzi came alive in the fourth quarter, he was awful in the third. Between throwing into the wind and also making some questionable decisions, the junior QB tossed four interceptions in the quarter, part of a personal-worst five on the day.

The Hoosiers (4-5) were victimized by instant replay with two apparent touchdown passes being ruled no catches. The visitors, who blew a 28-3 a week ago, also fell victim to one of the more incredible interceptions ever seen at Kinnick Stadium — or anywhere — when safety Tyler Sash got his sixth pick of the season via a pass that bounced off several players from both teams before ending in his hands. He returned the pick for a score that cut Indiana’s lead to 21-14 in the third quarter and sparked the comeback.

Running back Brandon Wegher, forced to carry the load for the injury-depleted running game, had a career-high 118 yards on the ground and three touchdowns.

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