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College Football

Kaleb Johnson, clutch defensive stand send Iowa to B1G West title

Paul Harvey

By Paul Harvey

Published:

Kaleb Johnson delivered a crucial go-ahead touchdown late in Iowa’s home finale vs. Illinois. The Hawkeye defense did its part and came up with the stop to complete the 15-13 win over the Illini in Week 12.

After entering halftime down 10-9, Iowa trailed most of the fourth quarter by a score of 13-10 after a Caleb Griffin field goal. However, Johnson came up with the play that would go down as a game-winner.

Facing a 1st-and-10 from the Illini 30-yard line, Johnson found a big hole off the right side of the line. He hit that hole and exploded by the defense and made Illinois’ last line of defense miss before sneaking inside the pylon.

Johnson’s score made it 15-13 late in the game:

Illinois did get the ball back and would have a chance to drive for a game-winning field goal. The Illini even got into a manageable 3rd-and-2 from their own 33-yard line. Unfortunately, John Paddock had 2 passes go incomplete with the ball going back to Iowa in a turnover on downs.

Iowa still had 3:40 of the clock to try and burn off the clock, and the Hawkeyes turned to Johnson once again to secure the game. He delivered the final blow with a 12-yard gain on 3rd-and-8, and Iowa kneeled out the clock to finish the win.

With the win, Iowa officially clinches the outright B1G West title. The Hawkeyes will head to Indianapolis and face off against the winner of Michigan vs. Ohio State in Week 13.

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.