Iowa extended its winning streak over Northwestern to five games with a 24-10 victory on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Ryan Field in Evanston, handing the Wildcats their first loss at their new stadium.
Hawkeyes quarterback Hank Brown threw for one touchdown and ran for another, and Braeden Jackson returned a kickoff for a touchdown for the second time this season, as No. 21 Iowa controlled the game from the opening whistle, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Iowa's Fast Start Set the Tone
The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first half, forcing Northwestern to play from behind all night. Iowa took its biggest lead of the game in the second quarter when Brown connected with tight end Gavin O'Connell on a 12-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0. Brown later added a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to extend the advantage to 21-3.
Northwestern's only touchdown came on a 3-yard pass from backup quarterback Nicco Marchiol to wide receiver Chase Yelverton in the fourth quarter, well after the outcome had largely been decided.
Marchiol, a transfer from Marshall, drew the start in place of injured starter Aidan Chiles and completed 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, according to Sports Illustrated.
Wildcats' Rushing Attack Never Got Going
Northwestern has built its offense around a physical ground game this season, but Iowa's defensive front consistently won the line of scrimmage. The Wildcats managed just 65 yards on 29 carries, an average of 2.2 yards per attempt, and never established any rhythm on the ground.
Wildcats coach David Braun acknowledged after the game that his team was outplayed in the trenches. Iowa's front seven, led by senior linebacker Jayden McDonald, who finished with a team-high 11 tackles, repeatedly disrupted Northwestern's rushing lanes and pressured Marchiol throughout the night.
Iowa's Defense Dominated the Line of Scrimmage
The Hawkeyes' defense has been the backbone of the program under coach Kirk Ferentz, and it was again on Saturday. Iowa held Northwestern to 246 total yards, forced two turnovers, and did not allow a play longer than 25 yards until the fourth quarter.
Northwestern entered the game averaging more than 190 rushing yards per contest, but Iowa's defensive line, anchored by senior tackle Devin Hunter, swallowed up running backs Cam Porter and Dylan Roberts before they could reach the second level.
The Wildcats converted just 4 of 14 third-down attempts and punted six times, struggling to sustain drives against one of the Big Ten's top defensive units.
Special Teams and Turnovers Proved Costly for Northwestern
Beyond Jackson's kickoff return touchdown, Northwestern's special teams units were outplayed across the board. Iowa punter Tory Taylor pinned the Wildcats inside their own 20-yard line on three occasions, consistently flipping the field position battle.
The Wildcats also committed two costly turnovers, including a fumble by running back Cam Porter deep in Iowa territory in the second quarter that squandered one of their best scoring opportunities of the first half.
Northwestern's defense did force two turnovers of its own, with safety Robert Fitzgerald recording an interception and linebacker Braydon Brus recovering a fumble, but the Wildcats could not capitalize on the short fields.
What This Means for Iowa's Season
The victory keeps Iowa firmly in the hunt for a berth in the Big Ten Championship Game, with the Hawkeyes improving to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play. Iowa controls its own destiny in the West Division race, with crucial road games against Illinois and Wisconsin looming in the final weeks of the regular season.
Ferentz, the longest-tenured coach in the Big Ten, praised his team's focus after a disappointing loss to Minnesota two weeks earlier.
“I thought our guys responded the right way,” Ferentz said after the game. “We knew this was going to be a physical game, and I thought we played with the kind of effort and toughness we need this time of year.”
Iowa's ball security issues persisted against Northwestern, with the Hawkeyes committing multiple turnovers of their own, but those mistakes did not prove as costly as they did in earlier losses to Ohio State and Minnesota, according to Hawk Central.
Northwestern's Path Forward
The loss drops Northwestern to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten play, putting the Wildcats' bowl eligibility in serious jeopardy with three games remaining. Northwestern must win two of its final three contests to reach the six-win threshold, a difficult task with matchups against Ohio State, Michigan State, and Illinois still on the schedule.
Braun, now in his first full season as Northwestern's head coach, faces mounting pressure to right the ship. According to Yahoo Sports, the Wildcats showed some fight with their defensive takeaways and a late touchdown, but the performance raised more questions than answers about the direction of the program.
Northwestern's defense, which had been a strength earlier in the season, gave up 421 total yards to Iowa, including 228 yards on the ground. The Wildcats struggled to generate consistent pressure on Brown and missed numerous tackles in the open field.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Iowa vs. Northwestern game?
Iowa defeated Northwestern 24-10 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois. It was Iowa's fifth consecutive victory in the series.
Who scored touchdowns for Iowa against Northwestern?
Hank Brown threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Gavin O'Connell and added a 1-yard rushing touchdown, while Braeden Jackson returned a kickoff for a touchdown in the second quarter.
Why did Aidan Chiles not play for Northwestern against Iowa?
Aidan Chiles was unavailable due to injury, forcing backup Nicco Marchiol into his first start of the season. Marchiol completed 24 of 32 passes for 181 yards and one touchdown.
How does Iowa's win over Northwestern affect the Big Ten standings?
The victory improved Iowa to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in Big Ten play, keeping the Hawkeyes in contention for a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game with three regular-season games remaining.