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Iowa scores on Ohio State for first points vs. ranked opponent since 2022

Cory Nightingale

By Cory Nightingale

Published:

Iowa finally got rid of a rather embarrassing albatross that was hanging around its neck.

The Hawkeyes still got crushed by No. 3 Ohio State on Saturday in Columbus, but at least Iowa scored its first points against a ranked opponent since 2022 when junior Kaleb Johnson ruined the Buckeyes’ shutout with a 28-yard touchdown run with 8:07 left to cut Ohio State’s lead to 35-7.

Johnson is having an incredible season so far, but he wasn’t nearly enough to rescue Iowa from its usual doldrums against ranked foes on Saturday. Those were the only points the Hawkeyes could manage as the score stayed the same and Iowa fell to 3-2 on the season.

Iowa’s offense struggled mightily again, a common theme with the program for several years. Ineffective starting quarterback Cade McNamara was eventually replaced by Brendan Sullivan in the fourth quarter. Sullivan’s first drive produced the lone touchdown, with the backup adding a 30-yard carry on the possession.

McNamara completed 14 of 20 passes for just 98 yards and 1 interception. He also had 2 fumbles.

Iowa was outscored 92-0 last season against ranked teams and went down 35-0 on Saturday before finally mustering some points against Ohio State’s defense.

Fortunately, and somewhat miraculously, Iowa doesn’t have another ranked team on its schedule this season, unless one of its remaining 7 opponents becomes ranked, of course.

The Hawkeyes return home next Saturday to face Washington, then head to East Lansing to face Michigan State the following week.

Cory Nightingale