The Iowa Hawkeyes opened up their 2023 season with a 24-14 win over Utah State.
It got started off with several rapid fireworks.
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New starting quarterback Cade McNamara connected with wide receiver Seth Anderson on a 36-yard touchdown strike on the game’s second play from scrimmage. That touchdown hookup represented some interesting history for Iowa.
It was the first time the Hawkeyes’ season-opening drive ended with a touchdown pass in the Kirk Ferentz era and the first time since the 1991 season. McNamara’s 36-yard touchdown pass to Anderson was also longer than any touchdown pass Iowa recorded last season.
The 6-foot-1, 205 pound quarterback from Reno, Nev., also took Iowa to pay dirt on its second drive, too. McNamara found Erick All for a 3-yard touchdown reception on fourth down.
After that, the offensive explosions were fewer and further in between. The Hawkeyes did tack on a 20-yard Drew Stevens field goal before halftime and a 3-yard touchdown run from star back Kaleb Johnson at the start of the fourth quarter.
Defensively, sophomore safety Xavier Nwankpa came away with his second career interception in his second career start. Senior linebacker Jay Higgins racked up a career-high 16 tackles to lead a defensive effort that surrendered just the lone mop-up touchdown and a pair of field goals.
There’s a number of takeaways from the game, but the largest is that Iowa is 1-0 and there are indeed signs of life offensively.
Take a look back at Iowa’s season-opening win over Utah State through this terrific collection of pictures.
NCAA Football: Utah State at Iowa
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Erick All (83) scores on…
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Erick All (83) scores on a touchdown pass as Utah State Aggies safety Anthony Switzer (1) and Iowa tight end Steven Stilianos (86) lay on the turf during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Tight end Erick All #83 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Tight end Erick All #83 of the Iowa Hawkeyes catches a touchdown pass during the first half in front of safety Anthony Switzer #1 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Utah State at Iowa
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Erick All (83) scores on…
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Erick All (83) scores on a touchdown pass as tight end Steven Stilianos (86) lay on the turf during the first quarter against the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Utah State at Iowa
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back…
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes linebacker Jay Higgins (34) and defensive back Sebastian Castro (29) tackle Utah State Aggies wide receiver Terrell Vaughn (0) during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive lineman Aaron Graves #95 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive lineman Aaron Graves #95 of the Iowa Hawkeyes makes a tackle during the first half against wide receiver Micah Davis #4 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive lineman Max Llewellyn #48 of the Iowa Hawkeyes puts pressure…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Defensive lineman Max Llewellyn #48 of the Iowa Hawkeyes puts pressure during the first half on quarterback Cooper Legas #5 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Rahsul Faison #3 of the Utah State Aggies goes…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Rahsul Faison #3 of the Utah State Aggies goes up the field during the first half against linebacker Sebastian Castro #29 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Wide receiver Micah Davis #4 of the Utah State Aggies goes…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Wide receiver Micah Davis #4 of the Utah State Aggies goes up the field during the first half against linebacker Sebastian Castro #29 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Utah State at Iowa
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Utah State Aggies quarterback Cooper Legas (5) throws a…
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Utah State Aggies quarterback Cooper Legas (5) throws a pass as Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Ethan Hurkett (49) looks to make the sack during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Utah State at Iowa
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) intercepts a…
Sep 2, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Xavier Nwankpa (1) intercepts a pass as Utah State Aggies wide receiver Micah Davis (4) attempts to catch the ball during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up the field during the first half against safety Anthony Switzer #1and linebacker Gavin Barthiel #40 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs up the sideline during the second half in front of defensive end Paul Fitzgerald #32 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Kaleb Johnson #2 of the Iowa Hawkeyes goes up the field during the second half against safety Simeon Harris #12 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Utah State v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Jaziun Patterson #9 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is pulled…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 2: Running back Jaziun Patterson #9 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is pulled down during the second half by linebacker MJ Tafisi Jr. #2 of the Utah State Aggies at Kinnick Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)