EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – Iowa kicker Miguel Recinos’ big field goal to tie the game in the fourth quarter was not enough to get the Hawkeyes a “W” as Northwestern (4-3, 2-2) defeated Iowa (4-3, 1-3), 17-10, in overtime Saturday at Ryan Field.
LB Josey Jewell did not play due to injury, snapping a streak of 37 consecutive starts. Iowa’s linebacker trio of Ben Niemann (OLB), Jewell (MLB), and Bo Bower (WLB) had made 19 consecutive starts together.
LB Kevin Ward made his first career start at OLB. LB Ben Niemann moved inside to MLB. The last Hawkeye to start at middle linebacker not named Josey Jewell was Quinton Alston (Jan. 2, 2015 vs. Tennessee).
LB Bo Bower (11) and LB Kevin Ward (4) set career highs in tackles. DT Nathan Bazata had a career-high 1.5 sacks.
DL Matt Nelson started for the first time this season and for the first time in his career at defensive tackle (14 starts).
RB Akrum Wadley’s 22-yard rush in the first quarter moved him past Ronnie Harmon and into ninth place on Iowa’s all-time rushing list. Wadley has 429 career carries for 2,336 yards. Wadley rushed 26 times for 90 yards today. In four career games against Northwestern, Wadley has 81 rushes for 435 yards and 7 touchdowns
WR Matt VandeBerg had three receptions for 90 yards. His 61-yard reception in the second quarter was a career long. He has at least one reception in 26 consecutive games played. He has 124 career receptions, 11th all-time, and 1,578 receiving yards, 18th all-time.
WR Nick Easley had a team-high four receptions. He has led Iowa in receptions five times this season.
RB Toren Young’s 23-yard reception was the first reception of his career.
K Miguel Recinos – Â a former Mason City Mohawk – kicked a career-long 48-yard field goal to tie the game, 10-10, in the fourth quarter. Recinos is 4-for-4 from 40-plus yards this season.
P Ryan Gersonde punted a career-high five times. He had a career long 61-yard punt and averaged 52.6 yards per punt. Four punts were 50-plus yards, and one was downed inside the 20-yard line.
MISCELLANEOUS
Iowa is 7-5 all-time in overtime games. That includes a 5-3 mark in road games, and a 3-4 record in single overtime. Iowa is 1-1 in overtime games this season (W, 44-41 at Iowa State). Iowa has played two overtime games in the same season for the first time.
Iowa scored before its opponent for the first time this season (TE Noah Fant 7-yard TD reception).
Iowa and Northwestern traded field goals in the fourth quarter. It was the first time this season Iowa did not outscore its opponent in the fourth quarter. Iowa has outscored its opponents 73-23 in the fourth quarter this season.
Northwestern won the toss and deferred to the second half. The Hawkeyes have played 234 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 180 times (109-71). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 54 times (30-24).
Instant replay was used one time today:
Wadley stopped short of line to gain (confirmed)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes host Minnesota on Saturday, Oct. 28. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium.
