This may age some people, but the memorable 2009 Iowa football season is nearly two decades in the past. 

Though time is flying by, any Hawkeye fan that hears the year 2009 can probably give you a descriptive play-by-play of the season's best moments.

And why wouldn't they? Iowa quickly became a media darling, racing out to a 9-0 start before finishing 11-2 and winning the 2010 Orange Bowl. 

That remains the Hawkeyes' only major bowl win since 1959, so it may be safe to say the 2009 Iowa team reached the highest pinnacle of Kirk Ferentz's career up to this point. 

No one had a better seat to witness the action that year than Gary Dolphin. Dolphin has been the "Voice of the Hawkeyes" for since the 1997 season. The 2026 campaign will mark his 30th behind the microphone, and he's seen a lot of memorable moments in that three-decade span. 

Where does 2009 rank in Dolphin's career? He's simply called too many legendary teams to single out one season, but it's definitely near the top. There were many dramatic victories for Dolphin to call in 2009, but the most dramatic of them all came against Michigan State on Oct. 24. 

The sixth-ranked and unbeaten Hawkeyes were favored against the 4-3 Spartans, but it wouldn't be easy. This game would take place under the lights - a rare spot for Iowa at the time. 

Like they did many times in 2009, the Hawkeyes flirted with disaster. After not doing much offensively for the first three quarters, Iowa drove deep into Michigan State territory on two occasions - only to settle for two short field goals. 

The second field goal gave the Hawks a 9-6 lead with just over two minutes left, but future NFL Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins threw a 30-yard score to give the Spartans a late lead, 13-9. 

Though Iowa was in trouble, its offense may have been motivated because of a massive hit from Michigan State defensive back on wide receiver Collin Sandeman on the Hawkeyes' previous drive. The hit knocked Sandeman unconscious and caused a lengthy delay. 

Dolphin remembers the play vividly, along with the retaliation hit from All-American linebacker and broadcast partner Pat Angerer. 

"This kid just lays out Sandeman with a helmet to helmet, Collin's on the ground, thriving, he's out cold, but his body is gyrating, and he's obviously out," Dolphin said. "He's got a concussion. The ball drops, the flags fly, and this kid that hit him steps over him, straddles him, and is looking down at him." 

"[And then] here comes Angerer and his teammates, and they knock the guy sideways." 

Motivation is one thing, but following through with it is another. Quarterback Ricky Stanzi had an up-and-down 2009 season, but with his back against the wall, he delivered on this night. 

A 3rd and 8 conversion was no problem for Stanzi, and a pass interference penalty a few plays later brought the ball inside the Spartan 10. Iowa faced the same situation on its previous drive, but MSU's defense slammed the door shut. 

The Spartans appeared poised to do that again and clinch the upset, but the Hawks weren't phased. Facing 4th and goal with two seconds left, Stanzi found wideout Marvin McNutt (who Dolphin joked that had fingers as long as Dolphin's SUV) on a slant to win the game. 

"He [Stanzi] takes a three-step drop, and he drills right on his [McNutt's] belly button. Marvin knocks the corner into the next county, and the safety standing at the goal line wants no part of McNutt. McNutt just lowers the shoulder pad, barrels into the end zone, and game over," Dolphin recalled.

No one knows if Sandeman's injury provoked Stanzi and Co's legendary 70-yard touchdown drive, but for Dolphin, the win was sweet revenge. 

"That is my favorite moment, because we stuck it up their you know what for the cheap shot they laid on Collin Sandeman," he said. "If and when I write a book, there'll be many, many relive memories like that." 

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HawkeyeRoundtable publisher Brad Schultz has covered the Iowa Hawkeyes since 2023. To send him story ideas, scoops, or criticize his writing, reach him at [email protected]