After a Week 3 that featured another lightning delay like a year ago, the Iowa Hawkeyes emerge 3-0 after a 41-10 win over Western Michigan.
Iowa leaned on its running game, racking up 254 rushing yards and three rushing scores. Junior Leshon Williams led the way with 145 rushing yards on 12 carries. Freshman Kamari Moulton had a pair of rushing touchdowns and finished with 50 rushing yards in his collegiate debut.
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While the Hawkeyes’ passing game clearly has a ways to go, senior quarterback Cade McNamara did fire a pair of touchdown passes to Diante Vines and Leshon Williams. It was a 3-yard connection with Vines and a 25-yard catch-and-run to Williams.
McNamara finished just 9-of-19 passing with two interceptions and only 103 yards.
Meanwhile, defensively, Iowa didn’t get off to the fastest of starts either. The Hawkeyes surrendered a 64-yard touchdown pass from Treyson Bourget to wide receiver Anthony Sambucci. The Hawkeyes allowed another nine-play, 66-yard drive that led to a field goal in the first half.
But, after those two scoring drives, Iowa forced six punts, jarred the football loose and sophomore defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman recovered it and the Hawkeyes came away with another turnover on downs. Iowa allowed just 35 yards of total offense after halftime.
Before Iowa turns its attention to a huge date next week at Penn State, let’s take a look back at this win through these fantastic photos.
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Jacob Gideon (77) and…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Jacob Gideon (77) and Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Aaron Graves (95) face off on the line of scrimmage during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12), offensive lineman Logan…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Cade McNamara (12), offensive lineman Logan Jones (65) and offensive lineman Nick DeJong (56) prepare for the snap against the Western Michigan Broncos during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Anthony Sambucci (5) reacts…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Western Michigan Broncos wide receiver Anthony Sambucci (5) reacts with wide receiver Kenneth Womack (9) and tight end Austin Hence (88) after scoring a touchdown against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Damari Roberson #4 of the Western Michigan Broncos intercepts a…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Damari Roberson #4 of the Western Michigan Broncos intercepts a pass intended for wide receiver Nico Ragaini #89 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Damari Roberson #4 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrates with…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Linebacker Damari Roberson #4 of the Western Michigan Broncos celebrates with Keni-H Lovely #2 after an interception during the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Jehlani Galloway #0 of the Western Michigan Broncos drives…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Wide receiver Jehlani Galloway #0 of the Western Michigan Broncos drives up the field during the second half in front of defensive back Jermari Harris #27 of the Iowa Hawkeyes at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Leshon Williams #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs down…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Leshon Williams #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes runs down the field during the first half in front of cornerback DaShon Bussell #0 of the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Leshon Williams (4) runs the…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Leshon Williams (4) runs the ball as Western Michigan Broncos cornerback Aaron Wofford (25) and linebacker Damari Roberson (rear) make the tackle during the first quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Leshon Williams #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Leshon Williams #4 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with offensive lineman Mason Richman #78 after a touchdown during the first half against of the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Steven Stilianos (86) and wide…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Steven Stilianos (86) and wide receiver Diante Vines (0) celebrate with running back Leshon Williams (4) after Williams scored a touchdown during the second quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman (55) recovers a…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman (55) recovers a fumble as Western Michigan Broncos offensive lineman Jacob Gideon (77) makes the tackle during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Defensive lineman Jeremiah Pittman #55 of the Iowa Hawkeyes is tackled after recovering a fumble by offensive lineman Jacob Gideon #77 of the Western Michigan Broncos during the second half at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton Aidan Hall (28)…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes running back Kamari Moulton Aidan Hall (28) runs the ball near the goal line as Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Damari Roberson (4) makes the tackle during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Hall would fumble on the play. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Western Michigan v Iowa
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Kamari Moulton #28 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with…
IOWA CITY, IOWA- SEPTEMBER 16: Running back Kamari Moulton #28 of the Iowa Hawkeyes celebrates with offensive lineman Logan Jones #65 after a touchdown during the second half against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium on September 16, 2023 in Iowa City, Iowa. (Photo by Matthew Holst/Getty Images)
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) throws a pass…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) throws a pass as running back Max White (22) gets knocked down by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Nate Norris (39) during the fourth quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Football: Western Michigan at Iowa
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) celebrates with running…
Sep 16, 2023; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Deacon Hill (10) celebrates with running back Max White (22), offensive lineman Beau Stephens (70), and offensive lineman Daijon Parker (79) after White scored a touchdown late during the fourth quarter against the Western Michigan Broncos at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports