IOWA CITY, Iowa — — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns, and Iowa endured an evening of lightning delays for a 27-0 win over Nevada on Saturday evening.

The sport, which was delayed 3 times for 3 hours, 56 minutes, began at 6:40 p.m. CDT, and ended at 1:39 a.m.

“Three rain delays and 7 hours, and we discovered a solution to win the sport,” Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz mentioned.

Johnson, a real freshman, had a 40-yard landing run within the first quarter for Iowa’s first factors of the sport, then added a 55-yarder within the fourth quarter for the Hawkeyes’ last rating.

“I have been ready for this since I acquired right here,” Johnson mentioned. “It is only a blessing.”

Iowa (2-1) had scored simply 14 factors in its first two video games, however matched that within the first quarter. Johnson had his run, then quarterback Spencer Petras threw a 21-yard landing go to Arland Bruce IV on the Hawkeyes’ subsequent possession.

“My coronary heart dropped,” Johnson mentioned of the landing. “It was so superb. I used to be wanting one other one.”

The Hawkeyes, ranked 131st in complete offense by the primary two video games after gaining simply 316 yards, had 337 yards in opposition to the Wolfpack (2-2), who got here in ranked ninety fifth in complete protection giving up 404.3 yards per sport.

Iowa’s different factors got here on two area targets by Drew Stevens — a 43-yarder within the second quarter and a 33-yarder within the third.

Petras accomplished 14 of 26 passes for 175 yards.

The sport, which was performed in a gradual rain, was lastly affected by lightning within the second half.

The primary delay lasted 1 hour, 19 minutes. The delay was referred to as at 8:37 p.m. with 10:02 left within the third quarter.

The 2 groups returned and after a 12-minute warm-up session play began once more. 9 minutes later, one other lightning delay was referred to as. This one lasted 1 hour, 50 minutes.

Nevada quarterback Shane Illingworth threw an incompletion on third-and-22 on the primary play after that delay. The Wolfpack would not get off their subsequent play, as lightning lit up the sky and referee David Siegle introduced there could be one other delay.

The stadium was evacuated for all three delays.

“That is a primary proper there,” Nevada coach Ken Wilson mentioned. “First one, we fed them some meals. The lengthy one, we allow them to take their pads off, allow them to stroll round within the hallway. The final one, we knew it would not be too lengthy, so we simply put collectively our plan for the remainder of the sport.”

“It was an extended battle sitting within the locker room for some time,” Iowa security Cooper DeJean mentioned. “I used to be simply sort of hanging out.”

“It was attention-grabbing,” Ferentz mentioned of the delays. “Guys had been doing all types of issues.”

THE TAKEAWAY

The Hawkeyes’ offense confirmed some life after struggles to start out the season. It helped that Petras acquired again large receivers Keagan Johnson and Nico Ragaini, who missed the primary two video games after starting fall camp on the high of the depth chart at their respective positions. Operating again Gavin Williams, additionally anticipated to be a starter, missed the primary two video games of the season, however he returned to hurry for 57 yards on 16 carries. “It was nice to see a few of these guys again within the huddle,” Petras mentioned. “It made us extra a number of, much less predictable.”

Nevada, which got here into the sport ranked one hundred and fifth in complete offense nationally, couldn’t transfer the ball in opposition to the Hawkeyes, who had been ranked sixth in complete protection. The Wolfpack, who had 151 yards within the sport, head into Mountain West Convention play subsequent Friday in opposition to Air Power. “I do not assume our offense acquired into any rhythm immediately, at any time,” Wilson mentioned. “That left our protection out on the sphere manner too lengthy.”

THE LATE NIGHT

Ragaini could not assist however make a joke when he arrived for the post-game press convention.

“You are still right here?” he mentioned to the media.

Ragaini mentioned he relaxed throughout the delay — “I simply laid on the ground, performed some video games on my telephone,” he mentioned.

Bruce mentioned he averted the meals the workforce was given throughout the delays.

“I needed to remain mild,” he mentioned.

Bruce smiled when he acquired accomplished answering questions.

“Thanks for staying round,” he mentioned as he left the room.

UP NEXT

Nevada: At Air Power on Friday.

Iowa: At Rutgers on Saturday.

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