Seth Wallace explains how penalties vs. Illinois State slowed Hawkeyes down in first half

Iowa took a 6-0 lead into the halfitme locker room against Illinois State during Saturday’s season opener. However, the Hawkeyes have had more than one opportunity to break the game wide open thanks to their defensive success.

Penalized six times in the first half, none were more deflating than Kaden Wetjen‘s 65-yard punt return touchdown being erased after a block in the back penalty. Meanwhile, the defense has done their part having forced two turnovers and held Illinois State to under 100 total yards at halftime.

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“The level of execution has got to pick up a little bit. I think we’ve, we’ve gotten a handle on them a little bit defensively. I think we just — we need to make sure that we continue to stay there,” acting Iowa head coach Seth Wallace said on-field before heading into the tunnel. “Offensively and special teams, there’s just been some unfortunate things that have happened that have slowed us down a little bit. Anytime that happens, it just kind of takes the wind out of your sails.”

While the defense has dominated as expected, the offense hasn’t been able to get anything going for the most part. Iowa’s first field goal came after the defense forced a turnover deep in Illinois State territory. The second came after a 10-play, 49-yard drive that saw Iowa drive inside the 15-yard-line but was unsuccessful in finding the end zone. They instead elected for a 28-yard field goal by kicker Drew Stevens.

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Quarterback Cade McNamara, who is returning from a torn ACL suffered last season, headed to the halftime break having completed 8 of 17 passes for 74 yards. On the ground, Kamari Moulton has been tasked with carrying the load having totaled 16 rushes for 59 yards through two quarters.

The Hawkeyes received the opening kickoff of the second half, and made the most of that opportunity. In seven plays, Iowa marched 75 yards down the field in under four minutes to score their first touchdown of the season. McNamara finished the drive off with a seven-yard touchdown pass to wideout Reece Vander Lee.

The rest of the second half of Iowa’s season opener can be viewed live on the Big Ten Network.