IOWA CITY, Iowa — It wasn’t perfect, but it was effective.
After a lackluster first half in which Iowa threw multiple interceptions and gave up a 64-yard touchdown pass, the Hawkeyes put together a solid second half on both sides of the line of scrimmage in a 41-10 win against Western Michigan on Saturday. It was the final nonconference game for the No. 25 Hawkeyes (3-0).
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Here are a few initial takeaways from the game.
1. Iowa’s running attack finally became a potent weapon with the most rushing yards in a game (254 yards, 43 carries) since a 351-yard effort on Sept. 28, 2019. Perhaps most impressive was who the Hawkeyes employed for their running attack. Iowa held out sophomore Kaleb Johnson, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain. Redshirt freshman Jaziun Patterson, who led the Hawkeyes last week at Iowa State, did not play in the second half (undisclosed).
Until the game is 𝐰𝐨𝐧 👏#Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/7ic0GPG38J
— Hawkeye Football (@HawkeyeFootball) September 16, 2023
So Iowa ramped up its attack with the third of its primary backs, junior Leshon Williams, who ran for 145 yards on 12 carries. Williams attacked defenders and was impressive between the tackles. In addition, true freshmen Kamari Moulton and Terrell Washington Jr. were solid in taking their first snaps.
2. Losing Luke Lachey will leave a sizable gap on this offense. He was the team’s leading receiver and one of the nation’s top tight ends. Lachey, a junior, had 10 catches for 131 yards through Iowa’s first two games. On top of that, Lachey was an ascending blocker.
Iowa has featured some tremendous tight ends in the last 10 years, including NFL starters Sam LaPorta, T.J. Hockenson, Noah Fant, George Kittle and C.J. Fiedorowicz. But Lachey (6 feet 6 and 253 pounds) was the best of the group in running seam routes. He had Fiedorowicz’s size with athletic ability comparable to Fant and was a mismatch for linebackers and safeties.
3. The defense has been good but still has some work to do. The Hawkeyes had 37 sacks last season, but losing first-round pick Lukas Van Ness plus graduating defensive end John Waggoner and two-year starting defensive tackle Noah Shannon has depleted the pass rush.
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With only two sacks Saturday and four overall on the season, the Hawkeyes need to find a way to generate pressure on opposite quarterbacks. Joe Evans is still solid on the edge, but more needs to come from up the middle. The Hawkeyes have experience with Logan Lee, Yahya Black and Aaron Graves in that spot.
4. This needed to be a feel-good game for Iowa, and for the most part, it was. Things got anxious in the first half, but the Hawkeyes took control in the second half and didn’t let up. They know what’s coming next week at Penn State and the rest of the Big Ten slate. Overall, they learned a lot about an improved running game and a passing attack that still needs to progress.
The Hawkeyes are now averaging 28.3 points per game.
(Photo of Leshon Williams: Matthew Holst / Getty Images)
