Northwestern vs. Iowa Game Report: Numbers and notes from the Hawkeyes’ 40-14 win

A closer look at Iowa’s 40-14 win Saturday afternoon over Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium. After a sluggish start, the Hawkeyes kicked it into high gear, thanks to a Kaden Wetjen punt return for touchdown, three rushing TDs by Kaleb Johnson and Brendan Sullivan taking over at quarterback.

Turning point: Kaleb Johnson’s touchdown run right before halftime is followed by an explosive third quarter

Iowa’s defense had a rebound game after being torched last week by Michigan State.

Defensive end Max Llewellyn sacked Northwestern quarterback Jack Lausch in the end zone for a safety that cut Iowa’s deficit to 7-5 with 6:44 left in the first half. Northwestern stopped the Hawkeyes offense after the ensuing free kick, but expert punting from Rhys Dakin pinned the Wildcats deep in their own territory twice after that, with Iowa’s defense forcing punts that gave the offense good field position.

Iowa took over possession at its 48 with 1:22 left in the half. Scramble runs and pass completions by Sullivan (who replaced starting quarterback Cade McNamara after he throw a pick-6 in the second quarter) took the football to the Northwestern 26.

Johnson then popped a run over the middle, spun out of a tackle at the 8 and strolled to the end zone for a touchdown that gave Iowa a 12-7 halftime lead after the extra point.

Using that momentum, Iowa went on a 78-yard TD scoring drive to begin the second half, Wetjen returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown and two more Johnson TD runs (41 and 25 yards) gave Iowa a 28-point third quarter and a 40-7 lead.

By the numbers: Northwestern at Iowa

4 — Rushing yards for Johnson on his first seven carries.

105 — Rushing yards for Johnson on his next seven carries.

120 — Combined yards passing and rushing for Sullivan, who came into the game to replace McNamara in the second quarter.

697 — Kick and punt return yards this season for Wetjen. That leads the nation.

Iowa football notebook

* The 2023-24 Iowa women’s basketball team was introduced to a rousing ovation during a first-half timeout.

The entire team appeared, including WNBA Rookie of the Year Caitlin Clark and fellow former Hawkeyes star Kate Martin. As did head coach Lisa Bluder, who retired at the end of last season.

Later in the game, Iowa honored former players Megan Gustafson and Tomi Taiwo. They played in the 2024 Olympics: Gustafson for Spain and Taiwo for Nigeria.

* Who needs Cooper DeJean? Wetjen went into Saturday leading the nation in kick return yards and padded that total with that electrifying 85-yard punt return for touchdown midway through the third quarter.

The return definitely was DeJean-esque, as Wetjen caught the football at his own 15-yard line outside the right hash, cut across the field at the 35, broke a tackle attempt from Northwestern’s punter at the Northwestern 45 and tight roped down the left sideline and into the end zone.

It was Iowa’s first punt-return touchdown since DeJean (now in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles) had one Sept. 30, 2023, against Michigan State.

* The Minnesota-Duluth men’s basketball team played Friday night against Iowa in an exhibition game and stuck around to attend Saturday’s football game. The Bulldogs’ head coach is former Iowa (and Iowa City West) player Justin Wieck.

Iowa football injury report

Starting Leo linebacker Kyler Fisher missed Saturday’s game. Without him, the Hawkeyes went with a five-defensive-back look to start the game: Sebastian Castro, Quinn Schulte, Xavier Nwankpa, Jermari Harris and Deshaun Lee.

Castro returned after missing last week’s game against Michigan State with an ankle injury. Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson were Iowa’s true linebacker starters.

Defensive back John Nestor, offensive lineman Beau Stephens and tight end Addison Ostrenga also were listed as “out” on the pregame availability report. DB Koen Entringer, who left last week’s game with a hand injury, was available.

Iowa’s next game

The Heartland Trophy is up for grabs next week (Nov. 2), as Iowa hosts Wisconsin at Kinnick Stadium. Game time and TV network have yet to be determined. Wisconsin was 5-2 overall and 3-1 in the Big Ten going into its home game Saturday night against No. 3 Penn State.

Comments: (319) 398-8440; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com