Hawkeyes bounce back with win over Huskies
After two road games and a bye week, the Iowa football team was certainly happy to be back home on Saturday. They showed that and then some by trouncing Washington 40-16 at Kinnick Stadium. With the win, Iowa moves to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in conference play. Washington drops to 4-3 on the season and 2-2 in Big Ten play.
The Hawkeyes were once again led by Kaleb Johnson. The junior running back rushed for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground and one via the pass.
Iowa opened the scoring in this one following a blocked field goal. In the Hawkeyes first drive they went three and out, but in the second drive they put together four straight first down plays to move into Washington territory. A 16 yard run by Kamari Moulton brought Iowa inside the ten yard line. From there, Kaleb Johnson found the end zone for a touchdown to go up 7-0 in the late stages of the first quarter.
Washington marched right down the field in their second possession. It was a mix of run and pass with quarterback Will Rogers finding Denzel Boston for a five yard score that knotted the game at seven.
Iowa’s defense stepped up in the Huskies next possession with Aaron Graves forcing a fumble that was recovered by Max Llewellyn. However, the Hawkeyes could not move the ball and had to settle for a 37 yard field goal by Drew Stevens to make it 10-7 in the second quarter.
Iowa’s next score was set up by a three and out and a great punt return by Kaden Wetjen, who brought it back 37 yards to put the Hawkeye offense in business at the 35 yard line. From there, Cade McNamara found Johnson for an 18 yard touchdown reception and a 17-7 lead.
But, the Hawkeyes were not done before the break. Iowa took over with less than a minute left before the break and Johnson took off for a 53 yard run that set up a 46 yard field goal before the break and a 20-10 lead at halftime.
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The Hakweyes continued to pour it on in the second half of the game. Jamari Harris intercepted a pass by Rogers and returned it to the Iowa 46 yard line. The Hawkeyes converted a key third down play on a 27 yard pass to Seth Anderson that included a penalty to put Iowa in the red zone. Fortunately for Iowa a six yard loss by backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan was ruled down and not a fumble. Stevens again connected on a field goal, this time from 25 yards and it was 23-10 in the third quarter.
Iowa opened the fourth quarter with Kaleb Johnson finding the end zone for a third time today. This time on an 8 yard touchdown run after Iowa had taken over the football on downs and it was 30-10 and the game was essentially over.
After Washington again failed to convert on fourth down, Iowa struck again. This time it was redshirt freshman wide receiver Dayton Howard who took a pass from McNamara for the score and a 37-10 lead in the game. Shortly after that, Stevens tacked on a 51 yard field goal to make it 40-10.
Next up for the Hawkeyes is a trip to East Lansing to face Michigan State. Game time is set for 6:30 and will air on NBC.
