Game Recap: Green Bay Blizzard at Iowa Barnstormers | July 11, 2026

Week 18 of the IFL regular season features a storied rivalry matchup between the Green Bay Blizzard (12-2) and the Iowa Barnstormers (1-12). While it is a tale of two different performances for these teams in 2026, they still share quite an extensive history. This is the 36th all-time matchup between the two. While the Blizzard have recently dominated this rivalry (20-15 all-time) they are also riding an 11-game winning streak against Iowa. Iowa does have the slight edge when in their own building with a 10-8 record against Green Bay. Is this a story of continued dominance or one of the underdogs defending their home turf? Find out as we unpack the action.

The opening quarter was underway as the Blizzard offense trotted onto the field first. After a couple of tough third and fourth down conversions early on, the Blizzard picked apart the Iowa defense and capped off the drive with a RB Demillon Brown rushing touchdown, taking the early lead. Iowa failed a challenge after a third down stop and then missed a field goal wide left. Green Bay quickly drove down the field and capped off this drive on another Demillon Brown rushing touchdown, his 9th on the season. As time expired, QB Aaron Aiken found WR Jalal Dean on a 30-yard post route in the back corner of the endzone for six points. The Blizzard led 14-7.

To open the second quarter, Green Bay quickly answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass from QB Liam Thompson to WR Draysean Hudson for the 12th time this season. Kicker Andrew Mevis then hammers through the two-point deuce attempt. Iowa drove down the field, and with an inches to go situation from the one, Aiken bulldozed his way into the endzone. Kicker Jan Bogdan would then miss the point after try. It did not take the Blizzard long to draw up their own response as Thompson scrambled away from pressure and hit WR Jack Studer as he maintained his balance and walked in for six more points. Andrew Mevis scores two on another successful deuce. The Barnstormers' next drive would not be able to get off the ground as they failed on a fourth down just after the one minute warning, giving the Blizzard excellent field position. Another offensive possession, another touchdown as Thompson waltzed his way into the endzone leaving only seven ticks left on the clock. The Barnstormers were unable to do anything with the few seconds remaining. Our score at the half was Green Bay 39, Iowa 13.

'Drew for Two as the second half began with his third deuce of the game. On the first offensive play for Iowa, Jalal Dean coughed up the football after a nice catch across the middle. Defensive back Fred Flavors stripped the ball and LB Andre White Jr. recovered it. Green Bay quickly capitalizes with a WR Trevon Alexander rushing touchdown. The Barnstormers completed a long pass to get down into the redzone and on a fourth down, Aiken found Dean for their second connection of the game. The two would then connect again on a successful two point attempt. House call on the kickoff as Fred Flavors goes the distance for the return touchdown. During the next Iowa drive, Blizzard LB Andre White picked up a sack as the third quarter neared its end. Green Bay led through three quarters, 55-21

The fourth and final quarter began with the Blizzard firmly in control, up by 34 points, but Iowa drove into the redzone before the third quarter concluded. However, the Barnstormers came up empty as they failed on a fourth and goal situation. For the first time in the game, the Blizzard offense was unable to finish off a drive in the endzone, they had to settle for a field goal from Mevis. Iowa fumbled again on their next drive, DB Marcus Hillman forced the fumble and DB Klayton Batten recovered. As if the outcome at this point was not apparent, QB Cole Stenstrom broke the plane on a scramble for more points off of turnovers. With a 44 point lead, and one minute remaining, Iowa turned to its backup QB. He missed on all four of his pass attempts and the Barnstormers turned it over on downs again. Green Bay kneeled out the final seconds and walked out with the lopsided win, 65-21

Iowa's woes continue as they fall to 1-13. It is their eighth straight loss of the season and their 12th straight to Green Bay. The Barnstormers will look to bounce back next week as they travel to take on the Jacksonville Sharks. The Blizzard improve to 13-2 and lock themselves into the #1 seed. The Eastern Conference bracket will run through Green Bay. The Blizzard enjoy their fourth and final bye week next week before heading to Jacksonville for a playoff tune-up game Sunday, July 26th. The only thing on the line for the Blizzard in that game is bragging rights. Nevertheless, the game will still be played, and we will be here to recap that action. Want to catch the game live? Head over to Yahoo! Sports for the action.

Written By: Tyler Klackner