WATCH: Iowa defense forces CJ Stroud fumble, takes it back for touchdown

The Iowa offense got off to a slow start against Ohio State, but the defense showed up early. That was evident by a scoop-and-score in the first quarter to give the Hawkeyes the lead.

Joe Evans forced the fumble on a strip-sack of Buckeyes quarterback C.J. Stroud and took it the 13 yards for a touchdown. That gave Iowa a 7-3 lead with 13 minutes to play in the first quarter at The Horseshoe.

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Another look at that HIT + SCOOP N' SCORE TD by Joe Evans 😤@HawkeyeFootball pic.twitter.com/cqX6z4OqA1

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 22, 2022

Iowa quarterback Spencer Petras threw an interception to Tanner McCalister to start the game, but Ohio State settled for a field goal on the ensuing drive as the Hawkeyes defense stood strong. The Hawkeyes came into the game second in the Big Ten in turnover margin behind Penn State as Phil Parker’s unit continues to dominate this season.

Ohio State struck back on its next drive, though, as Miyan Williams punched in a two-yard touchdown to take the lead right back, 10-7.

Kirk Ferentz calls CJ Stroud ‘a really good football player’

C.J. Stroud challenges any team he plays against as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and potential No. 1 NFL Draft selection. He has joined a long line of recent Ohio State quarterbacks who have terrorized the Big Ten. 

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz has seen several great QBs come out of Columbus over his 24 seasons. That’s why he realizes that Stroud is the next great one.

Ferentz broke down Stroud during Tuesday’s press conference ahead of the Hawkeye’s road game against the Buckeyes this weekend. He knows the history of Ohio State quarterbacks he’s had to game plan for. The combined maturity and talent of Stroud is what makes him the next threat from the Buckeyes that Ferentz’s team will have to defend.

“By good luck or bad luck, it seems like every time we play them they’ve got somebody pretty good taking snaps. … They’ve had good quarterbacks. And Stroud looks like he’s 28 years old back there,” Ferentz said. “He’s a really good football player. Just total control, really talented. It’s gonna be another challenge.”