Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz recognized that the Hawkeyes’ 7–3 victory against FCS opponent South Dakota State was not a pretty one to start the 2022 season.
The Hawkeyes’ seven points—two safeties and a field goal—were the fewest for a Big Ten team in a victory since the program’s 6–4 win against Penn State in 2004. The win also made the Hawkeyes the first Big Ten team to win a game without scoring a touchdown since Nebraska did so in ‘18 against Michigan State.
Iowa’s offense struggled, producing only 166 yards of total offense. Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras went 11-of-25 for 109 yards along with an interception.