Skip to main content
Iowa
Join Now

Iowa pulls away for comfortable victory

On3 imageby: Tom Kakert09/16/23HawkeyeReport

College football games never go according to plan. That was proven once again on Saturday at Kinnick Stadium as Iowa had a much tougher battle than expected before pulling away for a 41-10 victory over Western Michigan.

The game had a little bit of everything. It had long pass plays, long running plays, a blocked punt, a safety, and evening a lighting delay.

It also featured a strong performance from the Hawkeyes in the second half. Iowa outscored the Broncos 27-0 in the third and fourth quarter to fuel their victory.

Western Michigan got on the board first thanks to a 64 yard bomb to wide receiver Anthony Sambucci. After that 7-0 lead, mother nature weighed in from Iowa City in the form of a lighting delay.

Iowa came out with a purpose after the break, but failed to score. Drew Stevens missed his first field goal of the season from 41 yards out and we went to the second quarter with the Hawkeyes trailing.

In their first possession of the second quarter, Leshon Williams burst off the edge for a 53 yard run to put Iowa inside the ten. Cade McNamara threw the first of two touchdown passes, finding Diante Vines from three yards out for the score to knot the game at seven.

But, the Broncos were not going to go quietly on this day. They hit a 43 yard pass play on their first play from scrimmage. Eventually the drive stalled and the Broncos had to settle for 27 yard field goal to make it 10-7.

Special teams made an impact in the second quarter for the Hawkeyes. Tory Taylor dropped a punt inside the five yard line that was downed at the one. Iowa got the hold and after a Cooper DeJean return to the 25, Cade McNamara found Williams for a 25 yard touchdown to make it 14-10 at the break.

Iowa’s defense was the star of the second half. The Hawkeyes pitched a shutout in the second half and their special teams made a game changing play. Earlier in the game, defensive lineman Anterio Thompson nearly blocked a punt. In the third quarter he got one, blocking the punt into the end zone for a safety.

The Hawkeyes then took the kick to nearly midfield and true freshman Kamari Moulton started piling up rushing yards, eventually landing in the end zone. Iowa went for two and converted it on a pass from McNamara to Erick All and Iowa was now up 24-10.

Then the Hawkeye defense got a turnover inside Bronco territory and Moulton cashed in from one yard out and Iowa was up 31-10 heading into the final quarter. Moulton is the first Iowa freshman to score twice in his first game since Jewel Hampton did that against Maine in 2008.

Iowa scored two more times in the fourth quarter. Seth Anderson took a pitch from McNamara for a 30 yard gain and Iowa scored to make it 34-10.

then to wrap things up, Max White ran it in from one yard out to wrap up the victory.

You may also like