Iowa's Ground Game Gets Its Biggest Measuring Stick Yet Against Washington
When Iowa hosts Washington on Friday night, the Hawkeyes will face a run defense that has transformed itself since these two teams last met. Two years ago, Iowa rolled up 220 rushing yards against the Huskies in a 40-16 blowout inside Kinnick Stadium. That loss served as a wake-up call for Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, who now views this rematch as the ultimate test of how far his program has come.
Washington's Run Defense Has Come a Long Way
In 2024, Washington ranked 15th in the Big Ten in both yards per rush and rushing yards allowed per game, giving up 4.6 yards per carry and 161.9 yards on the ground. Through five games this season, those numbers have improved dramatically. The Huskies now allow just 3.2 yards per rush and 111.4 rushing yards per game, both ranking eighth in the conference.
But the numbers only tell part of the story. Washington defensive coordinator Ryan Walters has shown a knack for making halftime adjustments that completely change the game.
Second-Half Adjustments Have Been the Difference
Against Minnesota, the Gophers averaged 5.6 yards per carry in the first half on 16 attempts. After the break, Washington held them to just 2.1 yards per rush on 17 carries. The same pattern emerged against USC, where the Trojans averaged 5.3 yards per attempt before halftime but just 1.8 yards per carry afterward.
In both games, Washington surrendered an explosive rush of at least 35 yards in the first quarter. In the remaining three quarters combined, they did not allow a single run longer than 15 yards.
“I thought the run defense executed the game plan well,” Walters said Tuesday. “Everybody doing their job, making some adjustments on the sideline to some of the type of plays we were seeing out of certain formations. And I thought they did a great job of that, being able to adjust without reps on the sideline.”
Walters credited better tackling and proper leverage for the second-half turnaround.
“I thought tackling was better in the second half. We had proper leverage on the ball, proper leverage in taking on blocks. So that's why I thought we attacked the run game a lot better in the second half,” Walters added.
Iowa's Rushing Attack Has Been a Tale of Two Seasons
On paper, Iowa's ground game looks formidable. The Hawkeyes rank fifth in the Big Ten with 180 rushing yards per game and nearly six yards per attempt. But those numbers are heavily inflated by performances against Northern Iowa (422 yards) and Northern Illinois (289 yards).
Against Power Four competition, the story changes dramatically. In games against Iowa State, Ohio State, and Michigan, Iowa has averaged just 2.6 yards per rush and 63.3 rushing yards per game.
Kamari Moulton leads the Hawkeyes with 311 yards on 50 carries and two touchdowns. Four different running backs have at least 19 carries this season, giving Iowa quality depth in the backfield.
What's at Stake for Both Teams
For Fisch, this game represents a chance to prove his program has closed the gap that was so evident two years ago.
“I'm very curious to see what does a game look like for us against Iowa,” Fisch said Monday. “We couldn't stop their run game at all. So we're looking forward to seeing where we are at this point.”
The Huskies' improved run defense will face an Iowa offense that has struggled to establish consistency against tougher competition. Washington's ability to adjust in-game could prove decisive against a Hawkeye team that has yet to find its rhythm against Power Four opponents.
“I hope that this year, year three for us, we're able to see, 'Where are we as a measuring stick to Iowa?'” Fisch concluded. “And then from there, be able to figure out what more we need to do to become that team in the Big Ten that can get to nine to 12 wins every season.”
Will Iowa's Ground Game Answer the Challenge?
The Hawkeyes have the talent and depth to establish the run, but they haven't proven it against elite competition this season. Friday night's matchup will show whether Iowa can impose its will against a Washington defense that has clearly improved its ability to stop the run and adapt during games.
For Iowa fans, the question is simple: Can the Hawkeyes re-establish the physical identity that has defined the program under Kirk Ferentz? The answer will come Friday night under the lights at Kinnick Stadium.
Photo: Griffin Hooper-Imagn Images