Iowa outlasts dark clouds in 41-10 win over Western Michigan

IOWA CITY — A beach ball bounced its way around the north and east stands of Kinnick Stadium as fans entertained themselves during an all-too-familiar September lightning delay.

The scene on Duke Slater Field for large stretches of the game, on the other hand, was not quite seashells and balloons.

But 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.

“If we’re going to evolve as an offensive football team, that’s going to be a big part of it,” Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz said of the run game. “I’d say it’s a more realistic expectation because of the maturity of the guys we have up front right now.”

Williams said the offensive line did a “great job” ahead of him.

“Any of you could have run through those holes,” Williams said to reporters. “They were dialed in today.”

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.

“It was not the kind of start we had hoped for, certainly,” Ferentz said. “It’s a full 60-minute game — always has been, always will be, sometimes more than that. That’s why you play the full 60.”

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

“He’ll be OK,” Ferentz said. “I’m totally confident in that. … When you miss practice time, it’s hard.”

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. Running back Kaleb Johnson missed

“We got a lot of talent,” Williams said of the running back room. “With the next man up, anything can happen at any moment, so we have to take advantage of the opportunity.”

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.

The Iowa defense was especially stout in the second half, holding Western Michigan to 35 yards and one first down after intermission.

The special teams units also had significant contributions.

Cooper DeJean had some electrifying punt returns, picking up 77 yards on five attempts. Anterio Thompson, a junior college transfer, had a blocked punt that resulted in a safety.

Thompson almost blocked another punt earlier in the game.

“I was close, and I knew I was going to get it the second time,” Thompson said.

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

Darker clouds could be ahead, however.

Iowa visits No. 7 Penn State for its Big Ten opener. The Nittany Lions (3-0) are coming off a 30-13 win over Illinois.

"I do not think it is going to be a difficult task on getting ready for this game,“ McNamara said. ”I think everyone is going to be extremely motivated for this one."

Comments: john.steppe@thegazette.com