Iowa Hawkeyes Silence Doubters With Dominant Win Over Washington
After a disappointing loss to Ohio State, the Iowa Hawkeyes traveled to Seattle with plenty of questions. They answered them all with authority Friday night, rolling past the Washington Huskies 41-24 for their first win in the Pacific Time Zone since 1965.
The No. 20 Hawkeyes controlled the game from start to finish, giving head coach Kirk Ferentz another signature victory and proving once again that this program knows how to bounce back. The win marks the fifth straight season Iowa has followed its first loss with a victory.
Backup Quarterback Shines in First Career Start
Jeremy Hecklinski delivered when it mattered most. The backup quarterback completed 14 of 19 passes for 202 yards and three touchdowns, the most touchdown passes by any Iowa quarterback this season.
Hecklinski joined elite company with his performance. He became just the fourth Hawkeye signal-caller to throw three scores in a first career start, alongside Jon Beutjer (2000), Ricky Stanzi (2008), and Nate Stanley (2017).
The Hawkeyes are now 8-1 in games where a backup quarterback makes his first career start under Ferentz, a remarkable track record of resilience and preparation.
Ground Game Dominates
Running back Kamari Moulton had a monster night, racking up 208 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. He became the first Hawkeye to top 200 yards since Kaleb Johnson's 206-yard effort at Minnesota in 2024.
Iowa's rushing attack has been a cornerstone under offensive coordinator Tim Lester. The Hawkeyes have now rushed for 200-plus yards in 16 games under Lester, winning 15 of those contests.
Defense Brings the Pressure
The Hawkeye defense made life miserable for Washington's offense, recording six sacks to tie a season high. Linebackers Cam Buffington and Preston Ries each tallied two sacks to lead the charge.
With injuries mounting at safety, Robert Morris transfer Xavier Styles stepped up in a big way, posting a team-high nine tackles in the victory.
Historic Milestones and Friday Night Success
The 41-point output marked the first time in 15 seasons that Iowa has scored 40 or more points three times in its first six games. It was also the most points the Hawkeyes have scored in a Big Ten game since a 42-10 win over Wisconsin in 2024.
Iowa's Friday night dominance continued as well. The Hawkeyes have now won four straight games played on Friday, including victories over Nebraska in 2024 and 2025, and Rutgers in 2025.
The win also marked Iowa's first regular season victory west of Nebraska since 1987, when the Hawkeyes edged Arizona by a single point.
Receivers Making Plays
Wide receiver Reece Vander Zee posted a new career-high with 69 receiving yards. His three touchdown receptions this season match the career best he set in 2024.
What This Win Means for Iowa
The Hawkeyes answered their critics in emphatic fashion. After questions swirled about the team's ability to compete following the Ohio State loss, Iowa showed the kind of toughness and execution that has defined the Ferentz era.
With Hecklinski providing a spark at quarterback and Moulton anchoring a powerful ground game, Iowa looks well-positioned as the season moves forward. The Hawkeyes will look to build on this momentum and keep climbing in the national rankings.
For Iowa fans, Friday night in Seattle was a reminder that this team has the talent and the heart to compete with anyone in the country.