Notre Dame Football: 3 reasons Irish should renew series with Iowa

2. History

Especially early on the history of the series, Iowa and Notre Dame had some legendary contests for both sides. Their first meeting in 1921 was a huge turning point for the Iowa program under Howard Jones. Iowa, led by All-Americans Gordie Locke, Aubrey Devine and Duke Slater took down Knute Rockne’s Irish, 10-7 in a huge upset. The Irish were led by end Hunk Anderson, Johnny Mohradt and future Iowa coach, Dr. Eddie Anderson.

The Hawkeyes and Irish wouldn’t meet again until 1939, another famous year in the history of Iowa football. Dr. Eddie Anderson and the famed “Ironmen” welcomed Notre Dame back to Iowa City on November 11, 1939. The game was very conservative contest, as a matter of fact, Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick set the Iowa school record for most punts and most punting yards in a single game. But right before halftime, Kinnick barreled in from four yards out to give Iowa a 7-0 lead. The Irish would score in the fourth quarter but miss the PAT, giving Iowa a monumental 7-6 win over No. 3 Notre Dame.

Perhaps the most infamous meeting between the two schools happened in 1953. Iowa, under second-year coach Forest Evashevski traveled to South Bend to face top-ranked Notre Dame. The Hawkeyes had a surprising 7-0 lead, but Irish tackle Frank Varrichione allegedly faked an injury before halftime, giving the Irish another play, which they scored a touchdown on making it 7-7. Iowa went ahead 14-7 in the second half, but yet again an “injury” allowed Notre Dame time to run a play that scored a touchdown and ended the game in a 14-14 tie.

Following the game Iowa coach Forest Evashevski was furious about how his team was gypped in South Bend. Many sportswriters across the country shared Evashevski’s anguish, including legendary sportswriter Grantland Rice, who called the team from South Bend “The Fainting Irish of Notre Dame”. The game today still lives on in the lore of the Irish and Hawkeye football programs.