This game was a rush as Iowa piled up 329 yards on the ground

A closer look at Iowa’s dominant 42-10 victory over Wisconsin on Saturday night at Kinnick Stadium. The Heartland Trophy remains in Iowa City for one more year.

It was the largest margin of victory in this series since 1968.

Turning point: Deshaun Lee’s interception appears to energize Iowa’s offense

Wisconsin actually led this game at the end of the first quarter, 3-0. Iowa kicker Drew Stevens missed a 56-yard field goal attempt from an upright, giving the Badgers good field position at their own 39.

The ball eventually reached midfield. But on a first-and-10 play, Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke threw to the left side, with Iowa cornerback Deshaun Lee reading the play, coming off another receiver and stepping in front of the intended receiver for an interception and the return to the Hawkeyes 47. .

Suddenly energized, Iowa’s offense gave up the remaining 53 yards, with quarterback Brendan Sullivan eventually scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run. The extra point gave Iowa a 7-3 lead.

Wisconsin then went three and out, with Iowa taking over after a punt at the 20. A 30-yard Kamari Moulton run moved the football well into Badgers territory.

Johnson eventually scored on a 16-yard run. The rollout was in progress.

By the numbers: Wisconsin at Iowa

10 — Iowa pass attempts.

19 — Touchdowns by Johnson this season.

20 — Touchdowns by Iowa’s offense last season.

54 — Rushing attempts for Iowa.

72 — Points scored by Wisconsin opponents off takeaways this season.

Iowa Football Notebook

* Can anyone play any quarterback?

The pre-match availability report listed both Cade McNamara and Marco Lainez as out for Saturday’s game. McNamara of course suffered a concussion in the first half of last week’s win over Northwesternbut Lainez’s status was a surprise.

He is a redshirt freshman who rushed for 51 yards and completed 2 of 7 passes for 4 yards in the 2024 Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, his only career appearance. Iowa recently announced James Resar moved from fullback to wide receiverand is injured.

Thus, the only other quarterback on the Iowa roster available to play besides Sullivan was Jackson Strattonwho is a sophomore transfer student from Colorado State.

“If he’s going to run the ball, he slides,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said of Sullivan’s running at Tuesday’s weekly news conference. “I’m fine with that. If we had 10 defenders, I’d still ask him to do that. … But you don’t want to squeeze the guy’s back or squeeze him too much.”

Of course, as dominant as the running game was, it was immaterial.

* Iowa’s Nick Jackson had an interception in the third quarter that was about as unique as you’ll see.

The linebacker stepped in front of a slant pass attempt by Locke, had the football deflect off his left hand, then off his right foot. His kicking motion sent the ball bouncing hard back off teammate Bryan Allen Jr.’s mask and into the air, straight to Jackson, who caught it at the Badgers 40 and returned it to the 11, setting up a touchdown in Iowa.

* Rusty Toolbox remains in Iowa City. The Iowa team managers defeated the Wisconsin team managers in a flag football game Friday night at the Iowa practice facility, 32-6. The teams have played for the Rusty Toolbox trophy since 1991. Iowa has won the game five years in a row.

Iowa Football Injury Report

Also back for Iowa were cornerback John Nestor, wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (injured last week against Northwestern) and tight ends Luke Lachey and Addison Ostrenga. Lachey warmed up with his teammates before the game, but did not play. Zach Ortwerth and Johnny Pascuzzi start as the tight ends for Iowa.

Next game in Iowa

You’ll have to stay up relatively late to watch this one. The Hawkeyes head to the West Coast for a Friday night game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. Kickoff is at 20:00, the match being televised by FOX.

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