College Football: Iowa charges back to defeat Illinois, 35-21

CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS – Iowa (5‐2, 5‐2) defeated Illinois (2‐4, 2‐4), 35‐21, on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Iowa extended its winning streak to five games. Iowa has won five straight in the same season for the first time since 2015, when it opened the season 12‐0. Iowa has outscored its last five opponents, 186‐76, averaging 37.2 points per game during the winning streak.

The win was Iowa’s seventh straight against Illinois.

Iowa trailed Illinois, 14‐0, in the second quarter. The last time Iowa won a game in which it trailed by at least 14 points was Nov. 23, 2013. The Hawkeyes trailed Michigan 21‐7 in the second quarter, and scored the final 17 points of the game to win, 24‐21. The Hawkeyes scored on four straight possessions after trailing 14‐0 (TD, FG, FG, TD).

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

QB Spencer Petras threw a career‐high three touchdowns (24 yards to TE Sam LaPorta, 4 yards to WR Ihmir Smith‐ Marsette, 16 yards to TE Shaun Beyer).

WR Ihmir Smith‐Marsette’s 9‐yard reception in the first quarter was the 100th reception of his career. His is the 24th player in program history to have 100 or more receptions. Smith‐Marsette had two touchdowns today, a 4‐yard reception and a 13‐yard rush.

TE Sam LaPorta scored his first career touchdown, a 22‐yard reception from QB Spencer Petras. TE Shaun Beyer scored his first career touchdown, a 16‐yard reception from QB Spencer Petras.

WR Brandon Smith had a season high 5 receptions and a season‐high 58 yards. His 7‐yard reception in the third quarter put him over 1,000 career receiving yards. He is the 43rd player in program history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards. Smith has 88 career receptions for 1,016 yards.

DB Matt Hankins had 3 tackles today, including 2 solo stops. He 161 career tackles (100 solo).

DE Chauncy Golston matched a career high with 8 tackles.

DL Daviyon Nixon had 1.5 tackles for loss. He entered the game leading the Big Ten with 11.5 TFL.

K Keith Duncan connected on a 40‐yard field goal in the second quarter. It was his 19th career field of 40 yards or more, tying Nate Kaeding for the most in school history. Duncan’s 27‐yard field goal in the second quarter was No. 50 of his career. Duncan has 50 career field goals, fifth all‐time.

MISCELLANEOUS

Iowa has played 21 straight games without surrendering 25 points, the longest streak in the nation among Power 5 teams.

Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. The Hawkeyes have played 273 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 206 times (131‐75). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 67 times (36‐31).

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