Iowa football vs. Western Michigan: Live score updates, highlights, analysis

Iowa football (3-0) eventually distanced itself from a rebuilding Western Michigan team (1-2) with a 41-10 win Saturday.

An effective running game helped the Hawkeyes counter Western Michigan’s blitz-heavy defense.

Leshon Williams led the Hawkeyes with 145 rushing yards on 12 carries. He also had a 25-yard touchdown reception on a screen pass in the second quarter.

True freshman Kamari Moulton, meanwhile, had eight carries for 50 yards in his first career game. He had two touchdown carries.

Moulton is the first Hawkeye to record two rushing touchdowns in his collegiate debut since Jewel Hampton had two in the 2008 season opener.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy grad Max White added a 2-yard touchdown run with less than a minute left.

Iowa averaged 5.9 yards per carry.

However, Iowa did not always make it look easy against Western Michigan, which was reeling from a 41-point loss to Syracuse.

The Hawkeyes, despite being 28-point favorites, did not have a lead until the final minutes of the first half.

Iowa had four first-half drives that started at its own 40-yard line or better, but scored on only one of those drives.

Cade McNamara, the Michigan transfer, was 9-for-19 for 103 yards. He had two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Both interceptions were in Western Michigan territory. The second one was while Iowa was in field goal range for Drew Stevens, a Lou Groza Award semifinalist last year.

Frustration was evident as offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz chucked part of his headset to the ground at the end of the first half.

Injury misfortune was a metaphorical dark cloud over the Hawkeyes’ offense.

Iowa tight end Luke Lachey, the team’s leading receiver, exited the game with an injury in the first quarter. He did not put any weight on his right side as the training staff gave him crutches.

Jaziun Patterson — Iowa’s leading rusher against Iowa State — also did not see any game action in the second half.

Iowa’s defense, as usual, held the Western Michigan offense at bay and gave the offense plenty of opportunities.

Jay Higgins forced a fumble, which Jeremiah Pittman recovered on the Western Michigan 17-yard line.

Treyson Bourguet, who took the bulk of the Broncos’ snaps at quarterback, went 5-for-16 for 124 yards and a touchdown.

The Broncos’ rushing attack picked up 117 yards on 3.3 yards per carry.

Cooper DeJean had some electrifying punt returns, picking up 77 yards on five attempts.

With the win, the Hawkeyes finished the nonconference slate undefeated for the sixth time since 2017.

— John Steppe