Iowa survives scare from Troy, 38-21

The Iowa football team had an unexpectedly difficult time with winless Troy, eventually prevailing 38-21. But it didn’t come easily.

After a scoreless first quarter, Kaleb Johnson got into the end zone on a four-yard run with Brendan Sullivan in for his first play at quarterback, giving the Hawkeyes a 7-0 lead with 11:12 to go in the first half.

Troy tied the game on the next possession with a 63-yard touchdown pass, tying things up at 7 apiece.

Iowa quickly retook the lead with a 42-yard Drew Stevens field goal to go up 10-7.
With one minute left in the half, Troy took the lead on a 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, giving the Trojans a 14-10 halftime advantage.

It was a bleak first half for the Iowa defense, which gave up 149 yards in the air.

The Iowa offense started the second half hot, with Sullivan hitting Addison Ostrenga with a two-yard touchdown pass on the Hawkeyes’ opening possession to put Iowa back on top 17-14.

The Iowa defense added to the lead with two-and-a-half minutes left in the third quarter as Jermari Harris had a 28-yard pick six to give Iowa a 24-14 lead.
Troy came back on the ensuing possession with a 62-yard touchdown pass to close to within 24-21.

Iowa retook the lead early in the 4th quarter with a 33-yard touchdown run, extending the Hawkeye lead to 31-21.

Jaziun Patterson added a 39-yard touchdown run to increase the Iowa lead to 38-21, which would be the final score.

Starting quarterback Cade McNamara finished the day throwing 19-of-23 for 176 yards. Johnson ended the day rushing 25 times for 173 yards and two touchdowns.

Iowa improves to 2-1 on the season. Up next, the Hawkeyes head to Minnesota to try and avenge last season’s loss in the Floyd of Rosedale game. Kickoff is set for 6:30 on NBC.

Coach Don Patterson will break down Iowa’s win Monday morning at 9 on the Hawkfanatic.com segment on The Mighty 1630 KCJJ.