PITTSÂBURGH – Kirk Ferentz is learnÂing to emÂbrace his inÂner rivÂerÂboat gamÂbler. And, for the moÂment, the IÂoÂwa coach is on a roll.
Mark WeisÂman ran for 88 yards and two touchÂdowns, inÂcludÂing a 1-yard plunge with 6:56 left, to lift the HawkÂeyes to a 24-20 vicÂtoÂry over preÂviÂousÂly unÂbeatÂen PittsÂburgh. The seniÂor runÂning back's 20th caÂreer score came at the end of a 13-play drive in which Ferentz optÂed to go for it twice on fourth down rathÂer than atÂtempt a short field goal.
"He has conÂfiÂdence in us," WeisÂman said. "So it's our job to get it done some way, someÂhow."
The HawkÂeyes (3-1) trailed by 10 at the half but C.J. BeaÂthard, who reÂplaced inÂjured Jake Rudock at the start of the third quarÂter, hit Damond Powell for a 62-yard gain to start the comeÂback. WeisÂman folÂlowed with a 10-yard sprint into the end zone. His seÂcond TD gave IÂoÂwa its first lead.
"It's a reÂsiliÂent team, this team," WeisÂman said. "The best IÂoÂwa teams are."
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