IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kaleb Johnson rushed for 109 yards and three touchdowns, and backup quarterback Brendan Sullivan added another rushing touchdown as Iowa defeated Northwestern 40-14 on Saturday.
The Hawkeyes (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) scored 28 third-quarter points behind Johnson and Sullivan to take control.
Johnson, who is second in the nation in yards rushing and yards rushing per game, had a 26-yard touchdown run late in the first half to give the Hawkeyes a 12-7 halftime lead. He added a 41-yard touchdown run in the third that put Iowa up 33-7 and followed that with a 25-yard touchdown run later in the quarter.
It was the sixth 100-yard rushing game of the season for Johnson, who now has 16 rushing touchdowns this season.
Sullivan, who played in 13 games with eight starts in two seasons at Northwestern before transferring to Iowa last spring, entered the game with 9:25 in the second quarter to replace starter Cade McNamara. Sullivan threw for 79 yards, while rushing for 41 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run that started the Hawkeyes’ third-quarter scoring.
Kaden Wetjen added an 85-yard punt return for a touchdown for Iowa in the third quarter.
Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) scored on an 85-yard interception return by Theran Johnson in the second quarter and a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown by Drew Wagner in the fourth quarter.
Big picture
Northwestern: The Wildcats, who had just 163 yards of offense, came into the game ranked 129th nationally in total offense and 119th in scoring offense. Northwestern’s average starting field position was its own 21, and after getting into Iowa territory on its opening drive didn’t cross midfield again until midway through the fourth quarter.
Iowa: Sullivan’s entrance into the game brought some life to the Hawkeyes’ offense. His running ability showed up on a 40-yard pass to tight end Johnny Pascuzzi, when Sullivan raced down field to throw a key block. The Hawkeyes’ defense, which struggled in last Saturday’s 32-20 loss at Michigan State, responded with its best effort of the season.
Up next
Northwestern: At Purdue next Saturday.
Iowa: Hosts Wisconsin next Saturday.