Kaleb Johnson’s three touchdowns propelled Iowa to a decisive 40-16 victory over Washington on Saturday, marking a significant milestone for coach Kirk Ferentz as he celebrated his 200th win with the Hawkeyes.
This triumph not only solidified Ferentz’s legacy but also positioned him in second place on the Big Ten’s all-time wins list, just five victories shy of the legendary Woody Hayes from Ohio State.
Johnson entered the game ranked second nationally in rushing yards per game and third overall in rushing yards. He ignited the scoreboard with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, followed by an 18-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Cade McNamara in the third quarter, and capped off his performance with an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
With this impressive outing, Johnson now boasts 12 rushing touchdowns for the season.
McNamara contributed to the scoring frenzy with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Dayton Howard in the fourth quarter, while Drew Stevens added four field goals to the Hawkeyes’ tally.
Washington (4-3, 2-2) managed to tie the game at 7 in the first quarter with a 5-yard touchdown pass from Will Rogers III to Denzel Boston, followed by a 35-yard field goal from Grady Gross just before halftime. However, the Huskies struggled to find the end zone in the second half, facing three failed fourth-down attempts as they sought to mount a comeback.
Late in the fourth quarter, backup quarterback Demond Williams Jr. found Rashid Williams for a 2-yard touchdown pass to finish the scoring for Washington.
Despite the loss, the Huskies outgained the Hawkeyes 393-328, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
BIG PICTURE
For Washington, playing two time zones away from home didn’t seem to hinder their performance. They initiated the game with two lengthy drives, but ultimately, Johnson’s explosive plays proved too challenging for their defense. Additionally, two turnovers by the Huskies led directly to Iowa field goals, further complicating their efforts.
Iowa, enjoying their first home game in nearly a month, rebounded strongly from a previous loss to Ohio State. Key defensive plays, including a blocked field goal by Yahya Black and an interception by Jermari Harris, thwarted Washington’s scoring chances, while Aaron Graves’s forced fumble set up Stevens for his initial field goal.
UP NEXT
Washington: The Huskies will face Indiana on October 26.
Iowa: The Hawkeyes will travel to Michigan State next Saturday.
