This week's featured program is taken from the Wisconsin at Iowa Homecoming game on October 21, 1961.

There have been some memorable contests between the Hawkeyes and the Badgers over the past 25 years, three that spring to mind for me.

First, on the road in 1981. I remember watching this one on TV, so if my memory is a bit shaky, I apologize.

Iowa was coming off of a huge win over Purdue in Iowa City. The Boilermakers had not been beaten by Iowa in over 20 years before the Hawks put the hurt on them with a 33-7 win. At 4-2 Iowa’s Rose Bowl chances were still alive, but traveling to Madtown to face the 5-2 Badgers was not an easy task.

Wisconsin was tied for first with Michigan and thinking Roses as they had already defeated both Michigan and Ohio State. If I recall correctly, the Badgers were coached by Dave McClain.

Iowa won that game 17-7 in a style reminiscent of the 2003 Hawkeyes... strong defense, excellent special teams and an opportunistic offense.

Tommy Nichol opened the scoring with a FG. Just a few plays later the Hawks forced a fumble that Bobby Stoops gobbled up. Gordy Bohannon, operating out of the shotgun, launched a long pass to Dave Moritz who ended up within the Wisconsin five. Phil Blatcher burst in for the TD a few plays later. Iowa would take advantage of a fumble recovered by Pat Dean deep in Badger territory and Blatcher’s TD would give Iowa all the lead they would need.

The Iowa defense was especially stout holding Bucky to less than 30 yards and one first down in the first half.

The second game was in 1991 at Camp Randall Stadium. I was traveling that day and had to listen to the radio, but it was another defensive struggle that the Hawks pulled out when Matt Rodgers hit Wisconsin native, Mike Saunders for a 14 yard score with 44 seconds to go in the game...

It was fourth and five at Wisconsin’s 14 yard line and Iowa trailing 6-3. Fry and company called a timeout and decided to go for the win. Rodgers drifted back and found Saunders open for a first down, but Saunders had bigger plans. He broke a Badger tackle and barreled in to the end zone behind a block by a Hawkeye wideout.

It was a poetic ending for Rodgers. Matt was picked off four times that day, including a 60+ yard TD by Troy Vincent. Luckily the defense picked Matt up with its only INT of the day, by Jason Olejniczak around the Wisconsin 40 yard line with about four minutes on the clock.

The final game was a gray day in 1996. The Badgers came to town featuring a Mack Truck freshman running back, Ron Dayne.

The great Dayne had gained almost 300 yards the week before and Wisconsin brought with it the usual 300+ linemen Barry Alvarez became famous for featuring.

The Hawks won 33-0 that day and a few things stand out.

Iowa held Wisconsin to a little over 100 yards total offense, and they didn’t earn a first down until midway through the second quarter with Iowa already up 24-0.

DE Bill Ennis-Inge had one of the finest games for a defensive player that I can recall. He sacked the QB four times, forced two fumbles and recovered one.

The game program I chose for today was from 1961, the first year for Jerry Burns who had succeeded the legendary Forest Evashevski. However, Evy had left Burns a full hand, or so it seemed, as the Hawks were touted by many as the pre-season number one team in the land.

Iowa started off strong with wins over Cal and USC, but they were costly wins as top tailback Larry Ferguson hurt his knee early in the opener and QB, Wilburn Hollis, would injure his wrist in the second game. Both would be out for much of the season.

Iowa would ease past Indiana 27-8 as they prepared for Wisconsin and Homecoming on October 21st.

Iowa would cruise past Bucky 47-15 behind QB, Matt Szykowny who went 19 for 25. The offense would generate a very healthy 441 yards and the Iowa defense would pick off three Badger passes.

Future Hawkeye Jay Norvell’s father, Merritt, played right half for Wisconsin.

The Hawks could not overcome their injuries though and lost their next four before saving a winning season by thrashing Notre Dame in the season finale 41-21. Iowa would end the season 5-4. The last winning season Hawk fans would enjoy for many, many years.

Center Bill Van Buren would earn first team All-American honors at center from the Sporting News. Oddly enough, no Hawkeyes, including Van Buren would earn first team honors in the Big Ten.

Let's take a look at the Iowa single platoon lineup, followed by our weekly photo feature.

LE - Felton Rogers- 6-4, 195

LT - Gus Kasapis 6-3, 237

LG - Sherwyn Thorson 6-0, 214

C - Bill Van Buren 6-3, 221

RG - Earl McQuiston 6-2, 221

RT - Alfred Hinton 6-1, 231

RE - Bill Whisler 6-2, 221

QB - Matthew Szykowny 6-1, 176

LHB - Larry Ferguson 5-10, 193

RHB - Sammie Harris 6-0, 178

FB - Joe Williams 5-10, 201