IOWA CITY, Iowa (via Hawkeyesports.com) – The 25th ranked University of Iowa football team defeated Illinois State, 40-0, on Saturday afternoon on Duke Slater Field at Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes led 6-0 at the half, before an explosion of offense in the second half saw Iowa score on five of seven drives. Cade McNamara connected on 21-of-31 pass attempts for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Reece Vander Zee led the way for Iowa receivers hauling in five receptions for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Lachey caught six passes for 63 yards and Jacob Gill pulled down a touchdown.

Kaleb Johnson rushed for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 11 attempts that all came in the second half. Kamari Moulton had 65 yards on 19 attempts. Defensively, Jay Higgins led the team with seven tackles (three solo). Nick Jackson had five tackles (two solo), and Aaron Graves had four solo tackles with three sacks.

Jermari Harris pulled in an interception and Sebastian Castro forced a fumble that TJ Hall recovered.

Game notes:

• The Hawkeyes’ offense finished with 492 yards of total offense, including 345 in the second half.The total offense is the most in a season opener since finishing with 593 (2002).
• It was the most yards by a Hawkeye offense since 2019 against Middle Tennessee. (644)
• UI’s offensive coordinator, Tim Lester coached the best offensive output in an OC debut since 1979.
• Iowa notched the 17th shutout of the Ferentz era.It is the program’s fourth shutout since the start of the 2022 season.
• The Hawkeyes’ defense forced three turnovers, turning the three miscues into three points.
• It is the 29th consecutive game Iowa’s defense has allowed fewer than 400 yards — the longest active streak nationally.
• Iowa’s defense has held seven opponents to 200 yards or less since 2022.
• Iowa won the toss and elected to defer to the second half. The Hawkeyes have played 316 games under head coach Kirk Ferentz. Iowa has opened the game on offense 232 times (149-83). The Hawkeyes have opened the game on defense 84 times (48-36).

UP NEXT
The Hawkeyes will return to action Saturday, Sept. 7th, when they host an Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup against Iowa State.  The game will kickoff at 2:30 p.m. (CT) and is sold out. Listen for the game on KJAN, beginning at 12:30-p.m., Sept. 7th.