Can Iowa overcome issues to get 'must-win' at Minnesota?

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The Iowa Hawkeyes travel to Minnesota to take on the Golden Gophers, here are three storylines to follow during the game.

After last week's devastating loss to Northwestern, the Iowa football team is 1-2 in the last three games. Now it's up to the Hawkeyes regain control of their season when they travel to Minnesota.

The players know that the match-up against the Gophers is a "must-win." Will head coach Kirk Ferentz make lineup changes? Can quarterback C.J. Beathard lead the Hawkeyes to get back on track? And with wide receiver Matt VandeBerg still out, can his replacements continue to improve Iowa's passing game?

Fans will find out Saturday, when star cornerback Desmond King returns to his role as captain.

Join columnist Chad Leistikow (@ChadLeistikow) and recruiting reporter Chris Cuellar (@cuellarchris) on the Hawk Central Facebook page live at noon Wednesday to talk all things Hawkeyes football. Tune in to Facebook to ask them questions live in the comments or tweet them in advance. They'll do their best to answer all of them.

Want even more Hawkeyes news and updates? Download the Hawk Central app. It's FREE. How can you say no to that?

Week 5 coverage:

HAWK CENTRAL

Stats show Hawkeyes rushing toward Big Ten trouble

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Leistikow's DVR Monday: Refs' failures compound Iowa's issues

HAWK CENTRAL

Iowa takeaways: The run defense still stinks

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Photos: Iowa vs. Northwestern football

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Iowa alumni perform for fans during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa alumni perform prior to the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern running back Justin Jackson, right, pushes Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse out of the way during a run on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Former Hawkeye and current Green Bay Packer Bryan Bulaga waves to fans prior to the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa quarterback CJ Beathard is sacked by Northwestern Ifeadi Odenigbo on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa kid captain Conner Guyer of Eddyville waves to fans prior to the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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The Iowa alumni marching band performs prior to the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern teammate celebrate an interception in the final moments of their game against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa safety Brandon Snyder tackles Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Cole Croston jumps on a loose ball during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa offensive lineman James Daniels celebrates after his brother, LeShun Daniels, Jr., scores a touchdown during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa wide receiver Jerminic Smith completes a 44-yard catch during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard hands off the ball during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels, Jr. takes off with the ball during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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A water bottle gets thrown onto the field as fans react to a series of penalties during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Fans react to a series of penalties during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz looks for a face mask penalty during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Riley McCarron returns a kick during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Faith Ekakitie puts pressure on Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern linebacker Brett Walsh gives a thumbs up as he gets taken off the field during the Wildcats' game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz reacts as a Northwestern touchdown is confirmed by replay during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Jaleel Johnson puts pressure on Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa running back Akrum Wadley breaks way from Northwestern's Fred Wyatt during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Keith Duncan kicks a field goal during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern junior running back Justin Jackson outruns Iowa safety Brandon Snyder en route to a touchdown on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell, left and safety Brandon Snyder team up to bring Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson down in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Bo Bower, left, and safety Miles Taylor team up to put a hard hit on Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr pulls in a touchdown pass to put the Wildcats 14 points ahead of Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels runs the ball against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell, Jr., runs the ball after making pass reception against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Bo Bower hits Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa tight end George Kittle reaches for a pass against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse sacks Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa wide receiver Matt VandeBerg leaves the stadium after pregame warmups before kickoff against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa left tackle Jaleel Johnson catches Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson fires a pass in the Wildcats' win over Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern junior running back Justin Jackson outruns Iowa safety Brandon Snyder en route to a touchdown on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern junior running back Justin Jackson outruns Iowa safety Brandon Snyder en route to a touchdown on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern junior running back Justin Jackson outruns the Iowa defense en route to a touchdown on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa quarterback CJ Beathard fires a pass against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa wide receiver Jerminic Smith reaches out for a pass that is thrown a bit ahead of him against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels, Jr., makes it to the one-yard line, setting up a Hawkeyes touchdown against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels, Jr., breaks the line for a touchdown late against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Members of the Northwestern football team celebrate a win over Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back Akrum Wadley fights for running room against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr pulls in a touchdown pass to put the Wildcats 14 points ahead of Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.   Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern wide receiver Austin Carr, left, celebrates a touchdown against Iowa on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.   Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels runs the ball against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell, Jr., runs the ball after making pass reception against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Bo Bower hits Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa tight end George Kittle reaches for a pass against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse sacks Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Bo Bower, left, and safety Miles Taylor team up to put a hard hit on Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell, left and safety Brandon Snyder team up to bring Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson down in the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa's Riley McCarron, left, celebrates his touchdown George Kittle during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Riley McCarron pulls in a catch in the end zone during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa cornerback Desmond King (14) celebrates with teammates after the Hawkeyes recover a fumble during their game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa running back Akrum Wadley celebrates with teammates after his touchdown during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Akrum Wadley runs in for a touchdown during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa wide receiver Jay Scheel pulls in a catch over Northwestern's Montre Hartage during their gameat Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa wide receiver Riley McCarron completes a pass during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson gets sacked by Anthony Nelson (98) Aaron Mends (31) and Parker Hesse (40) during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa tight end George Kittle tries to pull in a pass during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa fans take part in the Panchero's burrito lift during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa linebacker Josey Jewell celebrates a stop on third down during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa's Anthony Nelson (98) and Josey Jewell chase down Northwestern's Justin Jackson during their game at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald questions a call during the Wildcats' game against Iowa at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa cornerback Desmond King hypes up the crowd during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa running back Derrick Mitchell, Jr. runs down field during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa quarterback C.J. Beathard looks down field for an open receiver during the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner/Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Students make their way to the front row for the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa wide receiver Matt VandeBerg stands on the sidelines as teammates warm up for the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa wide receiver Matt VandeBerg stands on the sidelines as teammates warm up for the Hawkeyes' game against Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016.  David Scrivner / Iowa City Press-Citizen

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Iowa running back LeShun Daniels, Jr., runs the ball against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse (40) sacks Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa defensive end Matt Nelson follows the action on the line of scrimmage against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern fans cheer in the final minutes as the Wildcats spoil Iowa's homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Herky the Hawk gets a kiss from a University of Iowa cheerleading alumnus during the homecoming game against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz yells at a game official for a call against his Hawkeyes against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Northwestern running back Justin Jackson, right, pushes Iowa defensive end Parker Hesse out of the way during a run on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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Iowa defensive end Anthony Nelson hits Northwestern running back Justin Jackson on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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An Iowa Hawkeye football fan reacts after the Hawkeyes homecoming loss to Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.  Bryon Houlgrave/The Register

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