IOWA CITY — Iowa shook off an ineffective first-half performance to rout Illinois State 40-0 in the 2024 season opener at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday.
Acting head coach Seth Wallace, who filled in for Kirk Ferentz as he served a self-imposed one-game suspension, said he was proud of the way the Hawkeyes responded to the unique circumstances.
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (15) celebrates after catching a 19-yard touchdown pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We told the guys beforehand that it is special anytime we get to walk into this stadium,” Wallace said. “They certainly took advantage of that.”
Wallace also did not shy away from the fact that Iowa looked like two completely different teams during the season opener.
In the first half, the Hawkeyes managed just 6 points and 147 yards of total offense. However, in the second half, Iowa erupted with 34 points and 345 yards.
“In regards to the first half, we had some missed opportunities,” Wallace said. “We had some of what you would call, the norms in the first game. Some things we could have handled better.
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Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara, left, runs up field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
“The second half is probably a better indicator as to what type of team we are.”
Illinois State head coach Brock Spack similarly described the loss as a tale of two halves.
“I thought we played really well in the first half,” Spack said. “We played some young guys in a few spots that did some good things … The second half I did not like our demeanor, I did not like our body language at times, not all our players but some. We have to get that fixed and get it fixed fast.”
Quarterback Cade McNamara, freshman wide receiver Reece Vander Zee and running back Kaleb Johnson led the offensive turnaround for the Hawkeyes.
After completing just 3 of his 8 attempts in the first quarter for 17 yards, McNamara finished 21-of-31 for 251 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Vander Zee snared one of his three first-half targets for 18 yards. The Central Lyon product surged in the second half, however, catching all four of his targets for 45 yards and two touchdowns.
And Johnson missed the first half with a suspension before rumbling for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts.
“That was not our best today,” McNamara said. “We do not want to start a game like that … It took us a little bit to settle in. We are not really too worried about the 40 points. We are more worried about: How can we start the game fast and not lull or stall? How can we get it going earlier?”
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) run from Illinois State defensive back Cam Wilson (25) during an 18-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
In the first 15 minutes of action, Iowa managed just 31 total yards, one first down and just three points on a 41-yard field goal from kicker Drew Stevens.
Illinois State outgained Iowa in the first quarter, managing 55 yards against the Iowa defense. However, mistakes prevent Illinois State from taking advantage of Iowa’s sputtering offense.
A Jermari Harris interception cut the Redbirds’ most promising drive short just inside Iowa terrirtory and a Wenkers Wright fumble set up Iowa’s first field goal on the next drive.
Iowa’s offense showed signs of life in the second quarter, driving into Illinois State territory on the first drive of the frame before turning the ball over on downs at the 41-yard line.
The Hawkeyes capped the first half with a 28-yard field goal from Stevens to take a 6-0 lead into the half.
According to McNamara, the field goal to close out provided the jump start the offense needed.
Iowa defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) leads his team off the field after an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We really started gaining some momentum at the end of the second quarter,” McNamara said. “When stuff was not going our way at the beginning, our tempo was not very good. Once we were able to gain some momentum and gain some tempo, that set us up really good for the second half.”
Spack praised the performance of the Redbirds’ defense in the first half, but spoke critically of Illinois State’s ineffective play on offense.
“Our defense played really well in the first half,” Spack said. “We did some great things … We needed a little help, and I had to give them some rest and they did not get that right away. They were gassed and once they got to that point, it was difficult to get off blocks.”
Illinois State finished the game with 189 yards of total offense and turned the ball over three times.
“The game was lost in the first half,” Spack said. “We had our chances to score, or at least try to score or get our defense off the field … Iowa made some mistakes … If you get a team like (Iowa) that makes mistakes in the first half, you have to capitalize or you will not get the chance to win.”
Iowa’s offense settled in to start the second half with a 7-play, 75-yard series on the opening drive of the third quarter.
McNamara hit Vander Zee on a 7-yard touchdown — the duo’s first scoring connection of the afternoon — with 11:32 remaining in the third quarter. Iowa failed to convert a two-point try.
Vander Zee also added that patience proved key in Iowa’s strong start to the third quarter.
“It was all going to fall into place if we just stuck with it and adjusted a few things,” Vander Zee said. “Once we got in the end zone that first time things started clicking.”
Leading 12-10, Iowa forced a three-and-out to get the ball back to its surging offense.
Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson (2) runs from Illinois State defensive back Keondre Jackson (3) and defensive back Dillon Gearhart (16) during a 64-yard touchdown run in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
And McNamara delivered again, piloting the Hawkeyes 66 yards in 5 plays for another touchdown.
The former Michigan transfer connected with Northwestern transfer Jacob Gill for a 31-yard touchdown to put Iowa ahead 19-0 with 7:46 to play in the third quarter.
Iowa took a 26-0 lead on the first play of the fourth quarter as Vander Zee caught a pass in a crowd of defenders for a 19-yard touchdown — the freshman’s second touchdown of the game.
“I saw the ball hanging up there and was like, ‘Alright, I will go get it,’” Vander Zee said. “I was just going to go up and get it and do my thing.”
Johnson scored both of his touchdowns in the fourth quarter to seal the 40-point shutout.
Iowa assistant head coach Seth Wallace runs off the field after an NCAA college football game against Illinois State, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Iowa City, Iowa. Iowa won 40-0.
Charlie Neibergall – staff, ASSOCIATED PRESS
“We are all thankful with the way the game played out,” Wallace said. “I think it provides us with a lot of teaching moments between the first half and the second half. As much as everybody in the room and everybody in the stands would have loved for us to come out and start mowing people down … that would be a good story, but when it comes to your team, your players, the next 11 games, the course of the season, this gives us a great opportunity to coach some very important details when it comes to football.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 11:00:00
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