Ohio State, Iowa Maintain the Edge

Maybe Iowa quarterback Brad Banks will finally get noticed. Even on his own campus.

Banks completed 17 of 30 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns as the ninth-ranked Hawkeyes maintained their lead in the Big Ten with a 20-3 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday.

Banks is a big reason the Hawkeyes are 9-1 overall, a half-game ahead of Ohio State in the Big Ten standings at 6-0, and have a chance to reach the Rose Bowl for the first time in 12 years. Yet the senior isn’t as recognizable as some of the star players from other top 10 teams.

“People still don’t notice me around here,” he said.

In addition to his passing, Banks ran for 36 yards and made two play-fakes that helped get his receivers open for touchdowns.

“We’re definitely not trading Brad Banks for anybody,” said Coach Kirk Ferentz. “He’s done a great job of leading our football team.”

Wisconsin (6-4, 1-4) had beaten Iowa five consecutive times, but the Badgers struggled on offense all day.

Quarterback Brooks Bollinger was injured late in the first half and didn’t return. He was two of nine passing for 46 yards and had only six yards rushing. Running back Anthony Davis was held to 34 yards in 16 carries, and Wisconsin gained only 215 total yards.

“We go out and play hard-nosed defense,” said Iowa defensive lineman Colin Cole. “We came in trying to stop the run, and I think we did that pretty well today.”