Key takeaways as Iowa pulls away from Western Michigan
It wasn’t the start-to-finish, dominant performance that fans were hoping for, but, in the end, the Iowa Hawkeyes did manage to separate from Western Michigan in the second half.
An inspired effort running the football, a defense that clamped down after halftime and more terrific special teams highlighted the 41-10 win over the Broncos.
What are the big takeaways from Iowa’s final nonconference tilt of 2023? Let’s dive in.
Leshon Williams, Iowa running backs had a day
Junior running back Leshon Williams provided the primary first-half offensive sparks with his 53-yard run to set up Cade McNamara’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Diante Vines. Williams added a 25-yard catch-and-run touchdown grab to cap the first-half scoring for the Hawkeyes.
The 5-foot-10, 208 pound running back from Chicago finished with 145 rushing yards on 12 carries. It was the first time in his career that Williams has eclipsed the century mark. He finished with 172 all-purpose yards.
Meanwhile, freshman running back Kamari Moulton had a fantastic collegiate debut. The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., product finished with 50 rushing yards and a pair of 3- and 1-yard rushing touchdowns. Moulton became the first Hawkeye with two or more touchdowns in his collegiate debut since Jewell Hampton in the 2008 season opener against Maine.
As a team, Iowa rushed for 254 yards and a 5.9 yards per carry average.
Cade McNamara was shaky
Hawkeye starting quarterback Cade McNamara had his roughest outing of the 2023 season. McNamara was intercepted twice and was nearly picked off on another occasion as well.
The Reno, Nev., native finished just 9-of-19 passing for 103 yards with a pair of touchdown passes against the two interceptions. Even though he said he felt healthier than he had in a month earlier this week, the results on Saturday didn’t reflect that as reality. McNamara grimaced after a third-down scramble moved the chains in the first quarter.
More than anything, McNamara just didn’t feel decisive in what he was doing versus Western Michigan. Not really the greatest sign for the passing game headed into next week’s big showdown at Penn State.
Iowa finished with just 133 passing yards against a Western Michigan team that allowed 343 passing yards to Syracuse the week prior.
Jermari Harris' return wasn't seamless
Junior Jermari Harris returned to the fold for Iowa after missing all of the 2022 season and each of the Hawkeyes’ first two contests this year.
Listed as Iowa’s starting corner opposite junior Cooper DeJean coming out of fall camp, Harris had his season-opening hiccups. Harris was burnt on a 64-yard touchdown pass from Western Michigan quarterback Treyson Bourguet to wide receiver Anthony Sambucci.
Western Michigan got Harris again in the second half, but an ineligible man downfield penalty wiped out what would have been another chunk gain for the Broncos.
Redshirt freshman Deshaun Lee was impressive to start the season in Harris’ stead, so Iowa has that option if needed moving forward.
Defense tightened after halftime
It really wasn’t a great defensive start at all for Iowa. Beyond the 64-yard touchdown that Western Michigan stung Harris and the Hawkeyes with, the Broncos racked up 204 yards of total offense in the first half.
For a unit accustomed to getting off the field in a hurry, things just weren’t going according to the typical defensive plan for the Hawkeyes.
But, as you might suspect, Iowa tightened things up from that point forward. Linebackers Jay Higgins and Nick Jackson combined to jar the football loose from Bourguet for the Hawkeyes’ lone turnover of the day.
Overall, Iowa surrendered just 35 yards of total offense after halftime, forcing four punts, earning the one takeaway on the fumble and stopping the Broncos with a turnover on downs.
Iowa still does special teams right
In typical Hawkeye fashion, Iowa’s special teams got on the board with a blocked punt safety by defensive lineman Anterio Thompson.
It was Thompson’s first career punt block and was Iowa’s first safety since the Hawkeyes scored a pair against South Dakota State to open last season. Run the defense and special teams scoring count up to eight!
Yes, Brian is back on track
For any inquiring minds, yes, Iowa offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is back on track in his “Drive for 325.”
With Iowa’s 41-point output against Western Michigan, Iowa has now scored 85 points on the season. That’s a 28.3 points per game average.
Iowa is 3-0
Though the first half left Hawkeye fans uneasy, ultimately, Iowa improved to 3-0.
The Hawkeyes exit the nonconference portion of the season with a perfect mark intact. That’s more than could be said a season ago. It’s off to Penn State for a primetime showdown!
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