Iowa football vs. Minnesota score updates, highlights analysis (Sept. 21, 2024)

MINNEAPOLIS — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 206 yards and scored three of Iowa’s four touchdowns as the Hawkeyes (3-1, 1-0) outlasted rival Minnesota (2-2, 0-1), 31-14, and reclaimed the Floyd of Rosedale trophy.

Johnson is the first Hawkeye to rush for 100-plus yards in four consecutive games since Mark Weisman in 2012.

Johnson single-handedly accounted for most of Iowa’s 272 total offensive yards.

Iowa’s only other touchdown on Saturday came on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by backup Brendan Sullivan. While Johnson was not involved in that touchdown, his 33-yard run at the beginning of the drive was paramount in setting up the scoring opportunity.

The Hawkeyes also scored on a 46-yard Drew Stevens field goal in the third quarter. Stevens is 6-for-6 on field goal attemps so far this season.

The win was not always smooth sailing against P.J. Fleck’s row-the-boat Gophers.

Starting quarterback Cade McNamara was 11-of-19 passing for 62 yards in the win. He did not have any touchdowns or interceptions.

Iowa faced a 14-7 halftime deficit, and Minnesota had a 222-107 advantage in yards in the first half. McNamara had only 16 passing yards in the half.

Iowa’s defense also showed vulnerability in the first half, allowing 222 total yards before intermission.

Phil Parker’s unit was much better in the second half, keeping Minnesota out of the end zone as the offense retook and then padded its lead.

Minnesota, after amassing 79 yards in the first quarter and 143 in the second quarter, only had 14 in the third quarter.

Minnesota quarterback Max Brosmer was 22-of-37 for 209 yards, but 17 of those completions were in the first half.

The Gophers struggled to gain traction on the ground against Iowa’s defense, rushing for 79 yards while averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

Punting was a strength throughout the game for the Hawkeyes, as Rhys Dakin averaged 49.6 yards on his five punts.

Iowa has now won nine of its last 10 games against Minnesota. The 17-point margin breaks the trend of three consecutive Floyd of Rosedale games decided by five points or fewer.

— John Steppe