Iowa fans hoped the Hawks would use this matchup against UNI as a warmup prior to facing Michigan. Instead, the Hawkeyes came out red hot, blasting the Panthers 55-0 with a relentless balanced attack.
The 55 points marked the highest single-game scoring output for Iowa football since November 17, 2018.
With starting running back Kamari Moulton sidelined due to injury, Iowa’s backfield depth stole the show. For the first time since 1983, the Hawkeyes boasted three different rushers over the 100-yard mark in a single game. Xavier Williams (151 yards) and Nathan McNeil (111 yards) set the tone immediately as a relentless one-two punch, churning out chunk plays on the ground and through the air on the opening series.
Braeden Jackson didn’t waste his opportunity either. He exploded onto the scene by hauling in a 24-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and later sealing the blowout with a blistering 62-yard touchdown run.
In 2023, Iowa averaged about 235 yards per game. Today, they had 243 yards in the first quarter.
When it was all said and done the offense had accumulated an astounding 640 yards of total offense, 218 passing, and 422 rushing. Ten different Iowa players recorded at least one reception. Brown ended his day on a perfect 12/12 passing. Just as importantly, Iowa had no interceptions or fumbles.
Kamari Moulton and DJ Vonnahme did not see any action as they rest up for Michigan. LJ Phillips continues to be out as well.
On defense Iowa held UNI to 155 total yards. Tyler Brown did start at strong safety, his first game action of 2026 after battling a soft tissue injury earlier this year. UNI’s veteran quarterback Jaxon Dailey didn’t hesitate to throw downfield, and the secondary got a workout today. In the end, the Panthers did cross the century mark for passing at 102 yards, but it took them 33 attempts to get there. Iowa had two interceptions on the day, and two other passes that were nearly picked off. Both Dailey and backup QB Cale McThenia had to scramble for their life much of the game.
One of my favorite defensive plays of the game today was when defensive end Joseph Anderson blitzed UNI’s quarterback Jaxon Dailey and swallowed him up. If you thought he looked tall, your eyes weren’t deceiving you. The dude is 6’ 6” tall, 241 pounds. I can only imagine the fear that must put in a QB’s heart when Anderson’s shadow is cast over them while steamrolling into the backfield.
Aussie punter Boston Everitt had some excellent punts today. He started things off with a 58-yard boomer. Followed up with a 54-yard punt that was downed at UNI’s one yard line. And ended the day with four punts for a 44.5-yard average. Evan James handled the return duties, for both kickoffs and punts, something we have not seen before today. While none of his returns were sensational, most of them that could reasonably be expected to be returned were, while the others resulted in a fair catch.
This game was a great confidence builder for multiple Iowa players who hadn’t seen significant game time as a Hawkeye yet. Confidence for wide receivers who hadn’t yet caught a pass in 2026. Confidence for running backs who hadn’t yet crossed 100 yards or scored a touchdown yet this season. And confidence for a defense that kept a number of long passes in check while snagging some interceptions. Along with rest for the starters. On to the Big House!
