Although serving a one-game suspension, Iowa says the victory is head coach Kirk Ferentz’s 197th career win – two behind Chicago’s Amos Alonzo Stagg for the second-most victories in Big Ten history.
The Hawkeyes improve to 101-33-2 all-time in season openers, including a 22-4 record under Ferentz.
Senior QB Cade McNamara completed 21-of-31 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns.
McNamara’s passing yardage is his high as a Hawkeye. He is now 18-4 in his career as a starter.
Junior Kaleb Johnson paced the team with 11 carries for 119 yards and two touchdowns – a 64-yarder and 18-yarder in the fourth quarter. It is Johnson’s fifth career 100-yard game and he tied a career-best with two rushing touchdowns.
The 64-yard rush is the third-longest rush of Johnson’s career (75 at Purdue in 2022; 67 vs. Purdue in 2023). It was Johnson’s 10th and 11th career rushing touchdowns.
Freshman WR Reece Vander Zee finished with five receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns — a 7-
yarder — the first of his career – in the third quarter and a 19-yarder early in the fourth.
Vander Zee is the first Hawkeye true freshman with a receiving touchdown in the season opener since Dominique Douglas vs. Montana in 2006.
He is the first Hawkeye freshman wideout to have two receiving touchdowns in a game since Ihmir Smith-Marsette at Iowa State in 2017.
Junior WR Jacob Gill had a 31-yard touchdown in the third quarter. It was his first touchdown as a Hawkeye and the third of his career.
Gill finished with three receptions for 46 yards.
Senior TE Luke Lachey led the team with six receptions for 63 yards.
Iowa’s tight ends combined for 10 catches and 119 yards in the game.
Sophomore DL Caden Crawford forced his first career fumble in the fourth quarter.
Senior DB Sebastian Castro had a forced fumble – the fifth of his career – in the first quarter and T.J. Hall recovered, giving Iowa its second forced turnover of the game.
Junior DL Aaron Graves finished with X tackles, including a career-high three sacks and XX tackles for loss.
Senior DB Jermari Harris had a first-quarter interception – the sixth pick of his Hawkeye career.
Junior K Drew Stevens went 2-for-2 on field goal attempts in the first half. He connected from 41 yards for Iowa’s first points of the 2024 season in the first quarter before making a 28-yarder just before half.
WR Reece Vander Zee made his first career start. He is the first true freshman to start since 2022, the first true freshman wide receiver to start since 2021 and the seventh true freshman wide receiver to start in the Kirk Ferentz era.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Hawkeyes’ offense finished with 492 yards of total offense, including 345 in the second half.
The total offense is the most in a season opener since finishing with 593 (2002).
It was the most yards by a Hawkeye offense since 2019 against Middle Tennessee. (644)
UI’s offensive coordinator, Tim Lester coached the best offensive output in an OC debut since 1979.
Iowa notched the 17th shutout of the Ferentz era.
It is the program’s fourth shutout since the start of the 2022 season.
The Hawkeyes’ defense forced three turnovers, turning the three miscues into three points.
It is the 29th consecutive game Iowa’s defense has allowed fewer than 400 yards — the longest active streak nationally.
Iowa’s defense has held seven opponents to 200 yards or less since 2022.
Iowa won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Hawkeyes have played 316 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 232 times (149-83). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 84 times (48-36).
INSTANT REPLAY
Kamari Moulton fourth down rush was ruled short of first down; spot was challenged. (confirmed)
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return to action Sept. 8, hosting an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup against Iowa State. The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and is sold out.
