The Iowa football team has avoided an upset loss against the Troy Trojans after the defense added a score for the Hawkeyes.
The Trojans were putting together quite the game against the Hawkeyes and even brought the game within three points during the third quarter. The Hawkeyes improve to 2-1 behind the strength of their defense and the strength of their run game on offense. The Hawkeyes will need to go back to the drawing board again to figure out how they can create a powerful, balanced offense.
Iowa Football Defense Scores Touchdown, Stops Troy Trojans Momentum
Both the Iowa defense and running back Kaleb Johnson scored touchdowns today as the duo truly led the Hawkeyes to their win over the Troy Trojans. The defense shut down Troy and even added an interception-return touchdown to their stat line against the Trojans. Johnson had himself a day, with 173 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Johnson has truly established himself as a pivotal piece to the Iowa Hawkeyes offense and quite frankly is the soul of it. Without Johnson, the Hawkeyes would be in serious trouble, but without other specific players, the team might be just fine. Quarterback Cade McNamara came under plenty of scrutiny from Hawkeye fans during the game due to his lackluster performance.
Cade McNamara is not it man RBs carried this offense
— 𝔸𝕝𝕖𝕩⛰ (@alexavila_9810) September 14, 2024
McNamara was once a star quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines before transferring to Iowa to become the starter. Since joining the Hawkeyes, the offense of Iowa has been at an all-time low and has reached historically low production levels. McNamara has been injured for much of these struggles but still holds some of the blame for the recent struggles the team has had on the offensive side of the football.
Can the Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team Put Everything Together on Offense?
Even with the Hawkeyes scoring 30-plus points against Troy, the Iowa football staff still needs to figure out how to consistently get the offense moving. While no offense can constantly pick up huge yards and score touchdowns, the inability to play four quarters of football for the offense is inexcusable. With the Iowa State Cyclones loss still on the mind of the Hawkeyes staff, Iowa should be looking for ways to continue to make the offense dynamic.
Brendan Sullivan going to get some reps for Iowa at QB.
— Hawkeye Beacon (@HawkeyeBeacon) September 14, 2024
The Hawkeyes attempted to do so against Troy by using backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan in short-yardage situations. Sullivan is a big quarterback at 6-feet-4-inches, but still provides great mobility especially compared to starter Cade McNamara. Sullivan looked good against the Trojans and also contributed with a score.
The Iowa staff is going to need more than running back Kaleb Johnson and Sullivan to improve the offense moving forward. Iowa does not seem concerned with McNamara and is happy with the job the quarterback has done thus far, despite fans feeling otherwise. The Hawkeyes will need to find ways to create separation moving forward in order for McNamara to truly open up the offense.
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