The Iowa Hokies are undefeated after defeating Western Michigan 41-10 at Kinnick Arena.
The win was disappointing for large parts of the afternoon, as Iowa State (3-0) trailed the Broncos late in the first half. But in the third quarter, the defense stood tall and Iowa’s running game became a force to turn the final non-conference tilt into a blowout.
The win sets up a battle between the No. 24 Hawkeyes and No. 7 Penn State in Happy Valley next weekend in “White Out” conditions.
But before we start looking forward to that game, here’s a look back at everything that happened in Saturday’s win over Western Michigan.
Final: Iowa 41, Western Michigan 10
4h/0:30 Iowa reaches the 40-point mark
The Hawkeyes score 4th and goal with a Max White touchdown from 2 yards out.
Iowa 41-10.
4h/5:20 Iowa adds more points
Another drive netted the Hawkeyes points, three this time thanks to a 31-yard Drew Stevens field goal. It was a nine-play, 56-yard drive that was highlighted by a 30-yard Seth Anderson rush.
The Hawkeyes led 34-10 and this game was almost over.
End of the third
Iowa 31, Western Michigan 10
The Broncos had the ball on their own 35 to start the final 15 minutes of play.
3h/2:10 Iowa piles on the points
The Hawkeyes stay on the ground for two of three plays after a fumble recovery. Kamari Moulton scored his second goal of the day and of his career from three yards out.
The Hawkeyes lead 31-10 now and Brian Ferentz is a happy man.
3Q/3:38 Hawk-Eye defense forces another turnover
Nick Jackson knocked the ball out of the WMU quarterback’s hands as he ran down the field. Jeremiah Pittman recovers for Iowa State and the Hokies have the ball in the red zone.
3h/4:02 The running game is thriving in Iowa
Freshman Kamari Moulton ran the ball five times for 35 yards, capped by a 3-yard score from the Florida native. That scoring drive, which went a total of 53 yards, all happened on the ground.
The Hawkeyes also went for a two-point conversion, which they converted thanks to a pass to Erick All.
The Hawkeyes lead 24-10 now and it’s starting to feel like a blowout.
Q3/7:30 Iowa gets a safety
The defense held up and did what we’re used to seeing them do: score points for the offense. After pinning Western Michigan back deep and forcing a punt, Antero Thompson raced across the line and blocked the kick. It rolled through the back of the end zone to give Iowa State two points.
The Hokies are up 16-10
Q3/15:00 The return is underway in Kinnik
The wind seems to be picking up. Western Michigan will have its back at No. 3, and Iowa State will have it at No. 4 if it holds on.
Half: Iowa 14, Western Michigan 10
The Broncos get the ball to start the third period.
Some thoughts at the end of the first half:
- Cade McNamara plays rough. He’s 5-for-13 for 53 yards, two scores and two picks.
- The defense has been poor a few times in big games, but has been solid overall
- Today’s story was LeShawn Williams. He gained 155 of Iowa State’s 201 total yards and had one of two touchdowns.
- Luke Lachey suffered a scary injury and is not back on the field yet. This could be huge, not only for this game, but also for next week’s game against Penn State.
Q2/0:31 Cade McNamara takes off again
On third-and-long McNamara frames to shoot to the end zone and launch into double coverage. But Western Michigan is there and Keni-H Lovely hauls the pass into the end zone.
Broncos take over 14-10
2Q/1:29 The Hawkeyes take the lead
After a WMU three-pointer and a short punt, Iowa State wasted no time in taking the lead.
The Hawkeyes score on a screen pass from Cade McNamara to Leshon Williams. It was a 25-yard one-off.
Iowa led 14-10 as we approached the half.
2h/2:39 Tori Taylor masterclass in session
After an Iowa State offensive drive stalled, Taylor launched a 44-yard punt and TJ Hall’s coverage team dropped the ball on WMU’s one-yard line.
This is a major place for safety in Iowa.
2Q/5:08 Western Michigan regains the lead
The Broncos drilled a 27-yard scoring drive for a 10-7 comeback over the Hawkeyes. That was a nine-play, 66-yard drive that took 3:41 seconds off the clock,
This score was created in large part by Treyson Bourget’s 43-yard pass to Blake Bosma on the first play of the drive.
2h/8:26 Iowa answers with a touchdown strike
Cade McNamara found Deanti Vines in the back of the end zone for a 3-yard score. Stevens tied the game at 7. That sets up a five-play, 66-yard drive.
The score was set up by a 53-yard run from LeShon Williams.
End 1
Western Michigan 7, Iowa 0
1h/1:28 Iowa misses a field goal attempt
41-yard attempt from kicker Drew Stevens left. Western Michigan takes over on the 23rd.
The Broncos led 7-0
1Q/1:33 Luke Lachey goes down
After a third-down pass from McNamara to Lachey, the tight end remained on the field with an injury.
He was able to get up, but needed help getting to the sideline at Iowa State.
Iowa faces fourth-and-short from the Western Michigan 23.
1h/5:33 We’re back to work
Hockey has the ball. Driving starts at 33. This ends with a 42 minute delay.
3:34 Teams return to the field after weather delay
They would have a 7-minute warmup and then Iowa State would have the ball with 5:33 left in the first quarter.
Western Michigan led 7-0
3:32 Some support staff return to the field.
There are still two minutes left on the clock before the teams can return to warm up. But seeing employees return to the sidelines is promising.
1h/5:33 The game was delayed due to lightning
The game was temporarily halted due to lightning in the area. Let’s hope this isn’t a repeat of last year’s Nevada game.
There will be at least 30 minutes from the first strike in the zone until players can return to the field.
1h/5:40 Western Michigan takes the lead
On third-and-7, Broncos quarterback Treyson Bourget fired a deep shot down the left sideline to Anthony Ambuchi for a 64-yard strike. It appears there was a miscommunication in the coverage because Ambuchi was wide open.
The Broncos took a 7-0 lead after a 96-yard quadruple play.
1h/7:35 This is the pinnacle of Iowa football
Through two drives, the Hawkeyes offense faltered, but punter Tory Taylor just unleashed a beautiful punt to pin Western Michigan back at the 4 to start their second offensive possession. Good coverage by Cooper DeJean to get down there and down there before it goes into the end zone for a touchdown.
1h/13:03 Cade McNamara takes off
The signal caller tried to put the ball into tight space for Nico Ragini but it was cleared with one hand by Western Michigan’s Anthony Nichokwu. The Broncos will have the ball on their own 24-yard line.
Even if you’re a die-hard Hokie, it’s hard not to appreciate this hurdle.
2:40 is about to start
The Hawkeyes and Broncos have taken the field. Iowa State wins the coin toss and chooses to take the ball first. Cade McNamara and Co. will get the ball to start this game.
2:00 What can poetry tell us about Jason Patterson?
We’re about 30 minutes away from kick-off here in Kinnick and the players are out warming up.
Jasion Patterson is expected to face a heavier workload in Caleb Johnson’s absence today. Hawkeys beat writer Tyler Tuckman took a deep dive into Patterson earlier this week.
He talked to teachers and coaches from Patterson’s high school days when he played in the recruiting hotbed of Broward County, Florida. Not only does he work hard to improve his skill on the court, he puts the same effort into everything, including his hair.
Read more about Patterson by clicking here ahead of a potentially big game for him this afternoon.
more: “Relentless” Iowa State running back Jaseon Patterson has emerged as a spark plug for the Hawkeyes’ offense
12:30 Caleb Johnson does not play against Western Michigan
The mandatory Big Ten availability report for this game at Iowa State was just released and shows that running back Kaleb Johnson will not suit up for the Hawkeyes today. An ankle injury has sidelined him, our Hawkeyes columnist Chad Listico reports. How serious this is is unclear.
Johnson has been the leading rusher so far in 2023. Although his absence will likely mean more reps for freshman Jazion Patterson. He looked good last week in the Cy-Hawk game, tallying 86 yards on 10 carries and scoring a touchdown against the Cyclones. Expect a healthy dose of LeShawn Williams as well.
Linebacker Jaxon Rexroth is listed as questionable. This is the first time QB Cade McNamara has not been listed on the availability report. He was questionable for Week 1 and Week 2.
Full availability report:
Outside
- WR Jacob Bostic
- W. R. Reese Osgood
- The first Asher Fahi
- D Chris Remes
- DT Noah Shannon
Doubtful
12:30 PM Is the lack of sacks a concern for the Hawkeyes?
Iowa State’s defense is considered one of the best in college football, and for good reason. The unit has decimated its opponents over the years and is held to just 13.5 points per game this year. Even that number was inflated by Utah State’s drive late in the game against Iowa’s second-team defense.
However, despite strong numbers and play so far in 2023, they have taken down an opposing quarterback just once. That’s tied with seven other teams, including Georgia, for last in all of FBS with fewest sacks.
Is this a concern?
Our Hawkeyes columnist Chad Listico spoke with players and coaches earlier this week and their simple answer was: No, not really.
“We’re not drawing that, to be honest with you,” said Joe Evans, a sixth-grader who has left 18½ jobs but hasn’t picked up any this year (although he’s playing well). “What we focus on is production.”
Read more about the defensive line and why they don’t care about low sack numbers by clicking here.
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