The Iowa Hawkeyes kicked off their 2024 season with a commanding 40-0 victory over Illinois State on Saturday, marking a successful start despite some early struggles. With head coach Kirk Ferentz serving a one-game suspension, assistant Seth Wallace took the reins. The game began sluggishly for Iowa’s offense, which only managed two field goals in the first half, giving them a narrow 6-0 lead at halftime.
Drew Stephens scored the first points of the game with a 41-yard field goal in the first quarter, followed by another 28-yarder just before halftime. Despite a lack of touchdowns in the first half and only 147 total yards, the Hawkeyes’ defense was stellar, with standout performances highlighted by Aaron Graves’ two sacks.
The second half saw a complete turnaround in Iowa’s offensive performance. Quarterback Cade McNamara connected with true freshman Reece Vander Zee for a 7-yard touchdown pass, setting off a scoring spree. McNamara later found Jacob Gill for a 31-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 19-0. Vander Zee notably shined, finishing the game with four catches for 61 yards and two touchdowns.
Kaleb Johnson also contributed significantly, rushing for a 64-yard touchdown that capped the scoring at 40. Iowa finished the game with a total of 492 offensive yards, its highest output in five years.
Post-game, McNamara reflected on the progress made, emphasizing the learning curve of adapting to a new offense. As the team prepares for the upcoming Cy-Hawk game next Saturday, the Hawkeyes are looking to build on the momentum established in this dominant season opener.