Iowa vs. Northwestern score: Live updates, highlights, analysis

No. 22 Iowa didn’t wow offensively, but Alex Padilla led the Hawkeyes to two touchdown drives after replacing Spencer Petras at quarterback and that was enough for a 17-12 win Saturday at Northwestern.

Iowa improved to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the Big Ten, tied for first in the West Division with Minnesota, Purdue and Wisconsin. Northwestern is now 3-6, 1-5.

» Box score: No. 22 Iowa 17, Northwestern 12

» Recap: New quarterback, well-timed turnovers spark Iowa in win over Northwestern

» Hlas column: Youth gets it done for Iowa at Northwestern

» Game Report: Key numbers, notes and more from Iowa’s win over Northwestern

» Feature: Alex Padilla’s success against Northwestern forces Kirk Ferentz to ‘look at the film’

» Gallery: 52 photos from Iowa’s win over Northwestern

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4th Quarter updates

1:44 4th: Iowa 17, Northwestern 12

Iowa’s defense came through right away.

Dane Belton picked off Andrew Marty on the first play of Northwestern’s drive to effectively end this one.

1:51 4th: Iowa 17, Northwestern 12

Iowa quickly went three-and-out with Northwestern spending all three timeouts and the Wildcats will have a chance to take the lead, starting the drive at their 24.

2:21 4th: Iowa 17, Northwestern 12

Evan Hull will not let this game end quietly.

The Northwestern running back made multiple Hawkeyes miss on multiple plays on this drive, including a 31-yard touchdown catch on a screen play. He picked up 31 yards on a third-and-6 catch a few plays earlier.

The 2-point conversion failed.

4:20 4th: Iowa 17, Northwestern 6

Iowa ran a few minutes off the clock with Tyler Goodson rushing three times for 39 yards before the Hawkeyes punted from the Northwestern 38.

The Wildcats start at their 15.

8:02 4th: Iowa 17, Northwestern 6

Iowa appeared to have a turnover on downs, but the Hawkeyes will take an interception instead.

Matt Hankins broke up a fourth-and-3 pass that was called pass interference, much to the consternation of the Iowa staff.

It ended up not mattering, as Andrew Marty floated a ball to a wide-open ... Iowa cornerback Jermari Harris in the end zone a few plays later. Dane Belton was pressuring Marty on the play.

11:20 4th Iowa 17, Northwestern 6

Rough three-and-out for Iowa and Northwestern will take over at its 15.

Alex Padilla was sacked on first down, then delivered a perfect pass on second-and-13 that went through the hands of Charlie Jones.

3rd Quarter updates

End 3rd: Iowa 17, Northwestern 6

1:58 3rd: Iowa 17, Northwestern 6

A possession that started at the Northwestern 3 following a controversial fair-catch call on the Iowa kickoff turned into a 12-play, 85-yard drive that resulted in a Charlie Kuhbander 30-yard field goal.

The Wildcats reached the Iowa 6 and seemed to be on the verge of their first touchdown, but head coach Pat Fitzgerald was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct on second-and-6, resulting in a 15-yard loss.

The drive started with a 38-yard pass from Andrew Marty in his own end zone to Stephon Robinson.

The Wildcats tried an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff, but the ball rolled out of bounds.

7:05 3rd: Iowa 17, Northwestern 3

Iowa’s Caleb Shudak opened the second-half scoring with a 25-yard field goal.

It was a nine-play, 48-yard drive for the Hawkeyes. Alex Padilla was 3-of-4 passing for 34 yards.

2nd Quarter updates

Half: Iowa 14, Northwestern 3

Alex Padilla was 12-of-18 passing for 127 yards, leading both Hawkeye touchdown drives after replacing Spencer Petras in the first quarter.

“Spencer just couldn’t play effectively,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz told BTN at halftime. “He tried like crazy, tried to get back but just couldn’t play effectively.”

Petras left last week’s loss to Wisconsin late in the game with a shoulder injury.

“Same offense, same guys, outside of the quarterback, obviously,” Ferentz said. “We got the run game going a little bit and that certainly helped. Alex made a couple good plays. Two of the young kids made nice plays, too.”

Ferentz was referring to a couple freshmen — Keagan Johnson caught four passes for 61 yards and Arland Bruce IV scored Iowa’s second touchdown on a 10-yard run.

The game was delayed briefly late in the second quarter due to protesters on the field.

2:11 2nd: Iowa 14, Northwestern 3

Northwestern had to settle for a field goal despite getting the ball at the Iowa 9 following a blocked punt.

Charlie Kuhbander’s 22-yard field goal got the Wildcats on the board.

3:36 2nd: Iowa 14, Northwestern 0

Big swing on special teams, but not in Iowa’s favor.

Raymond Niro blocked Tory Taylor’s punt and scooped it up. The Wildcats take over at the Iowa 9.

6:30 2nd: Iowa 14, Northwestern 0

Iowa appeared to force a turnover on downs near midfield after, but officials ruled Northwestern converted a fourth-and-1 and the call stood after review.

It ended up not mattering as the Hawkeyes soon forced a punt anyway.

10:41 2nd: Iowa 14, Northwestern 0

Iowa freshman Arland Bruce IV took an end around 10 yards to the end zone, withstanding multiple hits.

It was a nine-play, 83-yard drive for a Hawkeye offense that is suddenly rolling with Alex Padilla at quarterback.

11:56 2nd: Iowa 7, Northwestern 0

Iowa is on the move with Alex Padilla and Tyler Goodson. They connected for a 20-yard pass to convert a third-and-7 to the Iowa 39. Two plays later, Goodson ran down the sideline for a 41-yard gain to the Northwestern 20.

Iowa tackle Mason Richman has been helped off the field with an injury.

13:59 2nd: Iowa 7, Northwestern 0

Northwestern tried to go deep, but Dane Belton ran under Andrew Marty’s pass and grabbed his third interception of the season at the Iowa 17.

1st Quarter updates

0:22 1st: Iowa 7, Northwestern 0

Alex Padilla’s first drive results in a touchdown, and he made some nice throws to set it up.

Tyler Goodson found the end zone on a 13-yard run.

Padilla completed 3 of 4 passes for 45 yards, including 17- and 26-yard completions to Keagan Johnson. It was a six-play, 58-yard drive.

2:16 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

Northwestern punted again and Iowa is turning to backup quarterback Alex Padilla after Spencer Petras’ 2-for-4 start.

3:37 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

4:53 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

Northwestern reached midfield with two straight Andrew Marty passes to Stephon Robinson for a total of 28 yards, but a sack and intentional grounding penalty resulted in the Wildcats punting.

7:38 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

9:33 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

Iowa nearly picked off Andrew Marty on second down, then he ran for 11 yards on third down to move the chains. But the Wildcats did nothing else, with Noah Shannon sacking Marty to move Northwestern backward.

11:15 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

13:34 1st: Iowa 0, Northwestern 0

Iowa-Northwestern pregame storylines

The Gazette’s John Steppe takes a look at what to watch for in his analysis.

“Iowa’s rushing attack has experienced some well-documented woes, averaging 2.9 yards per carry, but the Hawkeyes will have a prime opportunity to finally establish the run Saturday.

“Under a new defensive coordinator, the Wildcats have allowed a Big Ten-worst 5.4 yards per carry and about 230 rushing yards per game.”

Don’t miss John’s feature this week on holder Ryan Gersonde, either.

Mike Hlas writes that it’s a good time for their Hawkeyes to face their nemesis. Why? Well, Northwestern isn’t good.

“Iowa’s football team started last season 0-2, then won six straight games. The mood from that 6-2 mark was a glow. Warm and contented. It’s all about when you win. And lose.

“The Hawkeyes began this season 6-0, and the glow turned white-hot. That was two games ago. Now they have the same record as the one they had at the end of 2020.

“This mood from this 6-2? Chilly and unfulfilled. Timing is everything.”

Here are some Iowa-Northwestern Fun Facts and our staff predictions.

How to watch Iowa vs. Northwestern (Nov. 6, 2021)

Time: 6:10 p.m. CT

TV: Big Ten Network

Live stream: FoxSports.com (TV provider login required)

Radio: Hawkeye Radio Network

Listen online: The Varsity Network