IOWA FOOTBALL

Photos: Iowa football takes on Illinois in a Big Ten West matchup

Hawk Central
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum (65) hugs tight end Sam LaPorta (84) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Tyler Linderbaum (65) hugs tight end Sam LaPorta (84) after scoring a touchdown during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz is seen during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes head coach Kirk Ferentz is seen during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates his successful field goal with place kicker Ryan Gersonde (2) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes kicker Keith Duncan (3) celebrates his successful field goal with place kicker Ryan Gersonde (2) during the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes fullback Monte Pottebaum (38) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes fullback Monte Pottebaum (38) runs the ball against Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Riley Moss (33) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Riley Moss (33) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) catches a pass against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Riley Moss (33) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe (9) catches a pass against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Riley Moss (33) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Khalan Tolson (45) sacks Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Spencer Petras (7) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A Iowa Hawkeyes fan is seen prior to the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; A Iowa Hawkeyes fan is seen prior to the first half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) receives a pass against Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Seth Benson (44) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Champaign, Illinois, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini running back Chase Brown (2) receives a pass against Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Seth Benson (44) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras is pressured by Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) and Roderick Perry II during the first half on Saturday.
Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras is pressured by Illinois defensive lineman Owen Carney Jr. (99) and Roderick Perry II during the first half on Saturday.
Charles Rex Arbogast/AP
Brandon Smith plows into Illinois' defense for a season-high five catches for 58 yards.
Brandon Smith plows into Illinois' defense for a season-high five catches for 58 yards.
Patrick Gorski, USA TODAY Sports
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone as fellow tight end Shaun Beyer celebrates during the second quarter Saturday at Illinois. It was LaPorta's first career touchdown.
Iowa tight end Sam LaPorta dives into the end zone as fellow tight end Shaun Beyer celebrates during the second quarter Saturday at Illinois. It was LaPorta's first career touchdown.
Patrick Gorski, Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports