Oct 12, 2024; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Washington Huskies wide receiver Denzel Boston (12) catches a touchdown pass as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Deshaun Lee (8) defends during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Kaleb Johnson rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns and added a TD reception as Iowa defeated Washington 40-16 in a Big Ten Conference game Saturday afternoon in Iowa City, Iowa.
Coach Kirk Ferentz earned his 200th career conference victory, second only to Ohio State legend Woody Hayes (205), for the Hawkeyes (4-2, 2-1 Big Ten).
Johnson, who came into the game second in the nation with 154.2 rushing yards per game, scored on runs of 6 and 8 yards and an 18-yard pass from Cade McNamara. Drew Stevens kicked four field goals for the Hawkeyes.
McNamara also threw a 33-yard scoring pass to Dayton Howard early in the fourth quarter.
The Hawkeyes won despite losing 393-328 and the Huskies holding the ball for 34:59. Washington had one 17-play drive and two 14-play drives.
Will Rogers III completed 22 of 34 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown for the Huskies (4-3, 2-2), but fumbled twice due to an interception and a fumble. Jonah Coleman ran nine times for 80 yards.
Huskies backup quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Rashid Williams late in the quarter to complete the scoring.
The Hawkeyes led 7-0 after the first quarter and 20-10 at the half.
The Hawkeyes opened the scoring on a 6-yard run by Johnson with 1:33 left in the first quarter.
The Huskies responded when Rogers threw a 5-yard TD pass to Denzel Boston to tie the score.
Rogers fumbled while Aaron Graves sacked it and Max Llewellyn recovered it at the Huskies’ 19-yard line. That led to Stevens’ 37-yard field goal to make the score 10-7.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Hawkeyes extended their lead on an 18-yard pass from McNamara to Johnson.
Grady Gross connected on a 29-yard field goal to pull Washington within 17-10 with 29 seconds left in the second quarter.
Johnson broke free on a 53-yard run on the Hawkeyes’ next play from scrimmage, setting up a 46-yard field goal by Stevens on the final play of the half.
The Huskies reached the Iowa 23-yard line on their first possession of the third quarter before defensive back Jermari Harris intercepted a pass from Rogers.
Iowa drove to the Washington 1-yard line and had first and goal, but was stopped in three plays and had to settle for Stevens’ 25-yard field goal.
Johnson scored on an 8-yard run on the first play of the fourth quarter and the Hawkeyes extended their lead to 30-10.
–Field level media
