Western Michigan at No. 25/24 Iowa
Sept. 16, 2023 | Iowa City, Iowa | Kinnick Stadium
POSTGAME NOTES
No. 25/24 Iowa (3-0) defeated Western Michigan (1-2), 41-10, on Saturday inside Kinnick Stadium.
It is the 11th time in head coach Kirk Ferentz’s Iowa tenure that the team has started the season with a 3-0 record (2023, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2003, 2001). The Hawkeyes went 3-1 in nonconference play in 2008 and 4-0 in both 2003 and 2006.
INDIVIDUAL NOTES
– RB Leshon Williams recorded his first career 100-yard game, finishing with 145 yards on 12 attempts. Williams also had a 25-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter – his first career receiving touchdown (and third TD overall). He finished the game with 172 all-purpose yards.
o Williams had a career-long 53-yard run in the second quarter to set up Iowa’s first touchdown. It is Iowa’s second rush of 50+ yards this season. (The Hawkeyes had two 50+ yard runs in 13 games in 2022.)
o Williams’ 25-yard reception was a career long.
– WR Diante Vines had a 3-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter. It was Vines’ first career touchdown.
– True freshman RB Kamari Moulton had two touchdowns – one from 3-yards out and a second from 1-yard out — in his first collegiate game. Moulton rushed for 50 yards on eight attempts.
o The last Hawkeye freshman to have two rushing touchdowns was Kaleb Johnson vs. Nevada in 2022.
o Moulton is the first Hawkeye with two or more touchdowns in his collegiate debut since Jewell Hampton in the 2008 season opener against Maine.
– QB Cade McNamara completed 9-of-19 attempts for 103 yards and two touchdowns, tying a season high. McNamara has four touchdowns (to three interceptions) this season.
– DT Anterio Thompson blocked a WMU punt in the third quarter – his first career punt block – that resulted in a safety. It was Thompson’s first career game as a Hawkeye.
o It is the first safety of the season and the first for the program since recording two safeties against South Dakota State in the 2022 season opener.
o Iowa has blocked two kicks this season (one punt, one field goal) and the defense/special teams have scored eight points.
– LB Jay Higgins and LB Nick Jackson combined for 18 total tackles.
– Higgins forced a fumble – the first of his career — in the third quarter and DL Jeremiah Pittman recovered, giving Iowa possession at the WMU 17. It was Pittman’s first career fumble recovery.
– Jackson finished with a team and season high nine tackles and the forced fumble. It is Jackson’s 21st double digit tackle game of his career and his first as a Hawkeye.
– RB Jaziun Patterson made his first career start.
– WR Jarriett Buie, RB Kamari Moulton and RB Terrell Washington, Jr., became the first three Hawkeye freshmen to appear in a game this season.
MISCELLANEOUS
– The Hawkeyes rushed for 254 yards – a season high – and the most by the offense since 2021 vs. Kent State (206).
– Iowa converted a 2-point conversion (from Cade McNamara to Erick All) in the third quarter to make the score 24-10. It is Iowa’s first 2-point conversion since 2020 against Wisconsin.
– Iowa’s defense has allowed one touchdown or less in 12 of its last 16 games, dating back to the start of the 2022 season.
– Since the start of the 2015 season, Iowa is now 66-2 when leading by eight points at any point in a game.
– Iowa won the toss and elected to receive. The Hawkeyes have played 304 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 222 times (142-80). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 82 times (47-35).
INSTANT REPLAY
1) WMU interception (ruled incomplete) – confirmed
2) Incomplete pass on McNamara attempt – confirmed
UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes return to action Sept. 23, traveling to University Park, Pennsylvania, for their Big Ten Conference opener at nationally ranked Penn State. The game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. (CT) and be televised live on CBS.
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