Hawkeye fans unveil new tradition in win over Wyoming

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It seems like so simple of a gesture, yet anyone who has a genuine bone in thier body should be moved after what took place in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday during the unranked Hawkeyes’ 24-3 win over Wyoming.

First an idea from a Hawkeye fan Facebook page, fans of the University of Iowa football program have embraced what looks to be a new tradition unfolding on Saturdays for Hawkeye faithful.

At the end of the first quarter as Iowa was in a 0-0 deadlock with the Cowboys, 75,000 fans turned to the newly-built University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which sits behind the stands on the eastside of the stadium, and waved to the children that were watching the game from inside the hospital.

The photos and videos that recorded the heartwarming moment have since went viral on social media, recording thousands of likes and nearly the same amount of shares. Again, a gesture so simple, yet so comforting. Children who are in the midst of battling an illness, being recognized by the fans in attendance.

It didn’t just catch the eyes of Hawkeye fans on social media either. After the University of Iowa’s Twitter page tweeted out a short clip, it was noticed by ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. He then raved about the tradition on his nightly broadcast. It has since been featured on various national news outlets, to include Good Morning America.

College football is known for harboring some of the greatest traditions in sports. From the Ohio State Marching Band to “Jump Around” at the start of the fourth quarter in Madison for the University of Wisconsin. Lets not forget Touchdown Jesus on the campus of Notre Dame or Chief Osceola at Florida State.

All of these traditions, wherever your alliance may lie, have been officially placed below the “first quarter wave” as one of the greatest traditions in college football.

As for the Hawkeyes football team, first-year starting quarterback Nate Stanley tossed three touchdowns passes in his first college start. A pair of those touchdowns being caught by tightend Noah Fant. Defensively, the Hawkeyes didn’t show any signs of trying to rebuild a defense that lost Desmond King and Jaleel Johnson, harassing Wyoming quarterback and potential 2018 No.1 pick Josh Allen. Allen tossed a pair of interceptions while failing to eclipse the 200-yard mark. Senior linebacker Josey Jewell, the unquestioned leader of the defense recorded 14 tackles and a pair of sacks on Allen, providing a solid choice of tape for NFL scouts to analyze.

Iowa will battle Iowa State next week for the annual Cy-Hawk trophy in Ames, Iowa.

Josh Zimmer is the Big Ten analyst for NGSC Sports.