By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – For more than 30 minutes on Tuesday, Kaleb Brown answered questions from an Iowa media that is just starving for the chance to write something positive about the Iowa football team’s offense.

The sophomore receiver addressed all sorts of topics, from who has been his biggest influences on and off the field to having to wait for his opportunity to contribute as a Hawkeye to the catch that he made against Northwestern this past Saturday in his hometown of Chicago that helped to lift Iowa to a 10-7 victory at Wrigley Field.

It was Brown’s first catch as a Hawkeye and it was a big one for an offense that has struggled just to complete passes, especially to wide receivers.

“Just to break the ice definitely felt good for me,” Brown said. “It was something I definitely needed. And we’re going to build from that I feel like.”

Brown showed humility as he looked back at the 23-yard pass that he caught from quarterback Deacon Hill late in the fourth quarter.

The play helped set the stage for Drew Stevens, who then made a 52-yard game-winning field goal with 14 seconds remaining.

“I would definitely say it was the right moment, the perfect moment,” Brown said. “Great protection and a great ball from Deacon.

“So, I really can’t take credit for it.  Just happened to be there and we executed.”

Brown transferred to Iowa this past summer after having played his freshman season for Ohio State.

A former four-star recruit, Brown had multiple scholarship offers coming out of high school from schools that include Alabama.

Iowa was one of the first schools to offer Brown a scholarship, but he ultimately picked the Buckeyes, who have a long-standing tradition of producing great receivers.

Brown only had one catch for Ohio State last season, and he likely would’ve faced an uphill climb for playing time this season.

So, he decided to look elsewhere and chose Iowa, much to the delight of fans, and to members of the media because it isn’t often that a former Buckeye transfers to Iowa.

The fact that Brown plays wide receiver added to the hype because Iowa has struggled at that position in recent seasons.

It was assumed that Brown would make an immediate impact, but it took him until the ninth game to make his first catch.

He also has two rushing attempts this season on jet sweeps that gained eight yards.

Brown didn’t dress for the Purdue game on Oct. 7 at Kinnick Stadium for what Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said were personal reasons.

“It definitely has been a long time coming,” Brown said.

Brown was dropped from the depth chart after the Purdue game, but he has since returned and is listed as the backup to Diante Vines at one of the receiver positions heading into Saturday’s game against Rutgers at Kinnick Stadium.

Iowa is 7-2 overall and in sole possession of first place in the Big Ten West Division with a 4-2 record.

“It’s not always easy, but trusting the process is something that is real vital for us and just as football players in general,” Brown said of dealing with the frustration of not playing. “You’ve got to trust the process all the time.”

Before he could make his catch against Northwestern, Brown had to switch jerseys from his usual No. 3 to No. 81 because Iowa cornerback Cooper DeJean also wears No. 3 and DeJean saw his first action on offense against Northwestern as a receiver.

“The referee definitely had an issue with it knowing that we play the same position,” Brown said.

Brown downplayed the significance of having to switch jerseys.

It came unexpected, but it was for a good cause.

“It was for Cooper, though, so no big deal,” Brown said. “That’s all, just a different jersey.”

Brown figured that his chance to contribute might come against Northwestern because Vines was hampered by an injury.

So, when the time came for Brown to make a play, he was ready.

“I just had that confidence, a different confidence walking into it,” Brown said. “Vines is a little banged up and I knew that I had to be there for him and step in whenever he needed me.

“So, just a different kind of mentality coming in knowing that I would have to step in for somebody.”

Brown had plenty of support in the stands at Wrigley Field as multiple family members and friends attended the Northwestern game.

“It was perfect timing,” Brown said. “It felt good and real comfortable to be at home knowing that my whole family was there. Just to be able to play in Chicago, that’s my place. So, it felt great.”