Cade McNamara, Seth Anderson make Hawkeye history with opening-drive TD connection
The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ 2023 hopes have been attached at the hip to senior quarterback Cade McNamara’s ability to revitalize its offense.
After leading Michigan to a Big Ten title in 2021, McNamara arrived in Iowa City with a championship pedigree and a track record that indicated he could be the piece to revamp the Hawkeye offense.
Early on, he didn’t disappoint. After a 54-yard kickoff return from sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson set Iowa up with prime real estate, McNamara went to work.
On the second play from scrimmage, McNamara went over the top and connected with fellow transfer and sophomore wide receiver Seth Anderson.
IOWA WITH A FAST START! 🙌@Cademac_12 with a dime to Seth Anderson for a @HawkeyeFootball TD! 🤩🎯 pic.twitter.com/Nftfrkek9K
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 2, 2023
The 36-yard touchdown strike was significant for a number of different reasons. Obviously, first and foremost, it was a flash of offensive electricity that’s been sorely lacking in Iowa City.
But, it also represented some Hawkeye history, too. It’s the first time in the Kirk Ferentz era that a season-opening Iowa drive has resulted in a touchdown pass for the Hawkeyes. It was the 10th season-opening touchdown drive in the Ferentz tenure.
For the first time in program history under Kirk Ferentz, Iowa has opened the season with a passing touchdown.
It was the 10th opening drive touchdown in Ferentz's tenure. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/9XQaO2y3sC
— HawkeyeFBNotes (@HawkeyeFBNotes) September 2, 2023
The last time the Hawkeyes began the season with an opening-drive touchdown pass was in 1991 when Matt Rodgers connected with Danan Hughes versus Hawaii.
McNamara’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Anderson came on his first career attempt as a Hawkeye. The last quarterback to have a touchdown pass on their first completion of the season was legendary Iowa signal-caller Chuck Long’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Norm Granger at Iowa State in 1983.
The 36-yard touchdown pass from McNamara was also longer than any Iowa touchdown pass last season. The Hawkeyes’ longest in 2022 was a 29-yard strike from Spencer Petras to Nico Ragaini in a 24-3 win over Purdue.
McNamara added another touchdown pass in the first half on a 4th-and-3 connection with fellow Michigan transfer tight end Erick All. The Hawkeyes didn’t tally their second passing touchdown until the fifth game last season.
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