By Tyler Devine

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Junior running back Mekhi Sargent was the spark plug for an Iowa offense that sputtered and stalled at times in the first half in Saturday’s 38-14 win over Miami (Ohio).

The Key West, Fla. native had 55 yards receiving in the first half to go along with 47 yards on the ground, including a 41-yard reception on third and long that extended Iowa’s drive.

The 5-foot-9, 212-pound Sargent finished with 91 yards rushing on 14 carries and a touchdown to go along with four catches for 65 yards.

“The design of the play was for the guard and the tackle to come out of the blocks and create a sidewalk for me,” Sargent said. “I got good depth. I had perfect time, the same time as the guard and I saw daylight.”

On the ensuing play, senior quarterback Nate Stanley hit junior receiver Brandon Smith on a for a nine-yard touchdown to put the Hawkeyes ahead 10-7 with 8:20 left before halftime. The Hawkeyes would not trail again.

Sargent said focusing more on learning the offense, rather than relying on his physical abilities during the offseason allowed him to become a more complete player.

“Last year I was more playing off of my talent and not knowing so much how to read defenses,” Sargent said. “Now I feel like I have more knowledge of the game. I understand things more, I understand concepts more, so I feel more comfortable.”

Head coach Kirk Ferentz pointed out some of the little things that Sargent has done to improve since last season.

“We were just talking in there. I think just experience,” Ferentz said. “He's more decisive, more confident out there. And he made some really big plays.

“There was a run he converted in front of our bench; it wasn't really clean. And somehow he got through there. It looked like a four-yard gain, but it was a heck of a run to make those four yards. And he's a great young guy, just works really hard and found his rhythm.”

Night Hawks: Saturday marked the first time that an Iowa season opener has been held at night. Iowa has hosted 19 night games in Kinnick Stadium’s history, holding a 13-6 record.

The Hawkeyes have won six straight season openers and are 18-1 since 2001.

Honoring Bullock: The Hawkeyes played with heavy hearts on Saturday in remembrance of former Iowa running back Damon Bullock.

Iowa players wore decals on their helmets reading “DB5” to honor Bullock, who lost his life in March.

Bullock’s career totals include 290 rushing attempts for 1,074 yards and four touchdowns. He also had 71 receptions for 616 yards and one touchdown. He rushed for 513 yards in 2012 and 467 yards in 2013.

Bullock’s crowning achievement as a Hawkeye was a 23-yard that was the de facto game winner in an 18-17 victory over Northern Illinois at Soldier Field in 2012.

In total, Bullock rushed for 150 yards on 30 carries in the game.

Familiar faces: Manny Rugamba and Cedric Boswell played in Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.

This time, however, they were playing for the opposing team.

Both players sat out the 2018 season after transferring from Iowa.

Boswell played in just one game in a Hawkeye uniform but Rugamba played a larger role in his two years at Iowa.

Rugamba started four games at Iowa, but perhaps none bigger than the Hawkeyes’ 14-13 upset in 2016 of then No. 2-ranked Michigan.

With Michigan driving late in the fourth quarter, Rugamba picked off a Michigan pass to give Iowa the opportunity to kick the game winning field goal.

Martin starts hot: Former Iowa City West standout receiver Oliver Martin made quite the impression in his first action as a Hawkeye.

Martin, who recently was granted immediate eligibility after transferring from Michigan, caught a nine-yard touchdown pass on his first reception of his Iowa career to put Iowa up 17-7 on its first possession of the second half.

Stoops returns: Former Iowa defensive back Bob Stoops served as the honorary captain on Saturday.

Stoops lettered as a Hawkeye from 1979-82 and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors as a senior.

Stoops served as the head coach at Oklahoma for 18 seasons, posting a 190-48 record there and won the national championship in 2000.

True freshmen see action: Running back Tyler Goodson, offensive lineman Justin Britt and tight end Sam LaPorta all saw action for the Hawkeyes on Saturday.

Goodson, a native of Suwanee, Ga., rushed four times for 14 yards and had one reception for four yards.

Britt, a native of Indianapolis, Ind., saw action at right guard while LaPorta, a native of Highland, Ill., did not record any statistics.

Receiver Desmond Hutson, a native of Raytown, Mo., also played but did not record any statistics.