Northwestern
4-5 , 2-4
Iowa
7-2 , 4-2
Iowa Edges Northwestern Late, 10-7
11/4/2023 5:55:00 PM | Football
Johnson reels in second touchdown catch of the season
CHICAGO (November 4, 2023) - Cam Johnson pulled in his second touchdown pass of the season in the closing minutes of regulation, but a Drew Stevens field goal with only 14 seconds remaining propelled Iowa past Northwestern by a 10-7 final this afternoon at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Ill.
On the defensive side, Northwestern (4-5, 2-4 B1G) held Iowa (7-2, 4-2 B1G) to 169 yards, including just 65 yards through the air.
Theran Johnson pulled in an interception in the end zone in the second quarter to halt an Iowa drive. Jaylen Pate piled up four tackles, including a strip sack on the Hawkeyes' opening drive of the afternoon. Aidan Hubbard, the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week, added six tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and one sack.
Anthony Tyus III led the rushing attack for the 'Cats, totaling 40 yards on 10 touches, while Cam Porter put up 36 rushing yards of his own.
Bryce Kirtz hauled in three caches for a team-best 33 yards through the air, a total highlighted by an 18-yard reception in the fourth quarter. Johnson finished his day with 30 yards on three catches, the last of which accounted for the Wildcat touchdown.
How It Happened
In what quickly developed into a theme for the afternoon, offense came at a premium across the opening 30 minutes. Iowa looked to be on its way towards a promising opening drive, marching to the Wildcats' 31-yard line, but a Pate strip sack of Hawkeye quarterback Deacon Hill stalled the visitors' progression and forced an Iowa punt with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter.
Iowa found itself back in Northwestern territory in the closing minutes of the opening frame, but the Wildcat defensive unit refused to break, forcing a 53-yard field goal attempt that clanged off the right upright.
Following a punt to begin to close a scoreless first quarter, Johnson looked to provide a spark. With Iowa facing 2nd-and-6 from the Northwestern 26-yard line, Hill took aim at the near corner of the end zone, sending his attempt into the waning arms of Johnson as the Hawkeyes were again turned away.
Iowa and Northwestern would trade punts for the remainder of the first half, heading to the halftime in a scoreless stalemate.
The Hawkeyes cashed in for the afternoon's first score with just under six minutes gone in the third quarter. After blocking a Northwestern punt, Hill connected with Addison Ostrenga from two yards out to put Iowa in front, 7-0.
With time beginning to dwindle in the fourth quarter, Northwestern's defense came up with a key three-and-out to force a Hawkeye punt from their own eight-yard line. A.J. Henning set the 'Cats up with prime field position, returning Tory Taylor's boot 23 yards to the Iowa 22-yard line. The Northwestern offense followed with a six-play drive over the next 3:25 that was capped off by a five-yard touchdown pass from Brendan Sullivan to Johnson, tying the game at 7-7 with 1:50 remaining in regulation.
Iowa proved to have the final say on the afternoon, as it put together a seven-play, 37-yard drive to set up a 52-yard Stevens field goal that proved to be the difference in a 10-7 victory.
» Northwestern held Iowa to 169 total yards, the fewest Northwestern has allowed since also allowing 169 yards against Indiana State on September 11, 2021.
» The Wildcats held the Hawkeyes to 65 passing yards, the fewest they have allowed to a Big Ten opponent since holding Minnesota to 43 passing yards in 2017.
» Northwestern held Iowa scoreless in the first half, marking the first time the Wildcats have shut out a Big Ten opponent in the first half since 2017.
» Northwestern's fourth quarter touchdown was the first touchdown allowed by Iowa in 11 quarters of game action.
» Northwestern converted 6-of-17 third downs while Iowa was successful on 4-of-12.
» The Wildcats had two players with more than eight tackles in the ballgame led by Xander Mueller, who had 19.
» Johnson recorded his first career interception.
» Hill led the Iowa passing attack, completing 10 of his 15 attempts for 65 yards and one touchdown with one interception.
» Leshon Williams led the Iowa rushing attack with 79 yards.
Up Next
Northwestern returns to action on Saturday, November 11 when it visits Wisconsin for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff that will be televised by FS1.
This story created through content automation technology from Data Skrive.
Team Stats
UI 7, NU 0
UI - Ostrenga,Addison 2 yd pass from Hill,Deacon (Stevens,Drew kick) 7 plays, 25 yards, TOP 03:59
UI 7, NU 7
NU - Johnson,Cam 5 yd pass from Sullivan,Brendan (Olsen,Jack kick) 6 plays, 22 yards, TOP 03:25
UI 10, NU 7
UI - Stevens,Drew 53 yd field goal 7 plays, 37 yards, TOP 01:32
