Iowa rediscovers running game in 40-16 victory over Washington
Kaleb Johnson rushes for 166 yards and scored three touchdowns
By Pat Harty
IOWA CITY, Iowa – A game that looked dangerous on paper for the Iowa football team played out much differently on the field.
The Hawkeyes rediscovered their Kaleb Johnson-led running game, and that along with a reliable kicker, just enough passing and a bend-but-don’t-break defense were enough to defeat Washington 40-16 on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium.
Johnson rushed for 166 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Drew Stevens made four field goals as Iowa improved to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in league play.
Johnson was held to a season-low 86 rushing yards in last Saturday’s 35-7 loss at Ohio State.
Against Washington, however, Johnson had gained 109 yards by halftime, with nearly half of those yards coming on a nifty 53-yard run late in the second quarter that helped to set up a 46-yard field goal by Stevens, giving Iowa a 20-10 lead at halftime.
Johnson blasted through a huge opening on the left side of the line of scrimmage and then broke multiple tackles on his 53-yard run.
The Hamilton, Ohio native has now rushed for 937 yards and scored 13 touchdowns midway through the regular season.
Johnson told the media after Saturday’s game that he had set goals for himself to rush for at least 1,200 yards and score 12 touchdowns this season.
He already has eclipsed the touchdown total, and now the 6-foot, 225-pound Johnson is closing in on the rushing yards.
Johnson was asked after Saturday’s game if he would now consider readjusting his individual goals.
“I don’t know,” Johnson said. “Whatever happens, happens. So, I’m just going to keep on running straight and keep my focus.”
Johnson also told the media that he plans to buy his offensive linemen dinner in the near future.
“I love those guys,” Johnson said.
Johnson’s rushing yards were needed in a big way as the Iowa passing game continued to struggle, although quarterback Cade McNamara did throw two touchdown passes, including a 33-yard scoring strike to 6-4, 204-pound freshman receiver Dayton Howard with 12 minutes, 51 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
It was Howard’s first reception as a Hawkeye.
The Kansas City, Missouri then got a little carried away with his excitement by spiking the ball.
That led to a 15-yard penalty, and to a conversation with Kirk Ferentz.
“He felt bad about the penalty, too, and he should because I just pointed out to him, you know, we’re kicking it now from over here instead of over there,” Kirk Ferentz said. “Today it didn’t matter, but if the score is tighter, that would be consequential.
“It’s been good to have him out there. We think he is a good prospect, and I think that’s reflective of our whole group with the receivers right now.”
McNamara finished the game with 108 passing yards, completing eight of his 14 throws. He also didn’t throw an interception.
“Whenever I can find a couple (touchdowns) and no turnovers, I’m just doing whatever I can to help the team win,” McNamara said.
Washington, which was only a 2.5 underdog heading into Saturday’s game, outgained Iowa 393-328 in total yards, but in this case, the yards were deceiving as the Iowa defense stiffened in the red zone.
Graduate cornerback Jermari Harris helped to quell one of Washington’s drives with an interception in Iowa territory in the third quarter.
Kirk Ferentz called it one of the key plays in the game.
Iowa will now head back on the road for a game at Michigan State next Saturday.
Iowa’s point total on Saturday was the most points it has scored in a Big Ten game since defeating Maryland 51-14 in 2021.
It also marks the second time this season that Iowa has scored 40 points in a game, the first coming in a 40-0 victory over Illinois State in the season opener.
Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz also won his 200th career Big Ten game on Saturday, which moves him into second place all-time behind Woody Hayes’ 205 wins for Ohio State.
Kirk Ferentz had been tied with Amos Alonzo Stagg for second in Big Ten career wins.
“I feel like it’s so humbling as an Iowa football player, just the amount of experience and wisdom that coach Ferentz and the impact that he has on this program, this state, and us as a team,” said McNamara, who transferred to Iowa from Michigan after the 2022 season. “For me, it’s true honor to be a part of a team coached by coach Ferentz, let alone just a monumental milestone like that.”
Washington head coach Jedd Fisch also paid his respects to Kirk Ferentz after Saturday’s game.
“First, I want to say congratulations to coach Ferentz on his 200 wins,” Fisch said. “And he’s everything that is right about college football. He’s a fantastic person and a great football coach.”
Iowa has six games left in the regular season, with each game being a must-win for Iowa to have any chance of making the 12-team playoff.
Washington (4-3, 2-2) entered Saturday’s game with momentum after having defeated Michigan 27-17 last Saturday in Seattle.
Those two teams also met in the 2024 national title game with Michigan prevailing 34-13 in what was Jim Harbaugh’s last game as the Michigan head coach.
Fisch was hired to replace Kalen DeBoer as the Washington head coach after DeBoer had taken the Alabama job.
Fisch came to Washington after having rebuilt the Arizona program.
The Washington players and coaches traveled to Iowa City on Thursday because they wanted more time to adjust to the 11:10 a.m. kickoff, which is 9:10 a.m. in Seattle.
The Huskies had success moving the ball in the first half, but they only scored 10 points in the first two quarters.
As for the much-maligned Iowa passing attack, it still remains a slow and sometimes frustrating work in progress under first-year offensive coordinator Tim Lester.
McNamara completed passes to five different receivers, including three to Kaleb Johnson, who caught an 18-yard touchdown pass late in the second quarter.
Junior receiver Seth Anderson also returned from an injury and had one catch for 27 yards in Saturday’s game.
Washington 0 10 0 6 – 16
Iowa 7 13 3 17 – 40
I – Kaleb Johnson 6 run (Drew Stevens kick)
W – Denzel Boston 5 pass from Will Rogers (Grady Gross kick)
I – Stevens 37 FG
I – Johnson 18 pass from Cade McNamara (Stevens kick)
W – Grady Gross 35 FG
I – Stevens 46 FG
I – Stevens 25 FG
I – Johnson 8 run (Stevens kick)
I – Dayton Howard 33 pass from McNamara (Stevens kick)
I – Stevens 51 FG
W – Rashid Williams pass from Demond Williams Jr. (run failed)