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Kaleb Johnson delivers punishing stiff-arm to cap go-ahead TD run for Iowa

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Kaleb Johnson and Iowa are playing a game that resembles the old B1G West against Northwestern. However, Johnson gave the Hawkeyes a lead at halftime.

Thanks to a pick-6 by the Wildcats and a safety for the Hawkeyes, Northwestern held a 7-5 lead for much of the 2nd quarter. That’s where things stood with Iowa looking to drive for points heading into halftime, and Johnson delivered.

He exploded through a big hole on 3rd-and-1 to quickly pick up the first down, and then he went to work. Johnson bounced out of one would-be tackle with a spin move before another defender closed in around the 5-yard line.

The star running back would not be deterred, delivering a vicious stiff-arm to carve out his path to the end zone.

It was a slow start for the offense, in part because of Cade McNamara’s costly interception, but Johnson’s run gives Iowa the 12-7 lead at the break. Johnson gained just 4 yards on his first 7 carries of the game before his 26-yard run heading into the break.

Iowa continues to struggle at the QB position with McNamara and Brendan Sullivan splitting time in the first half, so Johnson finding his stride in the 2nd half will be important.

Paul Harvey

Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.