SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Iowa Hawkeyes unleashed a punishing rushing attack, an explosive passing game and a relentless defense Friday night, October 9, 2026, overwhelming Washington 41-24 at Husky Stadium. Kamari Moulton rushed for a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Jeremy Hecklinski threw three touchdown passes in his first career start as Iowa improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in Big Ten play. Iowa stormed to a 27-0 lead, piled up 465 yards of offense and held Washington to minus-3 rushing yards while recording six sacks. Washington fell to 3-3 overall and 0-3 in the Big Ten. The victory before 66,231 fans was Iowa’s first regular-season triumph on the West Coast since defeating Oregon State in 1965.
Iowa football explodes out of the gate
Caden Buhr opened the scoring with a 51-yard field goal and added a 27-yarder midway through the first quarter. Moulton broke free for a 56-yard touchdown run with 10 seconds left in the opening quarter, stretching the lead to 13-0. Hecklinski connected with tight end DJ Vonnahme on touchdown passes of 20 and 24 yards in the second quarter, making it 27-0. Washington’s Tyler Robles kicked a 30-yard field goal before halftime, leaving Iowa ahead 27-3. The Hawkeyes outgained Washington 279-109 in the first half, and their defense allowed just 14 yards and one first down in the opening quarter.
Moulton bulldozes Washington for 208 yards
Moulton carried 26 times for 208 yards, averaging eight yards per attempt. His 56-yard touchdown was his longest rush of the season. He racked up 97 yards in the first quarter and cleared 100 on his first carry of the second. His three-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter pushed Iowa’s lead to 41-18. The first 200-yard game of his career made him the first Hawkeye to reach that mark since Kaleb Johnson ran for 206 against Minnesota in 2024. L.J. Phillips Jr. added 42 rushing yards as Iowa finished with 263 on the ground.
Hecklinski shines in first career start
Hecklinski completed 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns without an interception or a sack. He finished with a passer rating of 215.1. His touchdown passes included two to Vonnahme in the first half and an eight-yard strike to Reece Vander Zee in the third quarter. Hecklinski became the fourth quarterback of the Kirk Ferentz era to throw three touchdown passes in his first career start, joining Jon Beutjer, Ricky Stanzi and Nate Stanley. Vonnahme finished with two catches for 44 yards and two touchdowns, his first career multi-touchdown game. Vander Zee had three receptions for a career-high 69 yards and a touchdown.
Iowa defense crushes Washington rushing attack
The Hawkeyes held Washington to minus-3 net rushing yards on 25 attempts, the second-lowest total allowed by Iowa under Ferentz. Iowa registered six sacks for a combined loss of 50 yards. Cam Buffington and Preston Ries had two sacks apiece, both career highs; Jayden Montgomery and Bryce Hawthorne added one each. Xavier Styles led Iowa with nine tackles in his first career Hawkeye start, while Buffington and Montgomery finished with eight each. Washington gained 320 yards passing but only 317 total yards.
Washington rallies, but Hawkeyes keep answering
Washington opened the second half with a 75-yard touchdown drive capped by Elijah Brown’s 10-yard pass to Chris Lawson. Iowa answered with an eight-play, 83-yard drive ending in Hecklinski’s eight-yard touchdown pass to Vander Zee, making it 34-10. Brown found Dezmen Roebuck for a two-yard touchdown, and a successful two-point conversion cut the margin to 34-18. The Hawkeyes then marched 75 yards, with Moulton scoring from three yards out early in the fourth quarter. Washington scored on the game’s final play to make the final 41-24.
Ferentz praises Hawkeyes’ preparation and toughness
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz praised his team’s preparation during a short week and its play in all three phases. “Needless to say, just really happy to get the win tonight,” Ferentz said afterward. He highlighted Hecklinski and Moulton and thanked Hawkeye fans who traveled to Seattle.
Hawkeyes piling up impressive offensive numbers
Iowa scored at least 40 points for the third time in its first six games, the first time the program has done that in 15 years. The 465 yards were Iowa’s fourth-highest offensive total under coordinator Tim Lester and its most against a Big Ten team during his tenure. The Hawkeyes have topped 200 yards rushing three times this season and are 15-1 under Lester when reaching that mark. Buhr’s 51-yarder was his first made field goal from at least 50 yards. Iowa has won four straight Friday contests and 14 of its last 16 dating to 2015.
What’s next for Iowa football?
The Hawkeyes are off October 17 and return Saturday, October 24, when they travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota. Iowa enters the second half of its regular-season schedule at 5-1 with a productive rushing attack and a defense capable of dominating the line of scrimmage.