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MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Drzewiecki’s Final-Play Field Goal Lifts Gophers Past Iowa and Returns Floyd of Rosedale
Minnesota defeated No. 15 Iowa 13–10 Saturday, using a late passing play, defensive takeaways and two field goals to secure the rivalry victory.
MINNEAPOLIS, MN (October 25, 2026). Luke Drzewiecki made a 46-yard field goal as time expired Saturday, giving Minnesota a 13–10 victory over No. 15 Iowa and returning the Floyd of Rosedale trophy to the Gophers.
The decisive kick followed a 39-yard completion from Drake Lindsey to Jalen Smith on third down during Minnesota’s final possession. It provided the field position the Gophers needed after Iowa had erased a seven-point deficit late in the fourth quarter.
Minnesota improved to 5–2 overall. The announced attendance at Huntington Bank Stadium was 53,004.
A game decided by limited scoring opportunities
The teams reached halftime tied 3–3.
Drzewiecki opened the scoring with a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter. Iowa answered with Caden Buhr’s 32-yard kick in the second.
Minnesota’s only touchdown came on a third-quarter possession that covered 71 yards in 10 plays. Darius Taylor finished it with a one-yard run, and the extra point put the Gophers ahead 10–3 with 8:08 remaining in the quarter.
The lead held until Iowa produced a four-play, 98-yard touchdown drive. Hank Brown’s 37-yard pass to Reece Vander Zee and the extra point tied the score with 3:46 left.
Minnesota’s winning possession covered 44 yards in seven plays over the final 1:46, ending with Drzewiecki’s second successful field goal.
Defense kept Minnesota within reach
The Gophers won despite producing a season-low 209 yards of offense.
Minnesota’s defense limited Iowa to 90 rushing yards and forced three interceptions and a lost fumble. The Hawkeyes converted four of 16 third-down opportunities.
That defensive performance kept the game close enough for the final drive to determine the outcome. Iowa finished with 288 total yards, while Minnesota’s offense relied on its third-quarter touchdown drive and late passing connection to create the necessary scoring chances.
Three rivalry trophies together
The victory gave Minnesota possession of Floyd of Rosedale for the first time since 2023.
It also placed Floyd alongside the Little Brown Jug, contested with Michigan, and Paul Bunyan’s Axe, contested with Wisconsin. According to the university’s postgame account, Minnesota holds all three principal rivalry trophies simultaneously for the first time since 1978.
Saturday’s result did not settle the remainder of the season. It did deliver a home rivalry win through a final possession that converted a tied game into a trophy-changing finish.
The university’s official box score and scoring summary provide the complete statistical record.
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