Short-handed Iowa football asserts its dominance on ground in win over Maryland

COLLEGE PARK, Md. — Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” sounded through a sparsely-attended SECU Stadium in the second half. The hit song might as well have been an anthem for Iowa football on Saturday.

That’s because Iowa (7-4, 5-3) asserted its dominance running the ball en route to a 29-13 win over Maryland (4-7, 1-7).

The Hawkeyes racked up 268 rushing yards against the Terrapins.

“We ran the crap out of the ball today,” quarterback Jackson Stratton said. “So that’s always a big help when you can run the ball like that.”

Iowa star running back Kaleb Johnson had 164 rushing yards while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Kamari Moulton, meanwhile, had 114 rushing yards (although 13 of those yards came on a fumble that bounced forward).

When Maryland finally started making the game look interesting again — Iowa only had a 19-13 lead early in the fourth quarter — Iowa benefited from a Moulton 68-yard touchdown run that removed any doubt.

Johnson had a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter — his school-record 21st rushing touchdown and 22nd total touchdown of the season. His 35 carries were the most of his career, topping his 25 attempts against Iowa State and Troy earlier this year.

“Not perfect, by any means; always shooting for more,” offensive lineman Mason Richman said of the rushing attack. “But a dang good day. … It was just a matter of playing good team football, and I think we were more ready than they were.”

Iowa’s rushing success is especially impressive considering that the Hawkeyes ran the ball on 81 percent of their plays.

“I felt like everybody in the stadium knew we were going to run the ball,” linebacker Jay Higgins said. “Kaleb, Kamari, Jaz (Patterson) — they all did a great job. … They kept getting first down after first down.”

As for Stratton, the ex-Colorado State quarterback went 10-of-14 passing for 76 yards in his first career start. Ten of those attempts were in the first half as Iowa leaned heavily on its rushing attack.

“He came in, and he did an awesome job today,” Johnson said of Stratton.

Iowa also had a big boost from its special teams unit, as Drew Stevens made field goals from 27, 54, 50, 49 and finally 26 yards on Saturday. His 54-yard attempt tied his previous career-high. His 5-for-5 showing tied an Iowa record.

“Drew Stevens, stating the obvious, was just really stellar and outstanding,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said.

Iowa’s defense had somewhat of a second-half letup as it gave up two touchdowns in a three-drive stretch in the third and fourth quarters, which allowed the Terrapins to stay competitive for longer.

The first Maryland touchdown was on an 11-play, 70-yard drive, which went longer than Maryland’s previous six drives combined. It culminated with an 8-yard touchdown pass from MJ Morris to an open Tai Felton.

Morris also found Felton in the fourth quarter for a 12-yard touchdown. Felton entered the game as the Big Ten’s leader in receptions and receiving yards. He had six catches for 57 yards against the Hawkeyes.

Phil Parker’s defense ultimately redeemed itself with a pair of fourth-quarter interceptions — the first one by cornerback T.J. Hall and the other by linebacker Jay Higgins. It was Hall’s first career interception and Higgins’ fourth pick of the season.

Maryland’s quarterbacks — Billy Edwards Jr. and Morris both saw game action — combined to go 17-for-31 for 129 passing yards. While not ideal for Iowa’s defense, it remained well below the 305.7 passing yards that the Terrapins were averaging before Saturday’s game.

Maryland’s rushing attack had 98 yards while averaging 3.8 per carry. Running back Nolan Ray’s 25 and 14-yard carries inflated those figures.

Iowa won despite being without quarterbacks Cade McNamara and Brendan Sullivan. Marco Lainez participated in pregame warm-ups with a cast on his nonthrowing hand.

The Hawkeyes also were without offensive lineman Gennings Dunker and defensive back Jermari Harris. Dunker and Sullivan still made the trip to College Park.

“Really proud of the way the guys persevered, the way they kept fighting, kept pushing and most importantly, we were ready to compete today,” Ferentz said. “And that’s where it all starts.”

The short-handed Hawkeyes will not have long to dwell on the win, as their regular-season finale against Nebraska looms on Friday.

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com

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