The Iowa Hawkeyes have started the 2024 season off without allowing a single point against the Illinois State Redbirds at home.
The Hawkeyes allowed just 189 total yards and did not let the Redbirds come close to scoring in a defensive masterclass. On the offensive side of the ball, Iowa took an entire half to get the offense ignited after scoring just two field goals in the first half of play. The Hawkeyes scored five touchdowns in the second half to show what the true potential of the offense is this season.
Iowa Hawkeyes Football Team Defeats Illinois State Redbirds Behind Ignited Offense
The Iowa Hawkeyes have gotten off to a 1-0 start without the help of their coach Kirk Ferentz, who served a one-game suspension. Ferentz was suspended one game this season for recruiting contact violations according to the NCAA. The NCAA imposed the suspension on Ferentz during the offseason, and assistant head coach Seth Wallace took over the coaching duties for the game.
The Hawkeyes did not get off to the start they were hoping for against a solid, but certainly not amazing opponent in Illinois State. The Redbirds went 6-5 last season and were blown out, 40-21, by the South Dakota State Jackrabbits. However, the Redbirds’ defense held the Hawkeyes to just two field goals in the first half of play.
The second half was a completely different story for quarterback Cade McNamara and the Iowa Hawkeyes offense. McNamara and the offense struck early in the second half with a seven-yard touchdown to Reece Vander Zee. McNamara scored another touchdown shortly after in the third quarter with a 31-yard strike to Jacob Gill.
McNamara completed another touchdown pass to Vander Zee for 19 yards before the Iowa Hawkeyes turned to running the ball. Running back Kaleb Johnson broke off a big 64-yard touchdown run against the Redbirds’ defense for the longest play of the day. Johnson finished with 119 yards on the ground with two touchdowns as well.
Iowa Hawkeyes Looking Ahead to Clash Against Tough Rival Iowa State Cyclones
The Hawkeyes had a solid win over the Redbirds but now must shift their focus to their upcoming rivalry game against Iowa State. The Cyclones won their opening game of the season against North Dakota, 21-3, and did not have the greatest offensive showing. A season ago, the Cyclones dropped their game against the Hawkeyes, 20-13, after allowing a pick-six.
For the Iowa Hawkeyes, the game against Iowa State is going to come down to forcing quarterback Rocco Becht to make mistakes. The Cyclones do not have much of a rush offense, with their leading rusher last season recording 614 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Iowa State is going to look to attack the Hawkeyes through the air and rely on Becht much like they did a season ago.
Becht threw the ball 44 times during their last meeting for just 203 yards but avoided being sacked by the Iowa defense. The Cyclones like to get the ball out into space, but may not have the most success doing so against the Hawkeyes. Becht has the ability to run and started to show it at the end of last season as he took more chances.
If the Iowa Hawkeyes football team can stop Becht, the Iowa State offense will likely stay stagnant against the menacing defense. Iowa State looked bad during their opener, scoring just 21 points against North Dakota and allowing a wild 23-play scoring drive. The Cyclones punted the ball four times and gained just 86 yards on the ground.
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