No. 21 Iowa defeated Northwestern 24–10 on Saturday night at Ryan Field — the Wildcats’ first loss at their new $875 million stadium.
Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown threw for one touchdown and rushed for another. Braeden Jackson returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown — his second kickoff return score this season. Iowa improved to 7–2 overall and 4–2 in Big Ten play.
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Northwestern fell to 6–3 overall and 3–3 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats had won all three of their previous games at the new Ryan Field after two wins at their temporary lakefront stadium. They were trying to reach 6–0 at home for the first time in 122 years.
Iowa’s defense recorded six sacks and did not allow Northwestern inside the Hawkeyes’ 26-yard line until the fourth quarter. The Wildcats converted just 1 of 11 third-down attempts and 1 of 4 fourth-down tries. They gained only 2.8 yards per carry.
Brown completed 16 of 21 passes for 126 yards and one interception. He scored on a 21-yard quarterback draw during Iowa’s opening drive and connected with Tony Diaz on a 24-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter. L.J. Phillips rushed for 128 yards on 21 carries and added two receptions for 14 yards.
Northwestern starter Aidan Chiles was injured, so West Virginia transfer Nicco Marchiol started. Marchiol completed 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 52 yards. Joseph Hilmon II caught the 2-yard touchdown pass with 1:51 left.
Robert Fitzgerald intercepted a Brown pass in the third quarter, leading to a 45-yard field goal by Jackson Kleather — Northwestern’s first points. Jackson’s ensuing 96-yard kickoff return made it 21–3. Caden Buhr kicked a 52-yard field goal later in the third quarter.
Linebacker Cam Buffington led Iowa with 12 tackles — his fifth game this season with double-digit tackles and fourth with 10 or more.
Iowa hosts Purdue next Saturday. Northwestern travels to No. 11 Ohio State next Saturday.
More: NCAAF · Northwestern Wildcats · Iowa Hawkeyes
