Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) scores a 15-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (16) throws with pressure from Iowa defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy Clayton-King)Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer (16) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Iowa, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Show Caption1 of 3Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) scores a 15-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Minnesota, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)Expand Gophers head coach P.J. Fleck compared the Iowa Hawkeyes to a boa constrictor before the Battle for Floyd of Rosedale on Saturday. “They can suffocate you,” he said on KFXN-FM pregame show. It was a prophetic comment. Minnesota fell into Iowa’s grasp at the start of the third quarter. The ensuing asphyxiation was slow and steady, with the U’s time of death delivered well before the final whistle. The Gophers had the worst run defense in the Big Ten last season, and the Hawkeyes ran over and around the 2024 version on Saturday. Kaleb Johnson, who led the nation in rushing yards going into the game, stacked up 206 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries. He averaged 9.8 yards per carry. The Hawkeyes scored 24 unanswered points to recapture the rivalry trophy with a 31-14 win at Huntington Bank Stadium. In the third quarter, Iowa out-gained the U 159-14 and outscored them 17-0. The Gophers (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten) have not won consecutive Floyd games since 2010-11. The Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) have won 10 of the last 12 in the series. The Gophers earned its halftime break. Minnesota’s offense had came alive with two touchdowns on the final two drives; its defense gave Iowa only 107 total yards; and the U was feeling good up 14-7. They didn’t show up for the second half. And fans in the sellout crowd were leaving by the start of the fourth quarter. Fleck said the players’ effort was there, but execution was not. “I think we made proper adjustment,” Fleck said of halftime. “But we weren’t able to get it done.” Iowa stacked chunk plays to go 67 yards over five plays and score a game-tying touchdown in just over two minutes of this second half. Johnson went untouched on a 15-yard rush to tie the game. Then Johnson broke tackles at the line of scrimmage on a 40-yard touchdown run to make it 21-14. Iowa was held to 107 yards in the first half and had 127 yards in the opening two drives of third quarter. Johnson showed his mettle, but Gophers linebacker Cody Lindenberg said Johnson’s success was more so due to their errors: Not being in the right gaps, not getting off blocks and not making tackles. “It bites,” Lindenberg said. A plethora of punts filled the first half — four apiece between the teams across the first 10 possessions. Then the Gophers found success with two touchdown passes from Max Brosmer on their last two drives. Tight end Jameson Geers snagged the first TD in the back of the end zone to tie the game, 7-7, with four minutes left in the second quarter. Then Elijah Spencer caught a swing pass, was spun around but kept his feet and dove into the end zone as Minnesota took a 14-7 lead in the final minute of the half. Brosmer’s start wasn’t a strong one. On the second possession, he threw behind Darius Taylor and Hawkeyes star linebacker Jay Higgins intercepted it. Then Gophers defensive backs Jack Henderson and Za’Quan Bryan lost contain as Johnson broke a 23-yard run. While Minnesota fought back to take the lead, maybe Iowa’s grip had set in during the first half. Related Articles College Sports | Gophers secondary down two key players for Iowa game College Sports | Gophers football: ‘Such a fulfilling win’ over Iowa last season College Sports | Gophers football: Quarterback Max Brosmer has link to Iowa College Sports | Gophers football: Coach Nick Monroe’s ‘life-changing’ car accident leads to more gratitude College Sports | Gophers football vs. Iowa: Keys to game, how to watch and who has the edge