Northwestern and Iowa are coming off losses entering Saturday’s game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.
The Wildcats (3-4, 1-3 Big Ten) are looking to up their offensive production after totaling only 209 yards in a 23-3 home loss to Wisconsin. That was quite a comedown from their impressive 37-10 win at Maryland two weeks ago.
Iowa’s offense still lacks a dependable passing game and is marginally better than a year ago because of running back Kaleb Johnson. The bigger problem is the dominance the Iowa defense is known for has been lacking.
The Hawkeyes (4-3, 2-2) didn’t allow 400 yards in any game in 2022 and ‘23. They’ve given up that many in two of their last three, including last week’s 32-20 loss at Michigan State.
- Time/TV: 2:30 p.m. Saturday, BTN.
- Line: Iowa by 14.
- Series: Iowa leads 54-28-3.
Key matchup
Iowa run game vs. Northwestern run defense
Iowa and Michigan are the only Big Ten teams yet to crack 1,000 passing yards for the season. Expect the Hawkeyes to hammer away with Johnson if they can. He’s averaging 7.8 yards per carry and a conference-leading 147.9 per game. The Wildcats are the only Big Ten team — and among seven nationally — not to allow a run of 30-plus yards this season.
Players to watch
Northwestern: UCLA transfer Joseph Himon II is the leading kickoff returner in the Big Ten, averaging 27.6 yards per return. Against Washington he ran one back 96 yards to the 2-yard line, but the Wildcats came away with no points.
Iowa: Sixth-year LB Nick Jackson continues to put up impressive numbers in his second season with Iowa. Jackson is coming off consecutive 11-tackle games and had a sack against Michigan State last week.
Facts & figures
Iowa DB Sebastian Castro, who missed last week’s game with an ankle injury, is expected to play. … Iowa has 44 pass plays of 10-plus yards and Northwestern has 40. The only Big Ten team with fewer is Michigan with 34. … Northwestern is last in the Big Ten and 132nd nationally in third-down conversions at 26.7% (24 of 90). … DL Aaron Graves leads Iowa with five sacks in seven games. He had 4½ in his first 27 games. … Iowa’s 19 penalties are the fewest in the nation, and its 185 penalty yards are second-fewest behind Iowa State’s 176.
