The Iowa Hawkeyes traveled to Evanston, Illinois, on Saturday night and left with a 24-10 win over Northwestern at Ryan Field, handing the Wildcats their first loss in their renovated stadium and improving to 7-2 on the season and 4-2 in Big Ten play. The University of Iowa confirmed the final score ... wait, let me write it properly below.
Iowa never trailed, controlled the line of scrimmage on defense, and got a breakout performance from running back LJ Phillips to snap Northwestern's perfect record at its new home. The Hawkeyes now sit at No. 16 in the AP Top 25 with three regular season games remaining, starting Saturday at home against Purdue.
Defense Sets the Tone Again
Phil Parker's defense suffocated a Northwestern offense that had been averaging more than 200 rushing yards per game. According to ... [continues] ...
Iowa held the Wildcats to 105 rushing yards on 2.8 yards per carry and limited them to a single conversion on 11 third down attempts. USA Today ... [continues] ...
reported that Iowa also racked up six sacks and eight tackles for loss in a game where the Hawkeyes never let quarterback Nicco Marchiol get comfortable.
Cam Buffington led the tackling with 12 stops, and Jayden Montgomery added nine. Bryce Hawthorne continued his strong play up front, and Kahmari Brown generated pressure that never showed up in the box score but showed up on film.
The numbers point to something bigger. Through nine games, Iowa is allowing 12.5 points per game, a pace that would make this the best scoring defense of the Kirk Ferentz era. The Hawkeyes have surrendered just 12 touchdowns all season.
A Tale of Two Halves on Offense
Iowa's offense was sharp before halftime and sloppy after it, yet still put 24 on the board. The Hawkeyes never once reached Northwestern's red zone, an oddity that tells you how the points were scored.
In the first half, Mark Gronowski's group mixed run and pass effectively, producing 102 yards through the air and 106 on the ground. Dylan Widmer was 11 of 13 passing and showed off his legs on a 21-yard touchdown run. The Hawkeyes finished the half with 208 yards of offense and a comfortable lead.
The second half belonged to special teams and mistakes. After Northwestern cut into the lead with a field goal, Braeden Jackson took the ensuing kickoff 96 yards to the house without a defender laying a hand on him.
From there, the miscues piled up. Widmer threw an interception on an underthrown ball. A flea flicker found Thomas Meyer wide open with green grass ahead, and he dropped it. A Kamari Moulton injury already had Iowa thin at running back, and a second half fumble gave Northwestern a short field it converted into a touchdown. Iowa managed just 88 yards of offense after the break.
LJ Phillips Answers the Bell
With Moulton out for the season, the question was who would carry the load. LJ Phillips answered it loudly with 128 yards on 21 carries, a 6.1 yards per clip average.
His defining run came early, when Iowa started a drive at its own 2-yard line and Phillips ripped off a punishing 45-yard gain. The Hawkeyes finished that 98-yard drive with a touchdown.
Phillips deflected the praise afterward.
Kamari is our guy, Kamari is our leader.
A couple weeks ago, Phillips had told reporters he was disappointed in his own play and needed to do more. Saturday, he did exactly that, and Iowa will need more of it down the stretch.
What It Means for the Stretch Run
Iowa is tied for third place in a crowded Big Ten race, and the November schedule now runs through Kinnick Stadium. The Hawkeyes host Purdue on Saturday at 6:30 p.m., with two more games after that to close the regular season.
According to ... [continues] ...
the win snapped Northwestern's unbeaten run in its new stadium, where the Wildcats had not lost before Saturday night.
For a program built on defense, field position, and running the football under Ferentz, this version of the Hawkeyes looks like a team rounding into form at the right time. The defense is chasing history. The running game found its next man up. The kicking game just produced the play of the night.
Next up: Purdue, under the lights in Iowa City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Iowa vs Northwestern?
Iowa defeated Northwestern 24-10 on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at Ryan Field in Evanston, Illinois.
How many tackles did Cam Buffington have against Northwestern?
Cam Buffington led Iowa with 12 tackles, and Jayden Montgomery added nine in the 24-10 win.
Who returned a kickoff for a touchdown for Iowa?
Braeden Jackson returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown in the second half, a return on which no Northwestern player touched him.
When does Iowa play Purdue?
Iowa hosts Purdue on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City.